“Dug In”
Like Don Quixote or Hiroo Onoda (the Japanese soldier who didn’t surrender for three decades after World War II), the increasingly comic tragedy of S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford’s ignominious end rolled on today.
“He’s dug in,” said a source familiar with the governor’s position. “He’s not resigning under any circumstances.”
Indeed, Sanford’s office is hunkered down despite mounting calls for his resignation, prompting some to liken Sanford to the famous Miguel de Cervantes’ character or to Onoda, who emerged from a jungle in the Philippines twenty-nine years after the end of World War II.
“He’s lost in the jungle of his own dissociated mind,” one S.C. politico and former Sanford backer told FITS. “He doesn’t get that the war is over.”
Not so, according to the governor’s spokesman.
“The governor has given a full and truthful account, and he is finished discussing this matter,” Sanford spokesman Joel Sawyer said today. “He is focused on being governor, on rebuilding his marriage, and on building back the trust of South Carolinians.”
Meanwhile, some of Sanford’s longtime allies are privately pressuring him to step down – including some influential leaders in the conservative movement that Sanford has been de facto leader of for the past six years.
The governor is reportedly hearing none of it, though, proposing instead to return to work. He’s also reportedly talking about embarking on a “Forgiveness Tour” across South Carolina.
Yeah …
So how long can Sanford hold out?
It depends.
Based on what we’ve been able to uncover, the circle around Sanford is shrinking rapidly, with only a few of his closest ideological allies remaining.
How long will it be until Sanford is the only man left in the foxhole?
Comments
By Not Sayin', Just Sayin' on July 1st, 2009 at 2:48 pm
He’s never been fully in touch with reality. Why should anyone expect him to be now?
By Anon on July 1st, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Maybe if Cubby (Pancho) Culbertson asked. Mark de la Mancha seems willing to do everything else Cubby suggests…
By CNSYD on July 1st, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Maybe his “advisors” need to sell him on resigning to do the talk show circuit. That should feed his addiction to the spotlight and rid SC of him.
By peyton manning sucks on July 1st, 2009 at 2:57 pm
When you say “ideological allies”, do you mean his fellow practitioners of the ideology of narcissistic hypocrisy? Marky Mark’s conduct over the past two weeks proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is a delusional megalomaniac — that he exists in a fantasy world, the rules and paradigms of which are known only to himself (and maybe his soul mate in South America).
I suspect that any remaining “allies” are on his payroll, on his tip, or have an IQ somewhere south of Forrest Gump’s.
By Brandon on July 1st, 2009 at 3:00 pm
A Forgiveness Tour…
And the hits just keep oooonnnnnnn coming.
As a strong, and I mean strong, supporter of Mark Sanfords efforts, this just plain hurts.
Governor, make it stop and go away! If not for sake of the state, for the sake of your family.
By StupidShouldHurtMore (SSHM) on July 1st, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Kevin Bryant, (R)-Anderson, has now called for the Governor to resign.
June 30, 2009 – Sanford Needs To Go And To Go Now
http://kevinbryant.com/2009/06/30/sanford-needs-to-to-go-and-to-go-now/
Now if the folks at the SC (Libertarian) Policy Council would just step forward . . .
- SSHM
By Nathan Rice on July 1st, 2009 at 3:12 pm
FWIW, I have, and never will, expect him to resign … nor do I want him to. His remaining in office will, hopefully, be an example to the rest of the moral police republicans that a puritanical view of sexuality is not a serious qualification for a man to be an effective public servant.
As it was with Bill Clinton, the only reason his conduct outside his marriage is affecting his job performance is that he keeps having to insist that he won’t be resigning to the people who keep insisting that he do so. From where I’m standing, if they’d shut up, he could go back to doing his job.
The SC reform movement is dead in the water for the next 2 years no matter what he does. We might as well put an end to a dangerous and stupid myth in the mean time.
By A_Network_Administrator on July 1st, 2009 at 3:21 pm
A Forgiveness Tour! Brilliant. Here’s the linep:
8:00PM – Opening remarks by Hugh Grant
8:10PM – Mark Sanford reads love sonnets
9:00PM – Singer Chris Brown covers a set of Ike Turner songs
10:00PM – Mark Sanford has a town hall style Q&A discussing twue love. (special appearance by John Edwards.)
11:00PM – Concludes with a free-blowing jazz saxophone solo by Bill Clinton
11:50PM – Benediction by Rev. Jim Bakker (any donations appreciated.)
By follydude on July 1st, 2009 at 3:24 pm
the “Forgiveness Tour”.
how much will that cost the taxpayers?
By John Harwood on July 1st, 2009 at 3:27 pm
I still hope he stays. The most compelling argument for him to go, in my opinion, is the “flawed salesman” rap – the one that goes “he can’t effectively attract business here and otherwise serve as a standard-bearer for South Carolina.” I see Andre as a far inferior standard bearer and an intellectual midget. There is simply no upshot, as I see it, for San-daddy’s departure.
