You can try changing the channel, but the show – lamentably – remains the same.
For seventy-one consecutive days (counting the week he was visiting with his Argentine lover in Buenos Aires), the soap opera of S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford has sucked all the oxygen out of a state that desperately needs somebody … anybody … to start leading.
Already getting beaten to the punch in virtually every competitive measurement that matters, South Carolina ought to be finding ways to pick itself up off the mat. Instead, we’re getting “transparency lessons” from a guy who lied to his family, his staff and the people of this state, and only came clean when he got caught with his pants down.
Friday afternoon, S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford traveled to Conway, S.C. to address a Lion’s Club meeting – but before that he held his third media “availability” in as many days to announce that he would be “waiving confidentiality” on an Ethics Commission investigation into his various abuses of state travel guidelines.
“Our administration has nothing to hide,” Sanford said. “We would welcome the public to scrutinize our record, just as the Ethics Commission will do.”
Of course, Sanford neglected to mention that he appoints the Ethics Commission – all of it – and several of its members are actually donors to its campaign. He also neglected to mention that the commission is worthless as tits on a bull, with a questionable track record and limited enforcement authority.
But hey, at this point it’s all about the public relations game and appearing to be forthcoming.
A few miles away at an annual retreat, Republican lawmakers from the S.C. House of Representatives were battling it out over what to do with South Carolina’s wayward governor. Most of them seem ready to impeach Sanford – perhaps even in a special session – but S.C. House Speaker Bobby Harrell is inexplicably standing in the State House door.
Speculation continued to mount as to what Harrell’s motivation may be for blocking impeachment proceedings, but our guess is it has something to do with Innovista, a failed government-run “economic development” project that the Speaker poured millions of tax dollars into.
Meanwhile, Sanford once again made good on his threat to begin exposing other politicians who he says are guilty of the same travel offenses that he is.
Fine with us … throw all the bums out, in fact, but start with Sanford – who continues to waste valuable taxpayer time and money by using his bully pulpit to try and save his own hide rather than trying to build support for the ideas he was elected (twice) to advance.
In addition to having an affair and lying about it, which obviously isn’t illegal, Sanford is accused of visiting his lover on a taxpayer-funded trip, accepting unauthorized upgrades to first class seats, using the state airplane improperly, failing to report air travel provided by his friends and political allies and using his official staff and security detail for personal and political purposes.
Just one of those things we could see looking the other way on … but all of them?
By Jonny D August 28, 2009 at 2:26 pm
If those so called “abuses” are not the very definition of chickenshit, I don’t know what is. And quite ironic that what’s most transparent is that personal and political opponents of the Luv Guv are using this chickenshit as a pretext to further their own varying agendas (Fits included, and the speculation is rampant as to why, but I personally lean toward “Ice Princess worship” as the cause). And in spite it all, the thing that remains constant is that Luv Guv is well liked by the people of South Carolina. I’m not sure you can say that about too many others who have involved themselves in this drama.
By bo August 28, 2009 at 3:06 pm
for harrell, it aint about innovista……it’s about poohtang
By I don't work for you. August 28, 2009 at 3:14 pm
And the freak show continues.
He must have gotten reinforcements from “The Family”.
He seems to have a whole new game plan.
His strategy:
Veiled threats to other leaders.
Reframe the argument.
Establish Conspiracy Theory
Come out swinging. (Though foolishly)
Call in every last favor. (From anyone that will still take his call)
Play to the friendly and stupid audience. (They’ll believe anything)
None of it will work. People are sick of this crap.
By Elliott August 28, 2009 at 3:45 pm
He can’t accomplish anything. At least now, we are entertained. With the legislature overwhelming Republican and six years, he couldn’t accomplish anything. The guy is a loser. He doesn’t know how to work with people. As we all know in the workplace it’s working with others that makes you productive.
By shiya August 28, 2009 at 4:28 pm
He looked VERY juvenile today at the press conf. Cnn has headlined their article as Sanford blasts media..I dont know what the strategy is at this point, but did this man ever have one. Didnt think I was going to see a bigger fool than Blago but this one has surpassed him in immaturity.
