Thursday update: Sanford departs Columbia to return to his family
'I've been unfaithful': Sanford's painful confession of extramarital affair with woman in Argentina
Updated 06:12 p.m., June 25, 2009
Latest news: Sanford returning to Columbia
Gov. Mark Sanford left his house on Sullivan's Island Thursday afternoon to return to Columbia. He told reporters that Jenny was fine, his kids were fine. When asked, he said he had given no thought to resigning.
He traveled here this morning from Columbia to be with his family.
Press secretary Joel Sawyer said the governor's mood and well-being is best described by his demeanor at Wednesday's press conference where he confessed to an extramarital affair with a woman from Argentina. Sawyer said the governor's office is not going to comment on reports that the woman is 43-year-old Maria Belen Chapur.
Last night, Sawyer said Sanford spent time calling legislative leaders to apologize. Sawyer said he believes the governor left early Thursday to be with his wife and their four sons at their Sullivan's Island home.
Sawyer declined to talk about any fallout the affair will have on the staff or whether any staffers are resigning.
Sanford apologized yesterday for "misleading" his staff. He left them with the impression that he was headed to the Appalachian Trail for a hike.
The Post and Courier has requested an interview with Sanford, but has not received a reply.
In the Statehouse lobby, the receptionist's phone hasn't stopped ringing. The tone in the office which is restricted to the public by a velvet rope is somber.
Reporters from the local and national press are trickling in and out.
The Post and Courier has a reporter waiting at the Commerce Department to get more information about Sanford's previous trips to Argentina.
Reaction from legislators is pouring in.
Senate Minority Leader John Land, D-Manning, was critical.
"Yesterday, Mark Sanford said that, 'Over the time that I have left in office, I'm going to devote my energy to building back the trust the people of this state have placed in me,' " Land said. "We need a governor who can devote his energy to addressing our state's record-high 12 percent jobless rate - not a governor who has said his top priority is elsewhere.
"Putting his own personal needs ahead of the job's demands is self-centered," Land said. "It suggests that Mark Sanford's still thinking about what's best for him, not what's best for the state."
Senate Majority Leader Harvey Peeler, R-Gaffney, said that in his part of the state, most the people he talks to feel the governor needs to resign.
"I thought that would be a deal breaker if it proved he used taxpayer dollars, and I think it is," Peeler said. "I think the people of South Carolina would forgive him for just about anything, except getting into their pocketbooks."
The governor's public statement Thursday was a guilty plea, Peeler said. He said he wouldn't call for the governor to resign but he believes the pressure for Sanford to do that is going to continue to mount.
The public is reeling over the news, he said.
"They're sad. It's all surreal. I think it's over," Peeler said.
Post and Courier reporter Brian Hicks contributed to this update
COLUMBIA — In a spectacular personal and political collapse, Gov. Mark Sanford admitted Wednesday that he had an extramarital affair with a woman who lives in Argentina and that he lied to his staff about a secret trip he took to be with her last week.
Photo Gallery
Gov. Mark Sanford
Gov. Mark Sanford went to Argentina as part of a long-running extra-marital affair with a woman he met eight years ago, he admitted today during a crowded press conference at the Statehouse. "The bottom line is that I have been unfaithful to my wife," he , choking back tears. When asked if he was alone in Argentina, he answered "obviously not."
After six days of speculation about his whereabouts, Sanford walked out of his office in the Statehouse and held an emotional news conference in the lobby. "I let down a lot of people," he said, his eyes brimming with tears. "That's the bottom line."
Sanford explained that the affair with the woman, whom he did not name, started about a year ago, and that his wife, Jenny, knew about the relationship before he traveled to Argentina.
The first lady issued a statement two hours later saying that she had asked him to leave the house two weeks ago, hoping that "this trial separation" would strengthen their marriage.
"I kept this separation quiet out of respect of his public office and reputation, and in hopes of keeping our children from just this type of public exposure," she said. "Because of this separation, I did not know where he was in the past week."
It was a stunning moment for a governor whose political star has been on the rise to the point that he has been mentioned as a potential presidential candidate in 2012. Sanford built his political credentials by holding fast to principles, both moral and economic. But his public confession was remarkable on many levels.
On a national level, Sanford's story of infidelity was more bad news for Republicans struggling in the wake
Republicans struggling in the wake of last year's election loss. During the news conference Sanford resigned as chairman of the Republican Governors Association, but indicated he wouldn't resign as governor. Political analysts said nevertheless that Sanford's national political prospects now are dim.
On a personal level, his admission touched on his long-standing frustrations with being in the public eye, while his wife's statement reflected the pain of a troubled marriage and the consequences this can have on others.
It began as a friendship
A few minutes after 2 p.m., Sanford strode from his office in the Statehouse to face a phalanx of about 80 reporters and television people. He was wearing a blue suit and looked tan but tired. The governor fumbled with his hands for a moment amid a cluster of microphones on a wooden lectern as photographers snapped photos.
He began by mentioning an encounter earlier in the morning with a reporter from The State newspaper, who met him at the Atlanta airport and asked about his reported trip on the Appalachian Trail.
For two days, Sanford's aides had insisted that the governor merely took time off to go hiking in the mountains. But the reporter's presence at the airport immediately blew his cover, and he admitted then that he had been in South America.
Sanford said during the news conference that he knew he would have to come clean. "I'm a bottom line kind of guy. It's going to hurt. I'm going to let the chips fall where they may," he said.
Read their statements
He said he met his mistress eight years ago, though he didn't say where. "I met this person and struck up a conversation," Sanford said. "There's a certain irony to this. She was separated, and we ended up with this incredibly serious conversation and about why she should get back with her husband for her boys."
They decided to stay in contact via e-mail. "It started on a very casual basis — run things by each other," he said. He felt as if he had found a confidant. "When you live in the zone of politics, you can't ever let your guard down. You can't ever say, 'What do you think, what do you think?' There was this zone of protectiveness. She lived thousands of miles away, and I was up here, and you could throw an idea out and vise versa.
"We developed a remarkable friendship over those eight years. About a year ago, it sparked into something more than that."
Progressed to intimacy
For instance, just after midnight last July 10, Sanford sent an e-mail to the woman, identified as "Maria" in e-mails obtained by The State newspaper.
"Two, mutual feelings. ... You have a particular grace and calm that I adore. You have a level of sophistication that's so fitting with your beauty. I could digress and say that you have the ability to give magnificent gentle kisses, or that I love your tan lines or that I love the curve of your hips, the erotic beauty of you holding yourself (or two magnificent parts of yourself) in the faded glow of the night's light — but, hey, that would be going into sexual details. . . ."
Sanford went on to describe their love as "impossible," and "how in the world this lightening strike snuck up on us I am still not quite sure. As I have said to you before I certainly had a special feeling about you from the first time we met, but these feelings were contained and I genuinely enjoyed our special friendship and the comparing of all too many personal notes."
His wife finds out
Sanford said his wife learned of his infidelity about five months ago.
Jenny Sanford said that when she found out about the affair, "I worked immediately to first seek reconciliation through forgiveness, and then to work diligently to repair our marriage. We reached a point where I felt it was important to look my sons in the eyes and maintain my dignity, self-respect, and my basic sense of right and wrong. I therefore asked my husband to leave two weeks ago."
Love letters
Sanford seemed to suggest in the news conference that he was actually considering going on a hike, but that he ended up in Argentina. "I spent the last five days crying in Argentina only to come back here and cry," he said.
When a reporter asked whether he had broken off the relationship with the woman, he said he had been trying to get his "heart right," and that they were in different places in their lives.
Sanford spent a great deal of time talking about the consequences of his actions. He said he was particularly ashamed about the revelation's effect on people with strong religious beliefs.
On a more personal level, he acknowledged harming his family and friends. "I hurt you all," he said. "I hurt my wife. I hurt the boys. I hurt friends like (state senator and former chief of staff) Tom Davis. I hurt a lot of people. And all I can say is, 'I apologize.' "
Choking back tears, he recalled a "surreal" conversation a couple of weeks ago with his wife's father about the affair. "He was incredibly gentlemanly as you cannot imagine," Sanford said. "Here was the pain I was struggling with in regards to where my heart was and where I was in my life, and I let him down and a lot of people, and that's the bottom line."
Sanford also confessed that he had misled his staff. "I would apologize to my staff as much as I did talk about going on the Appalachian Trail. That isn't where I ended up."
More questions
While Sanford's startling confession answered questions about his whereabouts last week, it raised new questions about his marriage and political future.
