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Where in the world is Mark Sanford? UPDATE: Sanford admits to affair
WORLD’s Jamie Dean has the latest on the whereabouts of South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, who arrived this morning from Argentina—not the Appalachian Trail, as was reported by his staff yesterday. Jamie writes:
Despite the perplexing details, Sanford told reporters at the Atlanta airport the explanation was simple: After a grueling legislative session, he wanted a few days off. He wanted to go somewhere exotic. He wanted to get out of the bubble.
But is it acceptable for a state’s top public official to simply disappear and be incommunicado, even to his own staff? When asked why staffers said he was on the Appalachian Trail, Sanford replied, “I don’t know.” But then he clarified: He told his staff he might go to the Appalachian Trail. Sanford’s spokesman didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment on the conflicting stories, but his office announced a 2 p.m. press conference.
Read Jamie’s entire report here and look for updates from her after today’s press conference.
UPDATE: Sanford admits to being unfaithful to his wife with a friend from Argentina.
Here’s an excerpt from the governor’s press conference:
UPDATE: Jamie Dean’s post-press conference report, which includes an interview with Sanford’s pastor, is now posted.
back to top51 Comments to “Where in the world is Mark Sanford? UPDATE: Sanford admits to affair”
That’s the problem you run into when you leave a note that says “Headed for A. as discussed”. Not quite enough clarity there.
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He should have left a clear note to his staff, and if he changed his mind, called them. He definitely should have told his wife where he was going.
As of right now, I would give him the benefit of the doubt — that he was just really bummed about what happened and needed to get away. But someone should have known how to communicate with him. He is the chief executive of a state. If there had been a catastrophe in the state, they should have been able to contact him.
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He should have left a clear note to his staff, and if he changed his mind, called them. He definitely should have told his wife where he was going.
As of right now, I would give him the benefit of the doubt — that he was just really bummed about what happened and needed to get away. But someone should have known how to communicate with him. He is the chief executive of a state. If there had been a catastrophe in the state, they should have been able to contact him.
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Wow! I beat the “you’ve already said that!”
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I wouldn’t have thought twice about this if he had taken his wife with him. On the other hand, maybe his wife WAS in on the secret and was sending the dogs off in the other direction.
There’s probably more to this than we’ll ever know, but I don’t think I much care either way.
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Another episode of “Let’s Make A Scandal(even if there isn’t one)”
I concur with MICHELLE, “I don’t think I much care either way.”
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Argentina. Yep, that was going to be my guess.
I have two predictions. (Feel free to be thrilled!)
1. It will eventually come to light that nothing nefarious was going on, just a bit of foolishness in not telling key staff how to get in touch with him.
2. This will end any aspirations of national office. The late, strange Rudy Perpich of Minnesota will now share the title of “Governor Goofy,” and Sanford’s critics in both parties will never let this little trip be forgotten.
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I think a governor’s got a right to some time off; but on the other hand, I don’t think it’s good judgment to be entirely incommunicado, even to your own staff, for a long weekend.
Still, a minor indiscretion as it stands. Not something that would change my opinion of the man (if I had one) one way or the other. A non-story.
But I’m half expecting another shoe to drop… pictures of Sanford on the beach with a scantily-clad teenager, or something. But I have no reason to think this other than a sense that the narrative usually goes that way.
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michelle (#5): Dogs? Ooo, another dog thread??
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Oh man.
Yeah, a dog thread alright, so to speak, watching the news conference now.
Groan.
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Dude. Turn the mic off, sit down already.
And please, show some integrity & just resign.
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Idiot.
Does no one in this country ever think of the consequences of their actions?
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Wow. It’s disappointing how predictable “the narrative” is.
What is it with Republicans and sex scandals? Ensign still hasn’t resigned, right? Even though he called for Vitter to do so?
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Overheard in the newsroom after the TV anchor spoke of the governor’s earlier story about “hiking along the appalachian trail.”
“Oh,” my colleague says, “is that what they’re calling it nowadays?”
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JJF: not just republicans, don’t forget Clinton, John Edwards, Barney Frank ….
A reflection of our culture somewhat, I’m afraid, but also probably has a good deal to do with the lure of power and charisma for those who go into politics.
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What? WMB doesnt even run a photo of the co-respondent in this affair? Where are your journalistic standards??
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Oh dear. Maybe it’s the green in me, but I had actually been rooting for the Appalachian Trail. When he said it was “Argentina” the only thought that could come to mind was, “boy or girl?” In any case, one more wannabe presidential flame-out.
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Ok, a day or two off for a hike. But an affair?
Get out already….
