Sanford — resignation by media
Gov. Mark Sanford says his mistress is his soul mate, but he's trying to fall back in love with his wife.
He admits he has "crossed lines" with other women, but never had sex with them.
He concedes he visited Maria more times than he admitted last week.
Sanford told all of this to The Associated Press on Tuesday in an emotional interview that left his biggest detractors and remaining friends all wondering the same thing: Why will the governor not shut up?
This does not seem like a man who wants to save his marriage.
This does not sound like a man who wants to keep his job.
In fact, this appears very much like a guy ready to hop a plane to Buenos Aires at the drop of a hat.
You've heard of suicide by cop.
This is resignation by media.
Confessions of a guv
By Tuesday morning it looked as though Sanford might weather this extramarital storm, and would perhaps be permitted to limp through his final 18 months in office.
Other than a long line of folks on talk radio — who were understandably disappointed in their guy — few people were publicly calling for his resignation. The Legislature had shown little inclination to investigate his Commerce Department-sponsored liaisons. And thanks to the untimely death of perhaps the most famous person in the world, his story had largely disappeared from the world stage.
Well, he sure fixed that.
On Tuesday afternoon, Sanford started singing like Tony Soprano in a session with Dr. Melfi, talking about his feelings, his doubts and revealing little details he should have mentioned when he "let the chips fall" last week.
By the end of the day, nearly every gubernatorial candidate had called for his resignation or an investigation, and one of them, Attorney General Henry McMaster, pressed the State Law Enforcement Division for said inquiry. The Legislature may now feel compelled to get involved.
Sanford says he welcomes all the scrutiny.
Sure he does — he's apparently trying to get fired.
Delta is ready
It's sad. Many folks who watched Sanford's tearful admission last week came away with the impression that the governor was in love with the other woman. Not exactly the best thing for reconciling with your wife, but at least it made him a somewhat sympathetic figure.
Now, he's quickly eroding any remaining good will or sympathy folks have for him.
Some people said Tuesday that the constant drip of information was like water torture.
Jenny Sanford, who has won accolades for not standing by her man at the press conference, cannot be enamored of this new round of press.
Sanford is a guy who famously likes to save money, pinch pennies. Well, governor, if you left your heart in Argentina, perhaps you should do the state a favor, save the citizens some money and the embarrassment of a protracted investigation.
Follow your heart.