Unlike so many other politicians' wives who have seen their husbands' infidelities exposed and stood next to them in news conferences, Jenny was home with her parents and children. Her only comments came in a lengthy statement.
"I would like to start by saying I love my husband and I believe I have put forth every effort possible to be the best wife I can be during our almost twenty years of marriage," she said.
She said she was proud of his accomplishments, but that "the greatest legacy I will leave in this world is the character of the children I, or we, leave behind. It is for that reason that I deeply regret the recent actions of my husband, Mark, and their potential damage to our children."
She concluded by saying that she believed in the power of marriage, and that "Mark has earned a chance to resurrect our marriage. Psalm 127 states that sons are a gift from the Lord, and children a reward from Him. I will continue to pour my energy into raising our sons to be honorable young men. I remain willing to forgive Mark completely for his indiscretions and to welcome him back, in time, if he continues to work toward reconciliation with a true spirit of humility and repentance."
Sanford said he has many hard decisions to make. "I am committed to that process of walking through with Jenny and the boys, the Tom Davises of the world and the people of South Carolina," he said. "I go back to that simple word of asking for forgiveness."
Reach Tony Bartelme at 937-5554 or bartelme@postandcourier.com. Reach Yvonne Wenger at 803-799-9051 or ywenger@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
UrGatorbait (anonymous) says...
Let the sniping and Springeresque circus begin...appropo for this state.
June 25, 2009 at 1 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sardis12 (anonymous) says...
Sarah Palin's probably breathing a sigh of relief, now she's not the high-profile Republican governor/hypocrite getting attention. Sanford wasn't satisfied making South Carolina an embarassment during the stimulus fund fiasco, now he goes and makes himself look like a jackass all over again.
What was he thinking? He could have taken a day or two off, or flown his whore someplace closer for a few days, but no, when he wants to screw something up, he does it full guns blazing. Let's see Limbaugh spin this tomorrow...
I do feel sorry for Jenny, I hope she kicks him to the curb and takes him to the cleaners in a divorce...
June 25, 2009 at 1:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LBaker (anonymous) says...
It happens in politics all the time. This is nothing new. But least he had the balls to come clean instead of lieing about it until he couldn't lie any more, like some politicians. Nobody can say that that it's a Republican thing ether. There's been more Democrat infedeilty scandals than any other political group in the last twenty years. People forget that politicians are people too. Flawed like everyone else. This dosen't diminish his ability to govern the same way it didn't diminish Clinton's ability to be president. Nobody's perfect dispite what we expect.
June 25, 2009 at 1:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AMAZING (anonymous) says...
Sanford's South American sojourn taxpayer-funded
Mark Sanford spent more than $21,000 of taxpayers' money on international travel last year, at least part of which was spent on travel to Argentina -- where his mistress is located.
Gov. Mark Sanford ranks in the top 50 [travel spenders] based on the total amount he spent on trips paid by his office and those paid by the state Commerce Department. Mr. Sanford has traveled to China, Argentina and Brazil through the Commerce Department, which has travel reports showing taxpayers covering $21,488 for those trips.
Mr. Sanford also spent $1,976 in travel through his office.
"Looks like we have a whole new definition of 'stimulus funds'."
http://rawstory.com/blog/2009/06/sanf...
June 25, 2009 at 1:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
membermike (anonymous) says...
unfaithful, well it sounds like the pill was involved 2 say ther least......
June 25, 2009 at 2:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BillytheKid (anonymous) says...
I am so glad tet he didn"t fool any voters. fMaybe with the next batch
June 25, 2009 at 2:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AMAZING (anonymous) says...
E-mails obtained by The State newspaper in December detailed an affair between Gov. Mark Sanford and Maria, a woman in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
However, attempts to verify the e-mails - from an anonymous source - were fruitless, until Wednesday. Then, acting on another anonymous tip that Sanford would be on a plane returning from Argentina, the paper sent a reporter to Atlanta.
When Sanford got off a plane from Buenos Aires, he stopped an interview with The State when asked if he had been with anyone in Argentina.
The State then contacted Sanford's office and a former aide, explicitly saying it had e-mails between the governor's personal e-mail address and an Argentine woman and thought them to be genuine.
Sanford's office subsequently scheduled a news conference, at which time the governor confessed to an affair.
http://www.thestate.com/803/story/839...
June 25, 2009 at 2:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RalphieParker (anonymous) says...
The only reason this is an issue is because the Governor is a Republican and they have standards. See you Democrats have no standards so when a Democrat does something like this its not big deal, you have no standards to go against.
I'm not sayin its right cause it ain't but Governor Mark Sanford is a good man and a great Governor. He's not perfect but then again neither are any of you, especially if you vote Democrat.
June 25, 2009 at 2:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jacman (anonymous) says...
In one week not one but two Republicans admit affairs , and there are people out there who still like to " bash " the Democrats and the President . Are you people for real ? The Republican party is a joke !
June 25, 2009 at 3:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ballachulish (anonymous) says...
Hey Ralphie,
What standards?
Pretending to be moral and getting some on the side, is the GOP standard.
"Family Values" and the "Moral Majority" hypocrisies have been lorded over the Democrats since Reagan (which was patently bogus considering he was our only divorced President, and knocked up Nancy before marriage),this has been used to distract voters from the real GOP agenda which based on greed, not rightousness.
Ensign, Newt, Vitter, Foley, Palin, McCain, GHW Bush,Guiliani, Sanford, and the late great Strom are the true faces of Republican "values".
June 25, 2009 at 4:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sardis12 (anonymous) says...
It's amazing how closed-minded Republicans will defend the actions of their own, yet condemn Democrats for doing the exact same thing.
I'm sure Limbaugh will be hilarious tomorrow, trying to spin Sanford's affair into something he can blame on Clinton or Obama. Let's see, standing firm on his conservative principles by trying to avoid taking Obama's stimulus funds left Mark tired, exhausted, and in need of a hug, so he went to Argentina to get one.
The fact that this is such a big story has nothing to do with standards, it has to do with hypocrisy. It's wrong for anyone to cheat on a spouse, but Democrats don't thump their bibles in judgment of everyone else while sinning with the worst of them behind the scenes. "Do as I say, not as I do" is hypocritical, and that's why it's a bigger story when Republicans do something like this...
June 25, 2009 at 4:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
leep (anonymous) says...
He was knowingly disobedient to God.
When someone thinks the grass is greener on the other side-all they will get is a leaky cistern. It seldom works out. The message to all of you that are in this situation- politics aside- STAY PUT and get right with your spouse.
June 25, 2009 at 4:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eatmorecollards (anonymous) says...
The worst case of self destruction I've ever seen.
June 25, 2009 at 5:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tides (anonymous) says...
Adultry goes on everywhere. Actually goes on more than it did 10 years ago. Never seen so many married women cheating on their husbands. And the media wants to make a big deal about this? How about all the reporters that have fetishes?
We do not live in a perfect state ... nor world. Now with that said, Representative Bobby Harrell? And by the way, is Senator Glenn McConnell gay?
June 25, 2009 at 5:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tides (anonymous) says...
Leep ... maybe his wife turned "pyscho" on him? Husbands and wives don't cheat just to cheat. I bet she turned into a "cold fish".
June 25, 2009 at 5:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
whalernut (anonymous) says...
I am so disappointed.
June 25, 2009 at 5:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
olafaux (anonymous) says...
Governor, you are forgiven by me & by many, many other people. Not only becacse I want to do so but, because I'm commanded to do so. Now, We hope that this bashing by fellows all over the media will cease. No one, (repeat), No one is that perfect except the Lord Almighty. No governor, president, pope or any other creature under the Sun. I pray fot all affected here in this mess and, hope that we all be progressively humble
June 25, 2009 at 6:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
studley (anonymous) says...
Ralphie: Are you trying to rationalize this into being Bill Clinton's fault?
Hypocrisy is hypocrisy. For an example, go re-read your post.
June 25, 2009 at 6:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lloyd007 (anonymous) says...
