Paul West

In South Carolina, an ex-governor's quest continues

latimes.com — CHARLESTON, S.C. - At a harborside reception overlooking Ft. Sumter, where the Civil War began, Mark Sanford batted away a TV reporter's question about the latest insult to his comeback campaign: an unwanted endorsement from pornographer Larry Flynt. Hours earlier, the former governor had been asked about a billboard message on a South Carolina interstate from a marital infidelity website.

Rich liberal donors throw weight behind Obama agenda

latimes.com — WASHINGTON - An influential network of some of the country's wealthiest liberal political donors is steering resources to an advocacy group backing President Obama 's agenda and to organizations working to pass immigration reform , providing a surge of money that could boost the president's legislative goals.

Appalachian trail still dogs ex-governor in South Carolina race

latimes.com — CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, debating for the first and only time in his comeback campaign for Congress, professed not to hear when his opponent brought up the Appalachian Trail. But there's little doubt that voters have already heard the message from Elizabeth Colbert Busch, the Democrat who hopes Sanford's personal scandals will allow her to win this usually Republican, Charleston-area district.