SC

Mark Sanford Leads Elizabeth Colbert-Busch

Mark Sanford has come from behind to take a slim lead over Democrat Elizabeth Colbert-Busch in the hotly contested special election for the South Carolina first congressional district, sources familiar with the former governor’s internal polling tell FITS. Several sources close to the Sanford campaign confirmed a poll was in…

Mark Sanford has come from behind to take a slim lead over Democrat Elizabeth Colbert-Busch in the hotly contested special election for the South Carolina first congressional district, sources familiar with the former governor’s internal polling tell FITS.

Several sources close to the Sanford campaign confirmed a poll was in the field over the weekend, but they declined to discuss specific numbers. Meanwhile Sanford’s spokesman Joel Sawyer did not immediately respond to messages seeking information on the poll.

Exact numbers were not divulged, but multiple sources familiar with the poll’s results tell FITS Sanford enjoys a single-digit lead that’s “outside of the margin of error” of the internal survey. One source said Sanford was “up five,” although they declined to provide a specific count.

“Sanford is in a good position of not needing to take votes from her, while she is in need of taking votes from him,” one source said. “She needs some unforced errors on the part of the Sanford campaign or she needs to run a scorched earth campaign in the hopes of driving down turnout.”

A survey taken three weeks ago by Public Policy Polling showed Colbert-Busch with a 47-45 percent edge over Sanford. Meanwhile a poll released two weeks ago by Colbert-Busch’s campaign had her leading the former governor by a 47-44 percent spread.

If Sanford indeed has a five-point lead over Colbert-Busch, that’s a pretty remarkable swing in such a short time – particularly when you consider Colbert-Busch has been running television ads for the past two weeks while Sanford has been off the air.

Mitt Romney won the first district by nearly 20 points last November, but a weak Republican field – combined with the fact this is a special election – has presented Democrats with a rare opportunity to steal a seat from the GOP. Ironically, as flawed a candidate as Sanford is (he’s the Appalachian Trial guy, remember?) he actually entered the race against Colbert-Busch polling better than the “Republican in Name Only” he defeated in the GOP runoff earlier this month.

The first district seat came open earlier this year when its most recent occupant, Tim Scott, accepted an appointment from Gov. Nikki Haley to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Jim DeMint – who is now running a Washington, D.C.-based think tank.

And if that didn’t make you dizzy, this same seat will come up for election again next year (along with the other 434 seats in the U.S. Congress) – with filing for party primaries opening in March 2014.

***

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88 comments

Hang Ten April 15, 2013 at 7:11 pm

When I get calls from Sanford, his staff or his pollsters, I always say I’ll vote for him, even though I would never dare. He’s an embarrassment and should return to CNN, his farm, Argentina, surfing with Chip “don’t ask for my income sources” Campsen, or whatever.

Reply
Jacksonboro Joe April 15, 2013 at 9:49 pm

Chip’s income is not a secret. He married well. Not only that, she is infinitely nicer than he. Which is not a big thing as he is just a grouchy old bag, but she is just a really great gal who’s parents should have vetted a little more intensely.

Reply
Hang Ten April 15, 2013 at 7:11 pm

When I get calls from Sanford, his staff or his pollsters, I always say I’ll vote for him, even though I would never dare. He’s an embarrassment and should return to CNN, his farm, Argentina, surfing with Chip “don’t ask for my income sources” Campsen, or whatever.

Reply
Jacksonboro Joe April 15, 2013 at 9:49 pm

Chip’s income is not a secret. He married well. Not only that, she is infinitely nicer than he. Which is not a big thing as he is just a grouchy old bag, but she is just a really great gal who’s parents should have vetted a little more intensely.

Reply
Fed up REPUBLICAN April 15, 2013 at 7:33 pm

I would NEVER vote for this lying, philandering, cheating, narcissistic, egotistical, goldbircking, failure of a human being, for even the job of shit hauler.

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Smirks April 15, 2013 at 8:52 pm

Mark Sanford says: Thank God for the dumb vote!

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Fed up REPUBLICAN April 15, 2013 at 7:33 pm

I would NEVER vote for this lying, philandering, cheating, narcissistic, egotistical, goldbircking, failure of a human being, for even the job of shit hauler.