Republican, Democrat, Independent, Who cares...This man ( Mark Sanford ) Should RESIGN and do so quickly..To think that someone could be so egotistical, self-centered, and selfish to completely abandon an entire state in order to fulfill in own personal DESIRES absolutely sickens me. Also to think that his staff would put the lives of the people of this state in jeopardy by LYING for this man, makes me feel even worst. Now this Mr. Zero calls himself resigning form the National Governors Association ? Most, if not all, of the other governors were handling their business for the good of their states, while this man ( Mark Sanford ) was living a lie among them and certainly playing politics with his very own. While Myrtle Beach burned, this man was in another country chasing a piece of booty..I simply do not get it..!!!.At the moment we are in the mist of hurrican season, Our education system ( State-wide ) is in complete shambles, There are no "REAL JOB" coming to this state. Over-all, the state's going to hell in a hand basket. How dare this man or any other can sit in an office at the tax payers expense. Hell, truth be told, his wife even lied to the people just to save face ( HIS ) and she should not have been put in that position. "Moral values", please, None that I wish to follow or use as an example.."Family Values", please, this man, once again, abandons his SONS on a "FATHER'S DAY" weekend for "Pootie tang".How do you think these young boys feel ? What really needs to happen is this: RESIGN..Spend the needed time to work on your marriage.Because it is more that apparent you have very little time for governing. Also it would do him ( Mark Sanford ) good to spent some quality time with a Priest and/or Minister. Lets not get it twisted, being separated from your wife or husband does not make trhe individual free to go screw the world at his or her leisure..ADULTERY is ADULTERY is ADULTERY, no matter which way you look at it.
June 25, 2009 at 6:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
USC_Alumni (anonymous) says...
He obviously made the people who had protected him throughout his years of infidelity angry otherwise this would not have leaked. People who know always know. You can believe there is no way the Governor of any state can have an 8 year long affair without being protected and people knowing.
June 25, 2009 at 7:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cuzisayso (anonymous) says...
My question -- who paid for this flocklick? Obviously there was no concern on the Governor's part for the five days his staff had no clue of his whereabouts. In the event an emergency, how was he to be contacted! If the average Joe was a "no call no show" on his job, I would think he'd be fired. What's good for the goose should be good for the gander. He had a duty to the State of SC, personal or not his actions were quite trifling. He has done your fellow republican governors proud by bringing up the score points for the on the "NGA Playoffs" (National Governor Adulters). And again we are the laughing stock of the nation!
June 25, 2009 at 7:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
GAL2000 (anonymous) says...
Take those "LOVE LETTERS" off this page P&C, please, this is not good for the children to see, these children are innocent victims. Please think to do what is right in the "best interess" of the minor children. I know that this must be hard to do, but have some civility and think about the children. What Governor Sanford did was wrong! I can't even image being in Jenny's shoes right now, and what these children are seing and hearing. My opinion for what its worth!
June 25, 2009 at 7:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
captivated (anonymous) says...
No Governor Sanford. I will not accept your apology. However, I will accept yor resignation.
June 25, 2009 at 7:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
canes2009 (anonymous) says...
is Mr. Sanford going to eat his owe words when as a congressman he called for than Presidant Clinton resignation?? Sanford voted in favor of three of four articles of impeachment against President Clinton, citing the need for "moral legitimacy." Where are Sanford's "moral legitmacy" Mr. Sanford should resign as governor.
June 25, 2009 at 7:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Nonsense (anonymous) says...
"After all, he's just a man".......Tammy Wynette.
June 25, 2009 at 7:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Grashuslawd (anonymous) says...
So, a traditional and biblical marriage = 1 man + 1 woman + 1 mistress?
June 25, 2009 at 7:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
china01 (anonymous) says...
I respect him now more than ever. What courage this guy has to risk it all for love, in Argentina!
June 25, 2009 at 7:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Aristotle_384 (anonymous) says...
It is somewhat disturbing from reading the other comments on yesterdays articles and now on this on.
What is it about gloating and taking such joy from the pain that is being caused Sanford's family by his actions?
All this enjoyment because a GOPer cheated on his wife. John Edwards cheated WHILE running for president while his wife had cancer, I don't remember any right wing folks dancing in the streets.
It is a very sick mind to take joy in this Governor's stupidity. As someone else said, if this were a democrat, and there have been just as many, it would not be such a big media circus.
I also think that many on the left take great pleasure when this happens to a GOPer, because in reality, those on the left have hearts that tend to justify this for their politicians, and Hollywood stars.
But because the vast majority of conservatives have a values system, it becomes a reason to rejoice at the fall of a man that professed to be religious.
His hypocrisy doesn't escape me, I see the obvious. But it still doesn't justify such joy and happiness on the left over Sanford's adultery, unless those rejoicing are lacking serious compassion in their very souls.
IMHO
"All virtue is summed up in dealing justly." Aristotle
"All human actions have one or more of these seven causes: chance, nature, compulsion, habit, reason, passion, and desire." Aristotle
June 25, 2009 at 7:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ms_lady2u (anonymous) says...
Oh the price we pay for a roll in the hay!!
June 25, 2009 at 7:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lazy2009 (anonymous) says...
It's time for this fellow to go. No hard feelings, but far better people have been thown out of office for far less. I'm sick of the holier than thou politicians telling me to live the straight and narrow while they live like flippin' rap stars.
June 25, 2009 at 7:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
st (anonymous) says...
I thought up to now Sanford had been a good Governor but of course he should resign. If he can't keep his oath to his own wife, how can we possible trust him to run this state? Your actions speak for who and what you are, he has shown with his actions that he is not someone the people should respect or trust enough to be the leader of this state.
June 25, 2009 at 7:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
whatelseisthere (anonymous) says...
Did he go down there to break up w/ her? His is "statement" certainly didn't say as much....didn't say he wanted to be w/ his family either. He did say he wanted to get his heart right. Mark is a man in love w/ another woman and he wants to be with her, prbably now more then ever. If he had wanted to save his marriage, the only reason to go there would be to break it off. I don't think that was happening.
June 25, 2009 at 7:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
whatelseisthere (anonymous) says...
There is that old saying...if you can't run your family, how can you run your office?
June 25, 2009 at 7:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Grashuslawd (anonymous) says...
Doesn't everyone know that the Appalachian Trail was extended through Buenos Aires?
June 25, 2009 at 8:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ballachulish (anonymous) says...
Aristotle,
What a convenient memory you posess...
55 Million taxpayers dollars were wasted on exploiting Clinton's mojo, thanks to the GOP.
FOX made a 2 year media circus out of all the juicy details, thanks to the Starr report, did you complain about that?, thought not.
I have the utmost sympathy for Sanford's family, but Sanford is responsible for their pain, not the media, not the liberals, just the Lovenor and his chiquita caliente.
June 25, 2009 at 8:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sbs920 (anonymous) says...
I've heard Obama is interested in filling a spot in his cabinet., He'll head up the dept of "foreign affairs"! LOL!
June 25, 2009 at 8:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lillycollette (anonymous) says...
http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2009/06/24...
Lilly Collette, June 25th, 2009 8:04 am ET
When Mark Sanford was first running for governor he was duly informed and warned about criminal acts of misconduct by officers of the family court. The family court was indeed no more than a criminal industry. Sanford had people believing that he would look into the matter upon election.
Perhaps Jenny Sanford will give Mark cause to remember some empty promises there.
June 25, 2009 at 8:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
2dogs1bear (anonymous) says...
Governor Sanford made some horrible personal and leadership decisions and let a lot of people down, especially his family, but he has taken responsibility and manned up. He is suffering the consequences. There's no need to kick the man and his family when they are down. Let's move on.
June 25, 2009 at 8:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
SECTION 16-15-60. Adultery or fornication.
Any man or woman who shall be guilty of the crime of adultery or fornication shall be liable to indictment and, on conviction, shall be severally punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisonment for not less than six months nor more than one year or by both fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the court.
SECTION 16-15-70. "Adultery" defined.
"Adultery" is the living together and carnal intercourse with each other or habitual carnal intercourse with each other without living together of a man and woman when either is lawfully married to some other person.
June 25, 2009 at 8:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rjs2005 (anonymous) says...
Ballachulish,
You are absolutely correct. Too much money was wasted on the circus that was Clinton/Lewinsky, and too much money will be wasted on Sanford as well. I found it sickening back then how the right took glee in the Clinton saga, just like now with the left. It was truly sad to watch Wolf Blitzer and his "Political Analysts" barely able to contain their joy as they were reporting the story yesterday. There is no joy in this story at all. The Governor has disgraced himself, embarrased his family, his staff, and the people of the State of South Carolina, just like President Clinton did back then. No joy, only sadness.
Unlike "Captivated", I will accept Gov. Sanford's apology. People are fallible, and they should be able to repent and redeem themselves. I will also accept his resignation, for his effectiveness as governor is now completely diminished. He also needs to devote time to putting his life and family back together, and will not have the time to devote to his job (not that it matters, the legislature has proven that already).