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JJF: What Donna said.
Also, I think there is less reason for Ensign to resign than Vitter. I think Vitter should resign, or at least not run for reelection.
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True, not just Republicans. But they seem to score a disproportionate number of them. I bet if we tallied sex scandals over the last 10 years, Republicans would have a 2-1 margin.
I suspect there’s some truth to the adage that if you focus on some forbidden thing, it becomes even more tempting than it was before. Republicans, as the “party of family values,” cannot help but add the allure of the explicit to any extramarital relationship.
Likewise, I cannot recall any Democratic gay or child sex scandal. Sure, I could be missing one, but I don’t even have to think hard to recall Republican gay and child sex scandals (Craig, Haggart, Foley). Why is that? I would never say that it’s because Republicans are less moral people. I suspect they introduce temptation in that direction by their strident stances against those issues.
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It’s time to take the sex out of politics. It’s time to stop worrying about what our political leaders do with their genitalia and ignore anything they say about what everybody else should do with theirs.
The cost to the voters, the politicians themselves and the country of endless “gotcha” and sordid sex scandals is just too high.
We are electing policy-makers and statesmen, not saints.
But, as a partisan, I must admit that this Appalachian-Argentinian two-time two-step, is just too delicious…
Was he a Promise-Keeper, too?
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I just heard that Sanford resigned as head of the Republican Governor’s Association, not his elected post.
The press always kept Kennedy’s nonsense out of the papers, and they don’t push Dems’ problems the way they do Republicans’.
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Sorry Arcadea, but I don’t want my leaders ‘hiking on the appalachian trail.’
I don’t care what party they belong to, they need to resign.
Perhaps if enough of them fall by the wayside, a message can be sent.
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DonnaJ: Virtuous men and women are hard to find. Especially in the political class. Here’s a reminder, from Politico.
“Inside Edition” says, “According to former classmates, Cindy Hampton (known as Cindy Barnes at the time) and the senator’s wife, Darlene, were close friends in high school in California. Both women wrote about their lives in the 2001 reunion yearbook.
“Hampton writes: ‘Doug and I just celebrated our 13th anniversary.Life is awesome and we are truly blessed.’
“In the same yearbook, Darlene Ensign writes, “We have been very committed to our family and Christ. It’s been a great rollercoaster ride so far!’”
NJL: So…do you think either of these guys should resign their posts? I don’t.
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Arcadia:
I’m not sure. You might be right. But on the other hand, it may be impossible to separate their sex from their politics, because they liberally mix sex into their politics.
Every time Vitter stands up and gives speeches about protecting the sanctity of marriage, it’s just hard to take him seriously.
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I have no opinion as to whether or not this man should resign or the others either for that matter. Their constituents will decide. It should not, however, be up to the press to decide that Dems get a free pass, while Repubs don’t.
Quite frankly, sometimes someone who has committed the sin has the duty to stand up there and speak up for what’s right and can do so better than the “pure” because they know they almost or did lose something very precious.
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Repairing his marriage (if possible) and healing his family is far more important than running a state. He should choose the former and let the latter go.
He cheated on the South Carolina voters too. They deserve better in leaders.
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NJL: That’s quite a dodge. It’s tough to choose between your politics and your religion, isn’t it?
Maybe because the two are so incompatible?
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NJLawyer:
Are you aware of recent Democratic sex scandals that the press didn’t report? As far as I can see, they went after Edwards just like they did the half dozen Republicans who had sex scandals around the same time period.
Or are you postulating that there are so many more Republican sex scandals than Democratic sex scandals because the press covers up the Dems?
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I highly doubt you showed Bill Clinton the same magnanimity.
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JJf (#20),
Let me refresh your memory. Barney Frank was accused of running a gay prostitution ring from his DC apartment. NJ governor Jim McGreevey left his wife for a male aide.
However, your original argument still holds. Republicans still have a big advantage in this type of scandal, but I’m at a loss to explain why.
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Now one might ask the question whether JoelMark, perhaps the most partisan Republican pastor on the board, might wish Sanford to resign.
And possibly, why I, quite a partisan myself, do not.
The answer could be the same for both of us…
I don’t think it is, but it could be.
It all gets so confusing when the two estates get mixed up…
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I’m happy to report (re #7 above) that only one of my predictions has proven false so far! But I’m feeling pretty good, if that’s the right word, about prediction #2.
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#32 should read …why JoelMark…
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Sanford should resign – he obviously doesn’t care about his wife or his children, as it was Father’s Day and he was ABSENT – this Governor can’t keep his priorities straight –
If Sanford’s thoughts are in Argentina, they certainly aren’t on the state he represents as Gov. I wonder IF his wife KNEW where he was, as she wasn’t concerned, his staff made more excuses for him – what a group!
