Writer accidentally lunches with the governor
Commentary by
Jessica Cross

When Mark Sanford's father died at a young age full of unrealized dreams and plans for his life, the future S.C. governor knew that he wanted to do something important with his own life and to make every moment count.

"It gets real concrete when you get the nail and coffin, and put your dad in that box," said Sanford in a recent telephone interview.

The Governor said, "Defining moments cause you to think about things differently than you otherwise had," things like, "the brevity of life, the importance of living in the moment, and doing things that are significant."

This particular interview with the Governor occurred about a week after my father and I had the privilege of enjoying a private lunch with Governor Sanford at the mansion, a lunch that resulted from a case of mistaken identity.

On his way to the coast one afternoon, Sanford called my dad to set up a lunch appointment. He thought he was talking to my Dad's broker instead.

One of the Governor's staffers later called to set the appointment and realized the mistake. After that call, she called again to say that the Governor felt badly about the misdirected invitation, but that he wanted to honor it. My Dad asked if I could come along to lunch at the mansion, and along I came.

At the core of his political philosophy is "...the inherent dignity and sanctity of the individual," he said, "It's the precept on which our Founding Fathers operated."

Sanford's support of tax credits for parents who use private education has been widely opposed but praised by the minority who want it. I was once among that minority. I have appreciated the last three and one-half years of my undergraduate education at the University of South Carolina, but I attended a local Christian school growing up. I remember the financial burden that education imposed on my parents like many others that value private education for their children. The governor said, "I don't believe somebody else knows what's best for you or your family," said Sanford.

The governor's consideration for the proposal of implementing the voucher system also exemplifies his belief in the individual's right to make the choices that are best for that individual.

Sanford's proposed tax credits would keep the money under parental control and would foster the continued autonomy of private schools' curricula and the values they teach.

Governor Sanford focuses on the principle of "servant leadership," a principle based on outcome rather than position. "The trappings of political power ultimately undermine your ability to help other folks," said Sanford.

In addition, Sanford said that "the government is accountable to the taxpayers." Part of Sanford's vision is "to expand opportunity in S.C." in terms of economics and education. "We're not going to get there painlessly," said Sanford, "a change in the structure of government is vital."

Sanford's own actions to expand opportunity within the state have often been viewed as maverick or extreme. He explained his tendency not to "always vote with the crowd" as part of his philosophy of transparency.

In regards to his wife and four children, Sanford said that the goal is "becoming more selfless. The march through life is ideally a quest towards getting things right."

For Governor Sanford, serving others is equal to "living a life that's bigger than you. Life is very short, and you ought to do the most you can with it while you're here."

Governor Sanford received a real estate degree at Furman University and a masters degree in business at the University of Virginia. Sanford also maintained a successful career in real estate before becoming seriously involved in S.C. politics.

"Part of the joy and challenge to life is finding and pursuing your mission impossible," said Sanford. He said that he teaches his four sons this principle, and he impresses on them that finding this "mission impossible" takes action and dream.