June 25, 2009 at 8:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
adenosinetriphosphate (anonymous) says...
BreezinIAm, I lived in Buenos Aires, which, like any huge city, has dozens of rags, but the two respected and major newspapers in Buenos Aires are Clarin (http://www.clarin.com) and La Nación (http://www.lanacion.com.ar). The major English speaking paper is the Buenos Aires Herald (http://buenosairesherald.com), which used to be owned by the same folks who own the Post and Courier.
June 25, 2009 at 8:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
I think you mean Buenos.
June 25, 2009 at 8:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lois_Lane (anonymous) says...
I know how she feels. Heartache. Betrayal. Broken trust. He's just sad he got caught. Plain and simple.
June 25, 2009 at 8:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yird (anonymous) says...
Posted by Aristotle_384 on June 25, 2009 at 7:50 a.m. (Suggest removal
What is it about gloating and taking such joy from the pain that is being caused Sanford's family by his actions?
It's real simple. The democrat party is riddled with sexual deviants like Reno, Shalala, Frank Studds, McGreevey, and Foley to name a few, plus no shortage of philanderers like Spitzer, Edwards, and Clinton, so on those rare occasions when a republican acts like one of their own the democraps lose what little decorum they possess and go berserk with the hate joy combination.
They are still the party of questionable morals and irresponsible spending and a republican falling from grace now and then isn't going to change that.
For now they revel in their Jerry Springer style ignorance as they display behavior far worse than the governor and after the little thrill is gone they can go back to their mundane nose picking, butt scratching, extended excursions into the world of MSNBC, slobbering over the prospect of another republican being caught acting like a democrat.
"I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Ms Lewinsky",
Ya gotta love it!
June 25, 2009 at 8:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
Craig
Vitter
Ensign
Foley
It comes in all shapes and sizes and political flavor.
NO ONE CAN SAY THEY HAVE THE MORAL HIGH ROAD!
June 25, 2009 at 8:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
techgirl67 (anonymous) says...
Why is it that politicians caught in these types of scandals always evoke bible passages and God?? Where were these things when they were lying and cheating? Proof that politicians use God/religion to get into power positions and then attempt to use them to get out of situations they knowingly put themselves in. I ain't buying it!! And shame on you Jenny Sanford, grow a backbone!
June 25, 2009 at 8:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Aristotle_384 (anonymous) says...
ballachulish, I am referring to those posting and commenting on these threads as well as other blogs. Most of the comments that are being posted seem to be by people that are enjoying the governor's fall.
It is a sick mind and heart to take joy in this situation purly because of one's political hatred for the man.
I know the media & political pundits are going to do their normal sensationalism.
Matt Drudge became famous for reporting in 1998 that Newsweek had spiked a story about a special prosecutor investigating President Clinton's relationship with Monica Lewinsky.
http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/arch...
The whole idea that the media is even handed when it comes to political figures and their behavior, holds no water. It seems that if you are a democrat, you get more of a pass by the mainstream media (IMHO).
Conservatives have been and are the bigger target because it seems that those with ill will in their hearts tend to feel justified in their questionable behavior when a 'religious' politician 'sins' and gets caught.
June 25, 2009 at 8:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Grashuslawd (anonymous) says...
If you enjoyed SOUTH CAROLINA FOLLIES, PART 1 starring Governor Mark Sanford, you are going to absolutely love SOUTH CAROLINA FOLLIES, PART 2 starring GOVERNOR Andre Bauer, funnier, zanier, and even more entertaining. Stay tuned!
June 25, 2009 at 8:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Ionoclast (anonymous) says...
Elliot Spitzer, who did alot more with respect to policing crooks on Wall St than Sanford ever did, was forced to resign his governorship, not just his frilly association leadership roles. Will there be a double standard here?
June 25, 2009 at 8:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
yird, come on, be objective for a change. You know that it happens on both sides of the aisle, so don't pull the "democrats are the party of questionable morals". You know better than that.
And MSNBC is no better on the left that Faux News is on the right.
June 25, 2009 at 8:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BulldogTLC (anonymous) says...
He wasn't hiking the Appalachian Trail, he was chasing Argentina Tail..... I can see where his staff got confused. Sounds very similar....
June 25, 2009 at 8:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
guidedbystewart (anonymous) says...
Come on tird! If this had been a democrat, you would have been dancing around the table! You sir, like most in your political party, are hypocrites!
June 25, 2009 at 9:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
notax (anonymous) says...
Too bad Sunset Lodge is no longer operational. Much closer - less travel time -
http://www.elowcountry.com/Home/lcc_p...
June 25, 2009 at 9:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ballachulish (anonymous) says...
Aristotle,
I have to disagree w/ you on how the media treats politicians based on their party.
Fox is far right and apologizes or doesn't report GOP scandals ie Meghan Kelly receiving an email from Ensign's lover's cuckolded husband, but it's non-stop coverage of Dem scandals, just ask Edwards and Clinton.
The issue isn't the scandals, both parties have them (although the GOP's are far more disgusting), or the coverage of those scandals, the issue is hypocrisy.
June 25, 2009 at 9:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Jagolet (anonymous) says...
Boy, wanna have a bad day? Just read the comments to ANY article in P&C. Where do these horrible people hang out? I don't wanna go there. Got to be under a rock slide. Anybody out there have anything nice to say about anything?
June 25, 2009 at 9:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Chicago_Thug (anonymous) says...
He should resign. He has lost the trust of those he was supposed to serve.
In addition, being retired military, what he did ticks me off.
Adultry is a violation of the UCMJ. Mr Sanford, as a member of the military: USAR, 2002-present, violated, Article 134 - A Punitive Article of the UCMJ.
"Though not specifically mentioned in this chapter, all disorders and neglects to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces, all conduct of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces, and crimes and offenses not capital, of which persons subject to this chapter may be guilty, shall be taken cognizance of by a general, special, or summary court-martial, according to the nature and degree of the offense, and shall be punished at the discretion of that court."
Elements.
(1) That the accused wrongfully had sexual intercourse with a certain person;
(2) That, at the time, the accused or the other person was married to someone else; and
(3) That, under the circumstances, the conduct of the accused was to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces or was of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces.
Explanation.
(1) Nature of offense. Adultery is clearly unacceptable conduct, and it reflects adversely on the service record of the military member.
June 25, 2009 at 9:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Grashuslawd (anonymous) says...
The Year: 2013
The Scene: A Science Classroom
Teacher: "Today, students, we are going to learn about two extinct species -- dinosaurs and Republicans."
June 25, 2009 at 9:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
Everyone is talking about Reps vs. Dems....the real issue is he broke the LAW!
Or is this like Nixon.....its not against the law if the governor does it?
June 25, 2009 at 9:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lowcountrydawg (anonymous) says...
FOOD CHAIN:
1. HUMANS
2. ANIMALS
3. AMOEBA
4. POND SCUM
5. POLITICIANS - REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS ALIKE
AND IS ANYONE CONCERNED HOW THE STATE NEWSPAPER RECEIVED PRIVATE E-MAILS FROM SANFORD'S ACCOUNT? I MEAN IF ANYONE CAN ACCESS HIS, THEN WHO'S TO SAY OTHER E-MAIL ISN'T BEING LOOK AT?
June 25, 2009 at 9:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
morning, Thug...had only 2 pops last night, but going to watch some baseball out and about, and will have many more cold adult beverages tonight- well, after I cut the grass.
Gotta keep the boss happy! Sanford should know that!
June 25, 2009 at 9:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CHRISJIII (anonymous) says...
Another hypocrit bites the dust!!!! I'll bet he wishes that he had played nice with the people of S.C. and governed the state effectively now!! He has no credibility or moral authority left. The only reason that I would not support his resignation is that Andre Bauer would be even worst!!!!!!
June 25, 2009 at 9:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
dog...I will modify your list a bit..
4. pond scum
5. yankees fans
6. attorneys and realtors
7. politicians
June 25, 2009 at 9:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AuntBird (anonymous) says...
People need to focus on something more important. How would you like it if you were in the public eye and your husband or wife had an affair and now your family has to deal with the humiliation of the world knowing. Think of how his wife feels, think of his kids. I am not a huge Sandford fan, but I feel like this is ridiculous that people are on here talking about morals and such. Get a life. This man had an affair, people have them, just because he is politician doens't mean that he can't do things that "regular" human beings do. I do not condole cheating, but this is none of our business. He let no one down but his family. You people should care less about him having a relationship on the side. This is for him and his family to work out. I feel heartbroken for his wife and kids, but again, this is none of our business. I can't beleive him having an affair is what makes headlines. People are focusing less on the fact that he disappeared and more on him having a girlfriend. Get over it, our lives can go on. His family are the people that have to live with this.
