By Mark Sanford
I have struggled with how best to convey my regret in letting so many down, and in that regard I realize this op-ed does not do justice to the process of saying “I am sorry.” A handwritten note or phone call would ultimately be more appropriate, but given the number of people I need to apologize to I write this to begin the journey of trying to get things more right with you and others.
It is true that I did wrong and failed at the largest of levels, but equally true is the fact that God can make good of our respective wrongs in life. In this vein, while none of us has the chance to attend our own funeral, in many ways I feel like I was at my own in the past weeks, and surprisingly I am thankful for the perspective it has afforded.
If you ever have the misfortune of being at this point, whether self-induced as in my case or not, it will give you an indeed amazing perspective on life and on what really matters. I read notes from someone who worked in a sandwich shop I ate at ten years ago, from 7th grade classmates, from state employees and more. While there have been lifetimes of lessons learned over the past weeks, three things most immediately come to mind.
One, forgiveness and grace really do matter. I used to believe that at an intellectual level, now it is at the level of heart. Over my life I have not given enough of either, and yet given all the ways in which my failings have come to light, I write to apologize for, in the most profound of ways, letting you and so many others down. In life it’s always the people closest to us that we hurt the most, and given my standing of public trust, I know I’ve hurt many across our state. I apologize for this, and more than anything would ask for your forgiveness going forward.
Two, life is indeed about way more than public standing or political views, it’s about recognizing that none of us are the arbiters of truth, that there are moral absolutes, and that there is a God to whom we will all report for our actions. My failure has been most glaring on this front, where no public apology can make wrong right. As a consequence, it is on this plane that I’ve grown the most over the past weeks – and where I’m committed to growing the most going forward.
I’ve been humbled and broken as never before in my life and as a consequence have given up areas of control in a way that I never have before – and it is my belief that this will make me a better father, husband, friend and advocate.
It’s in the spirit of making good from bad that I am committing to you and the larger family of South Carolinians to use this experience to both trust God in his larger work of changing me, and from my end, to work to becoming a better and more effective leader.
In this regard I think all that has transpired will be particularly relevant in the way I deal with the legislative body and other state leaders going forward. Micah 6:8 asks us to do justice, love mercy, and to walk humbly, and as I begin these steps into the last 18 months of this administration, it will indeed be with a more contrite and humble spirit.
I’ve realized that as much as I have and will continue to advocate for things ranging from restructuring to responsible spending to school choice, my approach needs to be less about my will and more about looking for ways to more humbly present the greater principals and ideas at play. It needs to be less strident and more about finding ways to work with legislative leaders to advance the ideas so many of us believe in. It means less time fighting the tide – and a greater awareness of the fact that God controls it. In working with a few alterations to my approach, I think this could be a far more productive last session than the one that would have been had the tragedy that has unfolded not occurred, and in turn, people’s lives can be made better.
Finally it is at your funeral that you in many ways not only can see most clearly the things that really matter in life, but where one gets the best glimpse of who your real friends are – and how much they matter. For that reason, I want to thank so many for their kindnesses and support over the years and for their kindness in this latest chapter in our book together as South Carolinians.
Mark Sanford is governor of South Carolina.
Editor’s note: For FITS reaction to the governor’s oped, click here.
By 1st none surprised July 19, 2009 at 9:06 am
Why do most all political and other leaders confessions, apologies, and changes of heart come only after they are caught in the act, whatever it may be? Is getting caught the only catalyst for having a change of heart? I will forgive Sanford as it is my duty as a human being, but he should still have not taken all of this so far. What he did to his children is the most troublesome and the fact that he did it so publicly. I pray for them the most and hope they do not suffer for their father’s actions.
By The Truth July 19, 2009 at 9:24 am
As I read Sanfords latest whine-athon, it is apparent this gentleman has no honor or integrity. I believe his please for forgiveness (given strictly out necessity it appears..) are to put it simply; Total and utter crap.
The hypocrisy of this man knows no boundaries. Mr Sanford, you sir, are a liar and a hypocrite. Enough with the Whine-a-thon tour 2009. For the love of God, be a man and resign before you cause more embarrassment to yourself, your family and the state of South Carolina.
