JAN. 29, 2010 - Let's give a big hand to gubernatorial candidate Andre Bauer: He's wrapped up the intolerant, racist, elderly vote with recent comments linking stray animals to people on government aid. Maybe all the lieutenant governor now has to do to garner the GOP nod is expand his base by speeding more cars, crashing more planes and punching more walls.

What's bothersome with Bauer's cycle of telling the comment to a friendly Upstate audience followed by not regretting it, regretting it and then saying it again, is the very real possibility the whole shameful episode was a calculated political move to inject some life into a dull, somewhat sputtering campaign.

Like him or not, Bauer long has been a determined, savvy campaigner who shouldn't be underestimated. Just ask Sen. Phil Leventis or former Rep. Robert Barber, both of whom narrowly lost to Bauer in statewide races.

Bauer's throwback brand of unenlightened, retail politics isn't what will move South Carolina forward. Leaders of all political stripes are calling for real leadership in wake of the disaster of the Sanford years. And real leadership is not something that Bauer has shown while in office. Instead of governing, he's been the eternal candidate who runs his mouth.

South Carolina deserves better from its next governor than someone who kowtows to the lowest common denominator. After the last week, it deserves just about anybody but Andre.