SC Hopes Its Dumb Pols Don't Hurt Economy, Too

As fiscal situation worsens, SC governor's stimulus refusal draws ire

(NEWSER) - South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford has until Friday to choose between the philosophical and the fiscal as the deadline to accept $700 million in federal stimulus money approaches, the Wall Street Journal reports. Sanford wants authority over the funds, earmarked for education and public safety, and has pledged to refuse them unless the legislature agrees to pay down debt—an action it says it can’t afford. More»

Fallen conservative rock star considers the next chapter

(NEWSER) - Mark Sanford leaves the South Carolina governor's mansion next week a 50-year-old divorcee whose adultery ground his race toward political rock stardom to a screeching, sobbing halt. But though he's free to head out on the Appalachian trail for real this time, the AP notes in an exit interview that Sanford also leaves a valuable legacy: He successfully weathered calls for his resignation, chosen successor Nikki Haley will take the governor's oath, and the Tea Party has firmly latched onto his preachings of fiscal responsibility. His mid-life crisis, say friends, is mercifully over. So what's next? More»

Nothing but 'disgusting politics,' she says

(AP) - Here we go again: A South Carolina lobbyist resigned from a rival political campaign yesterday and then became the second man to claim he had a tryst with Nikki Haley . Lobbyist Larry Marchant says he and Haley, who's running for governor, had a "one night indiscretion" in a Salt Lake City hotel room in June 2008, but admitted he had no proof to back up his allegation. "You can't have any evidence on a one night affair," he says. More»

SC governor hopeful Nikki Haley denies blogger's claim

(AP) - A political blogger claimed today that he had an affair several years ago with a married Republican vying to become the state's first female governor. Rep. Nikki Haley vehemently denied the allegation, made in a post on Will Folks' blog that contained no proof. Haley called the claim a "disgraceful smear" planted to derail her campaign, which has gained steam from high-powered endorsements, including Sarah Palin and Jenny Sanford. More»

SC first lady dishes on confessional press conference: 'way too long'

(NEWSER) - Jenny Sanford continues to offer tantalizing glimpses into her relationship with South Carolina governor and soon-to-be ex-husband Mark Sanford and the fallout of his affair. Sanford sat down with Good Morning America and provided NPR with an excerpt of her new book, Staying True. Some quips and revelations:

• The confessional press conference: Sanford continues to make short work of questions about why she didn't appear with her husband when he announced his affair. "I don't know what I would have stood by him about," she tells NPR.