Reply
Smirks April 15, 2013 at 8:52 pm

Mark Sanford says: Thank God for the dumb vote!

Reply
CNSYD April 15, 2013 at 7:36 pm

Freudian slip by Sic Willie? “Appalachian Trial”

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CNSYD April 15, 2013 at 7:36 pm

Freudian slip by Sic Willie? “Appalachian Trial”

Reply
Grandmother April 15, 2013 at 8:09 pm

What is wrong with the people of District 1? This clown should have never gotten this far. And we wonder why South Carolina is at the bottom in almost every category. Apparently the folks in this district like it that way. I can assure you that the rest of the state is sick and tired of the same trash being re-elected time and time again.

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Fed up with scum April 15, 2013 at 8:36 pm

Amen!!!

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swampland April 16, 2013 at 11:32 am

So you have been appointed to speak for the “rest of the state?”

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Grandmother April 16, 2013 at 8:26 pm

No, but one can only hope. Surely the people of this state have some since of decency left.

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Grandmother April 15, 2013 at 8:09 pm

What is wrong with the people of District 1? This clown should have never gotten this far. And we wonder why South Carolina is at the bottom in almost every category. Apparently the folks in this district like it that way. I can assure you that the rest of the state is sick and tired of the same trash being re-elected time and time again.

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Fed up with scum April 15, 2013 at 8:36 pm

Amen!!!

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swampland April 16, 2013 at 11:32 am

So you have been appointed to speak for the “rest of the state?”

Reply
Grandmother April 16, 2013 at 8:26 pm

No, but one can only hope. Surely the people of this state have some since of decency left.

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cuvinny April 15, 2013 at 8:18 pm

Internal polls had Romney leading in fucking Penn. before the election. Let me know when PPP updates their polls.

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vicupstate April 16, 2013 at 5:47 am

Exactly. No campaign poll can be trusted unless they publish the internals.

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cuvinny April 15, 2013 at 8:18 pm

Internal polls had Romney leading in fucking Penn. before the election. Let me know when PPP updates their polls.

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vicupstate April 16, 2013 at 5:47 am

Exactly. No campaign poll can be trusted unless they publish the internals.

Reply
BigT April 15, 2013 at 8:47 pm

If Sanford loses Tim Scott’s district, it would be as big a disgrace as Mark Sanford…

Also: Career, moneyed-up politicians are KILLING the Conservative Movement.

It’s why we’ve lost TWO presidentials to the WORST president of my lifetime.

If she has half a brain..she needs to go after this dirtbag STRONG.

We’ll get her out later. But I fear a Bob Inglis-type incumbent that will take years to jettison from the people’s office…

Reply
john q April 15, 2013 at 11:03 pm

I agree T, Bush was the WORST president ever. Losing to Bush twice allowed him to run our countries financial and housing industry into the ground. Luckily the right wing nut jobs showed to much of their crazy side allowing Obama to be elected twice.

Reply
BigT April 16, 2013 at 5:17 am

You must love Food Stamps, unemployment, high gas prices, low home prices, misery and America being looked at as a joke….
In short: you must be a freakin’ delusional Dumb@$$…

Reply
BigT April 15, 2013 at 8:47 pm

If Sanford loses Tim Scott’s district, it would be as big a disgrace as Mark Sanford…

Also: Career, moneyed-up politicians are KILLING the Conservative Movement.

It’s why we’ve lost TWO presidentials to the WORST president of my lifetime.

If she has half a brain..she needs to go after this dirtbag STRONG.

We’ll get her out later. But I fear a Bob Inglis-type incumbent that will take years to jettison from the people’s office…

Reply
john q April 15, 2013 at 11:03 pm

I agree T, Bush was the WORST president ever. Losing to Bush twice allowed him to run our countries financial and housing industry into the ground. Luckily the right wing nut jobs showed to much of their crazy side allowing Obama to be elected twice.

