Prominent Social Conservative Calls On Sanford To Resign
In order for S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford to survive the scandal of a lifetime, he’s going to have to convince South Carolinians – particularly evangelical Christians – that his confession and subsequent “trust rebuilding” efforts are genuine.
After all, as we’ve noted in the past, evangelicals have always been suckers for sinners who repent.
Accordingly, we have the implementation of what we’re calling the “King David strategy,” in which Sanford repeatedly compares himself to the fallen Biblical hero, who sinned along similar lines but was able to regain the favor of God and the support of the Israelites.
Will Sanford’s strategy work?
As S.C. Senator (and Sanford confidante) Tom Davis has said in numerous interviews defending his longtime friend, “the people of South Carolina have a remarkable capacity for forgiveness, but they can spot a hypocrite.”
Yesterday, the governor’s effort to persuade evangelicals along these lines was dealt a serious blow as one of the state’s most prominent social conservative leaders called for him to resign in the wake of his acknowledged affair with an Argentine woman.
Randy Page, an aide to former S.C. Gov. David Beasley and president of South Carolinians for Responsible Government, said Sanford should resign to “best protect and preserve his family and the integrity of the Office of Governor.”
“The events of the past few days have been a sobering reminder to all South Carolinians of our human frailty,” Page said in a statement released from his personal email address. “As a friend and supporter of Governor Sanford, I am deeply saddened and surprised with his admission and the lengths that he went to mislead his staff and the citizens of our great state.”
Page said that he had forgiven Sanford as a “Christian brother,” but that the governor and his family needed “time to reconcile.”
“This is best done in the privacy of one’s home rather than under the harsh glare of television cameras from around the world,” Page said.
Obviously, Page’s statement immediately caused a stir in Palmetto political circles given the organization he works for, which has been one of Sanford’s most aggressive supporters in the past – as well as the lead public advocate for parental choice, one of the issues Sanford campaigned on in 2002.
“SCRG carries a big stick,” one Palmetto politico told us in response to Page’s statement. “If they’re whacking Sanford with it and not his detractors, that could be significant.”
Page did not immediately return phone calls from FITS seeking comment.
Developing …
Comments
By Republican Swamp Fox on June 27th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
The Lowcountry has also let the Gov. go, even by our standards he has gone to far. And that my friends is saying ALOT!!!
By PandaChris on June 27th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
If Sanford was truly repentant, he would be cutting off his relationship with Maria and working to rebuild his relationship with his wife and sons rather than try to make SC citizens think he is repentant.
He is a lot less like King David and a lot more like King Henry VIII.
By Sam on June 27th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
You guys are missing the big picture. Andre Bauer is owned by Howie Rich, Randy Page’s master.
So all you Dems and Rhinos keep it up, and hand over the Mansion to another, perhas more successful, school choice voucher guy!
By Mark on June 27th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
They paid Randy Page to say that. All the chezze pie and ice cream and pasta and cookies and donuts he could eat.
By Clive on June 27th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
Randy Works for Howard Rich. Andre works for Howard Rich. Seems like a natural.
By The Senator on June 27th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
Resign now…Save the party as you cannot save yourself except my focusing on your family…
By youtude on June 27th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
“THEY CAN SPOT A HYPOCRITE”!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Obviously not. They have elected him twice.
By madcock on June 27th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
So old Howie hedged his bets. I didn’t realize he owned the whole party!
He can sure pick some winners, Marshall the Lothario, Andre the midget.
By sunshine on June 27th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
Randy is a man of character and a Sanford supporter. This statement must have been terribly hard for him to write. But the truth hurts
By Silence Dogood on June 27th, 2009 at 10:44 pm
“I am deeply saddened and surprised with his admission and the lengths that he went to mislead his staff and the citizens of our great state.”
I am still proud and impressed by the governor’s staff for apparenly comming out scott free in this despite their constant intentially misrepresentations – as I am just as deeply “saddened and surprised with…the lengths that…his staff” went to misled and deceive the citizens of this great state in the Governor’s asbsence.
By tammy on June 28th, 2009 at 12:06 am
I may be missing something…but who really gives a rats ass what Randy Page says?
By liz on June 28th, 2009 at 7:04 am
The Governor refused to assist me with an issue that affects every single resident of this state and is tremendous.
Packets will be mailed out to people who matter in the am.
Social Security was privatized prior to 1991 for the residents of this state.
Mark Sanford has not cared one iota, which has allowed for my profound abuse, which is against the law( that we no longer enforce in this state).
The Governor put his mistress over the state’s business, the state’s financial hard times, my problems, his wife, his kids, and only God knows what and who else.
I forgive Mark Sanford for lying and cheating. It is much harder to forgive him for allowing my profound abuse.
By Fat Boy Slim on June 28th, 2009 at 11:02 am
Prominent? hahahahhahahahahahahhahahahahahahhahahahahahhaha
Prominent: 1: standing out or projecting beyond a surface or line : protuberant 2 a: readily noticeable : conspicuous b: widely and popularly known : leading
Page is “readily noticeable” because he is a big, fat slob who obviously exercises no personal responsibility or self control when it comes to his health. Step back from the buffet, Randy.
By Um,no on June 28th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
I’m with Tammy. It’s hilarious the people SC Republicans call “leaders” or “prominent.” This guy? Really???
By O'Rly? on June 28th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
Fat Boy Slim,
So you exemplify personal responsibility and self control in every area of your own life?
Randy Page has the control and grace not to write, or even say, low and cutting things about other people. Ask around, other people will say the same. Why publicly criticize a guy who would never do the same to you? Just because you can get away with it.
By Come on on June 28th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
I bet Bob Walker thinks he is prominent
By Kobayashi Maru on June 28th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
Sunshine – get real! The only hard thing for Randy Page to decide about his statements regarding Sanford was where to cash Howie’s check! Interesting how Howie’s apparently already thrown Sanford under the bus.
Tammy – right on!
By O’Rly – you need to get real, too. Have you seen Randy’s blogsite? Check out “Another Voice for School Choice” and behold the low and cutting things.
Fat Boy Slim – you ‘da man! Have you met Tammy?
By Toyota Kawaski on June 29th, 2009 at 8:20 am
Randy Page needs to resign and ask for forgivness.What a blowhard
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