Governor says he's 'moving forward'

GREER — Breaking three weeks of silence since his admission of an extramarital affair, Gov. Mark Sanford said Tuesday it's time for him to put the matter aside and get back to work governing the people of South Carolina.

"I made a mistake in life," he said. "I've apologized for that mistake. I've said all I'm going to say on that one. I'm moving forward, and I think the people of South Carolina are ready to do the same."

Last month Sanford revealed that he had been carrying on a yearlong affair with an Argentine, Maria Belen Chapur.

The governor, who has vowed to stay in office, has said the two longtime friends became physical during a 2008 state commerce trip to South America.

Several supporters greeted Sanford with applause in his first public appearance since calling Chapur his "soul mate" during lengthy interviews with The Associated Press.

Sanford made a stop at a Department of Motor Vehicles office in Greer to talk about the federal Real ID law. Last year, Sanford locked horns with federal officials over the Real ID law, saying the changes were too costly.

He said Tuesday he will send a letter to U.S. Senate leaders expressing further concerns with the legislation, renamed the PASS ID law.

Some lawmakers have questioned the governor's ability to focus on state business while Sanford's affair continues to make headlines and provide fodder for late-night comedians. But the governor said Tuesday he's going to try to push those criticisms aside during his last 18 months in office.

"Life and the choices that we make begin each day anew," Sanford said. "It's as much a distraction as you want to make it. I'm going to move on with my life. The question is, will you? ... It is time to move on, and that is what I intend to do."

Sanford said he has been spending time with his family. He and his wife, Jenny, took a trip together last week, and Sanford said they will travel again later this week with their four sons.

"I'm going to be full-bore, on a daily basis ... in terms of trying to do the best job I can by the people that elected me to this role and do the best job I can by my wife and by my family," Sanford said. "I've got to get some things right there."

The two-term Republican, who cannot seek a third term, said the path back to regaining the people's trust is a long one.

"It's a day-at-a-time process," he said.

One of those who came out to support the governor was pharmaceutical salesman Lewis Kay, who voted for Sanford.

"I'm definitely disappointed in his actions, as I'm sure that a lot of people are, but the main thing is to get this state back on track," said Kay, who stopped by the DMV on his lunch break to shake Sanford's hand.

"I have to admire him that, as a man, he stood up and took his punches. ... We all do wrong. It's a hard thing, but as a Christian I forgive him."

A woman in the crowd said she has been a lukewarm supporter of Sanford and came mostly out of curiosity, but ended up feeling pity for him.

"I wasn't listening to anything serious that he had to say," said Harris Morrison. "I came here to laugh with my friend, but honestly, I ended up having a lot of compassion for the guy. ... It was kind of hard to laugh after a while. I felt bad for him."