June 25, 2009 at 9:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Aristotle_384 (anonymous) says...
ballachulish. ok, we will just agree to disagree. But you have one NEWS Channel, FOX, that of course wont bow to the democrat party line, (excluding Shepard Smith) then you have ABC - All Barak Channel, NBC National Barak Channel, CBS - Complete Barak Source,
and of cource CNN - Clinton News Network and MSNBC - Most Sympathetic Barak Channel.
I know this is a conservatve group, but the studies and surveys were done by several seperate entities, like the LA Times & Indiana University journalism professors David H. Weaver and G. Cleveland Wilhoit.
http://www.mrc.org/biasbasics/pdf/Bia...
44 percent of journalists identified themselves as Democrats while just 16 percent tagged
themselves as Republican. Thirty-four percent described themselves as independents.
Nearly half of the journalists surveyed (47 percent) called themselves "liberal," compared to 22 percent who described themselves as "conservative."
June 25, 2009 at 9:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AMAZING (anonymous) says...
The E-Mails That Forced Mark Sanford to Come Clean
The whole thing seemed voluntary, to say the least - and it may have been cathartic, but, it turns out, it was not his idea.
Once it was revealed that Sanford had been in South America during his mysterious five-day absence, South Carolina newspaper The State informed his office that they would be publishing illicit correspondence between the governor and a woman named Maria in Argentina. They'd had the e-mails since December, but hadn't been able to verify them until this recent trip.
June 25, 2009 at 9:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Chicago_Thug (anonymous) says...
morning vmi. have a good day. got stuff to do!
June 25, 2009 at 9:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandflea (anonymous) says...
I'm a Republican and voted for Sanford. Unfortunately, he has betrayed my trust and confidence and demonstrated that he is an absolute IDIOT!! Only someone with the brain and judgement of an 8 YO child would pull this kind of shenanigan and think he could get away with it. Resign now, Sanford and take your sorry ass back to Argentina. And don't let the doors of South Carolina hit you in the tail on your way out.
June 25, 2009 at 9:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
krm757 (anonymous) says...
I can't believe some of the posts up here. We have the THIRD HIGHEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN THE NATION. What this man did is something called going AWOL. I don't know about you, but if I did the same thing at my job, I would be FIRED without a doubt. I cannot afford to lose my job. Maybe he can...which is why he should lose his. He neglected his state for SIX DAYS. He neglected to notify anyone of his whereabouts (JOB ABANDONMENT!!!). FIRE HIM!!!
June 25, 2009 at 9:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yird (anonymous) says...
vmirat90, you stopped short,
8.religious zealots
June 25, 2009 at 9:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
palmettostate (anonymous) says...
Could it be that the reason Gov. Sanford went to Buenos Aires during Father's Day weekend is that he has fathered an Argentinian child during his last year's trip to Argentina?????!!!
June 25, 2009 at 9:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AMAZING (anonymous) says...
Mark Sanford wrote:
"I love the erotic beauty of you holding yourself (or two magnificent parts of yourself) in the faded glow of night's light:"
"holding the two magnificent parts of yourself"?
I wonder which "two magnificent parts" she was holding?
Now that's a mental image.
What do you think she was doing with her "two magnificent parts" she was holding?
Oh! Oh! Maria ....it's just magnificent!
it's just magnificent, I say ...magnificent!
Oh! Oh! Maria Oh! Oh! Oh!
June 25, 2009 at 9:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
maeko (anonymous) says...
@ Tides...i don't think wives just "turn psycho" or into "cold fish". men with "dead" wives usually have killed them themselves.
the gov.'s star-crossed love affair is misfortunate. in itself it is a personal matter amongst those involved. that being said, i think to brush him with the same stroke as some other philandering politicians would be an injustice. he seemed to have been rather forthcoming given his circumstances. the "love letters" are not lascivious or disrespectful. the public seems angry to have been the last to know.
to revel in the troubles of others shows as much poor grace as to envy their blessings. it is not for us to decide what is right for Sanford or his family. judge not, lest ye be judged.
as for judgement...if Sanford has broken the law, then he should be brought before his peers to answer for himself. if he is found guilty, he should resign. given his troubles, he should also resign if his peers do not find him to be in the capacity to serve his office.
i hope he and his family will be afforded some peace and compassion by the public so that they may be given time to navigate these difficult and treacherous waters.
June 25, 2009 at 9:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ballachulish (anonymous) says...
Aristotle,
Deal, never the twain shall meet.
Bush did get a pass from all media from 9/11/01-9/2005, since they were all scared of being called "unpatriotic", Katrina shut that down.
Your stats on journalists are probably correct, they probably skew lib, as well as being college-educated, upper middle class, and worldly.
The problem with that slant/analysis is that it fails to include people who aren't journalists, which is most of the rightwing media, who are "commentators", "news readers", or "entertainers" as Beck and Limbaugh, call themselves when challenged on their credibility.
June 25, 2009 at 9:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
onawhim (anonymous) says...
Jenny, welcome to the ranks of many other women (and men) who have gone through what you are going through right now. Some more than once, in hopes of reconciliation and change. Your marriage will never be the same. Never. The trust is completely gone and it takes years to gain it back. Here's a bit of unsolicited advice ... once a cheater, always a cheater. Get out while you can, before the hurt and pain multiply. And, on the bright side, YOU 'BOUT TO GET PAID!!
June 25, 2009 at 9:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dutchdancer (anonymous) says...
Resign? Heck, he has just been admitted to the club. Politics and Hollywood, this is just what we are all hungry for. Right?
June 25, 2009 at 9:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
metallic (anonymous) says...
Posted by china01:
>>I respect him now more than ever. What courage this guy has to risk it all for love, in Argentina!<<
On some level, I actually have to agree with that sentiment.
This isn't an Elliot Spitzer situation where the governor is buying a whore.
He sounds like he is genuinely in love with "Maria."
Love is some powerful stuff.
I'll be careful with my "judgment" of a person's choices and actions when that person is feeling the passion of love.
June 25, 2009 at 9:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kris86 (anonymous) says...
Gov. Sanford needs to listen to "Slow Fade" by Casting Crowns....
"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it" 1 Corinthians 10:13
June 25, 2009 at 9:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
yird, yes...I totally forgot.
8. ALL religious fanatics
June 25, 2009 at 9:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lottcm (anonymous) says...
Poor taste airing personal emails. P&C editors need to be more discretionary. In no way does this impact the public. The only issue the public should be concerned about is his negligent ommission to leave someone in charge. I really feel his affair should be managed with his wife AT HOME...Not in the media circus. He probably gave too many details yesterday.
June 25, 2009 at 9:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ChasCarolinaGirl (anonymous) says...
Okay, so now can we move on? Really??
Enough time has been wasted on this guy. Over it!
June 25, 2009 at 10:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
maeko (anonymous) says...
much to my dismay, some of the boorish, base, and crude posts on this thread are not a surprise. i suspect that there are more to come of various vulgarity.
June 25, 2009 at 10:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Photog1430 (anonymous) says...
Another one bites the dust. Pay back is a b----!
June 25, 2009 at 10:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yird (anonymous) says...
Posted by vmirat90 on June 25, 2009 at 9:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
yird, yes...I totally forgot.
8. ALL religious fanati
==========================
DITTO!
June 25, 2009 at 10:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UThink (anonymous) says...
This woman has turned Mark out and on to something he's never had with his wife. He is whipped!!! He talks about her grace, her kisses, her tan lines, her Hips, and the way she looks holding her B$%st "in the faded glow of the nights light" OMG... This is to much!! the media is having a feild day. I do think he'll resign. I also think that he was going to divorce his wife after his term was up,and in a year or so, marry his mistress ( that no one would have knowned about) and run for Pres. in 2012, but he got caught. If she found out about this five months ago and he's been there twice since, he had no intentions of leaving his mistress to return to his wife.
Mark sandford is a sneaky, dishonest, Bassette Hound "Dog"
" I'm just saying"......
June 25, 2009 at 10:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goirish777 (anonymous) says...
AWESOME! http://jezebel.com/5302250/south-caro...
My wife and I noticed the same thing and laughed.
