Did Mark Sanford legitimately win his South Carolin Congressional race? Or did he have help?

This was posted on the Brad Blog yesterday:  

Tonight, South Carolina's same 100% unverifiable touch-screen voting systems that declared the unknown, unemployed, never-once-campaigned-anywhere Alvin Green to have somehow defeated four-term state legislator and circuit court judge Vic Rawl to win the 2010 Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate, declared Mark Sanford the winner over Elizabeth Colbert Busch by a 9 point landslide... 

The unverified and unverifiable computer-reported results tonight led PPP's Tom Jensen to tweet: "I feel bad about our SC-1 polling, I'd feel worse if there had been any indication from any other polling that Sanford landslide was coming". 

Neither Jensen nor PPP should feel bad. There was no more indication that a "landslide was coming", than there is proof tonight that it actually came. 

We explained last month, in detail, why the votes cast in this race on SC's oft-failed, easily-manipulated ES&S iVotronic touch-screen voting system would be 100% unverifiable. As Vic Rawl, a Colbert Busch supporter and the man who inexplicably "lost" to Alvin Green told us at the time, no matter what the results would be tonight, no matter how inexplicable they might be, "the fact is, there's not a darn thing that anybody can do about it." 

While it's completely possible that PPP's pre-election numbers were entirely wrong, or that the disgraced Sanford legitimately, somehow, achieved an 18 point turnaround in just two weeks, the voters of SC will never know one way or another if he did or didn't. Once again, we have another 100% unverifiable faith-based election in the world's once-greatest democracy.

Now look I am well aware that anybody who questions the outcome of an election seems like a sore loser looking for a conspiracy theory to explain how THEIR candidate lost. And I don't want to be THAT guy.

However many of you know, because we covered it extensively during the last election, that the voting machines are completely unreliable and that in states where the Republican party is in charge Democrats cannot win unless they receive a large majority of the vote.

So did this happen in South Carolina? I don't know for certain, but there was something interesting that happened which first sent up red flags for me and which has made me question Sanford's victory ever since.

You see I had discovered that HuffPo was tracking the incoming results on a page which constantly refreshed every nine seconds, so I had left that page open on my computer in order to check back occasionally and see the progress of the vote tally.

For most of the morning the numbers were about 54% for Colbert Busch and I think about 47% for Sanford.

I got busy about halfway through my day and did not check the results for a two hour span of time. But when I checked again I was shocked to see that the numbers had completely reversed. In other words they were EXACTLY as I had seen them earlier but but they were on opposite sides of my screen.

Now I have reported before that there is software that was developed by the conservatives in charge of programming the voting machines which can flip the votes so long as the difference remains only 10%.

As you can see this election meets that criteria.

So did the South Carlina Republicans decide that as damaged as Sanford was he was still THEIR guy and help him to steal this election? Sadly we will never know.

But do you know what I think?

So disappointed in you South Carolina!

Mark Sanford and his Argentinian mistress.

Courtesy of the Washington Post:  

Mark Sanford has won the South Carolina special election in a competitive race for what in normal circumstances is a safe Republican seat. 

The former governor beat Democrat Elizabeth Colbert Busch, the sister of comedian Stephen Colbert Busch, for the state’s 1st congressional district. 

The AP called the race for Sanford, with the Republican leading Colbert Busch 54 percent 46 percent.

I have to admit that I NEVER thought that this slimy POS could win this election.

Just goes to show that I gave much too much credit to the people of South Carolina.

Oh well, I hope that they, and the Republican party, are happy with their choice.

South Carolina election gets ugly, and weird.

Courtesy of Slate: 

 Mark Sanford's "weird your way to winning" campaign strategy comes replete with moves such as getting sued for harassing his ex-wife and "debating" (and still somehow losing to) a cardboard cutout of Nancy Pelosi. Sanford, a Republican, is running in a special congressional election on May 7 in South Carolina against Elizabeth Colbert Busch, who has the added advantage of being Stephen Colbert's sister. Now, the head-scratching tactics have caught on with those shadowy third party operations that run push polls. As Think Progress writes, voters in South Carolina claim to have received push polls from Survey Sampling International, at the behest of a non-disclosed client, that ask a bunch of leading questions about Sanford's Democratic opponent. A sample of the reported questions: 

- “What would you think of Elizabeth Colbert Busch if I told you she had had an abortion?” 

