Seriously, can some one make it stop?
We’ve heard S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford confess his sins – in embarrassing detail. Then we heard him confess them again, in even more embarrassing detail. We’ve heard him compare himself to kings of old, call his lover his “soul mate,” talk about trying to fall “back in love” with his wife and insult everybody’s intelligence by saying that resigning from office would be “too easy.”
Not easy enough, apparently.
Meanwhile, it’s become crystal clear that Sanford set up a state-sponsored 2008 trip to Argentina for the sole purpose of canoodling with his lover, Maria Belen Chapur. And while the S.C. taxpayers have been reimbursed for Sanford’s expenses related to that trip, what about all the taxpayer time and resources that went into setting it up?
Oh, and while we’re on the subject, what about the hundreds of thousands of dollars in travel expenses that Sanford has racked up over the course of his administration? Costs that include first class airfare and ritzy accommodations which expressly violate the travel rules he imposed on his own Cabinet?
WTF, Mark?
What happened to “soil conditions” and making the state competitive for economic growth that way? Seriously, when did Mark Sanford decide that government-funded, government-run “economic development” was a good thing?
Anyway, in addition to unraveling on a personal level, it seems Sanford’s carefully-constructed “pro-taxpayer” facade is now beginning to crumble as well.
And what’s the governor doing? Checking out completely for weeks at a time to “work on his marriage,” which we can only assume is the PR precursor to his statewide “Forgiveness Tour,” where in the words of SCGOP Chairwoman Karen Floyd “the healing” can begin.
Most of this – while indeed quite pathetic – is at least confined to the increasingly delusional mind of Mark Sanford.
What’s not?
The fact that a “humbled” Sanford now seems ready to join the rest of the state’s political establishment in bowing to the omnipotent (and infinitely corrupt) S.C. General Assembly.
From the latest in a lengthening trail of gubernatorial apologies:
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.
First of all, Mark, the only person that looks at this as a “tragedy” is you. Other people see it quite clearly for what it is – narcissism. And more recently, escapism.
And please, we know you’re working the whole King David strategy, but we swear to God if you make another reference to the Bible we’re going to throw one at you. Literally.
Having said that, Sanford’s latest “apology” is perhaps the most damaging to the movement he once led.
Why? Because it raises a white flag of surrender in the policy arena at a time when fiscal conservatives, parental advocates, supporters of transparency and backers of other common sense reforms need to be digging in – and rallying behind the ideas that elevated Sanford’s political career. In fact, we spoke with three leaders of the “common sense” movement today and each one of them expressed outrage at the governor’s latest mea culpa.
“I’m finished with him,” one told FITS.
Another called his Micah apology the “very worst betrayal of all.”
Finally, one joked of Sanford no longer being one a Reaganesque “happy warrior,” but rather a “happy waterbearer.”
That’s sad, but true – and remember, these are Sanford’s allies talking.
Our sense at the beginning of this scandal – expressed so eloquently by our founding editor on the day after it broke – was that Sanford’s resignation was a painful necessity based on the trust he had lost while concealing his affair.
Today, we believe that Sanford’s resignation is an absolute imperative based on not only that lost trust, but his subsequent dereliction of duty and wholesale abandonment of the ideals he claims to stand for.
If South Carolina is to ever lift itself out of the doldrums and realize its remarkable (and yet thoroughly untapped potential), it must have leaders who are wholly committed to reform – regardless of the circumstances.
It must also have leaders who recognize when the best thing for the reform movement is for them to stand down.
By newzjunkie July 19, 2009 at 1:11 pm
He is going to rub this in our face for the next 18 months because HE CAN! The SC Legislature is NOT going to impeach him. Gub-nah Sanfraud is NOT going to resign. Why is the news media continuing to give this guy a VENUE? He will go down, like Bush, as one of the worst. Point blank! Move on to another story.
Giving him the ink raises the pressures of those who despise what the Republican party is doing. This WILL blow up in their faces. You can believe that.
You’ll have plenty of time when session begins in January for additional articles. But for now, give us a break.
By J. Wellington July 19, 2009 at 1:21 pm
Bible quoters tend to skim over the ones they don’t want to hear.
Proverbs 6:32-33
32 But a man who commits adultery lacks judgment;
whoever does so destroys himself.
