Count it as one victory for Team Sanford. The House impeachment panel that is considering a resolution against the embattled governor dropped some of the 37 ethics charges that the South Carolina Ethics Commission had found in their investigative report. The House panel has been reviewing charges leveled at Sanford since his scandalous trip to Argentina to be with his paramour on Father's Day weekend. The panel is making progress but not all South Carolina elected officials are happy about the progress.
Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer has compared the House panel as just "going through the motions." He has also criticized his gubernatorial primary opponent Attorney General Henry McMaster for dragging his feet. McMaster has been getting blasted for his bias in this matter by the Wall Street Journal.
Andre Bauer is absolutely right. The House panel is highly unlikely to vote the impeachment resolution out of the committee. This is due to the committee's construction. It is no secret that Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell does not want to deal with an impeachment resolution. (Bobby Harrell ruled this resolution "out of order" when it was brought during a special session. Lets look at the makeup of the panel:
- Chairman Jim Harrison (R): Will most likely side with impeachment based on previous comments.
- Rep. Greg Delleney (R): Sponsor of the impeachment resolution.
- Rep. James Smith (D): He has made several comments that would be pro-impeachment.
- Rep. Garry Smith (R): Tends to be pro-Sanford and has made comments against impeachment.
- Rep. Walt McLeod (D): Objected to impeachment resolution during special session.
- Rep. David Weeks (D): Will most likely vote against impeachment.
- Rep. Jenny Horne (R): Wild card. Freshman legislator. Could sway either way.
The prediction made by former Sanford communications director Will Folks on his blog Fitsnews was that the resolution will fail (4-2) in committee. Rep. Jenny Horne, who Folks says, is being pressured by the Speaker to vote against will probably vote against.
If Rep. Horne votes for the resolution, the committee will tie (3-3) and Chairman Jim Harrison will break the tie for impeachment most likely.
The resolution would then proceed to the full House and will require a 2/3 vote to impeach Mark Sanford. For him to be thrown out of office, the SC Senate would have to conduct a trial and vote 2/3 of the Senate to remove Sanford from office.
However, it is still highly unlikely he will be impeached.
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