June 25, 2009 at 10:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
singleroni (anonymous) says...
hope there is no bridge babies. no wonder immigration can't be stopped
June 25, 2009 at 10:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Ionoclast (anonymous) says...
Metallic, quit making excuses while you hold on to an ideology by a thread.
Seriously, parsing "extramarital love vs. extramarital whore" has little bearing on the trust of the public bestowed to perform an elected job.
June 25, 2009 at 10:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mrjm (anonymous) says...
What, that Glenn McConnell might be gay? That is no secret, and nobody cares....
June 25, 2009 at 10:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCGirl0901 (anonymous) says...
Sorry folks, but this line from "Maria" would do it for me. The locks would be changed and his stuff would be in a POD!
"I never gave you sexual details but now you don't need to imagine you can close your eyes and just remember. I'll do the same."
You're done dude.. now you can just remember...
June 25, 2009 at 11:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
PersicaPit (anonymous) says...
It's not an easy call, but yes, he should resign as governor for several reasons:
1) He disappeared for five days to spend time with a woman he was having an affair with.
2) He lied to his staff about his whereabouts during this time, even going through the pretenses of packing hiking-related equipment (only to leave said equipment in his car at the airport).
3) He has in fact traveled to Argentina in the past to meet with this woman on the taxpayers' dime (the full e-mails published today by The State establish that they did indeed spend intimate time together in June of 2008).
4) He only confessed to the affair after being confronted with explicit e-mails between himself and his girlfriend by The State.
5) Given all the press surrounding Sanford's disappearance and revelations, there is no possible way to maintain his dignity or the dignity of the state of South Carolina; right or wrong, he has now become a punchline.
6) There is also no possible way he can focus on governing this state while dealing with his myriad personal issues.
I've never been a fan of Governor Sanford's policies, but I respected the man's conviction in his beliefs. However, his actions over the last five days have proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that his priorities are not in order, and he should not finish out his term.
South Carolina has very real and serious issues which are now being overshadowed by the scandal surrounding our governor's infidelity. In order to deal with these issues competently and without distraction, it is time for Mark Sanford to step aside and allow his family and his state to move forward.
June 25, 2009 at 11:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sherlock2004 (anonymous) says...
Someone made the comment "it happens in politics all the time". How would he/she know unless they are a politician. I agree, the Democrats have had more scandals, BUT at least they resigned or stepped down, something Mr. Sanford has no intention of doing. We the taxpayers of S.C. obviously funded his trips (I'm sure this will also come out) to do the Argentine Tango. The Love Gove is a hipocrit. Does everyone remember when Mr. Sanford was a Representative? He was one of the first to come out and say President Clinton should step down. I wonder why he made that suggestion? He left the state for a week, bottom line. Not only should he resign but his staff as well. Think people..wonder if there was a major storm or tornado. Oh yeah, let's wait for him to finish the tango to answer those questions. Resign Mr. Sanford..to me you are no longer a governor..
June 25, 2009 at 11:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
metallic (anonymous) says...
Posted by Ionoclast:
>>...parsing "extramarital love vs. extramarital whore" has little bearing on the trust of the public bestowed to perform an elected job.<<
In my way of seeing things, there is a HUGE difference between a married man falling in love with another woman and a man professing "love" toward a wife while pursuing extramarital affairs with prostitutes (or other casual sexual relationships).
Just because one is married, doesn't mean one will not find other members of the opposite sex attractive anymore. Sometimes -- actually quite often -- the relationships married people form with members of the opposite sex, other than their spouse, grow into something more.
I cannot fault Sanford for pursuing a new love interest if a love relationship developed. I will be critical of the manner in which it appears he pursued it.
It would have been more honorable for him, by my standards, to leave his wife FIRST, then pursue his new love, but understanding how powerful such emotions can be, I am not going to be too "judgmental" about the choices he has apparently made. It is his problem, I'll let him work it out in his own way. (His way so far, has not been the way I would have pursued things if I realized I was in love with another woman other than my wife.)
June 25, 2009 at 11:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tallblonde (anonymous) says...
Jenny, while I respect you wanting to keep your marriage together - please consider that this just wasn't a one-night stand - this is an 8 year "relationship" - and the Governor has "confessed" to the affair happening over the last year.
The Post & Courier reported his "apology" totally out-of-order - and that is something you should pay particular attention to.....He first apologized to HER - then staff - constituents - your children and then to you.
You were last.
That says more than any revelation could.
June 25, 2009 at 11:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
aroberson68 (anonymous) says...
Mrs. Sanford has shown that she is classy, gracefull and most of all a Christian women who is not afraid to say that she is putting things in God's hands. I commend you for standing up for your children and putting them first. Mr. Sanford you should take a page from your wife and seek God's strength and wisdom in this trying time. I feel for Jenny in the fact that the whole world knows her struggles, but she is classy enough and has the grace and dignity to rise above this and be stonger in her faith and a better person in the end. My prayers are with you and your family.
June 25, 2009 at 11:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCGirl0901 (anonymous) says...
Tallblonde - glad to know I'm not the only one that picked up on that.. The homewrecker was mentioned first.. And people wonder why women hate women.. Because most of them DON'T KNOW OR CARE WHERE THE LINE IS DRAWN.
June 25, 2009 at 11:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ChasCarolinaGirl (anonymous) says...
Jenny Sanford is a rude woman who is only classy for the public's eyes.
June 25, 2009 at 11:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ricktib (anonymous) says...
Not defending the Gov., but I think the P.O.S. people laughing and smiling in the background of the news conference video are among the lowest form of scum.
June 25, 2009 at 11:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ch84ct (anonymous) says...
"Let the person among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone."
John 8:7
June 25, 2009 at 11:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCGirl0901 (anonymous) says...
I agree ricktib.. what is with that chick with the perpetual smile on her face.. She looks like a total idiot. Class should have been a requirement for standing back there.
June 25, 2009 at 11:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
icunvme (anonymous) says...
Yall voted for him!!!
June 25, 2009 at 11:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCGirl0901 (anonymous) says...
I'd throw a rock at her.. I know how to act in a multitude of situations - so, yeah - I'd pitch one at her! She is completely unprofessional to be in that setting.
June 25, 2009 at 11:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cary96 (anonymous) says...
Well at least he's taken the heat off of Jon Gosselin and we don't have that fiasco in our headline news now.
June 25, 2009 at 12:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
stompyourheadin (anonymous) says...
To be truthful i am not mad that the Gov. is a player. He is human and the flesh is weak. What goes on with his love life is his own business. But he messed up when he skipped town,lied about where he was going, and most importantly abandoned his post for a piece of a**. He should have said I'm going on vacation see you in a week the Lt Gov is in charge. Dont call me and I won't call you. Sex is damn near the strongest drug on this planet and alot of people(mostly men) do dumb things for that high. I feel bad for the kids. It can't be good that everyone thinks their daddy is a joke.
June 25, 2009 at 12:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UThink (anonymous) says...
I don't that she is laughing at him,I think that she's a " special needs person" that may not even know what's going on. She just knows she's on TV standing behind the Gov. It also looks more like a nerves grin and not a laugh. There were others that were smiling, why just single out this young lady? The lady in the back with her hands on her hips was funny to me. It looked like she was saying,
" Now ain't this a Bitch!!! lmao :o)
June 25, 2009 at 12:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Joysie2 (anonymous) says...
Mr. Sanford....aka Mr. Moral Majority Leader of the South. Whatever!!!!!! This country is so fed up with you Bible thumping right wing God Guts and Glory Southerners that it is laughable. This is the loser who crucified Bill Clinton for his wanton ways. Puhhlease. I knew the minute I heard this creep was missing that it was a woman. I went to high school with a girl from S Carolina. She didnt believe in extra marital sex or drinking. But if you got her drunk---she was anybodys. Get a grip on yourselves southern people. You aint the last word!!!!!!!
June 25, 2009 at 12:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
flinsc (anonymous) says...
Is the woman hotter than the wife? That is a legitimate question to be asked.
June 25, 2009 at 12:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
stompyourheadin (anonymous) says...
His emails to Maria were sweet that I think that I will copy and send to my woman next Valentine's Day. I bet that would win me some points since she says I don't have a sensitive side. I hope she does not remember what the Gov. wrote to his love. lol
June 25, 2009 at 12:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ImaginePeace (anonymous) says...
