12/21: McCain to visit SC in January

U.S. Sen. John McCain, who is sidestepping questions about whether he'll run for president again, will be in the state Jan. 16 to address Spartanburg County Republicans during Martin Luther King Day festivities.

• More: WSPA TV.
• More: Spartanburg Herald-Journal.
  

12/12: Sanford not running for president

S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford said in a weekend interview that he is "absolutely" not running for president. According to a story published today in The (Columbia, S.C.) State:

Sanford will seek re-election as governor in 2006.

“Should I get re-elected,” Sanford said, “I absolutely am serving all four years, because we just have some huge issues here in South Carolina that are just an immense challenge.”

Sanford has said in the past that he was not planning to run for the White House, but he always had left the door cracked for a possible bid. His name has been mentioned by political observers handicapping the early, early race for the GOP nomination.

That will not happen, Sanford said, and he plans to be South Carolina’s governor until 2011, should he be sworn in again in January 2007.

12/8: Warner impresses SC Dems

Virginia Gov. Mark Warner virtually wrapped up the S.C. Democratic presidential primary for 2008 with seeming endorsements from major party leaders during a Charleston fund-raiser. According to an article in The (Charleston) Post and Courier:

"But the reception at a state party fundraiser Wednesday night was overwhelmingly supportive of the lame-duck governor, whose political stardom is on the rise after he led his party to victory in Virginia's recent gubernatorial election."

Among the comments:

Former U.S. Sen. Fritz Hollings:

"I believe like the rest of you that we have a real winner here tonight."

Former S.C. Gov. Jim Hodges:

"You are going to be one heck of a president."

Former SC Democratic Party Chairman Dick Harpootlian:

"I think the people in this room heard the next president of the United States. He was inspiring."