Why Sanford will stay
Governor's race, economy play role in decision to remain in office
By Yvonne Wenger
New today
Sanford admits additional liaisons, published 06/30/09
COLUMBIA — Amid a whirlwind of public criticism, a good dose of humility and lots of soul-searching over his affair with an Argentine woman, Gov. Mark Sanford on Monday said that one of the key reasons he has decided to stay in office is to avoid influencing the 2010 gubernatorial primary.
AP
Gov. Mark Sanford laughs as he pulls out charts for Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom (foreground) during Monday's Budget and Control Board meeting in Columbia.
If Sanford would step down, Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer would become South Carolina's 116th chief executive. Many see that as giving Bauer a leg up over other Republican candidates in next spring's gubernatorial primary.
Bauer would have the spotlight, and the 18 months left in Sanford's second term for a trial run to win over voters. That possibility has political insiders angling behind the scenes and dictating, in part, how Sanford's fall from grace plays out.
Sanford, a Republican, is limited to two terms.
The lieutenant governor turned the conversation in a different direction when he announced that he would consider serving the remainder of Sanford's term and supporting a newcomer to succeed him.
Bauer said he was taking the high road to elevate the office from political jockeying and protect the public's interest.
The governor, meanwhile, said he will attempt to move toward redemption.
"What I'm learning very painfully through this life lesson is, judgment is God's. Everyone walks in their own shoes and my job is to try to love and serve as best I can," the governor said.
Related story
Other woman demands privacy, published 6/30/2009
Sanford said his first thought was to resign. "As you all know I have a love of the military. I love their way of doing business and if one breaches trust, you lay the sword down. And so, that's the way I was sort of in mind headed."
Conversations with friends and legislators in the past week helped change his thinking.
Several legislators said Sanford's resignation would set the state back and slow down much-needed economic development progress to counter the state's 12 percent unemployment rate. The governor also said legislators told him to stay on the job because leaving it would change the landscape for the 2010 governor's race.
His friends suggested to him that to leave office would be the easy thing to do.
AP
Gov. Mark Sanford
"To be human is to, on occasion, fall flat on your face," Sanford said. "I've done it in the most public of circles. The question is now: What do I learn from it and what do others learn from it?"
About an hour earlier, the governor looked one of his staunchest political enemies, lead Senate budget writer Hugh Leatherman, in the face and apologized. It was the latest public mea culpa since Sanford admitted Wednesday to the extramarital affair.
He also admitted to seeing his mistress Maria Belen Chapur while on an official economic trade mission to South America in June 2008. Sanford asked to extend the business meetings from Brazil to Argentina. He said the exact arrangements were made by the state Commerce Department and before his eight-year relationship with Chapur turned from a friendship to a romance.
Sanford said he will pay the state back for the Argentine leg of the trip.
The governor declined to explain why he went to Argentina to see Chapur during an informal two-week separation with his wife. First lady Jenny Sanford said she told her husband specifically not to see the other woman.
Sanford faced Leatherman, R-Florence, at the Budget and Control Board meeting. Sanford has pushed for years to dissolve the board and give its administrative duties to the governor's office.
Some legislators have called for Sanford's resignation as well as criminal investigations into official misconduct. Some will wait to call for Sanford to step down to give him time to do it on his own. Others want him to remain because they see him as ineffective, making it easier for the Legislature to rule supreme.
Winthrop University political science associate professor Scott Huffmon said without new damaging information, he expects Sanford to carry on in office, or at least the calls for him to resign to become quieter, not louder. Family pressures or heat from GOP party leaders could cause Sanford to change his mind, though, Huffmon said.
Bauer's comments to possibly bow out of the 2010 governor's race if Sanford resigns could be a strategic coup, Huffmon said. To voters, Bauer could come across as mature and magnanimous, even if political insiders view the comments with more cynicism, he said.
College of Charleston associate political science professor Kendra Stewart said legislators seem to have the upper hand if Sanford remains in office. As in past years, nearly all of Sanford's vetoes this year were overridden, which can be a sign of an ineffective governor, Stewart said. The scandal further weakens Sanford's position.
But legislators need to be careful how they handle the situation, Stewart said. In similar cases, the public often feels sorry for the politician if the scrutiny continues, she said, and turn on lawmakers for allowing it to drag on. "We've seen that in the past with other politicians," Steward said, notably President Bill Clinton.
Reach Yvonne Wenger at ywenger@postandcourier.com or 803-799-9051.
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Mabilene (anonymous) says...
Without reading the article in its entirety -- through no fault of Yvonne's -- here are five reasons the Governor will [try to] stay:
MARIA, MARSHALL, LANDON, BOLTON and BLAKE
Please note (while forgiving my crassness): they are all non-eligible voters, and one is not even a US citizen.
June 30, 2009 at 12:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lloyd007 (anonymous) says...
Talk about sheer arrogance.!!!..What influence could you possibly be talking about ? I would'nt trust you if your tongue came notarize or as far as I can spit quite frankly. You are exactly what the democratic party needs right now, someone to be an example of what is really wrong with this country and the type politicians we've had in government for the last EIGHT YEARS : Lying, talking out of the side of your neck, cheating, piss poor example of a man, crooks dressed up in shirt and tie. Your really full of yourself. What you really don't get is this..IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU.!!! you are dead weight holding this state back from MUCH, MUCH NEEDED PROGRESSION. You need to GET TO STEPPIN'. PUFF, BE GONE, OUTTA HERE..!!!....RESIGN.!!!
