Allies Tell Sanford To Resign
Two of S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford’s closest legislative allies told him on Tuesday that the time had come for him to step down for the good of the state.
State Representatives Nathan Ballentine (R-Lexington) and Gary Simrill (R-Rock Hill) met with Sanford in his office in Columbia, with both lawmakers urging the governor to either resign or face impeachment by the S.C. House of Representatives and removal from office by the S.C. Senate when the legislature reconvenes in January.
Nearly all elected Democrats and dozens of Republican leaders in South Carolina have already called on Sanford to step down – and FITS recently broke the news that House members had begun the process of preparing impeachment documents.
Seemingly by the day, Sanford’s prognosis for survival worsens – although sources tell FITS that S.C. House Speaker Bobby Harrell remains reticent to move against the governor.
Earlier this summer, Sanford admitted having an affair with his Argentine lover, Maria Belen Chapur, and lying to his family, staff and the state about his whereabouts. Days later, just when it appeared the scandal had died down, Sanford granted an ill-fated interview with the Associated Press in which he called Chapur his “soul mate,” admitted “crossing lines” with other women and said he was trying to “fall back in love” with his wife – who has since moved out of the Governor’s Mansion with the couple’s four boys.
As his personal life has unraveled, scrutiny into Sanford’s travel as governor has uncovered numerous irregularities, including unauthorized airline upgrades, improper use of the state plane and a failure to report air travel provided by friends and political allies. Former staffers have also begun to spill details of the governor’s alleged misuse of his staff and security detail.
Sanford reportedly told Ballentine and Simrill that he has “done nothing illegal,” a claim that would certainly appear to contradict the evidence at hand.
Meanwhile, S.C. Attorney General Henry McMaster – who is running to replace Sanford – has twice passed the buck by asking two agencies that report to the governor to investigate him. One of those agencies is stacked with Sanford’s campaign contributors.
That “conflicted” approach isn’t flying with lawmakers.
“He will either resign or we will remove him,” one of the state’s top Republican legislators told FITS. “It’s as simple as that.”
Another key GOP legislative leader echoed that assessment, telling FITS that Sanford would either voluntarily resign prior to the beginning of the next legislative session or “be gone no later than February (of 2010).”
There is literally no good news for the governor at this point. His already limited legislative support has completely evaporated, the public has turned on him, the media is stalking him like a wounded Wildebeest and it seems each week another fresh round of accusations hits the fan.
Plus, he’s without his top strategist – the wife he cheated on.
Sanford, however, remains Quixotically committed to staying in power – and was unswayed by the pleas of two of his strongest legislative supporters.
“I think he’s going all in,” Ballentine said of the governor’s high-stakes play to hang onto his office.
That would certainly confirm reports we’ve heard from others who have attempted to broach the subject with Sanford.
“I can appreciate his fighting spirit,” Ballentine told FITS. “But I also want to believe that he understands what’s happening – and that he truly wants to do what’s in the best interests of our state and our citizens. I just don’t see how him staying in office for the next sixteen months will accomplish anything for our state or our people.”
Comments
By Benjamin Linus on August 26th, 2009 at 1:00 am
I hope the GOP members are listening to the voters Sanfraud has to go so that our state can move forward.
By Karla M. McGowan on August 26th, 2009 at 2:21 am
Why isn’t Ego Idiot Sanford at the Southern Governor’s Conference?
By Interloper on August 26th, 2009 at 5:46 am
You have insulted a fine species, the Wildebeest, by comparing it to Mark Sanford.
By anonymous on August 26th, 2009 at 5:52 am
Mark Sanford pleads “not guilty”
Isn’t that what all criminals do?
Thomas Ravenel pleaded not guilty to cocaine charges via his attorneys while in the Sierra Tucson treatment facility in Arizona. The judge mandated that Ravenel must appear in court as soon as he’s released from treatment.
As I recall, Thomas Ravenel went to prison.
“I haven’t done anything thing illegal!” …
I can hear Sanfraud now “I haven’t done anything thing illegal!”
Isn’t that what all criminals say?
By Bryan on August 26th, 2009 at 7:53 am
Does anyone think Andre Bauer can escape the same scrutiny concerning the disclosure of private air-flights? Or the use of the state airplane? Or the campaign irregularities of renting yachts for for greatly reduced rates from trial lawyers and claiming them improperly on State forms?
So in the end it comes down to the affair. And how many of our state leaders are innocent of that? And can Bauer pass the “sex test”, when the eyes of the state are on him?
We are wading into a mess that is being fueled by big money that wants a change in the governors office. We should be very very careful where we take all of this. Big money people will be happy, but will the citizens?
By Barney Fife on August 26th, 2009 at 7:55 am
So, the legislature spends all this time and money to impeach a Governor that will be out of office in Jan. ‘11. That is only 10 months after the February ‘10 deadline set by Ballentine. That will also be just 3-4 months before they adjourn.
Why? What purpose does it serve? This is a lot of money and time wasted. The GA showed last year that they could get all their “stuff” done in an abbreviated time. Why not cut this impeachment stuff out, and come back late February?
I guess my frustration is, you see idiots like David Thomas working for face time on the TV. Anyone who would vote for that moron is a moron. I don’t want to see 172 morons clamering for face time on TV.
If he doesn’t resign let him stay and rejoice in January ‘11. GA, do something for the people for once.
