Right call on the governor

Bad as they were, Gov. Mark Sanford's misdeeds don't rise to the level of impeachment. So said the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday as it recommended that the governor be censured instead.

It was the right call, and the full House should vote accordingly. It would allow the governor to serve out the remaining 12-plus months of his term.

In making its decision, the Judiciary Committee followed the recommendation of the impeachment panel that reviewed the case against the governor earlier this month.

The governor was rebuked, in part, for his five-day unexplained absence from the state in June, while he flew off to Argentina to be with his mistress. The subcommittee also looked at complaints regarding the governor's use of state aircraft and ticket upgrades while flying on economic development trips abroad, though most were dismissed from consideration.

House Speaker Bobby Harrell endorsed the committee's decision, saying that while Mr. Sanford's actions were "irresponsible, misguided and hypocritical, the evidence available did not reach the constitutional level to remove the governor from office."

Rep. Harrell added that the complaints related to aircraft use still await action by the State Ethics Commission and, possibly, the state attorney general.

Both the speaker and the governor cited the difficult issues facing the state and the Legislature. The biggest ones -- draconian state budget cuts, the high jobless rate and a dysfunctional Employment Security Commission -- require the full attention of legislators and the governor.