June 30, 2009 at 12:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wythe124 (anonymous) says...
IT SHOULD NOT BE SANFORDS CHOICE.....HE SHOULD RESIGN OR BE IMPEACHED.
Sanford breached the trust of the every voting citizen of the State of South Carolina and it should not be his choice to remain in office or not. What he did was wrong, illegal and an absolute violation of the rules of morality and what it right.
Sanford does not deserve to say that he will stay in office. He should step down or be removed from office immediately. PERIOD! His actions have absolutely nothing to do with the 2010 governors race, therefore Sanford using this as some type of a moral "crutch" to stay in office is ludicrous and should not be tolerated.
June 30, 2009 at 1:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RalphieParker (anonymous) says...
He's not going to resign and will not be impeached. Get over it and get used to it, he's THE GOVERNOR AND WILL BE UNTIL HIS TERM IS UP.
Y'all have a good day now ya hear.
June 30, 2009 at 1:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
stanish (anonymous) says...
Several legislators said Sanford's resignation would set the state back and slow down much-needed economic development progress to counter the state's 12 percent unemployment rate.
Give me a break! Anyone with a common ounce of sense reading this article would find it amusing at best. Mark Sanford(Sanfraud) has set the state BACK since he's been govenor! As far as unemployment goes, he's made sure we were always in the TOP three! He also fought to DENY many of the state's unemployed from receiving their benefits by REFUSING to request federal funds to fund the state's Unemployment Insurance. NO Major Corporations or businesses have set up shop in S.C. during his tenure. So much for economic growth and development under this FRAUD! As far as influencing the govenor's race next year, it doesn't matter. S.C. continues to be stuck on STUPIDITY by voting for anyone or anything with an R behind its name. Many complain about Andre Bauer(rightfully so) but these are mostly the same ones who re-elected him inspite of his horrendous record and contempt for the law! Sadly we will CONTINUE to be the state that is a JOKE to the rest of america and the world! We can redeem ourselves next year from ridicule and butts of comedian jokes, but I seriously doubt it. Get use to being labeled as backwards, a JOKE, uneducated and not taken serious at all!
June 30, 2009 at 1:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bluman111 (anonymous) says...
South Carolina must be the laughing stock of the world. How can we allow a man to disrespect our public office and citizens with the most "in your face" attitude and continue to justify it by reading us the scriptures. GOVERNOR you made an adult choice the moment you decided to pack your little carry on bag on FATHERS DAY.. and get on the plane to "find yourself" with your Maria. We all make decisions in our lives and we are FULL AWARE of the consequences if it goes wrong. The only option you had was to resign your post..but not having thought of ever getting caught ...you try out the field by going to your political meetings and apologizing...and when you find that its really not all that bad..you infuse the same BS to the citizens of this state but that does not go too well so you decide to use the catch all of all the crooks , dirt bags , pimps and con artist..the BIBLE. God makes judgments, but MAN makes choices. You made yours..now LEAVE.
June 30, 2009 at 1:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
signseeker17 (anonymous) says...
I don't care if the lame duck is DONALD Duck as long as it's not the lying cheating hypocrite who keeps our state near the top of unemployment and near the bottom of SATs to satify his ego and ambition. And the P&C defemds him at all levels (look at the letters, the editorials, Burger's column where he has "empathy" and calls S "soft and tender" and the outraged SC citizens "stonethrowers" and "vigilantes". And why did The State sit on the emails since DECEMBER?! OUT, OUT, OUT, OUT
June 30, 2009 at 1:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
signseeker17 (anonymous) says...
"Ralphie?", hope you get what you want for Xmas. And...have a nice...elsewhere
June 30, 2009 at 1:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
stanish (anonymous) says...
Posted by RalphieParker on June 30, 2009 at 1:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
He's not going to resign and will not be impeached. Get over it and get used to it, he's THE GOVERNOR AND WILL BE UNTIL HIS TERM IS UP.
Y'all have a good day now ya hear.
It's that type of mentality that unfortunately stereotypes S.C. as being a backwards, hillbilly, uneducated, proving comedians right to use us as their late night jokes. When will S.C. ever learn?
June 30, 2009 at 2:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
signseeker17 (anonymous) says...
Yes, SC with Sanfraud is a laughing stock. And all in the name of "forgiveness" and "throwing stones in glasshouses" (I am SO sick of seeing that cliche!). Put him up for a recall like they did in California with Davis; we might get Donald Duck but its better than a dead duck with no credibility or respect except for the P&C and a handful of hardcore supporters.
June 30, 2009 at 2:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jacman (anonymous) says...
Hell no , sanford shouldn't resign ! You can't get this kind of comedy anywhere at any price . He's playing house with a little Latin cutie and quoting Bible verse's at the same time ? Most at the taxpayers expense ? Ya gotta love him ! Hang in there Mark , your what I would call a real friggin dim-wit !
June 30, 2009 at 3:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
malthus (anonymous) says...
First, everyone hear needs to read between the lines, the politicians knew Sanford had a little side play. Then they made a big political showing of where is Sanford, Who wants to bet that that reporter in Atlanta was told which plane Sanford would be on.
