One of the few good things to come out of Gov. Mark Sanford‘s email dump is that we finally get clear answers to what was obvious, but what his prevaricating staff would never make clear.
Reform SC
Though the Governor and his people have said damn near everything to the contrary, it’s been common knowledge that groups like Reform SC have been getting their marching orders from “downstairs” at the State House. With a kicker, that revelation is attached to a PR strategy email about ways to attack Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell.
The alternative budget
Earlier this year, Sanford allies in the Senate said time and time again that the “alternative budget” did not come out of the Governor’s Office. Sen. Tom Davis seemed to bristle at the suggestion that the budget was a Sanford venture. The first cracks in this façade were when Sen. Kevin Bryant said in a news story that several senators had met with the Governor’s staff to develop the proposal. Now we finally know the real truth.
Not so obvious
Because to have a blinding flash you first have to have the dark, here it is: the now-anonymous email talking to Sanford about a media play by consultant Bob McAlister against the Governor’s stimulus position. Who sent it? From where? Thanks to the redacts, it’s hard to know.