If a President can do it and not resign his position, then a Govenor can do it too! I don't believe for one moment that he left this state and the ones NEEDING to know didn't know where he was. Guess what?? EVEN if he did do that, NOTHING happened that ended our world...we didn't slide off into the ocean or anything! DARN! Now THAT would have been a story WORTH covering. A lot of you on here need to "get over yourselves"..."Sweep in front of your own door before you sweep in front of someone else's". What he did or didn't do is between him and his wife...they'll work it out like all the other "regular people" do.
June 25, 2009 at 12:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
crankyyankee (anonymous) says...
If only his name had been Kennedy instead of Sanford he could have murdered the women and been called a saint!
June 25, 2009 at 12:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
captivated (anonymous) says...
Since July of last year the relationship got "sparked up" meaning whenever he was with his wife his mind was with Maria. All the gifts and hugs and kisses he gave his wife since then were insincere gestures. If his wife can forgive him for all these transgressions then she truly deserves sainthood. Either that or she is as loony tunes as he is.
June 25, 2009 at 1:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
real_news (anonymous) says...
1st I should say that I do not care about Gov Sanford's sexual activities, but what I do care about is the hypocrisy and lunatic thinking of these Republicans like Sanford, Graham, Rush Limbaugh, Hannety and the rest of the lying lots of them.
To prove the above point all you have to do is to think that Sanford and people like him are against Universal (single payer) Health Care, which is something that EVER European nation has, Canada has, in fact every developed nation has as a result of which their economies are doing much better than the US economy as evident by Euro being so much more valuable than US Dollar.
But lets stick with Sanford, Gov Sanford of SC is best example of what lunatics Republicans are, specially in todays Global economy where Governments such as Europeans make vast investments in their people & cities via such Social services as Universal Health Care and much more.
About Gov Sanford being best example of what lunatics Republicans are, here is why:
1- Gov Sanford has said that he will not take some of the Stimulus money that the Obama/Dems have set aside for state of South Carolina as part of the Stimulus package. Thus depriving State of SC from 10s of 1000s of high paying Job and also depriving 10s of 1000s of South Carolina residents who have lost their Job due to no fault of their own from greater unemployment benefits at the time that the state desperately needs these new Jobs and additional payments, specially when considering the FACT that SC has the 2nd highest unemployment rate in the nation.
2- In an article that Sanford wrote on CNN on Feb/13/09 which you can read here:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/1...
he said the following amazing non-sense, which I have written point by point and then followed each point with the facts of how wrong and non-sensible his points are:
For sake of this post not getting too long, you can read the rest of this article here:
http://www.anoox.com/news/show_select...
June 25, 2009 at 1:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
"Let the person among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone."
John 8:7
-ch84ct
so let me get this straight, ch8- if he commits any sort of crime, we should just forgive him and say, oh well. Not saying there was a crime committed here, I'm just sayin'. Once again, he is an elected official- he must be held to a higher standard, and don't all of you conservatives believe in personal resposibility?
Last time I checked ch84ct, this is not a theocracy.
June 25, 2009 at 1:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
katie (anonymous) says...
Governor Sanford needs to RESIGN! He either needs time to work out his issues with his family or time to start his new life with Maria, he ABANDONED our state for 5 days and his personal life is in a current state of disarray leaving him no time to be interested in the politics of our state...I call for your resignation Governor.
June 25, 2009 at 1:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
here is one angle of this story I have hear no one comment on: Of course he used state money to fly to Argentina. I mean he is married, and every married man I know, their wives know to THE PENNY what is in their accounts, and would miss a few hundred dollars, not to mention a few thousand.
My wife would know if I withdrew $10.
So his source of $$ had do be somewhere else other than his personal funds.
June 25, 2009 at 1:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lowcountrydawg (anonymous) says...
What the hell does this have to do with Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity? Stick to the topic!
June 25, 2009 at 2:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCGirl0901 (anonymous) says...
I'd like to know what it has to do with Republicans or Democrats?? I highly doubt when he's doing the deed, he's thinking "dang, I wish I was a democrat!"..
June 25, 2009 at 2:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
sir, yes sir, lowcountry. Didn't realize you were the moderator here.
June 25, 2009 at 2:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justsayin (anonymous) says...
If I didnt show up to my job for 4 days, i would not have one when I came back.
vmirat, you need a new wife, that is brutal, just sayin
June 25, 2009 at 2:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
charleston1960 (anonymous) says...
Joysie2>
I went to high school with a girl from S Carolina. She didnt believe in extra marital sex or drinking. But if you got her drunk---she was anybodys.
So many beers did you give her to figure that out?
June 25, 2009 at 2:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rick405 (anonymous) says...
After reading all the 'details' and seeing CNN, MSNBC etc, I felt I needed to take a shower to wash the "Sanford" off of me. While the whole thing is distasteful and wrong on many levels, as South Carolinians we should put our forked tongues away and think of the bigger picture. A Lady and four children that has been thrust into a spotlight that they neither wanted or asked for at the worst time of there life. As South Carolinians we should extend the highest level of respect to Jenny and the boys, I am sure it will be a breath of fresh air from what they have experienced the last several months.
June 25, 2009 at 2:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Marinemom (anonymous) says...
Just as President Clinton's affair(s) were an embarrassment to this Country, Governor Sanford is an embarrassment to the State of South Carolina. I don't believe he can effectively run his office with this controversy looming over his head. I can't imagine anyone taking him seriously and the respect that he may once have had, is now gone. It's a shame and I don't believe his tears had anything to do with the remorse he was professing, but more like tears of someone being caught red handed. Kudos to his wife for keeping silent after she knew about the affair. She could have busted this thing wide open a few months ago, but for the sake of her children, she did the right thing.
June 25, 2009 at 2:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
justsayin, I don't think so..my wife is totally awesome. I didn't say she wouldn't let me spend any money- I just said she knows where every dollar goes- most wives tend to.
June 25, 2009 at 2:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ch84ct (anonymous) says...
VMIRAT....
I agree that his actions were wrong and I am very disappointed in his poor decision making. I don't think anyone should be allowed to hold an office that makes those kinds of choices.
However, there are a whole lot of hateful, judgemental comments on here that I don't think anyone has the right to say about ANYONE. If everyone would focus more on getting rid of the sin in their OWN lives, we would all be a lot better off.
Sanford is going to be paying the consequences for his actions for a long time, but I will choose to forgive him like I have been forgiven for my wrongs, no matter how big or small they are.
June 25, 2009 at 2:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TinaR (anonymous) says...
Lowcountrydawg... Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity have just about as much to do with the situation as President Obama.. but seriously did not see anyone complaining when he was brought up. But my opinion is that Rush is a blow hard and is given what to much cred by folks.
June 25, 2009 at 3:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
NoneyaBiz (anonymous) says...
He used Tax Payer money to pay for his (at least) 3 trips to visit his mistress. Yet, he denies the struggling schools and the unemployed the much needed assistance that the Federal Stimulus would provide.
But, the total hypocracy of the Gov. (other than his preaching family values and cheating on his wife at the same time) Is that he wanted to take the stimulus money to pay down the debt that accured during his tenure. Hello... In other words it's ok to take the federal stimulus to pay for his flights to Argintina and who knows what else (this woman was infact unemployed.) But not to help the people of South Carolina.
Yes he should resign!
June 25, 2009 at 3:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
smp (anonymous) says...
Pretty disgusting...If I left my post for a few days in pursuit of a fling, I would get fired and I would have a very difficult time finding another Job. This is child like behavior. Not fit for office...what can I say.
Who cares who is sleeps with...doesn't concern me...but his negligence does...good bye.
Another disgusting thing about him is how he wagged his finger at everyone else about what "principles" we should adhere to..stimulus money...or whatever. Personal responsibility...etc. And he failed at the most BASIC level..not treating other people correctly...lying...cheating on one's family...
He threw everyone under the bus ..so I say we throw him under the bus.
June 25, 2009 at 3:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UThink (anonymous) says...
Well said NoneyaBiz, well said.
June 25, 2009 at 3:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yird (anonymous) says...
real_news; Your silly post is characteristic of the maligned thinking of a confused socialist leaning crybaby.
Your admiration of the finances of Canada and Europe is based on a total lack of knowledge of history.
No doubt you've bought the global warming myth hook line and sinker. Sad.
As for our governor, his misbehavior pales in comparison to that of his democrat detractors.
At least he didn't kill a woman to save his own butt or get on national television and openly lie to the whole country.
June 25, 2009 at 4:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tallblonde (anonymous) says...
Joysie2 said "I went to high school with a girl from S Carolina. She didnt believe in extra marital sex or drinking."