His wife KNEW, SHE didn't want him with his kids and SHE covered for him being out of town, and told him not to go see his mistress. She should have just packed him lunch and thrown in a box of condoms.
Do you know what that means, Sanford was dumb enough to put his head on the chopping block after he stirred up the legislators. So all you Idiots who only blame Sanford, Pull your head out of the sand and look at the other elected officials for what they are Corrupt Liars. Do the state a favor and vote out anyone already in office. If a new politician was in office after every election maybe the political interest groups would go broke having to buy off new people every few years.
Anyone who feels sorry for his wife is a moron as well, she knew about his cheating and if I'm not mistaken condoned his infidelity by letting it slide at least as far as divorce laws work. Guess being a politician's wife was more important than having a husband. The only victims are the children who will grow up and see the behavior of their parents and follow their example.
Is anything going to change, NO! All you partisan drones out there will blindly punch a straight party ticket with the loyalty of Carolina/Clemson fans at a bowl game. There is an old Eddie Murphy movie that shows how stupid most voters are, they voted in a man based on his name only. Watch that movie and think about the last time you voted. If you were part of the minority that actually looked into the issues then you are part of the few and are not stupid, an idiot or anything else I called voters.
And Stannish "Y'all have a good day now ya hear" has put food on many families plates over the years by providing a local flavor and reputation of hospitality, wipe that out and you might as well bulldoze the historic district, all the churches and colleges and slap up grey prefab buildings. Right now the economy needs every tourist penny we can get so do your part and be hospitable. Throw in a "y'all" or two and then show that you are educated, it might just help get rid of the hill billy image.
June 30, 2009 at 3:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JourneyOn (anonymous) says...
Since when does he get to decide to stay in office? Yes, he is the Govenor, elected by the people. He works for us. Where is Donald Trump when you need him to say "you're fired".
He left the State of SC without telling key staff and legistators! Sorry Gov, you need to ask permission before you go out an play because somebody needs to be left in charge of SC while you are gone.
This is why I say he has to go.
June 30, 2009 at 5:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lillycollette (anonymous) says...
"Some legislators have called for Sanford's resignation as well as criminal investigations into official misconduct."
AND THEY WOULD BE THE -- ONLY -- INCUMBENTS -- WORTHY -- OF A VOTE.
June 30, 2009 at 6:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Puzzled (anonymous) says...
Please .. enough .. I .. can't take it ... anymore..... The rule of law must stand ... censure, impeachment, etc. comes from the state houses. If you don't like it, then begin a recall petition, and waste even more tax dollars with a recall election. Otherwise, save your pennies, and vote next election day and completely turnover both houses and elect a new education/jobs messiah since some believe that Mark Sanford is responsible for the poor education, and other ills of the state. You constantly blame him for everything when in fact it is the legislative houses that pass budgets and laws. He has vetoed most of what they do. They have overridden those vetoes and you have what is there now because of those laws passed and voted into law by the legislature. Under a republic form of government the executives primary function is to keep the legislature in check. I don't care for the Governor's politics or style. However, he is not the problem. It is the representative bodies that pass laws (or don't). And who voted them in? Who doesn't participate in the political process? Who sits on the side lines and cries? Either get over it or DO something about it. Commenting in here is not going to bring about change.
June 30, 2009 at 6:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lillycollette (anonymous) says...
It is -- outrageously stupid -- political jockeying to even dare suggest that [:] "one of the key reasons Sanfraud has decided to stay in office is to avoid influencing the 2010 gubernatorial primary".
Sanfraud had no problem just taking off before (re.: Argentina) and now he is STUCK here to PROTECT the [R] party.
Ooops-too late stupid.
June 30, 2009 at 6:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bobielfield (anonymous) says...
Once again, Mark Sanford shows how clueless he is... rationalizing that he can stay and do some good for SC when he has yet to do that in nearly 7 years !! Repub. leaders have a major problem... who will do more damage to the PARTY, not our lovely state, the disgraced Sanford remaining or him leaving and turning the state over to the papathetic excuse for a leader, Andre Bauer ... Isn't this a true Hobson's choice ... like asking the condemned man, "Do you want to be hanged or shot ?" ... what a circus ...
June 30, 2009 at 6:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AMAZING (anonymous) says...
Second Maria Belen Chapur Pic Surfaces
http://www.fitsnews.com/2009/06/29/se...
June 30, 2009 at 6:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lillycollette (anonymous) says...
"What I'm learning very painfully through this life lesson is, judgment is God's. Everyone walks in their own shoes and my job is to try to love and serve as best I can," the governor said.
I regret to have to inform Sanfraud and his cohorts that-God is not a registered voter.
It is rather obvious that the legislature will not man up to the plate on this and judgment will have to be rendered in the next election.
June 30, 2009 at 7:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
upstateislander (anonymous) says...
"To the Best of My Ability"
OATH OF OFFICE FOR THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I am duly qualified, according to the Constitution of this State, to exercise the duties of the office to which I have been elected, (or appointed), and that I will, to the best of my ability, discharge the duties thereof, and preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of this State and of the United States. So help me God."
Seems as though dear ole guv likes that part of his oath that says "to the best of my ability,". No I guess we're stuck with him for another 18 or so months while he continues to carefully parse his words as in:
"What I'm learning very painfully through this life lesson is, judgment is God's. Everyone walks in their own shoes and my job is to try to love and serve as best I can"
Look at it like this folks, if you can't be on the Sunday morning talk shows live......what's the next best thing? Have someone else talking about you on the Sunday morning talk shows!