By Groundball August 28, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Apparently the Governor does not remember the scorn he held when he ran for office for previous Governors, Legislators, and State Employees for wasting money on travel. Since he got caught, he is using as justification that everyone else has done it, why not me.
In the last 9 months he has made himself, his staff, his Cabinet, and his causes totally irrelevent. He has become the Clown Prince of Politics. It would seem that he is trying to get himself impeached. It would probably be easier and more acceptable to him than resigning. He is now a man to be pitied.
By Mary August 28, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Johnny D…I would sure love to know what town you live in that still supports this freakshow of a governor.
And I’m quite sick of hearing this ice princess shit myself. Quit beating around the bush to make the rest of us think you know something secret when you apparently dont even know your ass from a hole in the ground. If you have something to say, say it, otherwise just sit down and shut up!
You are quite the minority in believing that horn dog should stay in office. He is not “well liked by the people of South Carolina” as you state…he’s only liked by you and those cats you sta cooped up with in your trailer, alone all day.
By 1+1=3 August 28, 2009 at 4:58 pm
Harrell must be one of those blow buddies of Sanford’s
By shiya August 28, 2009 at 5:20 pm
A smart post in the Huff Post:
“Instead of being born again, why don’t you just grow up?”
By Libb August 28, 2009 at 5:42 pm
By I dont work for you,
Couldn’t agree w/ you more. He(and the Mrs.) are getting their marching orders from The Family these days and this state is being used once again.
Me thinks there is more C Street behind this than what is being investigated/reported. With their penchant for manipulation, who can say with certainty that the revelation of la affair was not a distraction from “the rest of the story”.
Would love to know how much “biblical capitalism” has been practiced w/ out state’s money(State Retirement System’s investments come to mind) thanks to Sanfraud. No one/media has looked at the money trail. I find it very interesting that he & Jenny(that would be Jenny w/ the Wall St knowledge/background/connections) had to travel to Texas & Europe all of a sudden for “counseling/healing”. Something about this whole “soap opera” seems orchestrated and fake, just sayin…
By CNSYD August 28, 2009 at 5:44 pm
Johnny D is really Mark Sanford who thinks everyone, well maybe not Jenny, still loves hom.
By Huhhh??? August 28, 2009 at 5:49 pm
I think it all goes back to Thomas Ravenel and cocaine in the republican party and wellconnected rich in the Lowcountry.
Reggie Lloyd got his job at SLED after letting the Italian co-conspirator in that case flee the country.
The sentencing judge was appalled at Ravenel being considered “cooperative” by the Feds for not naming names.
The FBI agent involved got promoted out of state right after the case.
All this is right there in The Post and Courier and The State. I put it together and I don’t know why other people don’t think that case stinks to high heaven.
Bet fits knows ALL the details having worked in the governor’s office and all.
By Pamela August 28, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Thanks fits, keep it coming
By truthbetold August 28, 2009 at 6:12 pm
Hey Guv, while your exposing the other “good ole boy” politicians why don’t you expose the corruption in the family court system too? What happened to that family court reform?
By ohara August 28, 2009 at 6:45 pm
One poster at the State noted that Sanford is beginning to sound like Richard Nixon. He proved it today with his public announcement of who is on his enemies list.
1-The State newspaper (who have yet to call for his resignation-anything but in their editorials)
2-John O’Connor, reporter for the State
3-”Let me say to my friends in the press — some of your are friends, some you are debatable” – the ol’ you know who you are warning
4-Any member of the legislature who has the audacity to investigate his spending record + Bauer & Thomas
5-Anyone who tells Sanford in a Lions Club meeting that he “needs to resign because he is an embarrassment.” (now replaces John O’Connor at the top of the list)
http://videos.thesunnews.com/vmix_hosted_apps/p/media?id=5862759&item_index=1&all=1&sort=NULL
By MKinVA August 28, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Two days ago at his 1st infamous press unavailability, Sanford made a big production out of calling on the press to tell him how many first class tickets did his administration purchase. Two reporters guessed a dozen or 50? He said ZERO, 2 or 3 times, and used this as an example of the press fueling the story and the misinformation. This morning on a radio interview he said (as quoted in the Sun News):
“He said 230 first-class business tickets have been bought by state officials in the last 35 years. “I bought five,” he said.”