By Dave T. July 19, 2009 at 9:38 am
I forgive him. I think he should resign. The two issues at hand, forgiveness, and remaining governor, have nothing to do with each other and should be addressed separatly.
By King Cotton July 19, 2009 at 9:39 am
Will, I would have preferred your take on the governor’s latest attempt at asking for forgiveness rather than simply running his view verbatim, particularly under the headline “Mark Sanford: Walking Humbly.”
Again, I can’t help but feel these acts of contrition come out only after bad news has been revealed:
Get caught having an affair: apologize profusely;
Admit to inappopriate relationships with other women, apologize profusely;
Have it revealed that you flew in first class against state policy, apologize profusely.
When does this end?
By FITSNews July 19, 2009 at 9:45 am
“King Cotton”
Rest assured, our take on this ridiculousness is coming momentarily …
-FITS
By SC Moderate July 19, 2009 at 9:58 am
When is Sanford going to learn to keep his thoughts to himself. His problem is, when he talks (or writes), he inadvertently gives people a clear insight into how completely out of touch & narcissistic he is… If fact, he is so out of touch he doesn’t even realize how a letter such as this, will probably enrage people further based merely on the content.
And come on- His funeral? Give me a break, this statement has so many inherent flaws, I don’t even know where to begin.
And for as much as he touts God and religion, He is just now realizing that Grace and Forgiveness matter? And does he still not understand that people can forgive & still want him to step down? … I guess he would rather people to not think about the statement he makes, choosing instead to “follow blindly” as he has been trained to think as the ideal goal for those in power.
He says “to use this experience to both trust God in his larger work of changing me, and from my end, to work to becoming a better and more effective leader.” To me this still reeks of the “appointed by God to lead” complex that has also been permanently ingrained in his head… He so quickly ties together his assumption of Gods larger work to make him a better leader. True reflection may show a sane person, that there is at least a chance, that Gods signs are pointing closer to informing Sanford to step down and devote his time to becoming a better husband and example to his kids.
Again- there are so many things about this letter that completely strike such the wrong chord, its mind-boggling that an advisor would allow him to release it? Maybe they see something I don’t?
And finally, when is Sanford going to realize that there is a place for religion in our daily lives and for the healing process… But not to be used conveniently (in the complete wrong context) in a very political attempt to brain wash the citizens of SC! I think Sanford will soon realized that our state is too smart to fall for such shenanigans, not to mention to smart to have a warped and intellectually dishonest understanding of the bible force fed to us.
By Poser July 19, 2009 at 10:05 am
The Lord!!! I wonder if the Lord wanted him to limit benefits for injured workers!! Did he consider the Lord in fighting against universal health care.
Ah the Lord, a tool he draws when he feels it can help him, not others..
By Beeza July 19, 2009 at 10:08 am
Would someone tell Mark Sanford that we forgive him. We forgive him his weaknesses – he his human. We forgive him his failings – he his human. However he is an incapable Governor. He has ostracized the legislature, the business community, and the many disillusioned and disappointed supporters who campaigned, raised money and gave their hard earned money to elect this fool not once but twice. So, if our forgiveness will get him to either step up and be the Governor of all the people of SC (not just the right wing) or GO THE HELL AWAY. Please!
Signed, one tired voter.
PS. Hiding behind the Bible is offensive. It’s how you live your life that counts, not how many bible verses you can memorize. His apology letter was written by staffers anyway. We all know how to use the index in the back of the Bible to see what verses are appropriate to spew when talking about “foregiveness”.
By SC Moderate July 19, 2009 at 10:27 am
Beeza- for me, the scary thing is- I think he probably wrote this himself. I’m sure a staff writer is not this out of touch… It takes years are being totally self-absorbed, along with a bit of bad “counseling” to come up with such a wrapped view of: one’s self, religion, and reality for that matter. I think he missed the important covenant with some of his spiritual advisors…to remain silent about personal religious philosophy to the public- otherwise you end up pulling a Sanford & exposing your insanity.