Are people going to continue to follow you around with cameras, microphones and satellite trucks if you resign? No of course not. Dear ole guv has the stage all to himself, the legislature is adjourned, the Supreme Court is done for the year and little ole Andy is promising to take the high road.
What a great way to make people forget how imcompetent you are "while serving to the best of your ability", have an affair in another hemsiphere, dominate the news cycle all over the world for 10 or 12 days.....geez guv, I guess we underestimated you!
June 30, 2009 at 7:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lillycollette (anonymous) says...
The bum is a -FRAUD- and the legislature's failure to work for his removal makes them frauds too (misprision of a felony).
June 30, 2009 at 7:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eatmorecollards (anonymous) says...
To spew bible verse while openly plotting to keep someone who is legally in line to precede to the office of a disgraced official and keep the official is reprehensible.
Reminds me of a bible story I remember, Sodom and Gomorrah. Show me one good man? If I took the bible literally I wouldn't go near the state capital.
June 30, 2009 at 7:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AMAZING (anonymous) says...
Governor Mark Sanford booked 10-day getaway to Argentina
WITHOUT TELLING ANYONE! ...AND DISAPPEARED!
On or around the day his wife asked him to move out, South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford booked a ten-day trip to Buenos Aires
Mark Sanford booked the trip on Delta Air Lines on June 10, using the company's SkyMiles program, the source said. He bought a ticket for June 18, returning June 28.
Jenny Sanford on June 24, that she'd "asked my husband to leave two weeks ago."
Sanford's trip was cut short after the local press raised questions about his absence...
The bookings also cast light on the governor's recklessness, and his belief, or hope, that he could vanish from the state for well over a week(uh, TEN DAYS) without raising questions about his absence.
Sanford spent his time in Buenos Aires in Palermo, a fashionable residential neighborhood, and was not, reportedly, a recluse: He was seen in the local bar, Guido's, with Maria Belen Chapur.
Maybe, Sanfraud's new name should be:
Freakin' Lovenator Mark "Houdini" Sanford
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmit...
June 30, 2009 at 7:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
joldham (anonymous) says...
THE GOVERNOR MUST STAY IN OFFICE TO COMPLETE THE TASK HE HAS BEEN ELECTED TO DO. ALL THE NAYSAYERS THAT WANT HIM GONE ARE JUST POLITICALLY MOTIVATED AND IT WOULD NOT BE THE BEST FOR OUR STATE. WATCH HIM AS HE COMPLETES HIS TERM AND SEE THE DIFFERENCE. HE IS MUCH MORE FOCUSED NOW THAN BEFORE. HE STILL WILL NOT MAKE DECISIONS THAT WILL PLEASE ALL THE PEOPLE BUT WE HAVE TOO MANY LIBERAL MINDS IN SOUTH CAROLINA NOW SO WE HAVE TO LISTEN TO THEIR WHINING BUT WE NEED TO GO ON WITH OUR TASKS TO DO WHAT IS THE BEST FOR SOUTH CAROLINA.
WATCH HIM, BUT LEAVE HIM ALONE AND LET HIM DO HIS JOB..
June 30, 2009 at 7:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nana6262 (anonymous) says...
Gov Sanford really need to be impeached, President Clinton was damned for having Sexual Affairs outside his marriage. When you have a position such as the Governor you are suppose to set examples, and when you can't even be faithful in a marriage then something is wrong. How does he expect to be trusted by the state or anyone for that matter? For many years Gov Sanford has indeed been lying to us. I think we would have had more respect for him if he would have just gotten a divorce rather than commenting adultery. Then by coming out and admitting to it, did he really think forgiveness was going to be giving and it would have been all over. Then on top of it all he uses OUR tax money for his "Getaways". I can name so many things that is wrong with this State:.let's see:we are in the top ten for unemployment, violence, and education, but instead of him taking the take that is needed to improve these areas he is busy thinking about his love affair. Since we live in this state we represent it, and for myself I am very embarrassed! GET IT TOGETHER SANFORD! With your actions you just showed your state and others that is it ok to break laws:regardless if it's states laws or the laws of the BIBLE.
June 30, 2009 at 7:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lillycollette (anonymous) says...
BTW -- good title on this story -- "Why Sanford will stay"
And the answer is:
Few if any members of the legislature are genuinely interested in looking out for the people.
Any legislator who takes exception to what I say is of course free to step forward and verify what they are doing to address the issue of FRAUD in our state.
PS://
I saw what you did 5 June 2002.
June 30, 2009 at 7:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
joldham (anonymous) says...
Reading some of the comments you can tell who is born here and who "just come here" by the way they word their comments. You intellectuals need to chill out.. If South Carolina is perceived as backward and hillbilly it's because you spout your rhetoric about it all the time. One thing you can remember, if you don't like it here I-95 runs NORTH as well as SOUTH...
June 30, 2009 at 7:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
postman01 (anonymous) says...
Joldham, your comment is one of the very few truly knowledgable and well thought out posts here.
June 30, 2009 at 7:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
karmann (anonymous) says...
seems as though he has chosen career over family.
June 30, 2009 at 7:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
All I want to hear from him is his resignation. He no longer has the power to lead me...he can rule but not lead.
