Republican and Conservative political analysis and commentary

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford isn't running for president, though many conservatives hope he will some day and his endorsement in the 2008 race is coveted both because he's the governor of a key early-primary state and also because he's well-liked by conservatives. And, so far, he hasn't endorsed any of the announced candidates in the race, which certainly speaks volumes.

Sanford told Chris Cilizza of The Washington Post this week that there is both "room" and an "appetite" for alternative Republican presidential candidates, the result of a party demoralized by its showing in last November's midterm elections.

Sanford said he has had conversations with both former Sen. Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.) and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) but would not reveal whether either man broached the subject of entering presidential candidacy.

But Sanford said neither Thompson nor Gingrich could afford to wait much longer to get into the race, noting that the primary calendar remains very much up in the air with the first votes possibly coming late this year. "Everybody thinks of it as a ways off," Sanford said. "It's not as far off when you think of a race as significant as the presidency."

Sanford seemed content to steer clear of playing the endorsement game -- at least for the foreseeable future. He said the fact he has not endorsed Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), as he did during the 2000 presidential primary season, should not be read as a slight. "A slap in his face would be endorsing one of his opponents," said Sanford.

Sanford would make a pretty good vice presidential pick - which could be why he's waiting to endorse. Or maybe he's just waiting for Thompson or Gingrich to enter the race.