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VP Prospect Sanford Says Confederate Flag Issue Not a Priority
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ShareJuly 15, 2008 10:55 PM
ABC News’ Jan Simmonds reports: Republican vice presidential prospect Gov. Mark Sanford, R-S.C., told reporters today that removing the Confederate flag from the grounds of South Carolina's Statehouse would not be a priority during his final years in office.
Noting that it would require "a tremendous amount of political capital to try and open a compromise," 
Sanford said that he would rather devote the final years of his administration to focus on "the things that will make the biggest difference in the most people's lives." The flag, which once flew atop the Capitol dome in South Carolina, was removed and relocated in 2000 to the Statehouse grounds near the Confederate Soldier Monument after a compromise was reached.
If Sanford were to be chosen by Sen. John McCain to be his running mate, the controversy surrounding the Confederate flag would likely become a national issue again within the presidential campaign.
Such a debate could also again raise questions again about McCain’s commitment to the concerns of African-Americans. That commitment at times has been doubted, since he voted against making Martin Luther King Day a national holiday in 1983. McCain today says he regrets that vote and has publicly apologized for doing so. In 1992, McCain did support a referendum creating a state holiday in the civil rights leader’s honor in Arizona.
Sanford's remarks today came in response to the announcement of Dennis Courtland Hayes, the interim president and CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, that his organization is planning a new campaign to have the flag removed completely from the Statehouse grounds.
After being made aware of Sanford’s comments, Hayes told The Associated Press: "I know they don't want to get into it, but we're going to get into it. That flag is not going to continue to fly in the face of our children."
Coincidentally, McCain will speak before the NAACP on Wednesday at the group's convention in Cincinnati, Ohio.
July 15, 2008 in Romney, Mitt | Permalink | User Comments (9)
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Good choice of priorities, Mark Sanford.
With our economy in a shambles, two foreign wars, housing market going belly up, and inflation out of control, the flag that flies over a statehouse in South Carolina should be at the bottom of the list.
Stand your ground, Governor.
Posted by: Jayhawk | Jul 15, 2008 11:16:33 PM
Flag or no flag African-Americans aren't going to vote for the Republican candidate.
Keep the flag flying as a matter of respect to the brave soldiers who fought and died under that honorable banner.
Posted by: M. J. Driscoll | Jul 16, 2008 1:18:22 AM
The flag is a part of our nation's history. Removing it or keeping it isn't going to change that fact.
The civil war was started over commerce not slavery. It wasn't until a republican president, Old Abe, put it in as an issue did the war turn into what it became.
The racist south as you call it, is a myth. I have met as many "racists" in the north as I have in the south not to mention the west.
What either you don't know or rather not admit is that many of that period's largest slave holders were BLACK. Their family names continue to be in the forefront of the local politics in VA, SC and NC.
Also it was the republicans that originated and pushed the civil rights bill through congress which was fought against tooth and nail by the liberal democrats.
Posted by: John | Jul 16, 2008 5:13:55 AM
If the #1 VP candidate rule is "do no harm" to the nominee's chances, then Sanford has ruled himself out this week. First he had that embarrassingly laughable brain freeze on McCain, Bush, and economic policy. Now this? An admission that he is quite literally incapable of walking and chewing gum? So long Sanford. Someone call in the Mormon from the bullpen.
Posted by: ElodieStClair | Jul 16, 2008 6:02:33 AM
In 6 DECADES of whites "lynching" blacks about 3,400 were killed.
Blacks are killing each other at a rate about 5,000 per year and the NAACP targets a "flag" as their "problems?"
When northern ended slavery in north, id they just free blacks? No, they sold them South.
Why is it people always cry NAZI yet ignore most slaves brought to US shores were on ships by northerners flying US colors? Their were NONE flying Confederate flags - of any design.
Posted by: Jamey | Jul 16, 2008 8:09:54 AM
Whoever wrote that we have more pressing matters than a Rebel Flag is right! with one exception....This preson is maybe being considered for the 2nd highest office in this country and from that aspect should show that he cares about the past image of his state to ALL americans he may represent...
Posted by: Bryce | Jul 16, 2008 9:32:02 AM
In recent years, the naacp has become a hateful, mean-spirited organisation.
The 'Black klan' probably blames us for its slide into irrelevancy and loss of membership. More than likely, they are simply lashing out at us in anger and frustration.
Posted by: Jimmy L. Shirley Jr. | Jul 21, 2008 8:29:54 AM
I will say this, too. The Confederate Battle Flag, especially the Army of Tennessee version (the rectangular flag), is an exceptionally beautiful flag. Everywhere, everytime I see it, I am awestruck by its beauty, inspired by its warrior symbolism, moved to defend it against the ignorant, the hateful, the stupid, the mean, and can hope to live long enough to see when it is restored to its rightful place of reverence that all Americans should feel when they lay their eyes upon it!
Posted by: Jimmy L. Shirley Jr. | Jul 22, 2008 7:07:00 PM
Dennis Courtland Hayes, the interim president and CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People,SAID "That flag is not going to continue to fly in the face of our children."IT'S NOT THE FLAG,IT'S YOU FILLING THEIR LITTLE HEADS WITH ALL OF YOUR HATE!!
ALL I CAN SAY IS "DON'T BET ON IT!"BECAUSE IF IT WAS UP TO ME IT WOULD FLY FOREVER!
Posted by: Cecil Ard | Jul 24, 2008 10:32:44 PM
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