June 30, 2009 at 7:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TDarby (anonymous) says...
How much more TAX PAYER money will Sanfraud use for personal expenses between now and 2010. Oh! sure he will pay it back if he gets caught. The fact that he agrees to pay the money back is an admission of guilt. Does SC deserve a Governor with the morals of Sanfraud? It the Politicians do not remove him, it is time the people of SC act. A recall is in order.
June 30, 2009 at 7:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
geekboy (anonymous) says...
Well, I see our usual resident pack of fools is up early again this morning, putting their ignorance on display for the world to see.
June 30, 2009 at 7:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
martin (anonymous) says...
Thoughts about this mess:
1. If he thinks so highly of it, I think Mark would have joined the military much earlier. He did it for political points after 9-11. The press has done a sorry job of reporting where he goes and what he does while off with the Reserves. Bet there are a bunch of stories there.
2. Due to his (and Jenny's) political actions and not understanding government is about compromise and consensus, Sanford has been and will continue to be weak. It has nothing to do with the state Constitution or this scandal.
3. Mark Sanford's absolute tone deafness is demonstrated by the fact the talks about religion more each and every day. He doesn't get that the people of the state view him as a complete religious hypocrite. This is good because it might be getting through to family values voters that the Republic Party has been using and manipulating them for 25 years.
4. I don't care if he and his wife reconcile. He loves the woman in Argentina, the honest thing to do is to go to her. The issue here is dereliction of duty and how much state money has been used to faciliate trysts between Mark and Maria. I certainly don't believe June '08 was their only meeting. His spiritual advisor, oh, lord, seems to have met Maria, probably here. Unless, Mark paid Cubby with a trip to Argentina.
5. If we have a bunch of closeted gay Republicans in public office in this state, they need to come on out and give their constituents all the information they should have in order to make an informed decision about voting for them. The rumors on these blogs are getting nasty.
6. I don't care if he stays in office. Just shut up and stop with the apologetic religiosity. And, release all schedules, phone records, computer records since he took office.
June 30, 2009 at 8:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AMAZING (anonymous) says...
The LUV-GUV Lovenator Mark "Houdini" Sanford had trade mission rendezvous with Lover in Buenos Aires, Argentina
...after making a Freedom of Information Act request for documentation of Sanford's expenses and those of his traveling party, ...receipts were obtained from the state's Commerce Department, including a $2,310.91 bill from the Buenos Aires Hilton...
Sanford spent an additional day and night in Buenos Aires before the rest of the delegates arrived, the Commerce Department revealed.
The trade mission rendezvous, which Sanford led was in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Buenos Aires, Argentina, between June 21 and June 28, 2008.
One week after its conclusion-on July 4-Sanford emailed his mistress (Maris Belen Chapur): Sanford wrote: "Know that I miss you. Unbeleivably, hard to imagine it has been a week."
That's almost exactly the timeframe of the week-long trade mission, which included a delegation of about 30 South Carolina business and political leaders. Their agenda called for them to attend meetings in Sao Paulo before heading to Cordoba, Argentina, for a day of "personal time," on June 24, then on to Buenos Aires on June 25 for more meetings.
Commerce Department spokeswoman Kara Borie in a statement issued Thursday afternoon confirmed that Sanford skipped the Cordoba leg and instead went straight to Buenos Aires "for official state meetings."
The trade delegation "did not accompany the Governor to the meetings in Argentina,"
CHECK OUT RECEIPTS:
FOIA request obtained several pages of RECEIPTS:
http://www.politico.com/static/PPM130...
FULL STORY
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/...
The LUV-GUV Lovenator Mark "Houdini" Sanford is BUSTED.
The Lovenator Houdini is BUSTED!
June 30, 2009 at 8:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
commonsence (anonymous) says...
Well fine...then as a state employee, I expect a new policy to be approved. If the day comes when I decide to use state funds for my personal use, I expect that:
1. I'm allowed to avoid prosecution as long as I make restitution when I'm caught.
2. I can keep my job.
I have the best defense. If Sanford (another state employee) can do it, why can't I?
June 30, 2009 at 8:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AMAZING (anonymous) says...
The disappearance: June 18-22, 2009
"The first sign that the governor was again attempting a disappearing act came on June 18, when he or someone disabled the tracking device on the black state-owned SLED SUV he was taking in the direction of the airport."
Sanfraud disabled the GPS on a SLED vehicle. WOW!
This freak has a criminal mind.
As far as his staff, security detail, and family apparently knew, he was off for a weekend of solitude on the Appalachian Trail. In truth, Sanford was in Argentina.
"Now, a week after the media first became aware of Sanford's absence, it is becoming clear that Sanford's rendezvous with his Argentine lover was a gubernatorial escape of unusual daring even by his Houdini standards."
http://features.csmonitor.com/politic...
June 30, 2009 at 8:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
stromthurmond34 (anonymous) says...
Self-sacrificing to the end. You have to admire the integrity of Mark Sanford.
It's not the people's call--it's really God's call on this, and God has indicated that it's more important for him to stay to avoid influencing the election.
It's not about Mark. It's about God and the integrity of democracy. Thank you Mark. Thank you. Thank you.
