Elizabeth Colbert Busch KO'd Mark Sanford last night in a series of masterful -- and indefensible for Sanford -- debate points that illuminated the disgraced former governor's glaring hypocrisy and unsuitability for public office.
While she scored bulls-eyes on multiple topics, it was her razor-sharp retort on Sanford's claim of fiscal responsibility that led the local newscasts.
Politico.com has the highlights:
"It was their sole one-on-one encounter of the general election -- and Colbert Busch, who is leading in polls, was so aggressive that Sanford at times looked like he didn't know what hit him.
"Sanford spoke repeatedly about his extensive efforts as governor and House member to cut wasteful spending. Colbert Busch then turned to Sanford and delivered this zinger:
"'When we talk about fiscal spending and we talk about protecting the taxpayers, it doesn't mean you take the money we saved and leave the country for a personal purpose.'
"That was a reference to Sanford's use of state funds to fly to Argentina to visit his mistress and now fiance -- an affair that derailed his political career four years ago.
"'She went there, Governor Sanford,' one of the debate's moderators responded.
"With much of the crowd hooting and hollering, Sanford seemed shaken.
"'I couldn't hear what she said ... repeat it, I didn't hear,' he said.
"'Answer the question,' Colbert Busch interjected.
"'What was the question?' Sanford said, appearing stunned. 'Ok, but anyway, ah ah, on the sequester, I'll go back to the sequester.'"
For those who claim Busch's remark was hitting below the belt (so to speak), then just forget the sexy elements of the scandal. Forget that he violated a couple of those commandments (adultery and lying) he claimed to hold so dear. There remains a glaring problem with integrity and dedication to office that cannot be denied: the governor went MIA for five days with no notice or advance warning to anybody. What if there had been a natural disaster? A terror attack? A mass shooting?
Doesn't his disappearing act in itself question his fitness for office? Kinda like Sarah "Mama Grizzly" Palin sniffing around the possibility of running for President when she couldn't even commit to a full term as governor. Or the audacity of Rick Perry to advocate the secession of Texas from the United States, then run for President of the United States. What is up with these Republican Governor -- do they swallow a handful of stupid pills as soon as they're elected?
You go Elizabeth, and I'll "go there" all day long with you. We deserve politicians who fulfill at least the barest minimum expectations of the job -- showing up.