- “What would you think of Elizabeth Colbert Busch if I told you a judge held her in contempt of court at her divorce proceedings?

- “What would you think of Elizabeth Colbert Busch if she had done jail time?”

 - “What would you think of Elizabeth Colbert Busch if I told you she was caught running up a charge account bill?” 

Hey, they don't have to prove these accusations, since there are question marks at the end! Plus, we should remember that Colbert Busch can actually accuse Sanford of billing the taxpayers for his two-timing trip to Argentina.

This "push poll" is disgusting and very indicative of how the Republican party does politics these days. 

Elizabeth Colbert Busch has talked publicly about her divorce, though until recently has never discussed that she was arrested for contempt of court during the proceedings. However Drudge managed to get their hands on an old and faded copy of her mugshot and has now plastered it all over Right Wing news sites.

Of course that arrest was twenty years ago, under extenuating circumstances, and since that ONE INCIDENT Colbert Busch seems to have had little trouble staying out of court, and out of jail.

Still that has not stopped some shadowy group supporting Mark Sanford from making internet only political ads comparing Colbert Busch to axe murderer Lizzy Borden. (Yeah, because you know THAT seems reasonable.)

All I have to say is that if South Carolina allows this weaselly, lying, POS to win this election, they should be ashamed of themselves.

I mean the man literally debated a card board cutout of Nancy Pelosi!

How can ANYBODY take this douchebag seriously?

Well I certainly hope that South Carolina doesn't.

Devastating new ad that suggests South Carolina voters cannot trust him and there exists the possiblity that Mark Sanford planted ringers to prove to reporters that the ladies still like him.

Apparently in response to questions about his ability to win the female vote, South Carolina Senate candidate, Mark Sanford decided to prove to reporters that he still has female support.

This from NBC:

On Saturday, after answering several questions about whether he thought a trespassing charge at his ex-wife’s home might compromise his standing with female voters, Sanford led reporters on a foray in downtown Summerville, S.C., stopping women to ask them their opinion of him, specifically referring to the question posed by a reporter for NBC News. 

“No group’s vote is a monolith,” Sanford said, pointing out that he had recently received an endorsement for Tuesday’s special election from a group of Republican women who took an ad out in a local newspaper. Sanford is running against Democrat Elizabeth Busch Colbert to fill the South Carolina congressional seat vacated by now-Sen. Tim Scott. 

Sanford also noted that during his visit to the hot dog restaurant Perfectly Frank’s, where earlier that afternoon his campaign announced the endorsement of the Tea Party Express, patrons had not brought the issue up. 

When the reporter noted that he was speaking to a crowd that included some people who had gone to the restaurant specifically for the campaign event, Sanford dismissed that context as “the case of any political venue." 

“If you’re a political figure, some people, because they hear you’re going to be at some place, they’re going to show up,” he said. 

Sanford then walked across the street to begin his meet-and-greet, flanked by two campaign staffers and three reporters, telling the reporter who asked the questions about his status with women that he rejected the “premise” that women wouldn’t vote for him because of his personal life. 

He then indicated he wanted to seek out women who “hated” him. 

“Let’s go to this woman – does she look biased?” he asked as he crossed the street, the NBC reporter walking next to him. 

 As a car whizzed by, he told the reporter, “Watch out, I don’t want you to get run over. Actually I kind of do, but that’s a different story.” 

After Sanford caught up with the woman he had pointed out, she told him she was a big supporter and that she would be making phone calls for him on Tuesday. 

A staffer, mimicking Sanford’s tongue-in-cheek approach, suggested that the woman had been planted. 

A few shops down, he stopped in a women’s consignment store to chat with two shoppers who were visiting South Carolina from Arkansas, but who had seen some of his campaign ads and signs, which they said were “beautiful.” 

“You look like you’re totally capable and we wish you luck,” one of the women told him. 

Laughing, Sanford pointed to the two cameras in front of him, saying, “you hear that?” 

