S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford’s tenuous grip on power loosened considerably late last week, as some of the governor’s closest political allies began privately encouraging him to resign rather than face all but certain impeachment charges.
On Friday, FITS reported that impeachment documents were already being prepared by members of the S.C. House of Representatives – many of whom are tired of waiting on Speaker Bobby Harrell to take action as allegations against the state’s embattled governor continue to mount.
After admitting in June to an affair with his Argentine lover, Maria Belen Chapur, Sanford has seen his image as a reform-minded, penny-pinching maverick shattered in the wake of withering scrutiny of his travel records. The governor has also acknowledged “crossing lines” with other women. Meanwhile, his wife, First Lady Jenny Sanford, has moved out of the Governor’s Mansion with the couple’s four boys.
Already a “lame duck” from a legislative standpoint, the joke around the capital city of Columbia, S.C. is that Sanford is now a “dead duck.” Almost, anyway. For the moment, Sanford has managed to remain in office due to the political intrigues swirling around his would-be successor, S.C. Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer.
Bauer has signaled that he is running for governor in 2010, which means his GOP primary opponents (namely U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett and S.C. Attorney General Henry McMaster) are doing anything and everything within their power to keep him from serving out the remaining 16 months of Sanford’s term.
Meanwhile, Harrell appears to be avoiding action on the Sanford scandal because he fears legitimate scrutiny into his botched government-run economic development efforts, which have cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars. So long as the heat is on the governor, the theory goes, no one will kick up much of a fuss over Harrell’s problems.
Still, the scales seem to be tipping further against Sanford with each passing day – as evidenced by the rising influence of impeachment “hawks” in the House, who are approaching this endeavor with the determination and patience of hunters stalking their prey.
“This isn’t going to be a David Thomas sideshow to get our names in the newspapers,” one of the impeachment hawks said, referring to a prior investigation run by an Upstate S.C. Senator. We are moving discreetly, meticulously and methodically … and we will get our man.”
Harrell’s already-weak hand could be further forced this weekend, as one lawmaker told FITS that the House GOP Caucus retreat in Myrtle Beach was going to be “(Harrell’s) come to Jesus meeting” on impeachment.
“The governor has committed impeachable offenses and the votes are there in the Senate to remove him,” the lawmaker said. “The House must act on its obligation to the people of South Carolina.”
Will Harrell bend to the pressure?
S.C. Rep. Greg Delleney, who is widely-viewed as Harrell’s proxy on the House Judiciary Committee (which is where impeachment charges would first be heard), has said that he will not make a move without Harrell’s consent, even though he is on the record in favor of the governor resigning.
Stay tuned … the soap opera continues …
By Not Sayin', Just Sayin' August 24, 2009 at 8:08 am
Good story. Is Sanford sufficiently in touch with reality to see that he should resign, or will he cling through conviction like Blago?
By bil August 24, 2009 at 8:42 am
What are the proven, impeachable offences?
By CNSYD August 24, 2009 at 9:01 am
Why have Ryberg, Davis, et al gone silent?
By Zack August 24, 2009 at 9:01 am
Anybody know where the luv-guv spent the weekend?
By enkidu August 24, 2009 at 9:09 am
Yes, so far as I know nothing is confirmed and most of the accusations are breaches of the letter rather than the spirit of the law. So far there is no evidence of malice. However, his effectiveness has been compromised and I am not certain that he will be able to focus himself to the matter at hand.
By Blarg August 24, 2009 at 9:42 am
Hey FITS, what’s going on in Aiken? I heard something about an Argentinian Polo Club?
By Commonman August 24, 2009 at 9:55 am
I guess some of the silent legislators just realized they live in glass houses that are about to be cracked.
By Lovernor part deux August 24, 2009 at 11:40 am
Hey Will, You obviously don’t Delleney very well. He is nobody’s proxy. The guy is unflappable!
By Richard August 24, 2009 at 11:53 am
This will make for an interesting pandora’s box. An investigation on eithics is exactly what most leadership House members don’t want. A Sanford investigation will ultimately roll right over into ethical violations of personal gains i.e. business ventures and state contracts. Corruption is abound!
By fitsnews August 24, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Rep. Delleney is unflappable when Bobby (or the trial lawyers) tell him to be unflappable.
Otherwise, we can assure you he is quite flappable.
-FITS
By shiya August 24, 2009 at 12:27 pm
If reporters start questioning Delleney about providing a cover for the Sanford-Chapur affair, I am sure he will be quite flappable.
