Fighting the Lonely Fight: Sanford Joins Daniels in Battle to Cut Spending

As members of a fairly small fraternity — Republican governors — I’m guessing that Indiana’s Mitch Daniels and South Carolina’s Mark Sanford have crossed paths at least a few times. I would also suggest that the two likely see eye-to-eye on a number of topics.

We know what Daniels has accomplished here throughout his first term, and that he has not been afraid to challenge the status quo. Sanford appears to share a passion for reducing government spending, and he too is not afraid to take the unpopular position.

Sanford had an amazing 243 budget vetoes a year ago, nearly all of which were overturned. He vetoed 20 bills this legislative session, with legislators overriding his wishes on 15 of those measures.

Now, while many of his colleagues and state legislators are going to Washington to make their case for part of any new economic stimulus package coming to states, Sanford is on the opposite side of the equation. It’s not that he doesn’t want additional federal investment, but not at the cost of increased funding. To paraphrase, if you’re going to invest, make cuts in the federal budget elsewhere.

Sounds like something Daniels would support.

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