Sanford called Pelosi his opponent's “biggest benefactor.” | Courtesy Sanford Campaign. Sanford 'debates' cardboard Pelosi

Former South Carolina Republican Gov. Mark Sanford couldn’t debate Elizabeth Colbert Busch on Wednesday, so he took on a flimsier opponent instead.

The opponent? A life-size, cardboard version of House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.


Colbert Busch, Sanford’s opponent in the May 7 congressional special election didn’t agree to a debate at the Medical University of South Carolina. The disgraced former governor showed up anyway and “debated” the cardboard Pelosi, the Island Packet reported.

“My opponent continues to run a stealth campaign, avoiding public appearances and refusing to commit to televised forums for the benefit of 1st District voters,” Sanford told the Hilton Head newspaper. “Since Elizabeth Colbert Busch refuses to articulate her views publicly, we are left to draw inferences for what she stands for on the basis of the groups that have made substantial monetary investments on her behalf.”

Sanford also tweeted about his “debate,” calling Pelosi Colbert Busch’s “biggest benefactor.”

Since my opponent won't debate, we decided to "debate" her biggest benefactor, Nancy Pelosi: marksanford.com/2013/04/govern… twitter.com/MarkSanford/st… — Mark Sanford (@MarkSanford) April 24, 2013

Colbert Busch, a Clemson University administrator and the sister of comedian Stephen Colbert, has led in two polls released by the Democratic firm Public Policy Polling in the heavily Republican district.

“While Mark Sanford continues his desperate campaign to deceive voters, Elizabeth Colbert Busch is spending her time with real people who support her campaign,” Busch’s campaign told the newspaper.

The two candidates are scheduled for a real debate Monday.