Reply
BigT April 16, 2013 at 5:17 am

You must love Food Stamps, unemployment, high gas prices, low home prices, misery and America being looked at as a joke….
In short: you must be a freakin’ delusional Dumb@$$…

Reply
Smirks April 15, 2013 at 8:50 pm

Can’t wait for the next “Our Dumb State” in the Free Times.

Reply
9" April 16, 2013 at 1:39 am

Free Times needs to include itself in their next ,’Our Dumb State’ issue.The writing and ,especially ,music coverage, has gone to hell,but worst of all,is the ‘Crime Blotter’,which is their redneck,biscuits and gravy..

They’ve become nothing more than a free edition of,’Jailbirds’…and with those endless,thick ads,all they’re good for is the birdcage and dinette packing material

Reply
BigT April 16, 2013 at 8:20 am

Free Times is pretty much nothing more than a Hook-Up bulletin board for the male “Put anything in my mouth” promiscuous homosexual community. (Is that redundant?)

Free Times is kinda like the bath-house of media or the boat ramp of newspapers…

Reply
Smirks April 15, 2013 at 8:50 pm

Can’t wait for the next “Our Dumb State” in the Free Times.

Reply
9" April 16, 2013 at 1:39 am

Free Times needs to include itself in their next ,’Our Dumb State’ issue.The writing and ,especially ,music coverage, has gone to hell,but worst of all,is the ‘Crime Blotter’,which is their redneck,biscuits and gravy..

They’ve become nothing more than a free edition of,’Jailbirds’…and with those endless,thick ads,all they’re good for is the birdcage and dinette packing material

Reply
BigT April 16, 2013 at 8:20 am

Free Times is pretty much nothing more than a Hook-Up bulletin board for the male “Put anything in my mouth” promiscuous homosexual community. (Is that redundant?)

Free Times is kinda like the bath-house of media or the boat ramp of newspapers…

Reply
Sailor April 15, 2013 at 9:11 pm

In that picture, he looks like he’s got a bad hangover and he needs a haircut.

Reply
Wave April 16, 2013 at 12:56 pm

That was taken at the RNC after he proposed to CBC the week before. All that was too much for him.

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Sailor April 15, 2013 at 9:11 pm

In that picture, he looks like he’s got a bad hangover and he needs a haircut.

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Wave April 16, 2013 at 12:56 pm

That was taken at the RNC after he proposed to CBC the week before. All that was too much for him.

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WTF April 15, 2013 at 9:47 pm

let’s see, we elected Sanford for Gov, could have elected Bob Peeler. Either way we would have gotten a scum bag, liar, adulterer!
We have a sicko scumbag adlterer for Comptroller General, Richard Eckstrom.
We had and adulterer and liar in Peeler when he was Lt. Gov and then we elected a immaure, juvenile gay child in Andre Bauer.
When Bauer lost in the primary, we got a lying criminal in Lt Gov. Ken Ard!
We now have an alleged adulterer, liar and incompetent Governor, supported by Sanford, Nikki Haley!
Our House Speaker, Bobby Harrell, alleged and implicated in illegal activities.
A Supreme Court Chief Justice, Jean Toal who is an alcoholic and law breaker. One who uses her position of power to influence the outcome of cases and feels herself above the law, leaving the secene of accidents, hit and run professional.
An Attorney General (attorney) who is incapable of reading and understanding the laws he is tasked to enforce!
Jim Clyburn and Joe Wilson in our Congressional delegation, neither of whom understand service to the people and that they work for the taxpayer. Who, like Haley, work for themselves and their families, not for the people of their districts, State and Country.
And we may be on the verge of another in Mark Sanford in the newly formed First Congressional District.
Do we see a pattern here folks? We have met the enemy and it is us! Can we wake up, before too late?

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adam evans April 15, 2013 at 11:49 pm

Yet there are other names in current SC politics, Loftis among them, who are working overtime to do the heavy lifting of competent, honorable, open governance. Lend them a hand; offer encouragement; send them a check.

