Sanford hasn't decided about ethics panel info
By Robert Behre
SUMMERVILLE -- Gov. Mark Sanford has not decided whether he'll allow the State Ethics Commission to release information about a possible investigation into his use of state planes.
But he said he's still committed to transparency in government.
The Post and Courier
Gov. Mark Sanford bows his head in prayer alongside Rotarians William Lomax (left) and Rutherford Smith at the start of the Summerville Rotary Club meeting Wednesday.
"We have no problem with transparency whatsoever, which is what this administration has consistently been about," he said Wednesday. "I think we have an incredibly great story to tell as far as watching out for taxpayers on airplanes. In so many ways, we tried to go the extra mile."
Sanford's use of state-owned planes has come under scrutiny after an Associated Press report found he used state aircraft for personal and political trips, often bringing along his wife and children, contrary to state laws governing their official use.
Not only is the commission looking into the issue, but state Sen. David Thomas, R-Greenville, has promised more scrutiny on the issue.
Asked if he expected to be impeached, Sanford said, "That's not where I'm focused. That's y'all's role in the media to say this could happen, that could happen, this could happen. What I have to focus on is this day and making the most by it. Then tomorrow I have to focus on tomorrow and making the most by it, and whatever people are going to do is what people are going to do."
Meanwhile, opposition to Sanford doesn't appear to be going away. On Wednesday, Charleston lawyer and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mullins McLeod called on Sanford to resign. "The recent developments, however, go far beyond the problems in his personal life and have hurt the state by misusing taxpayer monies when we can least afford it," McLeod said.
Sanford made his comments to reporters after appearing before the Summerville Rotary Club. It was one of his first public events in the Charleston area since late June, when his affair with an Argentinian mistress became known. That affair increased scrutiny on Sanford's travel.
Sanford began his comments to the club with an apology and a little philosophy.
"I think the measure of any of our lives is not ultimately recorded by whether we fall down in life but in how we get back up," he said. "There were incredible desires on my end just to go down to that farm in Beaufort County and hide out for the rest of my life, because that's the place that I love and there are no TV cameras there."
Sanford said he hoped lawmakers would be willing to work with him now that it's clear he is not using the office as a political stepping stone. "If anything is abundantly clear, it's that my time in politics is over. I'm not running for president. I'm not running for something after that. It is about the next 16 months."
He asked the audience to help him push for restructuring, including the elimination of the S.C. Budget and Control Board and creation of a Department of Administration run by the next governor, and letting voters decide whether certain state officials should be elected statewide or appointed by future governors. He also vowed to work on curbing spending.
Club members asked him only two questions -- whether he favored comprehensive tax reform and whether he planned to return to the Lowcountry once his term is over.
Sanford said he favors tax reform but doesn't expect any serious action next year and that he is planning to move back here.
Since the scandal broke, Sanford has spent much of the recent weeks traveling with his family or on other trips out of state.
His wife Jenny and four sons recently moved out of the governor's mansion in Columbia to their family home on Sullivan's Island.
Summerville Rotary President Sean Bennett said he was happy to see the conversation change. "He (Sanford) has got an agenda and wants to see governmental reform, and I would much rather see us have that conversation, about some substance, whether you agree with that or disagree with that, than some of the other things we're having to deal with on a daily basis."
Bennett said he wasn't sure if Sanford would have any more success in his final year. "Personally, I don't know that his relationship with the Legislature is going to change much. It hasn't necessarily been good in the past. This isn't going to make it any better, but I don't know if it makes it any worse."
Reach Robert Behre at 937-5771 or at rbehre@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
AMAZING (anonymous) says...
He's committed to transparency for everyone except himself.
He has cheated the taxpayers at every turn.
He has cheated on his wife and family and he continues to cheat the citizens of South Caolina.
Mark Sanford is damaging this state everyday that he stays in office.
Where is his transparency in his use of state airplanes?
Where is his transparency in his use of campaign funds?
Where is his transparency in the Department of Commerce, SLED, SCDNR and the other state agecies that he has screwed over?
Sanfraud talks the talk but doesn't walk the walk, he never has and never will.
The fraud, Sanfraud is not going to change his stripes so therefore the only solution is to force him to leave.
In other words, we have to force him to stop lying and cheating.
How pathetic is that?
August 20, 2009 at 3:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AMAZING (anonymous) says...
MARK SANFORD IS MENTAL
Meanwhile, the governor is contesting questions about other travel.
Last month, the Associated Press reported Sanford had flown in pricey, taxpayer-funded seats on commercial airlines for state trips. State Sen. David Thomas, a Republican congressional candidate who has been investigating those flights, said the more expensive flights on two state Commerce Department trips broke a law requiring lowest-cost travel and cost taxpayers $13,700 more than the economy class flights available.