June 30, 2009 at 8:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
follydude (anonymous) says...
it's widely known that Mrs. Sanford is the checkbook of the family.
perhaps the reason the governor wants to keep his job is because that's how he keeps his salary.
in his presently flawed state of mind and reputation, should he resign and be on the street looking for a job [in this economy] he'd be in tough waters.
should he hunker down and wait it out, perhaps the political winds will die down and he could get some form of consultant work or whatever.
June 30, 2009 at 8:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DawnM (anonymous) says...
AMEN commonsence
June 30, 2009 at 8:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
syd88 (anonymous) says...
Where is his wedding ring ?
June 30, 2009 at 8:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
studley (anonymous) says...
Stanish: I agree with your assessments posted here - especially your comments us (yes, I am a native South Carolinian) being uneducated.
I'm sure you are aware that the repubs rely on a population with a generally poor education who will believe anything they hear on certain radio and TV news shows.
It will only change when the population realizes that the repub party in SC is run political ayatollahs.
June 30, 2009 at 8:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AMAZING (anonymous) says...
Flying to Argentina?
Mark Sanford certainly wasn't thinking about the welfare of his family. What if a medical emergency had come up? How would they have reached him?
Mark Sanford certainly wasn't thinking about the welfare of South Carolina or its residents, either.
Mark Sanford was thinking about Mark Sanford. His plans, what he wanted.
We've seen this single-mindedness from Mark Sanford before.
A big part of the presidential election was about how to repair the economy. The principle of a democracy is each side makes its best case and then we vote. The American public voted for the guy who backed a stimulus plan.
Sanford didn't accept that. And he went on national TV to say so again and again. AGAIN and AGAIN and AGAIN ...
And Sanfraud went on National TV ...AGAIN and AGAIN and AGAIN ...
Mark Sanford certainly disregarded that South Carolinians were going to have to repay their share of stimulus funds whether they used those dollars or not.
Over the pleas and complaints of most of the state Legislature and many, many other South Carolinians, Sanford went to court to keep stimulus money from South Carolina public schools, law enforcement, colleges, etc...
Mark Sanford made sure unemployed South Carolinians had an especially miserable, worried Christmas by delaying about as long as possible a loan request to the federal government.
It's always been about Mark Sanford.
IT'S ALWAYS ABOUT MARK SANFORD.
Not only is Mark Sanford a jerk of the highest order, he is a jerk with a criminal mind.
If the Republicans don't ride Mark Sanford out of town on a rail, they will lose most of their power in this state for decades.
If the Republicians want to support a self-serving CRIMINAL Mark Sanford, well then...
I see the RED state turning BLUE.
June 30, 2009 at 9:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
NoneyaBiz (anonymous) says...
HE STOLE MONEY FROM THE STATE (taxpayers), to fund his trips to see his Latin lover. That is a crime! If I or anyone else were to steal that amount of money from our employer we would be wearing prison stripes!
June 30, 2009 at 9:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UrGatorbait (anonymous) says...
Sound of dead horse being flogged from a paper that is trying maintain any sort legitimacy and a vain attempt to satisfy something....enough of the pontification and blow hards. Sheesh
June 30, 2009 at 9:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nimuetre (anonymous) says...
Sanford is a wonderful recruiting poster boy for the Democratic Party. Sanford for President! Let's see how deep a hole the clueless Republican Party can dig.
June 30, 2009 at 9:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
NoneyaBiz (anonymous) says...
UrGaorbait: Do you think that there should be a double standard for those in power as opposed to the general population? The fact that the Governor used (stole) money for his 1st class flights to see this woman on at least one (I think it is more likely all three times) all the while denying the states unemployed (now at 11%) additional benefits to feed their children.
Anyone that defends this man's actions needs his/her head examined.
You may see the extended media attention (one week) as beating a dead horse... I say keep it up until he is charged with abuse of office and misuse of state money and resources!
June 30, 2009 at 9:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoomru (anonymous) says...
If you stay MARK.....will you address this LAWYER DANCE.....
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/20...
What is Norfolk-Southern's view....???
We are for OPEN free market competition for rail CARGO..?? RIGHT..??
What is your position MARK...??
How about you ...ANDRE..??
June 30, 2009 at 9:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lillycollette (anonymous) says...
Posted on June 30 at 7:29 a.m.
[:] "Few if any members of the legislature are genuinely interested in looking out for the people. Any legislator who takes exception to what I say is of course free to step forward and verify what they are doing to address the issue of FRAUD in our state."
They can start with explaining what they are doing about the issue of Social Security fraud perpetrated and perpetuated by officers in the family court system.
------------------------------------------
http://www.ssa.gov/oig/ADOBEPDF/audit...
BENEFITS PAID TO TITLE II BENEFICIARIES WITH A CHILD-IN-CARE
AUDIT REPORT
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
We found that some beneficiaries who received child-in-care benefits were not entitled to the benefits paid to them. Although the Agency identified some of the incorrect payments before our audit, we estimated about $3.0 million went undetected. In addition, we estimate SSA will continue to incorrectly pay about $1.8 million over the next 12 months to beneficiaries no longer entitled to child-in-care benefits if the Agency does not take action. Therefore, we recommend that SSA:
1. Review the remaining cases in our two populations in which it appears the Title II beneficiaries do not have an eligible child in their care.
2. Remind employees of the proper procedures to follow when processing child-in-care benefit payments.
June 30, 2009 at 9:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
china01 (anonymous) says...
Who cares if Sanford stays! What I want to know is, when do we see Maria?