Reply
9" April 16, 2013 at 1:10 am

you sound angry! but,joe wilson has turquoise eyes and multicolored chest hair.his service to the people is miraculous,and maybe ya’ll need to suck ,i mean seek,each other off/out;i’ve gotten good service…. during these difficult times….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEpSKMcEdOk

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WTF April 15, 2013 at 9:47 pm

let’s see, we elected Sanford for Gov, could have elected Bob Peeler. Either way we would have gotten a scum bag, liar, adulterer!
We have a sicko scumbag adlterer for Comptroller General, Richard Eckstrom.
We had and adulterer and liar in Peeler when he was Lt. Gov and then we elected a immaure, juvenile gay child in Andre Bauer.
When Bauer lost in the primary, we got a lying criminal in Lt Gov. Ken Ard!
We now have an alleged adulterer, liar and incompetent Governor, supported by Sanford, Nikki Haley!
Our House Speaker, Bobby Harrell, alleged and implicated in illegal activities.
A Supreme Court Chief Justice, Jean Toal who is an alcoholic and law breaker. One who uses her position of power to influence the outcome of cases and feels herself above the law, leaving the secene of accidents, hit and run professional.
An Attorney General (attorney) who is incapable of reading and understanding the laws he is tasked to enforce!
Jim Clyburn and Joe Wilson in our Congressional delegation, neither of whom understand service to the people and that they work for the taxpayer. Who, like Haley, work for themselves and their families, not for the people of their districts, State and Country.
And we may be on the verge of another in Mark Sanford in the newly formed First Congressional District.
Do we see a pattern here folks? We have met the enemy and it is us! Can we wake up, before too late?

Reply
adam evans April 15, 2013 at 11:49 pm

Yet there are other names in current SC politics, Loftis among them, who are working overtime to do the heavy lifting of competent, honorable, open governance. Lend them a hand; offer encouragement; send them a check.

Reply
9" April 16, 2013 at 1:10 am

you sound angry! but,joe wilson has turquoise eyes and multicolored chest hair.his service to the people is miraculous,and maybe ya’ll need to suck ,i mean seek,each other off/out;i’ve gotten good service…. during these difficult times….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEpSKMcEdOk

Reply
Now auditioning April 15, 2013 at 10:21 pm

People of SC-1 believe that Sanford, having been on the outside for several years and unable to procure steady employment with cushy benefits, will be only too happy to become their toady to keep this position. Except Sanford will not be happy to maintain the status quo…his ego won’t let him. He could cast aside his wife and family to go for someone else that aligned with his ego and goals and he’ll continue to do whatever and apologize later to continue per his plan. Except when he does get a reality check that doesn’t coincide with who C-Street tells him he is, and he is rejected, he will go off the rails, in disbelief. He’ll probably be due for another soul mate about that time….

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Now auditioning April 15, 2013 at 10:21 pm

People of SC-1 believe that Sanford, having been on the outside for several years and unable to procure steady employment with cushy benefits, will be only too happy to become their toady to keep this position. Except Sanford will not be happy to maintain the status quo…his ego won’t let him. He could cast aside his wife and family to go for someone else that aligned with his ego and goals and he’ll continue to do whatever and apologize later to continue per his plan. Except when he does get a reality check that doesn’t coincide with who C-Street tells him he is, and he is rejected, he will go off the rails, in disbelief. He’ll probably be due for another soul mate about that time….

Reply
María Belén April 15, 2013 at 10:42 pm

You mother fuckers! You write bad things about my Mark! Fuck you! He is wonderful person. He bring me breakfast in bed. He kind to his momma. He help in kitchen. He mow lawn. He read books. He go on TV. He famous. Like the Beetles. Like Elvis. Go fuck yourself. He win! He smart! I love he.

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Squishy123 April 15, 2013 at 10:55 pm

You talk like you’re all ghetto.

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María Belén April 16, 2013 at 12:15 am

Usted debe ir a vivir en el infierno. Su madre lleva botas. Su padre duerme con las ovejas en su cama. Su hermana duerme con los caballos.

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Lexxz April 17, 2013 at 12:47 pm

¡Muy gracioso!

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ryan April 17, 2013 at 1:16 pm

Love it LOL!!!!

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María Belén April 15, 2013 at 10:42 pm

You mother fuckers! You write bad things about my Mark! Fuck you! He is wonderful person. He bring me breakfast in bed. He kind to his momma. He help in kitchen. He mow lawn. He read books. He go on TV. He famous. Like the Beetles. Like Elvis. Go fuck yourself. He win! He smart! I love he.

