Republican Liberty Caucus Encourages Mark Sanford to Pursue Presidency

The National Board of the Republican Liberty Caucus has passed a resolution encouraging South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford to seek the Republican nomination for U.S. President in 2012.

“Governor Sanford had an outstanding record in Congress, often voting his conscience on tough issues rather than just following the party line,” said RLC National Chairman Dave Nalle. “In Washington, Sanford opposed pork barrel projects even when they benefited his own district and he honored his term limits pledge and stepped down in 2000. In his two terms as governor of South Carolina, Sanford has shown independence and creativity and acted as a vigilant guardian of taxpayer interests,” said Nalle.

Sanford was the first U.S. Governor to reject a portion of the federal stimulus money earmarked for his state last March. Sanford also worked out a compromise with state legislators to accept federal funds, provided that the politicians eliminated the state’s debts.

Mark Sanford has consistently been one of the strongest voices in the nation for fiscal and individual responsibility. At a Cato Institute event in 2008, Governor Sanford explained that “there's a battle line in our society: with government on one side and liberty – the hallmark of the American experiment – on the other.”

He also earned the endorsement of the Republican Liberty Caucus when running for Congress and Governor. Consistently ranked at the top of the RLC's “Liberty Index” – which began tracking votes in Congress on social and economic liberty in 1991 – Sanford's overall rating was 82%.

“The nation needs a champion of fiscal responsibility and individual liberty now more than ever,” added National RLC Secretary Aaron Biterman, and “Sanford has demonstrated his commitment to those ideals and an ability to communicate them to voters.”

Although it is still early in the process and Governor Sanford has not yet announced his intentions for 2012, the Republican Liberty Caucus urges its members and other concerned citizens to encourage Governor Mark Sanford to seek the Republican nomination for U.S. President in 2012.

Founded in 1991, the Republican Liberty Caucus exists to promote individual rights, limited government, and free enterprise within the Republican Party by promoting those ideals among Party officials and its various organizations, identifying and supporting candidates sympathetic with them, and promoting Caucus membership among Republican Party registrants, officials, and officeholders.