Governor to be out of town when special session convenes

The General Assembly is to convene in a special session today. As VUI addressed before, the stated purpose of the special session is to fix a glitch in the state’s unemployment system. However, as the special session approaches, lawmakers are hinting in an article in The State newspaper that a big economic development deal might be addressed as well. Republican Greg Dellenny of Chester plans to introduce a bill of impeachment against Governor Sanford in the House of Representatives. Other legislators are hinting that other impeachment plans could be dealt with.

With such important issues to be addressed in the special session, one would expect Mark Sanford to spend the entire day in Columbia at the State House, working with what allies he has left for support and working to have input on the employment security system fix and whatever the secret economic development issue is. Instead, the Governor will be in Sumter when the General Assembly is meeting. According to the Governor’s public schedule released by his press office, Governor Sanford will be at Palmetto Gas in Sumter when the General Assembly convenes at noon. Afterwards, Governor Sanford will go to the Sumter Rotary Club meeting. The Governor does plan to be back in Columbia this evening to attend the University of South Carolina College Republicans meeting.

For nearly seven years, Governor Sanford has had a difficult time working with the General Assembly the people of South Carolina elected. Perhaps Sanford is heading to Sumter as an act of defiance. Perhaps the Governor is in denial about his situation. Perhaps the Governor realizes he is ineffective as Governor working with the General Assembly and all he has left to do is cut ribbons and make press appearances.

Regardless of the reason, Sanford is disengaged from the process that makes a difference. Even if one removes Sanford’s impeachment problem from the equation, Sanford’s lack of presence during a special session of the General Assembly sums up his time as Governor. While the General Assembly will be working on an important problem, the Governor will be out in Sumter speaking to the Rotary Club.

Chances are, after the General Assembly does whatever work it needs to, the Governor will criticize their efforts. Such has angered lawmakers for seven years. The Governor does not “work” the capitol when important issues are being addressed and then criticizes the General Assembly for its work.

Think about it. Suppose one of your co-workers just could not find the time to meet with others to give his input on big decisions. When the decisions are made, he criticizes you and others. Suppose a meeting was going to be held to determine that co-worker’s future employment, and that co-worker made it a point to not even be in town during that meeting. It would be hard to believe that co-worker really cared about the business or keeping his job. Add to that the fact that co-worker tries to get you fired every chance he gets. Would that co-worker be someone you would stand up for or want to keep around?