Highlights of his interview with Politico.
First, a little shock and awe as he compares America to pre-Hitler Germany:
If we go too far in just spending too much money and borrowing money, we could put ourselves in the exact position Argentina found itself in the 1920s when they had, you know, cratering of their currency.
If you look at the Weimar Republic, you know, between World War I and World War II, you had a cratering of their currency, so much that you had to carry a wheelbarrow load of currency to get so much as a loaf of bread. And horrible things happened in the wake of that experience.
(ea) On top-tier GOP standard-bearers.
Q: Who are the folks in your own party who you look to as the true articulators of conservatism?
A: I think [Oklahoma Sen.] Tom [Coburn] is incredibly passionate. I think [South Carolina Sen.] Jim DeMint is doing a good job on that front. This guy [Tennessee Sen. Bob] Corker, I don't really know that much about him but I think he did a good job on the auto bailout thing. I would say [House Minority Whip] Eric Cantor. I really don't know him that well but he seems to be a rising star.[Indiana Rep.] Mike Pence. I mean, [Louisiana Gov.] Bobby Jindal at the governor level is doing a good job.
On the most and least popular Republicans in America?
Q: Do you think she's [Sarah Palin] the most popular Republican in the country right now?
A: I think so.
Q: Who's the least?
A: I'll sign up. I don't know.
On his 2012 prospects:
Q: Has the idea of running for president crossed your mind?
A: I mean, it can't not. But no, it's not where I'm aiming.
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UPDATE!: Sanford could mount a legal challenge to SC Rep. Jim Clyburn's Punish Mark Sanford Amendment:
"Yeah. I talked with [Idaho Gov.] Butch Otter about that last night. I said yeah, I’d appreciate your doing that because I’ll look like sort of a whiner if I’m the guy bringing all the legal challenges."
