by Ashley Phosphate

Columbia – Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer renewed his offer to stay out of the 2010 gubernatorial race if Governor Sanford chose to resign rather than face impeachment and threatened to begin driving again if the Governor chose not to.

Bauer has an extensive record with the Highway Patrol and local municipalities throughout the state for offenses ranging from speeding, failing to yield the right of way and road rage-related tailgating incidents topping the list.

“If Mark won’t step down,” Bauer said, “I’ll drive to his mansion and plead with him man to man.  But if he won’t resign, I’ll be forced to drive all over South Carolina to bring attention to his malfeasance.  I’m not stupid.  I know I’ll likely get ticketed, but I don’t care anymore.”

Highway patrol officials said that while they won’t put additional officers on the street due to the state’s budget constraints, high profile offenders like Bauer will almost certainly attract police attention anyway.  Bauer continued the press conference and outlined reasons he believes Sanford should resign, but admitted that Sanford probably will stick to his guns and continue in the governor’s mansion until the end of his term.

“It’s a shame.  I mean I could be governor.  I could continue doing the people’s work in this great state, but out of pride or something our governor won’t step down.  I know what I have to do to bring him to his senses,” he said.