Oh, What Might Have Been

Before all that sparking started, South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford was about to publish a serious book, as befits anyone with serious presidential aspirations. But then Sanford went hiking the Appalachian Trail. His wife left him, the press hounded him, his presidential hopes evaporated, and his book deal was cancelled.

Unfortunately for the publisher, Viking, the proofs for its Spring 2010 catalog had already gone to press, complete with a glowing write up of Within Our Means.

TPM has now obtained the entry from the catalog, which was apparently just released. Touting the book as “a conservative manifesto from one of the Republican Party’s rising stars,” the catalog anticipates “national publicity,” “author tour,” and “radio interview campaign.”

Sanford would have explained through “personal” examples “how the GOP went astray over the last eight years.” One can only imagine.

“Governor Sanford’s down-to-earth voice and common sense principles will give conservative readers a much-needed sense of hope,” the catalog promises.

You can read the entire entry here.