 With the implosion of Sen. George Allen, movement conservatives no longer have a candidate in the presidential mix that looks and acts like one of them. Even though the field contains several heavy hitters, such as John McCain and Rudy Giuliani, the GOP grassroots has no one that is a natural fit.
If a small but growing number of conservatives have their way, however, a candidate that could truly excite the base might enter the fray: my old boss and current South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford.
On paper, a Sanford candidacy seems quixotic. Entering the White House derby at this point would actually be late in the game. He's little-known outside South Carolina and Washington and his main foil the past four years has been the GOP-dominated legislature. |