June 30, 2009 at 9:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Rocks66 (anonymous) says...
What a surprise! The rest of the world has moved on, and yet the P&C is doing it's twelfth story on this matter of great importance to all of us. Nothing like having our own local version of the "National Enquirer". Ironically, it was this paper's greatest competitor that broke the story in the first place. I'll bet Woodward and Bernstein would be proud.
June 30, 2009 at 9:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shoelaces (anonymous) says...
FOLLYDUDE........Sanford has plenty of money without this current gig!!
Enough already....Can't we focus on more important news .....when's MJ's funeral?
[just joking]
June 30, 2009 at 10:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ysillyme (anonymous) says...
It is my sad duty to inform you that the P&C staff has chosen to silence HAROLDREEMS from this site. A prolific and brilliant poster who entertained and informed us all using wit and sarcasm. A sad day for sure.
June 30, 2009 at 10:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
WSM (anonymous) says...
Wow...the number of posts on this thread are amazing.
Yes. The Governor lied, cheated, and got caught. At least he was smart enough to 'fess up, unlike Emporer "Phallus Maximus" Clinton. Still, it doesn't make it any more right.
You know who the blame in all this sordid drama lies squarely with: The voters of this state!
YOU are responsible: Average of 25% of registered voters even vote.
YOU are responsible: Less than 50% of the eligible population is even registered!
YOU are responsible: You are willing to trade your freedom for a governmental bennie, and believe the promises of every political false messiah that they will meet evety need and desire.
YOU are responsible: Voters do not hold their "elected employees" accountable.
YOU are responsible: YOU fail to throw a guy out of office when he violates his trust. How many convicted felons are in public office, for crying out loud?
YOU are responsible: You have no clue about what form of government under which you live! You couldn't tell me 5 of the 10 Amendments that make up the Bill of Rights! Most of you either skipped Civics classes in High School, or avoided it alltogether!
YOU are responsible: You refuse to vote your brain and vote your loyalty, like the droolers that go to blows over Clemson V. Carolina! It is a choice of people who will craft laws or adulterate our Constitution, people! It ain't the Bud Bowl!
You are responsible: You don't WANT to live in a free society, you want to live in a society where you have "license." Freedom has responsibility. You obviously don't want it.
Ben Franklin was right as he spoke to a woman who demanded, "What are you going to give us?"
His reply?
"A nation, madame, if you can KEEP it!"
June 30, 2009 at 10:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
the less educated ones are the ones that vote the straight ticket- either for dems or repubs.
People need to learn to grow a brain and think for themselves, not let Olberman, Hannity, or Limbaugh do the thinking for them.
June 30, 2009 at 10:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AMH7969 (anonymous) says...
I think we are pretty much all in agreement that this whole situation is a disgrace. Much like with Bill Clinton, you have got a group that says that his personal life is none of the public's business and then you have another group that is calling for his moral head. Either side of the fence that you land on, the most frightning part of this whole thing to me as a South Carolina citizen is how he took off and did not tell anyone. When you marry his crazy behavior regarding the stimulus issues he was dealing with to his ultimate defeat and then jumping on a plane and not letting anyone know where he was ... well that is just crazy behavior to me. It is almost like he had a mental break with the reality of the tremendous responsibility he holds as governor of this state. I can say with cofidence that if I were to dissapear from my State job for a week (and remember, it would have been longer had the story not gone national), not told family or friends that I left the country and missed Mother's Day with my children it would only be because I had a mental breakdown of some sort.
My point is ... has he been mentally evaluated to ensure he is not having a breakdown? To me it is clear that he is and if that is the case it needs to be dealt with and fast ... before he drags the whole state down the toilet with him!!!
June 30, 2009 at 10:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AntiMeterMaid (anonymous) says...
If he stays, he should forfeit his salary.
June 30, 2009 at 10:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Jord (anonymous) says...
One reason the legislators don't want this doofus Sanford to resign: Andre Bauer.
Now I wanna know;come on reporters, Why NOT Andre Bauer????
Hasn't had his foot too heavy on the pedal lately...hasn't crashed any airplanes recently...is always lately photo-opted with the elderly doing them altruistic service.So....why not Gov. Bauer???
June 30, 2009 at 11:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ballachulish (anonymous) says...
Joldam,
The only person who should be headed out on I95, is Sanford, in this case he should be going south to Florida, that's where he was raised.
As for most of the posters, while it is misleading since most can spell (unlike yourself), a fair amount are natives.
Postal, quit pretending you're from here, you're a transplant.
June 30, 2009 at 11:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AMAZING (anonymous) says...
Ron Christie Slams Mark Sanford: "Disgrace" Who Should Resign (VIDEO)
WATCH THIS VIDEO:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06...
June 30, 2009 at 11:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodkarmasc (anonymous) says...
State vehicle to Columbia airport for cover? $50
State vehicle to Atlanta airport for trist? $200
State funds to Argentina for trist? $7000
"The State" newspaper sitting on emails from Argentine lover since December indicating a loss of Free Press and SCLED not investigating indicating a loss of justice? PRICELESS
June 30, 2009 at 11:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vuduchld (anonymous) says...
Questions. Why would citizens want still a Governor in office after he bailed out on them? Why would people in the state of South Carolina want a "leader" presiding over a 12 per cent unemployment rate now claiming he can help them when just a few days ago he was gettin sum poon tang" in Argentina. Why is it that when clueless GOP "leaders" transgress they run to the Bible quoting scriptures. And my final question is this: Why is this idiot still in office!!