In a letter to Thomas, the governor’s attorney, Swati Patel, argued that state code requiring employees travel “by the most economical methods” and buy coach seats on commercial airlines is “likely invalid.”
She repeated Sanford’s arguments that the state Department of Commerce — an agency he controls — booked the overseas tickets. The agency thinks it has discretion to book more costly seats for overseas economic development trips so the governor is rested when he steps off the plane and into meetings, Patel wrote.
“Regardless, we have serious doubts whether the obscure travel regulation on which your allegations rely remains valid,” she wrote, saying the decades-old rule likely doesn’t apply today.
She questioned whether the State Budget and Control Board can legally set travel rules, though state budget law specifically gives the five-member board — of which the governor is chairman — that authority.
“We are not aware of any reason why the travel regulations and policies adopted over the years by the Budget and Control Board would no longer be valid,” agency spokesman Mike Sponhour said Wednesday.
Thomas likened the governor’s argument to a speeding driver who is finally ticketed.
“Suppose you’ve been driving 70 mph down a 45 mph stretch and getting away with it for years. You can’t say the city of Columbia waived the law because it failed to enforce it before. That’s how ludicrous the argument is,” he said.
http://www.thestate.com/local/story/9...
August 20, 2009 at 4:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
stoney1 (anonymous) says...
So much for Transparency!!! What a HYPOCRITE, add that to your DISHONESTY, GET OUT, GET OUT NOW!!!!
August 20, 2009 at 5:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jrs (anonymous) says...
Sanford's attorney is spilling his same old spill. I guess most of the male attorneys have deserted him. He prefer females anyway. He has cooked his goose even if he will not admit to these charges. Why the mealy mouth talk to Rotary elders...They evidently showed him respect when it was not earned. Guys you should have lost your lunch with the words that he spoke...You were just an enabler for him to whine for the press and your group. His speech sounded very rambling not like someone who is supposed to be a leader of a state. He needs to go to farm now. Please help him get there soon. He must resign now, possibly to save what sanity he has left which seems to be little...
August 20, 2009 at 5:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
GAL2000 (anonymous) says...
Who elected you "Sanford" the people, and you have no say in the States outdated 1897 Constitution...man I can't wait til you are out of office. And stop sending to my house your appology letter's and asking for contributions. I lost all hope in you after all this has been expose. My 2 cents!
August 20, 2009 at 6:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RuleNumberOne (anonymous) says...
Mark Sanford has an agenda, alright- he is totally focused on image rehad just like Prince Charles did in his media mishap over his paramour. It's shameful the Rotary Club allowed themselves to be used. And they only asked him TWO QUESTIONS?? What happened to their Four Way Test, where the first tenet is "Is it the TRUTH?" They invite a man who has admitted to a series of lies? Allowing this appearance is tacit approval, and is a stain on this club's reputation and members.
August 20, 2009 at 6:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
realamerican (anonymous) says...
What the hell good does an investigation do if the results are not released?
I guess Sanford wants to know the result of the investigation his hand picked panel arrives at before he decides how "transparent" his administration will be.
Resign you piece of filth. Your stench is rubbing off on our state.
August 20, 2009 at 6:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
captivated (anonymous) says...
So, what is the purpose for having an ethics committee if they have to get permission from the Governor who appointed them before releasing any info pertinent to his misuse of state funds? This "puppet panel" appointment sounds like another waste of taxes.
August 20, 2009 at 7:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
studley (anonymous) says...
This is what happens when the inmates run the asylum.
August 20, 2009 at 7:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
stevechas (anonymous) says...
"In so many ways, we tried to go the extra mile."
Isn't that the issue?
August 20, 2009 at 8:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
notthatlow (anonymous) says...
Speaking of inmates...in SCDC the inmates are required to attend "Character education training" that has been ongoing for more than a year now. This was paid for and probably approved by the Governors office and of course the head of the Prison system. Half the time, a lead prisoner is left to lead the discussion rather than have a person in leadership from within the professional staff lead it. Point being, if the inmates do NOT attend, it counts against them when they go up for Parole hearing and that will be used as the reason for denying their being released on parole when they have absolutely nothing else on their prison record. No disciplinary problems, no affairs with someone they aren't married to. I say what is good for the Sanford should well be good for the ganders!
August 20, 2009 at 8:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RuleNumberOne (anonymous) says...
This situation is a good argument against the Governor having more power to appoint more people. You can't get justice if his friends are on the panel. We need an ethics panel with two appointees each from the Governor, Legislature, and Supreme Court.That way it might be more impartial. This Governor, who went many,many extra miles, has had a continual campaign to change elected offices to appointive positions. That's taking the public's right to choose. And now if we had a choice, the Governor would no longer be in his elective office either.
