Mark Sanford reverses course on stimulus funds

By GottaLaff

Mark Sanford just took a gulp from his sippy cup of Rushpublics Eating Their Own:

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford (R) backed down Thursday from his threat to reject federal stimulus dollars, but he will seek to use some of the money to pay down state debt.

At a news conference Thursday, Sanford, a staunch fiscal conservative, said he will meet Friday’s deadline to apply for the money. Still, the governor will try again to redirect the money away from its intended use to retrain teachers and fund law enforcement.

Sanford’s written requests to use the $700 million to reduce the state's debt were rejected twice by the Obama administration.

Now Sanford will face a battle with his state legislature, and even fellow Republicans, over how to use the cash. [...]

Sanford has come under fire from South Carolina education advocates who say the money is desperately needed in a state with some of the nation's worst educational statistics. [...]

Sanford’s two terms as governor have been marked by public fights with legislative Republicans, who hold substantial majorities in both the state House and Senate.

The governor, who is said to be eyeing a run for president in 2012, drew national attention over the past two months for threatening to reject some money that would require South Carolina to extend unemployment benefits beyond current limits.

Sip away, Marky.