June 30, 2009 at 11:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Numba10 (anonymous) says...
Well arn't we off to a nice start this am. So much typical ranting and misinformation. Infidelity is not a reason to lose your job. There is no proof of misappropriation of funds. Until such time as there is, there is no reason for impeachment or calls for such action. Here in the depths of the bible belt we see that so many are out to harm and hurt others. That compassion and forgiveness is not part of thier life. Then there are those who cannot, because of thier lack of faith or religous upbringing, stand to hear someone invoke the Bible as a source of strength or as a teaching tool for thier life. People fall down. People get up on thier own, yet others need a helping hand and still others who have fallen turn to the strength of teachings greater than themselves for help and to seek help in overcoming thier failures. Sure one should have learned the lesson and not failed. Failure is human to forgive is divine and should be where each aspires to reach in thier daily life. One should not reach to destroy another in thier hour of need but such is the weakness of those without compassion.
June 30, 2009 at 12:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Mabilene (anonymous) says...
###
Posted by ysillyme on June 30, 2009 at 10:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It is my sad duty to inform you that the P&C staff has chosen to silence HAROLDREEMS from this site. A prolific and brilliant poster who entertained and informed us all using wit and sarcasm. A sad day for sure.
###
That is truly sad. We will miss you, Harold!!! Until you reinvent yourself and come on back as the "New and Improved." I had to do it three times on the blogs over at the Houston (TX) Chronicle!!!
~Mab
June 30, 2009 at 12:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ImaginePeace (anonymous) says...
Gee, seems to me that most of the people posting on here are Yankees that MOVED here by CHOICE. You know, if you hate SC so much, we TRUE South Carolinians would love to help escort your butts outta here! I see, if a DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENT is GUILTY of the SAME EXACT THING then he should be forgiven and stay in office and "it's between him and his wife"...talk about hypocrites! This kinda things happens EVERYWHERE every day! Get over it and move on...He should be made to pay the state back for ANY STATE monies that got him where he went...other than that...continue on until his term is up! Just behave now. Wow, isn't that how 95% of us are raising kids now a days anyways???
June 30, 2009 at 12:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodkarmasc (anonymous) says...
"made to pay back...."
Hmmm....maybe we should have let Bernie Madoff, Al Parrish....or even Capone and Dillinger do the same thing and not have to worry about the illegality.
June 30, 2009 at 1:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
charleston1960 (anonymous) says...
Stand your ground and do not resign Governor Sanford. I need the humor of most of these comments to continue so that the day goes by with laughter and takes my mind off the certain tax increases that will be coming over the next two years.
June 30, 2009 at 1:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ballachulish (anonymous) says...
Imagine...
Do you understand irony?
The lovenor and wife are from out of state, South Florida & Chicago.
South Carolinians according to recent polls want him to leave.
For your info, my family has been in SC since the 1600's, let me guess, you are 1st generation.
What exactly is a True South Carolinian?
June 30, 2009 at 2:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
postman01 (anonymous) says...
Joldham, the intellectuals you refer to are not true intellectuals. They are phony frauds that mentally masturbate.
True intellectuals process information without distortion or concealment and have no ax to grind when they are doing same. They also prioritize and synthesize correctly. True intellectuals are extremely rare. Most that are regarded as intellectuals or who deem themselves to be intellectuals are literal human counterfeits.
June 30, 2009 at 2:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eyfigueroa (anonymous) says...
"... literal human counterfeits"
You've made me speechless!
Much to the relief of many on this site I'm sure.
June 30, 2009 at 4:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
postman01 (anonymous) says...
Didn't mean to. Brutal honesty is hard sometimes but they are counterfeits of truly, fully intellectually and emotionally developed humans.
June 30, 2009 at 8:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
abitskeptical (anonymous) says...
postman-you're a hoot.
June 30, 2009 at 11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bobbylee (anonymous) says...
Hey Y'all,
What part of "dereliction of duty", "misappropriation of public funds", "embezzlement" lying and just plain totally "impaired judgment" are y'all having trouble with?
What is this? Sanford's new fiscally responsible strategy? We withdraw the charges against all the thieves in SC, if they give the money back when they got caught? We then save a ton of money on jail and legal expenses?
What are y'all doing defending a guy that presides over an education system that ranks 50th out of fifty states, an unemployment rate that, today, is only slightly higher than Michigan and has sucked for the last seven years before this and routinely embarasses our state with his goofy ideology that totally ignores reality. Anyone notice that his vetoes are a joke and his stimulus escapade made him (and us)a laughing stock of the world.
Not to mention, how do you trust a guy when his own wife and kids can't trust him?
C'mon, y'all. Let's get our self respect back and dump this flake.
June 30, 2009 at 11:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
locosam (anonymous) says...
THE TRUTH COMES OUT!!! Its still all about Republican politics in SC. Sanford has already influenced the next gubernatorial election. Let the pols have their way...leave him in office in order to keep Andre Bauer from assuming the governor's office. Another 18 months of ineptness & dishonesty should do a lot more to assure a Democratic victory than any possible political damage Bauer could do. Its way past time to turn out the Republican party...from the top to the bottom.
June 30, 2009 at 11:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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