As the days are crossed off the calendar, Gov. Mark Sanford is realizing that his days in office are quickly slipping by.
With each stop in one of South Carolina’s communities, it’s a chance for the two-term governor to say thank you and goodbye.
“It’s harder to get to the rural areas,” said Sanford. “There are always opportunities in Greenville or Charleston.”
Sanford was in Barnwell Monday night for the GOP dinner held at the Barnwell County Career Center.
Slim and tanned, the Governor seemed quiet and thoughtful as he slipped into the room without initial fanfare. He pulled out a folding chair to sit and chat with those attending the dinner until time to step up to the podium.
“In the four months I have left in office, I have increasingly fewer times to say thank you and goodbye,” said Sanford, his grey-blue eyes scanning the crowd.
He said he wanted to thank those who had helped him through his ten years in state political office – “two years campaigning, eight years in office,” he said.
The governor’s life in recent years has been a roller-coaster both politically and privately after it was discovered he was having an affair with an Argentinean woman. Still, Sanford said his life as South Carolina governor “has been a profoundly interesting and positive experience for me, Jenny and the boys.”
“Thank you for what you do,” Sanford told the crowd of about 100 people.
“The thing that unifies us at the end of the day is that simple notion of freedom,” he said.
As he talked, a “numbers” machine at the back of the room flashed increasing dollar amounts to reflect the cost of liberal spending.
Sanford said the country is “at a Pearl Harbor moment in history” if the numbers are allowed to continue to rise. “I think we are at an incredibly important moment in American history,” he said.
He asked the Republicans present to “redouble your efforts” to advance the conservative cause.
“I’ll be part of the conservative effort until the day I die,” said Sanford. Looking forward to when he will be a private citizen again, Sanford said he will continue to “reconnect” with South Carolinians.
In a private moment Sanford was asked what he is most looking forward to as his final term runs to a close.
He pondered the question before answering.
“If, by the grace of God, you are given a second chance, then you run that race to the finish line. When I cross that finish line, then I’ll focus on what comes after,” said Sanford.
Sanford joined U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson to honor former Barnwell County GOP Chairman Mary Cothran. They presented her with a certificate recognizing her efforts supporting the Republican party locally and statewide.
Later, as local candidates and state GOP officials took the podium, Sanford slipped away as quietly as he arrived.
The governor will have a few more opportunities to say goodbye to Barnwell County residents as he plans to return for several events in the coming weeks.
So for right now, it’s ‘see you later.’