Reply
Squishy123 April 15, 2013 at 10:55 pm

You talk like you’re all ghetto.

Reply
María Belén April 16, 2013 at 12:15 am

Usted debe ir a vivir en el infierno. Su madre lleva botas. Su padre duerme con las ovejas en su cama. Su hermana duerme con los caballos.

Reply
Lexxz April 17, 2013 at 12:47 pm

¡Muy gracioso!

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ryan April 17, 2013 at 1:16 pm

Love it LOL!!!!

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hoss April 15, 2013 at 11:27 pm

‘shaft’ radio ad finished her off. Numbers don’t lie.

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hoss April 15, 2013 at 11:27 pm

‘shaft’ radio ad finished her off. Numbers don’t lie.

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Joe April 16, 2013 at 7:09 am

When you vote for the devil you know you still get the devil. When you can only choose the lessor of two evils you still get evil.

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Joe April 16, 2013 at 7:09 am

When you vote for the devil you know you still get the devil. When you can only choose the lessor of two evils you still get evil.

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BinxBolling April 16, 2013 at 7:50 am

Would you expect his internal polling/survey numbers to show him losing? This reads like a Sanford press release.

I really wish the seat wasn’t coming up for election again so soon. I’m so tired of seeing all of these people. I can’t even imagine what the next batch of contestants will bring.

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BinxBolling April 16, 2013 at 7:50 am

Would you expect his internal polling/survey numbers to show him losing? This reads like a Sanford press release.

I really wish the seat wasn’t coming up for election again so soon. I’m so tired of seeing all of these people. I can’t even imagine what the next batch of contestants will bring.

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nitrat April 16, 2013 at 9:33 am

Saw a great anti-Sanford ad by the House Majority PAC this AM. Who are they?

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nitrat April 16, 2013 at 9:33 am

Saw a great anti-Sanford ad by the House Majority PAC this AM. Who are they?

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Tyrone Goldnuts April 16, 2013 at 10:24 am

For a guy who hates government, he is seeking a post therein. He’s schizoid. If I hated something, I would not join it.

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Tyrone Goldnuts April 16, 2013 at 10:24 am

For a guy who hates government, he is seeking a post therein. He’s schizoid. If I hated something, I would not join it.

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annefair April 16, 2013 at 11:10 am

” Sanford campaign confirmed a poll “……well I’m convinced,because Sanford would never lie.

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annefair April 16, 2013 at 11:10 am

” Sanford campaign confirmed a poll “……well I’m convinced,because Sanford would never lie.

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mph April 16, 2013 at 12:28 pm

Ha, Sanford says he has internal polls saying he’s winning. Well, shit, given his track record of honesty, that’s good enough for me. Oh, the last real polling outfit and the best in the last election says otherwise. Maybe he’s using the same internal polling Karl Rove and Mitt Romney were using.

By the way, do term limits reboot or is this just Sanford coming to the admitting that he’s no different than what he pretended to loath? My guess – he gets reelected and you’ll never get him out of Washington and off the public dime.

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mph April 16, 2013 at 12:28 pm

Ha, Sanford says he has internal polls saying he’s winning. Well, shit, given his track record of honesty, that’s good enough for me. Oh, the last real polling outfit and the best in the last election says otherwise. Maybe he’s using the same internal polling Karl Rove and Mitt Romney were using.

By the way, do term limits reboot or is this just Sanford coming to the admitting that he’s no different than what he pretended to loath? My guess – he gets reelected and you’ll never get him out of Washington and off the public dime.

Reply
Bill Byrd April 16, 2013 at 1:17 pm

Expecting a Democrat in SC to know how to run a scorched earth campaign is wishful thinking. Colbert is a dolt who has no idea how to campaign. Any half wit would have enough sense to point out Sanford’s awful record in Congress, his unbelievable lying stunts as Governor, near impeachment, and finally giving us Tricky Nicky Haley. If Colbert doesn’t have enough guts to point all this out, then she doesn’t deserve to represent anyone in Congress.