By MKinVA August 24, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Think about it. Why would he resign when it’s obvious the Republicans in charge don’t want him to because of Bauer, their own skeletons, other nefarious reasons? Maybe someone will actually promise him a job (appointment) if he sticks it out because that plays into their plan for the next election. On a personal level, he can’t get an actual divorce until next year, so why not just enjoy the intellectual exercise? It’s not as if he can trade his resignation for staying out of jail. There’s no jail time here. This all goes with my premise that he has no shame and, therefor, cannot be shamed into anything.
By Yeah Doggie August 24, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Adultery is against the law in SC. Also, impeachment charges do not have to proved beyond a reasonable doubt to my knowledge. Rules of evidence would not apply, etc…
By shiya August 24, 2009 at 3:07 pm
MkinVA, I was told –by knowledgeable people on these forums–that the one year wait for divorce can be waived if adultary is proven…
By MKinVA August 24, 2009 at 3:48 pm
I think that is true however I believe Jenny may have waived that when she allowed the reconciliation trips. It only takes one sleepover and for the perpetrator to believe that he is being forgiven (by being allowed to “sleep” over). Hey, what can I say? It’s still a man’s world.
By Joe Bobby August 24, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Adultery trial/hearing can be requested 90 days after filing. Likely won’t get on the docket that quick if you have any real assets. A year + is more like it.
By ohwait August 24, 2009 at 4:35 pm
Adultery may be against the law in SC, but the crime wasn’t commited in SC. How can we convict him of crimes, not in our jurisdiction…
By anonymous August 24, 2009 at 4:52 pm
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A state senator says he’s found four more pricey flights by South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford that violated rules requiring officials to use lowest-cost travel.
Republican Sen. David Thomas says Sanford flew business class on trips to Austria, Germany, Poland and Asia that cost taxpayers nearly $14,000 more than economy class.
Thomas earlier said two other trips cost an extra $13,700. The Associated Press reported about Sanford’s pricey commercial flights last month.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/08/24/us/AP-US-SC-Governor.html
By anonymous August 24, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Mr. Sanford,
Sir? Sir, please tell us again who you want to apologize to? …uh uh uh well, I want to apologize to uh uh uh …wait let me finish…
See Mark Sanfords’s response:
http://punditkitchen.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/political-pictures-mark-sanford-apologize-wife.jpg
****
By shiya August 24, 2009 at 5:21 pm
A hilarious picture of Cubby Culbertson, Sanford’s spirutual and marital advisor. (cut and paste the link if you cant open it directly).
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2487/3727562046_f1702e96f2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.flickr.com/photos/capitolweekly/3727562046/&usg=__PT8qIvLR0xQhQtoZ68VQvTJ6lTg=&h=375&w=500&sz=56&hl=en&start=1&um=1&tbnid=QoHnK6eTqX-qRM:&tbnh=98&tbnw=130&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcubby%2Bculbertson%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1
By Hutchins August 24, 2009 at 5:23 pm
The Comptroller General’s office approved the cost of the flights, so they knew about the flights.
The Treasurer’s office paid the checks, so they knew about the flights.
The budget and Control Board is required to approve all foreign flights REGARDLESS of who pays for them, so they knew about the flights.
Members of the General Assembly were normally on these trips, so they knew about these flights.
The Budget and Control board formulated the procurement rules for purchase of the airfare, hence, if they approve it, it is, in fact, legal.
Correct? No? Yes?
A lot of people knew about these flights, or should have known. Why the surprise now?
By Longshot August 24, 2009 at 7:43 pm
What I like about this website is I first look at The State, then I come here to find out what they are not saying/reporting. Is The State backing off?
Whatever happened to Charleston lady with all the good poop. Haven’t seen anything from here lately.
Is there a address on the love nest in DC?
Keep on keeing on Fits.
By anonymous August 24, 2009 at 7:59 pm
Mark Sanfraud’s nose in definitely getting longer by the minute.
D-E-F-I-N-I-T-E-L-Y!
By anonymous August 24, 2009 at 8:09 pm
Here is a picture of Mark Sanford next year.
Jenny Jenny 8675309 …8675309 …you better get out while you still can.
Sanford’s picture for January 2010:
http://www.nd.gov/rio/Photos/MarkSanford.jpg
By Frank August 24, 2009 at 8:24 pm
What burns me up is that these same Senators like Jakie Knotts wants to yell criminal investigation or impeachment on the Governor, but I say a criminal investigation should be done on all senators (hint hint: Jakie knotts)and all house members taking and spending campaign money unlawful and against the same ethical requirments that they are so quick to point out on the governor. If the governor is investigated then so should all of the senators and house members. I bet that will stop alot of this polictial criminal investigations.