33 Blows and disgrace are his lot,
and his shame will never be wiped away;
Dude, take your sack cloth and ashes and leave. You are simply continuing to embarrass the very citizens you profess to want to serve.
Moron.
By Greensport July 19, 2009 at 1:23 pm
“Nuff Said”
By CNSYD July 19, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Was this letter a joint effort by Cubby and C Street?
By anonymous July 19, 2009 at 2:26 pm
God Orders Sanford to Stop Putting Words in His Mouth
One day after embattled South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford claimed that God was trying to make him a better person, the Almighty held a rare press conference to demand that Sanford “stop putting words in My mouth.”
For the usually publicity-shy King of the Universe, the press conference held at the Chicago O’Hare Airport Marriott signaled a sharp break with tradition. ??
But appearing before the press in His trademark flowing robes and white beard, and carrying what appeared to be a lightning bolt, God said that He decided to convene the extraordinary press briefing because “I had to set the record straight about this.”
“At no point did I say that I was trying to make Mark Sanford a better person,” the Almighty told reporters. “And the only time that retard has prayed to Me was last month, when his exact words were, ‘Please don’t let Jenny find out where I really am.’”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andy-borowitz/god-orders-sanford-to-sto_b_240046.html
By Elliott July 19, 2009 at 3:05 pm
I disagree entirely with Newsjunkie. As long as Sanford is our governor what he says and does is news. Please continue to print it. If I had voted for Sanford twice I, too, would be embarrassed by his behavior, but don’t ask the media not to report it. Why not ask our governor to quit embarrassing us? If it is too embarrassing for you to read, just don’t read it.
FITS does a great job of printing the South Carolina political news. I subscribed to the State newspaper for years until they quit delivering it here. Then,I tried reading it online. Now, I mainly read FITS and Brad Warthen’s blog for South Carolina political news. If you want it weeks late and inoffensive, The State should be your source. For up-to-the-minute truth, read FITS and Warthen. I usually vote Democratic but I do value timely, accurate reporting.
By Snead July 19, 2009 at 3:11 pm
Dear Gov. Sanford, on behalf of Micahs everywhere, please keep your mouth off our good name.
By go figure July 19, 2009 at 3:26 pm
People really don’t understand that “silence” even in politics can be a good thing.
By Elliott July 19, 2009 at 4:20 pm
“God Orders Sanford to Stop Putting Words in His Mouth” by Anonymous sounds like the God I know from reading the scriptures. It has the ring of a truth to me. I have doubts about this voice that talks to Sanford. Might it not be the Voice of Politcal Ambitions trying to woo the Evangelicals through Sanford?
By RighteousDem July 19, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Please, make it stop! Just when you think it can’t get any worse, somehow it does. Maybe the man should start his own party. No primary needed,or election for that matter. God will select the candidates. “The Divine Right of Governors.” I thought we’d abandoned such ideas centuries ago.
By 1+1=3 July 19, 2009 at 5:02 pm
this must be why Joel quit…sick of this guy not being able to keep his mouth shut and go back to work
By Micah July 19, 2009 at 5:04 pm
Elliott,
Your not the only one who feels The State paper sucks,”FITS does a great job of printing the South Carolina political news. I subscribed to the State newspaper for years until they quit delivering it here. Then,I tried reading it online. Now, I mainly read FITS and Brad Warthen’s blog for South Carolina political news. If you want it weeks late and inoffensive, The State should be your source.” Elliott, just look and read what Will Mordock of the Charleston City Paper has to say about our “The State” newspaper. Does this one FIT, Mr. Folks?
http://www.thestatecoverup.com/
Micah
By BC July 19, 2009 at 6:47 pm
Write your House member and seek impeachment.
By The Voice July 19, 2009 at 8:15 pm
The next time God speaks to Sanford, why doesn’t Mark invite an A. P. reporter to listen in.
Frankly, it should be mandatory that any powerful elected official who confesses to having an invisible entity speaking to them resign, or be impeached.
Bush claimed God was talking to him and look what the hell happened to the country.
By Not Sayin', Just Sayin' July 19, 2009 at 8:28 pm
Sanford HAS resigned; the guy that wrote this is just another pol. The reform movement is, for now, on hold.
By PandaChris July 19, 2009 at 10:58 pm
Not Saying, Just Sayin:
I have to disagree with you. I always supported Sanford but he has been exposed as a hypocrite.
