SC governor going to McCain’s Colorado event, By JIM DAVENPORT Associated Press Writer
COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford won’t be chilling the speculation about his vice presidential prospects by heading to a John McCain event next month in Colorado.
Sanford spokesman Joel Sawyer confirmed Thursday the governor plans to attend the Aug. 14-15 event in Aspen recognizing donors to the Arizona senator’s presidential campaign. McCain’s campaign did not immediately respond to questions about the event.
The GOP national convention starts two weeks later in St. Paul, Minn., and any McCain contact with people mentioned as attractive running mates sparks chatter. There are plenty of those names out there, including former opponents Mitt Romney, Sam Brownback and Mike Huckabee and Govs. Charlie Crist of Florida, Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota and Bobby Jindal of Louisiana.
Sanford may not seem like much of a fit with McCain’s high-dollar donors and supporters.
Although Sanford was McCain’s 2000 campaign co-chairman in South Carolina, he didn’t endorse the Arizona senator until after South Carolina’s January primary.
Federal campaign finance records show he’s not given to McCain’s bid – or any other candidate for that matter. His last federal donations were in 1998 and 1999 – a total of $7,000 to the National Republican Congressional Committee.
But Sanford has a knack for prying others’ wallets wide.
Sanford’s last South Carolina campaign finance report in April showed he had $1.7 million left over from his 2006 re-election campaign although he can’t run for a third term.
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