NOT ZERO?? Is 5 the same as 0? Is this the new, new, new math?? He said zero, but now it is five. The press should not allow this prick to get one more full night’s sleep. They should be dining on his liver.
By Liberty For Me August 28, 2009 at 7:47 pm
Ted Kennedy was a piece of shit Facist…Is that off topic?
By shiya August 28, 2009 at 8:38 pm
Ted Kennedy may be a piece of shit…that doesnt negate the fact that Mark S is one too. what’s your point.
By BIN News Editorial Staff August 28, 2009 at 9:33 pm
Our staff met today in executive session and came to the conclusion that gub’ner sanfraud is probably not taking your phone calls anymore?
Right? “Et tu, Brute?!”
By Candi August 28, 2009 at 10:03 pm
One thing is for sure, the meetings he has held are indeed full of people who still care for him. You could see people who were standing near or around him calling out support for him. I no longer think highly of him as I used to, but I think he deserves to serve out his term. Again, it would be more harmful to the state to go through that impeachment process and change of guard. Imagine your new Governor Bauer! :)
By Todd August 28, 2009 at 10:24 pm
So. After Sanford speaks in Myrtle Beach tonight – if it happens, where is off to the rest of the weekend? After last weekend’s debacle, shouldn’t somebody on this staff (average age about 24 now) have the sense to say, hey, let’s put out a press release saying something like Mark is actually going to work on a weekend and not play like one of the kids?
By You Can Call Me Ma'am August 28, 2009 at 11:10 pm
RESIGN rallies might get the message across to the Jonny D’s that are either deaf and/or blind (but unfortunately not dumb/mute) to the level of resentment toward Sanford in this state.
Forgive him? Whatever. That’s a matter for individuals to decide and not worthy of the costs incurred by taxpayers in furtherance of his self deceit. Is this not as wasteful as the federal Clunkers program or other federal (or state) spending people are dissatisfied with? His opportunity to preserve his dignity vaporized five minutes into the confession news conference.
Don’t go away mad, Mark. Just go away.
By Elliott August 29, 2009 at 10:00 am
I agree with Shiya. Let’s elect a grown-up next time. If the candidate doesn’t get along with other Republicans, it may be that he still needs to work on “plays well with others,” and we should send him back to elementary school.
I think I was in the fourth grade with Sanford. There was this kid who would cry and say “everybody’s always mean to me.” Can our governor be that kid? No wait, that was 30 years ago and my classmate grew up.
I’ll take Andre over Sanford. He’s never grown up either, but he’s at least stuck in late adolescence. “At the end of the day,” I’ll take a nineteen-year-old governor over a ten-year-old one.
By Upstate Lion August 29, 2009 at 10:23 am
Dear Mark:
Our Lions Club meets on the first Tuesday of each month. Are you available in September to come apoligize to us for your admitted affair with your “soul-mate”? We would also like to invite you back in October to apolizize for the misuse of taxpayer money; and in November for the failure to report the use of private planes; and in December for using your staff to run personal errands. We will look forward to your response.
By Liberty For Me August 29, 2009 at 8:15 pm
Ted Kennedy is a shovel ready project
By anonymous August 30, 2009 at 5:01 am
South Carolina Aeronautics Commission
http://www.scaeronautics.com/flight.asp#division
Flight Reports
http://www.scaeronautics.com/flightlogs.asp
Flight Manifests
http://www.scaeronautics.com/FlightManifests.asp
By Longshot August 30, 2009 at 8:17 am
Would someone please explain all this “C Street” stuff. I keep seeing references to it but I am curious as to what it all means.
By ? August 30, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Liberty for Me:
If you’re going to bash Ted Kennedy, bash Bush (the true fascist) while you’re at it. Your comments make you look stupid and uninformed.
By Elliott August 30, 2009 at 10:14 pm
To Liberty for Me,
We got it already. You do not like Ted Kennedy. He’s dead now, so you do not have to worry about him. If you ever have a new thought, why don’t you post it?