Twitter Talk on Possible Conflict Between General Assembly and the Courts

In a story Monday on Patch, former Gov. Mark Sanford .

Sanford had harsh words for the legislature, with which he often clashed while in office.

But Sanford also suggested that the the relationship between the state legislature and the courts be reviewed. The state Supreme Court, for example, is appointed by members of the legislature at the recommendation of a commission. The legislature also gets its funding by approval of the legislature.

Sanford said this arrangement is set-up to benefit incumbents and that the , while following precedent, had the added benefit of helping the very people who pay the court's salaries.

When the story ran on Monday, State Rep. Leon Stavrinakis (D - 119) took issue with Sanford's implications on Twitter. He was subsequently engaged in discussion by Ashley Landess of the South Carolina Policy Council and Talbert Black, Jr., of the Palmetto Liberty Political Action Commitee.

Landess and Black think that judges should be appointed by the governor, while Stavrinakis isn't convinced that would solve any questions about conflicts of interest.

Their conversation, condensed by Twitter, is above.