Later, Sanford visited a women’s clothing store where the shopkeeper said she knew one of Sanford’s staffers, and that the staffer “knows I’m in your corner.” 

“Oh good,” the former governor said. “[But] that defeats what I’m after.” 

Pointing to the NBC reporter, he continued, “We were trying to find her a woman who hates me so she can use it in her TV show. She’s with NBC National.” 

As Sanford wrapped up his hourlong canvas, he came across a couple, each of whom expressed their support for him. 

After indicating, as he had previously, that the NBC reporter was looking to talk to women who didn’t support him because of his marital history, the woman, Patty Hulbard, responded, “I'm not your biggest fan. What you did I don't appreciate, but that should not influence my vote necessarily.” 

“You line up ideology with my thinking, so I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt,” she continued. 

“I appreciate that. Thank you,” Sanford said. 

Turning to NBC’s camera, he pointed and said, “That’s pretty close to what you’re looking for. We’re getting somewhere, all right.” 

I am not going to say anything to lead the witness, but YOU go ahead and decide for yourself how possible it is that EVERY woman Mark "Hiking the Appalachian Trail" Sanford talked to that day, with news reporters in tow, was a supporter of his election to the Senate.

Well I guess we will see for ourselves if the women of South Carlina can live with a lying weasel as their Senator or not after the election tomorrow.

Larry Flynt endorses Mark "Appalachian Trail" Sanford. "The liar has exposed the greater lie."

Courtesy of Mediaite:

Flynt praised Sanford for exposing that “traditional values are shameful” and his openness in rejecting such a life for himself. He said that Sanford violating his marriage vows was “an act of bravery,” and acknowledged that while Sanford revealed himself to be a wildly dishonest man in the wake of his 2009 scandal, he trusts Sanford enough now to contribute the maximum amount to his campaign. 

Flynt asks in his endorsement video to meet with Sanford so he can be properly thanked for his public endorsement.

Oh yes, this is EXACTLY who Sanford needs to come out and endorse him right now.

This, plus his abysmal performance in his debate with Elizabeth Colbert Busch, would seem to signal the end of this particular idiot's political aspirations.

Which, by the way, I kind of think was Mr. Flynt's intention all along.

It's not looking good for Mark Sanford.

Courtesy of PPP:

PPP's newest poll on the special election in South Carolina finds Democrat Elizabeth Colbert Busch expanding her lead to 9 points over Mark Sanford at 50/41. Green Party candidate Eugene Platt polls at 3%. 

Colbert Busch's lead is on the rise for several reasons. She has a 51/35 advantage with independents. She's winning over 19% of Republicans, while losing just 7% of Democrats. And it also seems that after last week's revelations about Sanford that a lot of GOP voters are planning to just stay at home- while the district supported Mitt Romney by 18 points last fall, those planning to turn out for the special election voted for him by only a 5 point spread. 

Sanford continues to be unpopular in the district with 38% of voters rating him favorably to 56% with a negative opinion. 51% say the revelations about his trespassing last week give them doubts about his fitness for public office. Interestingly the events of the last week haven't hurt Sanford too much with Republicans though- 65% say the trespassing charges don't give them any doubts about him, and his favorability with GOP voters has actually improved from 55/39 a month ago to now 61/32. 

Interestingly enough it is not ONLY Sanford's repellant personality that has shifted public opinion away from him, it may also have a little something to do with guns.

Although Sanford's unpopularity is clearly the main reason Democrats have a chance to win in this district, it's interesting to note that there is some backlash against Republicans over last week's vote on background checks. 86% of voters in the district say they support them to only 12% opposed, and 45% of voters say the GOP's opposition to them makes it less likely they'll support the party in the next election compared to only 21% who consider it a positive. That anger over the gun vote comes despite Barack Obama having only a 41% approval rating in the district with 51% of voters disapproving of him.

Some of you mocked me when i said that I thought Colbert Busch had smooth sailing ahead of her, but I continue to maintain that confidence.

Sure Sanford MIGHT still win, stranger things have happened, but I think all things considered this might be Colbert Busch's race to lose.

And if her famous brother makes an appearance a couple of times to campaign for her? Forget about it!