By Toyota Kawaski on August 26th, 2009 at 8:19 am
the man has some mental issues
By CNSYD on August 26th, 2009 at 8:21 am
anonymous, it depends on what set of rules are applied whether Sanfraud is guilty or not in his own mind. He believes there are two sets of rules. One for the masses like you and I and a totally different set for the few who have been chosen by God to lead the masses. The chosen basically have no rules other than a few physical ones like gravity. Once chosen it is forever and you can’t do anything to get unchosen. All this is hard for us poor serfs to understand. Our only job is to cater to the chosen.
By Gina on August 26th, 2009 at 8:46 am
This may be a stupid question, but, do governors get pensions or other perks when they leave office?
By Earl Capps on August 26th, 2009 at 9:29 am
I don’t what Bauer’s enemies are afraid of. They keep insisting they’ve got the goods on him, so wouldn’t letting him ascend to the Governor’s office now give them an opportunity to take him out before the June primary?
Maybe I’m too conspiracy-minded, but if I had something big on someone, I would want them to position themselves to where I could take them down. For those who want to get Bauer, this is an opportunity on a golden platter. They should be begging the legislature to send Sanford packing.
It makes me think they really have nothing and are bluffing, in hopes nobody will call them on it.
By PandaChris on August 26th, 2009 at 9:35 am
Where is Nikki Haley in all of this?
I dont know where she is, but I know where she isnt going…the Governor’s mansion.
By CNSYD on August 26th, 2009 at 9:46 am
Bryan, it matters not about Sanfraud’s affair(s). What got people pissed was him preaching one thing but doing another. People will put up with affairs. Note John Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, Bill Clinton, etc. What you are seeing is push back due to the duplicitous nature of his actions as well as his arrogance in all things.
By bryan on August 26th, 2009 at 9:56 am
Earl
Why should we go from fire to frying pan?
It would be awful to ditch mark then go though same process with Andre.
U are respected blogger…why don’t u foi bauer for all private flights since he became lite gov?
Better to know now than later. Do we really need two inpeachments!
By Billy W. on August 26th, 2009 at 10:27 am
Ballentine going to Sanford and asking him to resign over an affair? Perhaps the Gov didn’t take it serious because of the source … Ballentine got caught cheating himself! Just ask the police Cheif of Irmo…
By 1+1=3 on August 26th, 2009 at 10:28 am
Sanford won’t go and they won’t force him…
By bryan on August 26th, 2009 at 11:21 am
Who paid for bauers flights to see howard rich…in new york and dc?
By Franklin Gary on August 26th, 2009 at 11:46 am
I can not believe the poeple that are asking Gov. Sanford to step down. I can only hope that they do not live in glass houses. Besides, does not our General Assembly have other things to do. Maybe like serving the citizens of South Carolina.
By shiya on August 26th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
Noone cares about the affair…remember there were calls for resignantion following the press conference, and when he didnt resign, people left him alone. Since then, a large of abuses have come into light. You may argue that they dont prove anything illegal was done, but why isnt he allowing the probe to be made public. Every move of his reeks of selfishness and really, I am appalled that people are still focusing on the affair. Going awol was bad enough, but everything else following that was inexcusable. Clinton for all his faults, DID go through a probe and impeachment proceedings. If SC is too poor to waste resources on this, he should simply resign. To insist that he be left alone is simply laughable.
By anonymous on August 26th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Mr. Sanford,
Sir, are you there? Yes.
Sir, are you there? Yes, I’m here! …Why do you keep asking me that! uh uh uh wait, let me finish…
Sir, are you going to resign? NO!
Sir, are you sure that you’re not going to resign? …uh uh uh well, I tell you what, “when pigs fly”, then I’ll resign, okay? Not until then, but when pigs start flyin’ then I’ll resign…uh uh uh
Sir, you may want to take a look at this picure? uh uh uh What picture?
Sir, this one:
http://www.2000shareware.com/bm~pix/flying-pigs~s600×600.jpg
GOTCHA!
By Zach on August 26th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Somebody call Mark’s mother, Mrs. Peyton, and tell her to take that boy out behind the woodshed at the farm and have a good talking with him. Like she should have done when he was 4.
By Paycheck Economics on August 26th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
A Governor is the leader of his state political party. If the SC Republican Party does not remove Mark Sanford from office, then that would make the Mark Sanford the political and moral leader of the SC Republican Party, and give Democratic Party the moral leadership position in South Carolina.
By Jonny D on August 26th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
It’s very easy to “pig pile” on Luv Guv at this point. And Fits is certainly a leader of the gang (and a traitor at that). Hey, I admit that this website is juicy, entertaining, well produced and knows how to show a nipple. But that doesn’t change the fact that Fits and everyone else calling for Luv Guv’s head are continuously pleasing themselves just wallowing in this shit. What people need to realize is that all of the alleged abuses are just being used as a pretext. If you shine a spotlight on any of the 49 other governors in this country, you will find exactly the same kinds of things, and in many cases much, much worse. So step back and keep it in perspective. South Carolina isn’t going anywhere, rumor has it that the state will still be around in 2010, and even 2011!
By shiya on August 26th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Johnny,
you are engaging in the same “everyone does it excuse” that the gov uses.
By MKinVA on August 26th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
JonnyD: I heard South Carolina is going down hard in 2012. That’s what North Carolina said. Hee, hee. Seriously, a former Governor of Va. was in trouble for a time for using the state planes/helos to visit his girlfriend who lived just an hour up the road. It all worked out okay though after everyone screamed “he can’t do that,” said girlfriend simply sent HER helo to pick him up on Fridays. Ain’t Love Grand??
By Boo on August 26th, 2009 at 10:51 pm
Has anyone heard what Chip Campsen has said about this issue? Aren’t they old buddies and fellow back scratchers ?
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