The extraordinary waste of tax dollars that HE has committed go way back beyond his adultery.
He has been exposed as a hypocrite who preaches one set of fiscal standards for others but lives by a luxurious set for himself.
All by himself, he as shown he is a fraud…and he will bring down the reform movement in SC with him, if the reform movement doesnt disavow him.
By lou July 20, 2009 at 7:33 am
Something else is wrong ya’ll. This normally private man lost a battle for a lot of money, was it 700 or 350 million, personal control right?
He lost and he left the country with his phones off.
Now we are supposed to buy the story we are getting but everyone and his little brother knows Mark Sanford is lying about something.
By 1+1=3 July 20, 2009 at 8:13 am
A state reader pointed out this AM that maybe the gov should spend a little more time on schools.
…looking for ways to more humbly present the greater principals …
Principals is not spelled correctly in this context. S/b principles.
I’m surprised Jenny didn’t know that when she was writing this mea culpa.
By ethel krabitz July 20, 2009 at 8:26 am
the only thing Mark Sandford is interested in “reforming” is his own TO’ UP, shot out reputation. and it’s waaaaay too late for that.
just shut up and go away, you bible blabbering fool.
By Stinkbait July 20, 2009 at 8:43 am
I worked for the State of South Carolina for 30+ years & saw alot of people summarily fired for transgressions far less than this nit-wit’s. Unrelenting confessions & apologies might make him feel better; but he lied to us all – repeatedly & has made a laughing stock of our State, again. He is unfit & if he lacks the decency to leave, he should be shitcanned. We shouldn’t have to live like this for another 18 months.
By Recovering Lobbyist July 20, 2009 at 11:42 am
What, no inappropriate remarks from BIN?
By Jeffy01 July 20, 2009 at 4:20 pm
BIN used all his computer time this morning on the Hannah Montana web page. His mom only lets him on line for 30 minutes a day. Besides, BIN only likes the FITS stories with porn in them. So…this may be his thing the more I think about it.
By 1+1=3 July 20, 2009 at 4:54 pm
So week six starts and not a word about where the gov is or what he’s doing? This is too odd. Is he in Columbia or even in SC? Was his schedule released this week? He won’t quit based on the past but what is he doing today? Anyone?
By Jaded in S.C. July 20, 2009 at 7:06 pm
Perhaps he’s in the nuthouse.
By 1+1=3 July 20, 2009 at 8:17 pm
For the first time since his admission of an affair, Governor Mark Sanford is resuming his open door meetings with the public.
Tuesday, the governor is holding another set of his Open Door After Four meetings.
The meeting give the public a chance to talk to the governor one on one for about five minutes.
If you have something you’d like to talk to Sanford about, call the governor’s office at 734-1999. They won’t start taking appointments until 9 a.m. Tuesday.
By lou July 21, 2009 at 8:24 am
Go look at what C STREET has taught Sanford. He is better than the rest of us hence he keeps his job. AND WE LET HIM>??????????
By Jaded in S.C. July 21, 2009 at 4:18 pm
What do we do Lou? Petition? That’ll be 18 months to see any results from it. Take time out of our lives and away from our jobs and kids to go talk to Sanford for 5 minutes? In my neck of the woods, we can’t even get rid of a handful of dirty cops and a municipal judge though people have called SLED, the FBI, and everyone else and this has been at least for a decade. And I mean what they do is BLATANT. It’s been easy for the cops and judge, the cops just don’t make reports so there’s no paper trail. Informants, petty and big time drug dealers, people guilty of whatever it may be, and the people with wealth in this area are more than glad to ride the coattails of those in charge.
What do we do when our government goes sour? Start a revolution and get locked up or killed? Then it always goes back to new boss same as the old boss. A good bit of our country can’t even handle having a black president. What Sanford and most politicos do doesn’t suprise me. Power corrupts and I guess it is hell being under a microscope every minute of every day. Maybe I shouldn’t complain because I wouldn’t take on the burden of leadership and making decisions which affect so many. I do believe our governor has had an emotional breakdown. But who leads if he steps down? Locally, statewide, and nationwide I believe we are all waiting on a Nelson Mandela, a Mother Theresa, a John F. Kennedy, someone of the same mold. We have not seen one lead our state, nation, and in my area, locally, for quite a few decades now. Hell, most in office now aren’t even really decent people. But that has always been the case everywhere for all of time, hasn’t it?