Joysie2, I think you meant "pre marital" if you were in high school.....*LOL* Then again - that depends on how old you & your high school classmates were.... ;-)
June 25, 2009 at 5:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
NoneyaBiz (anonymous) says...
yird = complete and utter idiot!
June 25, 2009 at 5:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eatmorecollards (anonymous) says...
Joysie2, If girls were that easy in South Carolina our governor wouldn't have had to go all the way to Argentina.
June 25, 2009 at 6:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UrGatorbait (anonymous) says...
Folks that claim either side has anything resembling ethics and morals are so full the stinky stuff and stupid as the day is long. You idiots get what you deserve.
June 25, 2009 at 6:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
marsh_patrol (anonymous) says...
Now that the news media will cover all Michael Jackson's death all the time, the heat is off Gubner Sanford. Restore your family and take care of those boys and your wife.
June 25, 2009 at 6:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nurenberger (anonymous) says...
Hey Yird,have you been outside the Tri-county area the last 20 years?LMAA,Peace Ya'll!
June 25, 2009 at 7:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
NPad (anonymous) says...
A person's character and actions in private life cannot be totally separated from his or her character and actions in public life. Human beings are not put together that way.
Millions of people in South Carolina--men, women, and children-- look to the Governor as an example of success. This is not the kind of example our children need to see the adults supporting.
June 25, 2009 at 8:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AMAZING (anonymous) says...
Raw Video: Gov. Sanford Passes Through Airport
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5plz2...
June 25, 2009 at 8:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AMAZING (anonymous) says...
The racy, private email messages that have S.C. Governor Mark Sanford in the middle of a political firestorm are said to have originated from the jilted ex-husband of the governor's alleged mistress, Maria Belen Chapur, multiple independent sources are telling FITS.
A source at The (Columbia, S.C.) State newspaper, which published several of the emails yesterday afternoon, could not confirm who sent them, however.
The paper originally received the emails several months ago but declined to investigate whether or not they were authentic until this week.
Obviously, this would be quite an interesting twist to this ongoing saga as most people - including us - naturally assumed that the emails were leaked by a political opponent of Gov. Sanford here in the United States.
http://www.fitsnews.com/2009/06/25/so...
June 25, 2009 at 8:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dmreid (anonymous) says...
Sanford is nothing but a Bible Belt lying Christian hypocrite. Sorry to be redundate since Christian and Hypocrite are synonymous. Does anyone down there remember Jimmy Swaggart?????
June 25, 2009 at 8:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AMAZING (anonymous) says...
Sanford met with mistress on taxpayer-funded trip
Gov. Mark Sanford met with his mistress on a taxpayer funded trip to Brazil and Argentina last year, according to documents released by the S.C. Department of Commerce and e-mails exchanged between Sanford and the woman.
The S.C. Department of Commerce paid more than $8,000 for the trip to Brazil and Argentina June 21-28 of last year, according to documents Commerce released today.
Sanford, in a statement, acknowledged the meeting and said he would reimburse the state.
"... While the purpose of this trip was an entirely professional and appropriate business development trip, I made a mistake while I was there in meeting with the woman who I was unfaithful to my wife with," Sanford said. "That has raised some very legitimate concerns and questions, and as such I am going to reimburse the state for the full cost of the Argentina leg of this trip."
It is unclear how much the governor will be returning to the state.
State Sen. Jake Knotts, R-Lexington, said he would call for an independent investigation by the State Law Enforcement Division into Sanford activities at a press conference tomorrow. Knotts said he wanted answers to a number of questions, including if Sanford used state money to visit the woman, how many times he visited Argentina, if he lied to staff and others.
Knotts said Sanford's pledge to repay the money rang hollow.
"That is not acceptable," Knotts said. "He used that trip in order to get to her."
June 25, 2009 at 8:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AMAZING (anonymous) says...
PHOTOS:
Meet Maria Belen Chapur, Sanford's mistress
http://www.palmettoscoop.com/2009/06/...
June 25, 2009 at 8:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AMAZING (anonymous) says...
Sanford's Security Detail Had Been Trying to Locate Him
Sanford asked his protective detail to "stand down" at 1 p.m. last Thursday at his mansion, and then drove off alone in a state law enforcement sport-utility vehicle, the director said.
Reggie Lloyd, director of the state Law Enforcement Division, told reporters today that his agency, which operates the governor's protective detail, first tried reaching the governor's top staff without luck. The agents then tried to remotely check devices inside the vehicle to pinpoint its location but discovered that those tools were turned off, Lloyd said.
The state agency the same afternoon sought telephone company records to determine where Sanford might have been when using his cellphone and found he had last made a call some days earlier in the Atlanta area. Much later that day, Lloyd said, Sanford's chief of staff assured the agency that there was no reason to worry.
"At some point during the course of all of this, we were able to talk to his chief of staff. He passed along the fact that the governor was okay. They said they were attempting to reach him about this story, they knew where he was, he was okay," Lloyd said.
The director said the security detail also did not accompany Sanford when he traveled last year to Buenos Aires on a state-paid Commerce Department trip. A statement by Sanford today, plus copies of his e-mails and state trip records, revealed Sanford met with the Argentine woman for a romantic rendezvous on the state-funded trip.
It wasn't unusual for Sanford to ask for his security detail to leave him alone for a few days, Lloyd said.
Sanford's travels to Brazil and Argentina cost taxpayers at least $9,000 in airfare, lodging, meals and phone charges, according state records.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/...
June 25, 2009 at 9:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
stanleyt (anonymous) says...
Let Sanford be. I hate his political policies, but the other stuff is his personal life. It's not my business, that's for sure. Though, I am not arguing for cheating on your wife or husband as the case may be. Also, I do feel sorry for his wife and kids.
In any case, though, Sanford didn't start an unnecessary war which resulted in the death of thousands of people or something horrendous like that. Those who do such things carry a much more serious burden.
Human nature is a strange thing though. We love to see people fail (especially when it is in public). Such mob mentality doesn't really reflect so well on us, does it?
June 25, 2009 at 9:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kostanza (anonymous) says...
say what you will about Maria..but I know from solid contacts that she is a part of the AARP..Argentinian Association who Revile in Pandahood...ye see she looooovvvees PANDAS!!!!!!!!
June 25, 2009 at 10:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandy (anonymous) says...
Seems like the older they get the more they revere their equipment over their brain. Ladies of the world unite and vote for women only from now on. Maybe we can straighten out this mess of an economy and this mess of a country if we bring brains to the table instead of testosterone. Look at where testosterone got the banks and the car companies. My bonus and my SUV and my deficit and my equipment are bigger than yours-sounds familiar little head rules the big head.
June 25, 2009 at 10:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AMAZING (anonymous) says...
Sanford's trade mission to Argentina contradicted U.S. Policy
WASHINGTON - When South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford added a stop in Argentina to his trade mission to Brazil last June, the side trip should've raised eyebrows because he was undertaking a trade mission that the U.S. government was unwilling to make.
Sanford said Thursday that he'd repay South Carolina taxpayers for the $8,000 cost of his trip to Argentina.
The Commerce Department halted high-level trade missions to Argentina after Argentina reneged on its debts. A Commerce Department official, speaking on the condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to discuss the matter publicly, confirmed that Sanford's visit contradicted federal policy.
While he was in Argentina, Sanford met a former Argentine vice president whose administration had a falling out with Bush administration and had drawn close to Venezuela, a Cuba ally and a U.S. foe.
Sanford, not the U.S. Commerce Department, contacted the U.S. Embassy for quick help in setting up meetings with Argentine officials as he was modifying his trip to Brazil.
http://www.bradenton.com/443/story/15...
June 25, 2009 at 11:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Jazz (anonymous) says...
This was planned. He knew if he ran for president, his affair would come out sooner or later. By letting it come out now, it would be old news by 2012 and time for healing, for people to forget about it, or for him to marry the other woman.
June 26, 2009 at midnight ( permalink | suggest removal )
yird (anonymous) says...
Posted by NoneyaBiz on June 25, 2009 at 5:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
yird = complete and utter idiot!
Thank you. Coming from someone with intelligence well below that level on the Bell Curve, I can only consider that a compliment.
Posted by nurenberger on June 25, 2009 at 7:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey Yird,have you been outside the Tri-county area the last 20 years?LMAA,Peace Ya'll!
What are you smoking Mr/Ms LLMAA, Peace Ya'll?
You must be kin to NoneyaBiz.
Ya'll are living proof of what uninhibited inbreeding can produce.
June 26, 2009 at 3:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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