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I should think WMB conservatives would want Sanford to hang in there. After all, he clearly believes that an extra-marital affair is between one man and one woman!
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Okay, just checking back in after being gone and I’m amending my post #6. Apparently, Sanford WAS playing “Let’s Make A Scandal” and he’s the latest GOP winner.
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“He who is faithful in little is also faithful in much,” and vice versa–which is why a person who can not remain faithful to the closest relationship–marriage–also is untrustworthy with the people who elect him/her to office. Personal morals do fall over into the public.
Or in another venue, if I can’t trust you to manage your own money, why should I trust you to manage mine? (see Chris Dodd).
What I NEVER understand about affairs like this–left or right–is why they think they can get away with them. The hubris of power, I guess . . . which is another reason not to let them stay at the top too long–for everyone’s sake.
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Hey everyone!
Just saw the news that Woodsman Sanford is safely back from his ‘Appalachian Adventure’ and thought I should stop by to giggle….
Carry on!
Sanford/Palin in 2012!
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It’s time to take the sex out of politics. It’s time to stop worrying about what our political leaders do with their genitalia and ignore anything they say about what everybody else should do with theirs.
The problem is that Sanford is one of those guys whose politics is built on legislating the sexuality of his own constituents. He loses all cred when he can’t even play by his own rules. I agree that politicians should have a right to privacy in matters of sexuality, but not a right to hypocrisy!
From HuffPo: After Sanford, Let’s End Hypocrisy and Promote Equality
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SCOTT ROBINSON Let me refresh your memory. Barney Frank was accused of running a gay prostitution ring from his DC apartment.
Incorrect. Frank was accused of fixing 33 parking tickets for Steve Gobie, his employee and roommate. Frank also admitted to having paid the man for sex.
Republican strategists sometimes state falsely that Frank “ran a prostitution ring.” In fact, prostitution clients of Gobie sometimes visited their apartment. However, Frank didn’t know, and he kicked Gobie out of the apartment when he found out. The House Ethics Committee cleared Frank of having known about or been involved in illegal activity.
Then-Rep. Larry “Wide Stance” Craig led unsuccessful efforts to expel or censure Frank.
Don’t worry, you can still detest Frank, even if he didn’t run a prostitution ring. Your correct reason would be his real night job: writing liberal books, teaching at Harvard, and his energetic 24-7 legislative career.
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I am not at all surprised Faux Nooz is reporting Sanford is a Democrat
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/6/24/746358/-Fox-News:-Sanford-a-Democrat
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People, can we focus on the real victim here?
The real victim is the Appalachian trail.
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RPN — Don’t laugh, it’s an exposé. People here understand the logic of reporting that Sanford is a Democrat. It’s what he was all along. Ye shall know them by their fruits.
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I honestly don’t know how anyone can call Fox a “news” network with a straight face. They do this sort of misinformation all the time. It should be renamed MDN — Mouthbreather Disinformation Network.
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Arcadia is correct — the personal and sexual problems of our leaders should not interest us and do not compel them to resign. And I think Frank in Spokane on a previous thread was correct to downplay his absence — a gov’t that can’t operate without a governor for a few days needs some serious reform . One wonders how bureaucrats operated before cell phones/pagers made higher admins and political leaders accessible 24/7. Yet I still think he should quit because he is incompetent. He’s incompetent because a modern political leader should realize the expectations the office places on him. The hypocrisy of a family values politician exhibiting non-family type behavior is just an ironic detail that gives credibility to the resignation calls.
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The same thing is true of Clinton. He should have waited to collect feline companionship until Gore was elected.
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NJLawyer: The press always kept Kennedy’s nonsense out of the papers, and they don’t push Dems’ problems the way they do Republicans’.
See, Eliot Spitzer’s scandal was all over the press for weeks. “The press” of the 1960s, when both Jack and Ted Kennedy’s “nonsense” was going on was a very different thing than it is now (no blogs, no 24-hour news cycle, no talk radio, and in general not much appetite for covering sordid affairs of any party).
None of which will prevent you from continuing to say what you said.
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It looks as if the ‘librul media’ kept this under wraps too. Since at least December.
http://www.thestate.com/sanford/story/839350.html
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RPN, emails can be faked, it’s very speculative (and irresponsible) to go with a story just on that unless they can authenticate them. Sounds like they weren’t able to do that and so I suspect that’s why they hadn’t yet used them.
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Then the librul media acted responsibly?
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