If Andre is sworn in, I do not think my body can survive the sustained projectile-vomiting that will surely last the next 18 months.
By ethel krabitz on July 1st, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Forgiveness Tour: I hope they have t-shirts!
If he’s done talking about it, what exactly will he discuss on the tour?
resign, douche!
By Republican Swamp Fox on July 1st, 2009 at 3:35 pm
Low Country Conservative Senators meeting today to confernce call with gov. to ask him to step down.
By A_Network_Administrator on July 1st, 2009 at 3:46 pm
The upshot is… if Andre is REALLY willing to cut a deal to not run in 2010, then go for it. Let’s not risk him on the ticket at all. Let him lame duck for 18 months and then we can elect an adult. My concern is what does Andre have to gain by not running? A Senate seat? Running in 2014? I don’t get why he would offer that.
By Mab on July 1st, 2009 at 3:51 pm
This is not about the Reform Movement. This is about human beings — those REALLY paying the price in all of this: Jenny and his four precious sons.
It is often said that divorce is worse than death in the toll it can take on a person. It appears that is where Governor Sanford is driving this train.
Now — do we really want someone that distracted driving in the first place?
Maybe a REAL sabbatical would clear his head — because it looks like “love/lust” produces a very misguided sense of direction.
By Rex Chapman on July 1st, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Those of you suggesting that he stay are just effing with everyone on this comment section. It’s glaringly obvious that the man has indeed gone off the deep end. No sane individual would go to the AP and embarrass himself and his family and his state for no apparent benefit whatsoever.
Let him go, unless you’re posting from NC and just want to keep the attention off your unruly government for a little while longer.
By Toyota Kawaski on July 1st, 2009 at 4:08 pm
If he goes can he take Sen from Sullivans Island/Wisconsin,Tom “im to sexy for my brain” Davis,SC Policy council,Randy Page/SCRG,Will Folks,and Clempson with him?
By Silence Dogood on July 1st, 2009 at 4:10 pm
“The governor has given a full and truthful account, and he is finished discussing this matter,” Sanford spokesman Joel Sawyer said today
HOOOOOOLY TOLEDO Joel could you have made this happen about 5 f*$#ing hours of confession and rambling personal thoughs ago???
By madcock on July 1st, 2009 at 4:19 pm
If it weren’t for those four little boys, this would be the single funniest event in American history.
By jeffy on July 1st, 2009 at 4:25 pm
I hear Cubby has some excellant ideas on tax policy. Maybe he can take over for jenny has head policy wonk. Kind of like Iran…we now have a flaky religous advisor guiding the head of state. Nice!
By SC Moderate on July 1st, 2009 at 4:36 pm
A forgiveness tour/ or “traveling” around the state to apologize to political friends as stated in his original confession…
This is one of the problems with him staying in office- So much time wasted trying to rebuild his image. Why should SC have to suffer just so Sanford can attempt to leave office on a more positive footing? As he so forthrightly stated in the AP interview- He knew the potential consequences, so now he should be willing to accept them.
There is no way he could have a clear mind going forward (or the next few months at least). And if he can, then he is even more narcissistic than we ever imagined and probably not rational enough to serve as Governor.
By Anon on July 1st, 2009 at 5:15 pm
Here’s part of the email I sent him in response to the pre AP debacle email he sent to his base begging for forgiveness:
…You should resign but you won’t for the simple reason that you are too selfish, stubborn and arrogant.
So I want to know who these traitors are that have convinced you not to resign. If they ever run for office I will fight for their defeat.
I will pray for the wife and children you have betrayed and will gladly bring the matches should Jenny wish to burn your belongings on the sands of Sullivan’s Island.
As long as you cling to an office you are unworthy of, I will not forgive you.
By CNSYD on July 1st, 2009 at 5:19 pm
Toyota, admit it. The biggest concern you have is every day is one day closer to the cocks getting their annual ass whipping at the hands of the Tigers.
By hym on July 1st, 2009 at 6:50 pm
My 90-year old aunt, a highly educated and articulate conservative and Fox newshound, remains steadfast behind on Sanford due to his policies and is ignoring the sensational unpleasantness of the day(s). Do not be surprised if she is among a quiet chorus of older ladies and gentlemen.
By Chuck on July 1st, 2009 at 7:31 pm
“an educated and articulate conservative”
My god, she needs to be in a zoo. She must rank in rarity with the elusive pushmi-pullyu.
By Earl Capps on July 1st, 2009 at 8:38 pm
Anon, I hate people who try to temper their comments and hide their true feelings. So why don’t you drop the pretense and tell us how you really feel about all of this?
By Anon on July 1st, 2009 at 9:06 pm
Earl honey, You would have loved my first draft before I toned it down.
By scooter on July 2nd, 2009 at 12:55 pm
“The governor has given a full and truthful account, and he is finished discussing this matter,” Sanford spokesman Joel Sawyer said today” People, that says it all. Mark has spoken, and we must obey. He is not resigning and that is that. No amount of common sense, or people being outraged, or friends asking him to resign will matter! He is much too self involved!