August 20, 2009 at 8:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
For me, I decided that there is no ethics bar that you will not circumvent for your own selfish and immature reasons. You have no moral authority to lead. I will not care for anything that you have to say until you own up to the consequences of your actions. Nothing is relavant or believable until you resign. Resign first, then I may listen again with time. Is this clear to you yet? If not, reread it until you do. Resign.
August 20, 2009 at 8:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ysillyme (anonymous) says...
I cannot, with a straight face, say Sanford should not resign and the investigation made public; neither should Jim ClyBORG's office be spared as to how his daughter was appointed to a $160,000 a year job in Washington with zero experience for the job. They both are getting alittle ripe.
August 20, 2009 at 8:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oldglory (anonymous) says...
'"I think the measure of any of our lives is not ultimately recorded by whether we fall down in life but in how we get back up," he [Sanford] said. "'
Since I've read your quoted stab at philosophy several times now, I'm wondering just who gave it to you. You obviously have not been into reading before falling alseep.
"'Summerville Rotary President Sean Bennett said he was happy to see the conversation change. "He (Sanford) has got an agenda and wants to see governmental reform, and I would much rather see us have that conversation, about some substance, whether you agree with that or disagree with that, than some of the other things we're having to deal with on a daily basis."'
Usually it's AMAZING and/or vmirat90 who give me a great laugh with my morning coffee, but not so today! The governor and his cronies were here to do that in their place!
As much as our governor lies - by golly, Mr. Bennett seems to be telling the truth, albeit a sad truth. Among certain generations, particularly older ones, men just will not and do not talk about the truly important things in life. Further, these people believe they can just move on, trampling everything in their path.
Mr. Bennett, it's unconscionable to give a group's support to a man who is so sorry for his behavior that he offers up his pitiful weaknesses in return for forgiveness; then, he even screws that up with more lies and bad behavior.
Guv, bet you didn't know that fiscal cheating (surprised you didn't I) isn't done with a balance sheet. You can't steal from the taxpayers one day and the next day say that you didn't steal this day. If you cheat you cheat for the entire time.
August 20, 2009 at 8:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
Ethics....we don't need no stinking ethics!
August 20, 2009 at 9:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
charleston1960 (anonymous) says...
Move on. The economy is stagnant and everyone wants to spend money on an investigation of a man with no power who will soon be out of office. Move on.
August 20, 2009 at 9:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goldstarfamilysupport (anonymous) says...
Sanford should resign and let someone run our state who uses only the head on his shoulders to think with. He has hurt our state but more importantly he has destroyed his sons and wife's life.
SANFORD IF YOU READ DO THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA JUSTICE AND RESIGN
August 20, 2009 at 9:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lloyd007 (anonymous) says...
So your like David uhh ??..PLEASE.
August 20, 2009 at 9:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
blacman (anonymous) says...
Does anyone really think the good people of So. Carolina would tolerate this type of b.s. from a democratic governor? Secondly, does anyone really think a democratic governor would act this way? The man is shameless.
August 20, 2009 at 10:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ysillyme (anonymous) says...
Anyone seeking a golden nugget laid at your feet, read Luna's last post. Pure richness.
August 20, 2009 at 11:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JF (anonymous) says...
Sanford has raised the bar for political and religious hypocrits.
Is he still asking his people to write on both sides of their post it notes?
He never impressed me as being very intelligent, but he insists on proving he is a pretty dim bulb. How he ever made it through Furman amazes me!
August 20, 2009 at 11:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nina (anonymous) says...
Can he at least update his "forgiveness" speeches from time to time...thhis whole thing about inflicted gun shot wounds and "how you get up businesss" has been repeated verbatim so often that I can recite them in my sleep. The only time he is interesting is when he is bawling.
btw, is it just me or has the gov colored his hair darker?
August 20, 2009 at noon ( permalink | suggest removal )
charleston1960 (anonymous) says...
blacman>
"Secondly, does anyone really think a democratic governor would act this way?"
NC Governor Edwards (D)
NY Governor Spitzer (D)
NJ Governor McGreevey (D)
WV Governor Bob Wise (D)
AR Governor Bill Clinton (D)
Nah Democratic Governors would not act this way!. Just could not happen.
August 20, 2009 at 2:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
charleston, it is definitely not a party thing- for every dem listed, I can list a repub- maybe not a governor, but certainly a congressman or senator. It is plain and simple a power and sense of entitlement thing.
Anyone that tries to make it strictly a repub or demo issue is delusional.
August 20, 2009 at 3:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JustJennings (anonymous) says...
Citizens should start speaking up. All investigations of ethics violation by public employees/officials should be public record.
August 20, 2009 at 4:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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