Sanford apologizes to cabinet, says work must continue

COLUMBIA - Gov. Mark Sanford apologized to his Cabinet today but gave no hint that he planned to resign over his admission of an extramarital affair.

He told the Cabinet he wanted to pick up where he left off on Wednesday, and that he had made numerous calls of apology during the day to other state leaders.

"The epicenter of the administration's team rests with the Cabinet," he said, pointing to them and the 65,000 state employees they represent.

He said he wanted to apologize "to every one of you for letting you down."

Specifically he pointed to SLED Chief Reggie Lloyd and the agency in charge of his security. "It put you in a bad spot," he conceded.

He then apologized to the state parks and tourism agency, saying they still had to go about the business of selling South Carolina during his absence.

Sanford's comments lasted only a few moments before the regular agenda of the Cabinet began.

After the Cabinet meeting, Sanford took a few questions from the large group of media and spoke for about five minutes.

When asked whether he would be staying or resigning, Sanford replied "I would say, there is nothing definitive at this time. My hunch on a variety of different levels is to carry on."

"I don't fully know the answer to the question," Sanford said. "It's going to be something I am going to think about, pray about."

Sanford acknowledged that the scrutiny comes with the territory.

"People in higher office always need to held to a higher standard."

He also praised his wife for the way she's dealt with his mistakes and the subsequent attention.

"Jenny's been absolutely magnanimous," he said.

He said one reason to stay in the job would be to set an example for his boys that when you fall down, you get back up.

The governor is being criticized for directing the Commerce Department to arrange trade meetings in Argentina at the tail end of a trip to Brazil.

See our special section on Governor Mark Sanford

State officials then traveled to Argentina for a dove hunting trip at the suggestion of Commerce Secretary Joe Taylor. They each paid their own way.

"We were already in Argentina," Sanford said. "With all due respect to dove shooting, I've had my fair share. : I didn't really want to hunt for five days and (he told Commerce officials) while I'm here pick another place for me to go."

When asked if he instructed Commerce officials to set up meetings in the city where his mistress lives, Sanford said, "No. What we said was in Argentina. Obviously, the logical place there in Argentina is Buenos Aires because it is the commercial center of the country. I get how it looks."

Reporter Yvonne Wenger contributed to this report.