By Bin There July 19, 2009 at 10:45 am
Will? You publish THIS instead of a story about “Mr. Transparency” hiding behind his pesonal e-mail account instead of using his state e-mail account? What is Mr. Transparency hiding? How about how his travel expenses – ALWAYS higher than the staff travel? What happened to “Mr. Frugal”? I guess those two things only apply when they don’t relate to him. Why isn’t your precious Policy Council screaming about this? Oh yea, he helps them raise money to keep their studies rolling. Why try to be governor now….he hasn’t the last 6 1/2 years? Do us all a favor and just leave.
By Trey July 19, 2009 at 11:35 am
He should have moved to Argentina, America needs a good love story. There is noting here to believe in.
By J. Wellington July 19, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Micah 6 was god building his “case” against Israel. A country that lost its way, not a Governor on a fling. Read further Mark, Micah 6:12,13:
12 Her rich men are violent;
her people are liars
and their tongues speak deceitfully.
13 Therefore, I have begun to destroy you,
to ruin you because of your sins.
If you are going to quote be sure you use the full context…
By ethel krabitz July 19, 2009 at 5:24 pm
Jesus, i pray that he will just SHUT UP!
By BC July 19, 2009 at 6:42 pm
Since Governor Sanford seems to enjoy scriptures and attempting to apply their meaning to this situation…how about he reflect on this one:
Prov. 29:18 says, Where there is no vision, the people will perish…
Gov. Sanford has failed to provide a vision to bring employers to the state, he has failed to provide positive leadership to addressing our poorly administrated public education system, he has failed in reaching out to those that need a hand up and not a hand out, and he has failed the people of South Carolina by focusing on deceiving everyone in hiding his affair and not insuring the continuity of our government in his absence.
I forgive you, Gov. Sanford, but I cannot forget what you have done and the lack of leadership you have shown. This is clearly a case of poor judgment, dereliction of duty, and conspiring with state funded staff in which to deceive the State of South Carolina. There must be consequences for his actions and thus he should be impeached!
By Larry July 19, 2009 at 7:25 pm
F*ck you sir.
Please go away.
By 1+1=3 July 19, 2009 at 7:28 pm
Mark Sanford: Walking Humbly
that’s an oxymoron
By Huhhh July 19, 2009 at 8:52 pm
ain’t right. ain’t never been right.
We are so tolerant of eccentricity in the South, that we forget it sometimes is serious mental illness or personality disorder. That’s apparently the case with the governor.
I think he and Jenny are at a Family retreat/treatment center and this was written as part of his homework. Judging by the continuing saga in the Ensign case, and the excerpts I’ve read from Jeff Sharlot’s book, these cult advisors may be totally tone deaf and don’t realize how crazy this stuff sounds to the general public. I think they would have told him to shut up by now if they had any idea he was making the Fellowship look so bad. But, to them, he’s just pushing what they preach.
By Mike July 20, 2009 at 1:43 am
This really does boil down to hubris, I think. That, and the weird effect the media spotlight has on the human ego. Read Drew Pinsky and Mark Young’s excellent book published this past Spring: The Mirror Effect- How Celebrity Narcissism is Seducing America. It’s a summary of a very interesting study, and is a great read.
http://www.amazon.com/Mirror-Effect-Celebrity-Narcissism-Seducing/dp/0061582336
It deals primarily with traditional celebrities, but their thesis fits politicians too, especially since these days they tend to be more celebrity than statesman.
By Frank July 20, 2009 at 5:38 am
Regardless, I still support Governor Sanford. I have always supported him and truly believe in his ablity to lead. Far as Jakie Knotts getting his lard ass on tv making it out that the Governor is not fit to serve because he has broken our trust, I say jakie you need to resign because we all know you can not be trusted at all when it comes doing what right compared to what you are going to get out of selling out to the highest bidder.
By lou July 20, 2009 at 7:51 am
C STREET SELL OUT>
MARK SANFRAUD PART OF THE CHRISTIAN MAFIA>
THE MAFIA IS OPERATING IN THE STATEHOUSE> ALERT ALERT
WARNING WARNING
Get the book ” The Family” to understand Mark Sanford’s beliefs. They ain’t like yours and mine.
By 1+1=3 July 20, 2009 at 8:46 am
Anybody know where Sanford is today? Is he finally going to put in a full week’s work?