Sanford a free agent in 08?

Posted at 08:04 AM ET, 02/23/2006
S.C. Primary Watch: Sanford a Free Agent in '08

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Gov. Mark Sanford (R) made clear
Wednesday in an interview in his statehouse office
that he is a free agent when it comes to the 2008
Republican primaries.

That news may come as something of a surprise to
supporters of Sen. John McCain (Ariz.), whom Sanford
backed in South Carolina's 2000 primary. But the
Palmetto State governor insists his decision (or, more
accurately, indecision) is not meant as a "slap" at
McCain but rather part of a concerted effort on his
part to find the candidate in the field truly
dedicated to fiscal conservatism.

"I am not committed at this point," said Sanford, who
acknowledged that "a long list of characters"
considering the 2008 race have reached out to him. "I
am really going to look very hard at somebody who will
espouse that notion of fiscal discipline and financial
stewardship. That would be at the top of my list."

Sanford said he has every intention to pick a
candidate in the '08 field at some point. "I'm gonna
get involved," he said. "I am in the process of
governance because it gives you leverage in terms of
trying to push for the ideas you believe in. One of
the biggest debates on ideas and where they go next is
obviously the presidency."

Assuming he is reelected to a second term this
November, Sanford will emerge as one of the two most
important GOP political powerbrokers in the state not
aligned with a 2008 candidate. Sen. Lindsey Graham is
backing McCain. The other uncommitted lawmaker in a
statewide post is Sen. Jim DeMint. (Rep. Joe Wilson is
with Sen. George Allen (Va.)

Don't expect a Sanford endorsement the day after the
November election. He said he wants "to take a
complete inventory of who best matches up with where
I'm coming from" before declaring support for a 2008
candidate.

For more on The Fix's interview with Sanford --
including his 2006 reelection prospects -- check this
space next week.