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Bill Byrd April 16, 2013 at 1:17 pm

Expecting a Democrat in SC to know how to run a scorched earth campaign is wishful thinking. Colbert is a dolt who has no idea how to campaign. Any half wit would have enough sense to point out Sanford’s awful record in Congress, his unbelievable lying stunts as Governor, near impeachment, and finally giving us Tricky Nicky Haley. If Colbert doesn’t have enough guts to point all this out, then she doesn’t deserve to represent anyone in Congress.

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Andy Bechtel April 16, 2013 at 8:32 pm

“She needs some unforced errors on the part of the Sanford campaign.” And then this happened. http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/04/16/sanford-trespassing-south-carolina-house-campaign/2089171/

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Andy Bechtel April 16, 2013 at 8:32 pm

“She needs some unforced errors on the part of the Sanford campaign.” And then this happened. http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/04/16/sanford-trespassing-south-carolina-house-campaign/2089171/

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RHood2 April 16, 2013 at 8:41 pm

you said no unforced errors on Mark’s part and he’s got it?

Don’t see any mention of the trespassing charge filed by his ex-wife.

http://columbia-sc.patch.com/articles/mark-sanford-facing-trespassing-charges-from-ex-wife-a7c205af

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RHood2 April 16, 2013 at 8:41 pm

you said no unforced errors on Mark’s part and he’s got it?

Don’t see any mention of the trespassing charge filed by his ex-wife.

http://columbia-sc.patch.com/articles/mark-sanford-facing-trespassing-charges-from-ex-wife-a7c205af

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Anthony Placebo April 16, 2013 at 11:24 pm

”She needs some unforced errors on the part of the Sanford campaign or she needs to run a scorched earth campaign in the hopes of driving down turnout.”
check on that unforced error.

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Anthony Placebo April 16, 2013 at 11:24 pm

”She needs some unforced errors on the part of the Sanford campaign or she needs to run a scorched earth campaign in the hopes of driving down turnout.”
check on that unforced error.

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transplant123 April 17, 2013 at 9:16 am

I like tresspassing as an “unforced error…”

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transplant123 April 17, 2013 at 9:16 am

I like tresspassing as an “unforced error…”

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Concerned in Charleston April 17, 2013 at 11:34 am

I’d like to see what happens in the polls after this new story about Sanford Trespassing breaks…

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Concerned in Charleston April 17, 2013 at 11:34 am

I’d like to see what happens in the polls after this new story about Sanford Trespassing breaks…

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BushCheney2012 April 17, 2013 at 3:39 pm

This is all Jenny Sanford’s fault. If she did not let her self go, then
Mark would not have been forced to outsource their marital relations to
Argentina.

Now his pregnant mistress, (another anchor baby),
yells at him in spanish all day long. So he sneaked over to Jenny’s to
she if she wanted a quickie! Whats the big deal???

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BushCheney2016forMerica April 17, 2013 at 3:39 pm

This is all Jenny Sanford’s fault. If she did not let her self go, then
Mark would not have been forced to outsource their marital relations to
Argentina.

Now his pregnant mistress, (another anchor baby),
yells at him in spanish all day long. So he sneaked over to Jenny’s to
she if she wanted a quickie! Whats the big deal???

Reply
Kelly Cowan April 19, 2013 at 10:23 am

LOL! The poll with no numbers? This idiot belongs in a cell for all his ethics violations! My Republican relatives in Myrtle Beach told me they will be voting for Busch, they have never voted for a Democrat in their lives.

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Kelly Cowan April 19, 2013 at 10:23 am

LOL! The poll with no numbers? This idiot belongs in a cell for all his ethics violations! My Republican relatives in Myrtle Beach told me they will be voting for Busch, they have never voted for a Democrat in their lives.

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Ajay Jain May 4, 2013 at 3:03 am

Watch the ONLY debate between Colbert and Sanford, judge for yourself who speaks for you and vote!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpPy5u7EszM

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ajain31 May 4, 2013 at 3:03 am

Watch the ONLY debate between Colbert and Sanford, judge for yourself who speaks for you and vote!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpPy5u7EszM

Reply

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