"I've long endorsed the ideas he believes in and we've long shared a belief in the ideas of limited government," said Sanford, as the senator signed autographs and posed for selfies nearby. "It was not a formal endorsement, but stay tuned. I don't think I will stay neutral over the long run."
The coyness had a purpose. The Paul campaign sees its launch week events as sui generis, front-page happenings. The endorsements can come later, when Paul's back in the primary states and in need of boosts over later-announcing candidates. Still, with South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham running his own surprise presidential bid, and Representative Trey Gowdy insisting on remaining neutral, it's possible that the defiantly anti-establishment, anti-Washington Paul would enter the South Carolina primary backed by most of the state's delegation. Mulvaney and Sanford are all but signed up; Representative Jeff Duncan is said to be leaning toward Paul.
