Is Mark Sanford going to run?

Those who read this know that there are two candidates I would immediately support for president if they decided to run. South Carolina Mark Sanford or Indiana Governor Mike Pence. They would bring much needed fiscal responsibilty to DC as I mentioned here and here. Mark Sanford walked the walk on spending, and there's now some smoke, if not a fire.

From The State (South Carolina)

SANFORD WATCH

A new feature tracking smoke signals about whether Gov. Mark Sanford will seek higher office in 2008

This past week:

• Ramesh Ponnuru had a piece in the conservative National Review about GOP White House hopeful John McCain that included this line about the still open Republican nomination: “A dark horse is Mark Sanford, the governor of South Carolina, a hero of the Right and a bit of a maverick in his own right.”

• Sanford’s office issued a news release on Monday calling on the House to adopt the ultrasound-before-abortion bill, the first time many Sanford observers could recall the governor getting involved in an abortion fight. It’s also rare for Sanford to throw his weight so publicly behind legislation not on his list of priorities.

• Residents of Hilton Head Island reported getting phone calls from a pollster asking questions about Sanford, who is barred from seeking a third term as governor, including whether they would vote for him.