He wouldn't give Sarah Palin a dime, but John McCain has no problem donating to Mark "Hiking the Appalachian trail" Sanford's campaign.

Courtesy of Roll Call:

The Sanford for Congress committee reported this afternoon it received $2,500 on 4/18 from Sen. John McCain’s leadership PAC, Country First PAC. Mark Sanford (R-S.C.) is running against Elizabeth Colbert Busch (D-S.C.) in the SC-01 May 7 Special General Election to fill the seat vacated by Rep. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), who was appointed a U.S. Senator. 

The McCain contribution was received one day after a spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee confirmed that they would not be spending any money on behalf of Sanford. See Roll Call article. 

Well that's interesting. While the NRCC is pulling away because they find Sanford to be a candidate that they do not want to be associated with, John McCain has no problem handing over money to a man who used public funds to pay for his affair and then was caught lying about it.

And yet when McCain received 1.3 million in leftover funds from his 2008 campaign, he did not give a DIME of it to his running mate and perennial presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

I guess some liars are just a little less palatable to John McCain than others.

By the way somehow I don't think that McCain's $2,500.00 is going to do Sanford much good in this race.

The Elizabeth Colbert Busch for Congress committee reported it had received $48,700 in last-minute contributions on 4/18. 

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee reported it had made $218,404 in independent expenditures on 4/18 opposing Mark Sanford (R-S.C.). The DCCC paid $207,884 to Great American Media (DC) for media buys, and paid $10,520 to Adelstein/Liston LLC (IL) for media production.

And that is BEFORE her brother Stephen Colbert REALLY starts to campaign on her behalf.

If anybody wondered whether Stephen Colbert would help his sister in her campaign for the South Carolina Congressional seat, that is no longer a mystery. He is all in!

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Now that Ashley Judd has broken my heart by not running against Mitch McConnell, THIS is now my favorite race!

I don't think that Mark Sanford has a chance.

Fox News hires disgraced, Appalachian hiking ex-Governor Mark Sanford . Scrape, goes the bottom of the Fox News pundit barrel!

"Oh God I have to work with Sean Hannity! I guess cheaters never DO win."

Courtesy of the Sun Times:

Former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford is joining Fox News as a political commentator through the 2012 presidential elections, a Fox Channel spokeswoman confirmed Saturday. 

The network spokeswoman told The Associated Press the two-term Republican governor has been hired as a contributor, though she declined to give any details on his pay or when he would start. 

Sanford was a rising political star before he vanished from the state for five days in 2009, and reporters were told he was hiking the Appalachian Trail. When he reappeared, the father of four admitted to being in Argentina with a woman he later called his soul mate. 

The international affair destroyed his marriage, which ended in divorce, and derailed his once-promising political career, which had included talk of presidential aspirations.

I believe this is just more proof that Fox is about to dump Palin.  After all who better to replace a disgraced ex-Governor, than with another disgraced ex-Governor?

My understanding is that Sanford will host a travelogue series, featuring exotic locations that he traveled to in order to cheat on his wife.

Episode one will feature a visit to the Botanical Gardens at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, nude snorkeling off the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, and because this is aimed at Republicans, a men's room in the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, with a strategically placed hole about waist high.

Of course I imagine they only settled for Sanford because their first choice, David Vitter, is inconveniently STILL able to serve as the senator of Louisiana.

Darn the luck!

Combining all of the stories to explain the disappearance of Mark Sanford it appears that he was hiking naked, while writing a book, in Argentina?

Sanford, in an exclusive interview with The State Media Company, said he decided at the last minute to go to the South American country to recharge after a difficult legislative session in which he battled with lawmakers over how to spend federal stimulus money.

We have had a lot of fun with the disappearance of South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford, but it just turns out that the guy left his wife and kids during Father's Day, and lied to his staff, while he took a little time off to visit South America. IS that so wrong? Oh yeah!

Any bets on just how much more bad news for Sanford's political career is going to come out in the next few weeks?

Update: I missed the Daily Show last night so I did not know they had done this segment. But now that I have seen it this post simply cries out for its inclusion.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Governor Mark Sanford Is Missing
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Jason Jones in Iran