By Richard August 25, 2009 at 6:47 am
Agreed Frank
By anonymous August 25, 2009 at 7:38 am
Mr. Sanford,
Sir, what are you doing today? uh uh uh well, I’m making lemonade …uh uh uh wait, let me finish…
Sir, your doing what? Yeah, I’m makin’ lemonade out of lemons …uh uh uh I’ve been given so many lemons that I’ve started my own lemonade company …uh uh uh …
Sir, you have started your own lemonde company? Yes, it’s called the Bubba Gump Lemonade Company …uh uh uh….
Sir, what about being governor, I mean, when are you going to take time to do that? Look, I’m making so much money making Lemonade out of Lemons that I don’t have time for all that other non-sense …uh uh uh…
Sir, are you saying that you do not have time to be governor? …that’s right, how did you know? uh uh uh actually….
Sir, it sounds like your Bubba Gump Lemonade Company has been very successful? uh uh uh, well actually it has …in fact, it’s been so successful that …well, did you know how many other things that you can make out of lemons …uh uh uh…
Sir, actually no, I don’t know, how many things can you make from lemons? …anyway, like I was sayin’, lemons are the fruit of the sea. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, saute it. Dey’s uh, lemon-kabobs, lemon creole, lemon gumbo. Pan fried, deep fried, stir-fried. There’s pineapple lemon, lemon shrimp, coconut lemon shrimp, pepper lemon shrimp, lemon shrimp soup, lemon shrimp stew, lemon shrimp salad, lemon shrimp and potatoes, lemon shrimp burger, lemon sandwich. That- that’s about it.
Forrest, I mean Sir? Sir, it sounds like you have been really busy? ..uh uh uh …I’m not a smart man… but I know what love is.
Sir, what about being governor? uh uh uh …My momma always said, “Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” uh uh uh…
Sir, what do you believe is your sole purpose of being governor? …To do whatever you tell me, drill sergeant!
Sir, what about the Bubba Gump Lemonade Compamy? uh uh uh well, my partner Lieutenant Tom, he says I don’t have to work no more ’cause I was a gazillionaire, and I liked doin it so much, I make lemonade for free.
Sir, what about this self-inflicted gunshot wound, it was a bullet wasn’t it? uh uh uh ..a bullet?
Sir, the bullet that jumped up and bit you? Oh, yes sir. Bit me right in the buttocks. They said it was a million dollar wound, but the army must keep that money ’cause I still haven’t seen a nickel of that million dollars …uh uh uh That’s all I have to say about that.
Sir, have you given any thought to your future, son? uh uh uh …”Thought”?
Sir, what’s your idea of a vaction? uh uh uh …Vacation’s when you go somewhere… and you never come back.
Have you found Jesus yet, sir? uh uh uh …I didn’t know I was supposed to be looking for him, sir.
Sir, what are you going to do now? I gotta find Bubba! … I gotta find Bubba!
By just wonderin in Illinois August 25, 2009 at 11:32 am
Beware of using the impeachment process as it may just be a tool for other politicos to take advantage of Sanford’s problems.
The Lt. Gov. would then be an incumbent and they can be hard to beat.
By shiya August 25, 2009 at 11:54 am
“The Lt. Gov. would then be an incumbent and they can be hard to beat.”
If Gov Paterson’s experience is any indication, being an incumbent may be more of a curse.
By Charles August 25, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Come on guys. Why should he resign? His indiscretion pales in comparison to his Republican Party cohorts; John Ensign, David Vitter, Larry Craig, Mark Foley and Jim Gibbons. Of those only Foley resigned. They all followed the Republican rule. I.E. You can survive anything except a dead girl or a live boy.
By Upstate Native August 25, 2009 at 9:47 pm
Why go with impeachment and not just fire him as all state employees would have been.
If any state employee skips out for 3 days they self terminate most less 7 days. Work history does not matter just that the trooper, warden, agent, or whoever did not call in for 3 days and they are fired even if no work history problems for 20 years. I say fire him using state employee HR policy, he is paid by the state so treat him the same.
Since Lt. Gov has been elected twice wrong’s with him?
By sc observer August 25, 2009 at 10:27 pm
I have the sinking feeling that Jenny & Mark are both on some religious trip where they are out to prove to their children that one is more righteous than the other and SC is being taken along for the tortuous ride.
Jenny is the crusader who will keep the marriage torch alive because she is virtuous. Mark will suffer in agony in office a la Jesus on the cross. Scary stuff.
By Nancey Dupree August 26, 2009 at 10:39 pm
Mark cannot account for funds that he has spent from his 1.5?+ million dollar campaign chest. Is that not a Federal violation? How could you be so arrogant as not to keep documents and receipts!! These were cash expenditures. And I am sure he partied hardy with Maria with this money.