SC (R) Governor is missing, wife doesn't know

[Evangeline]

...where he is. But she's not concerned, because he just does this sometimes, disappears.

Weird guy. MIA on father's day.....

Gov. Sanford missing, office apparently unconcerned
By Reid Wilson
Posted: 06/22/09 05:05 PM [ET]

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford (R) has not been in his home state since Thursday, according to local media reports, and his office has declined to say where he is.

"Gov. Sanford is taking some time away from the office this week to recharge after the stimulus battle and the legislative session, and to work on a couple of projects that have fallen by the wayside," the governor's communications director said in a statement.

"We are not going to discuss the specifics of his travel arrangements or his security arrangements," Joel Sawyer said.

But even those close to Sanford are not aware of the governor's location.
Sanford, known for somewhat odd behavior, was last heard from Thursday when he left the governor's mansion in a State Law Enforcement Division SUV. His telephone has been turned off since a tower near Atlanta picked up its signal.

First Lady Jenny Sanford told the Associated Press she did not know where he husband is, but that she is unconcerned. As news of Sanford's absence spread on Monday, the governor's chief of staff called Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer's (R) office to tell him they have reached Sanford and he is fine.

Still, the absence has given lawmakers, with whom Sanford has repeatedly clashed, another opportunity to take shots at the sometimes eccentric governor.

"It seems odd that he hasn't been in contact with state officials in a while," state Rep. Leon Stavrinakis (D) told The Hill. "Hopefully he's safe and whatever he's dealing with will be resolved."

Sanford's wife told the AP the governor needed some time away to write something. But his absence on Father's Day weekend is notable. Sanford allies say his enemies -- most notably Bauer and state Sen. Jake Knotts (R) -- are simply taking advantage of an opportunity to get under the governor's skin, and that Sanford has a habit of going underground when he takes time away from the office.

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/gov.-sanford-missing-office-apparently-unconcerned-2009-06-22.html

[Lily]

According to sources, Gov. Sanford is hiking the Appalacian Trail. Okay. While a walk in the woods is good for clearing the head, taking a hike from running a state with no notice to your constituents, staff, or even your wife, seems a bit oddball.

[Americano]

South Carolina has never been what one could term a mainstream state. Strom Thurmond anyone?

[Evangeline]

Now it's being reported that his car is at the airport and he was seen by a federal agent boarding a plane last week.

His wife said he had to get away from the kids and write. His staff says he went hiking. And a federal agent says he flew somewhere.

He's coming back tomorrow apparently. I can't wait to hear what he says about all this. His Lt Governor is all over the news complaining about this disappearance.

[Americano]

He's probably disappointed and sulking because his vetoes of the SC budget and federal stimulus to SC were overridden by large majorities of SC state lawmakers.

[Michael]

This story just seems to be going from "odd" to "bizarre"!

Today they are reporting that the Governor apparently hopped on a plane to South America and has been in Buenos Aires for the last seven days.

That his wife didn't know anything about it and the Governor's staff were reporting the 'hiking' story shows that there's more to this story.

I'll bet on an extramarital affair being the explanation.

[Americano]

This story just seems to be going from "odd" to "bizarre"!

Today they are reporting that the Governor apparently hopped on a plane to South America and has been in Buenos Aires for the last seven days.

That his wife didn't know anything about it and the Governor's staff were reporting the 'hiking' story shows that there's more to this story.

I'll bet on an extramarital affair being the explanation.

I liked his 'just driving along the beautiful coastline' explanation for the trip.

[Birdzeye]

This story just seems to be going from "odd" to "bizarre"!

Today they are reporting that the Governor apparently hopped on a plane to South America and has been in Buenos Aires for the last seven days.

That his wife didn't know anything about it and the Governor's staff were reporting the 'hiking' story shows that there's more to this story.

I'll bet on an extramarital affair being the explanation.

Bingo!


June 24 (Bloomberg) -- South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford said he had been unfaithful to his wife and said he will resign as chairman of the Republican Governors’ Association.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/bloomberg/20090624/pl_bloomberg/ajzyci9wetpy_1

Damn, you're good, Michael! ;)

[Evangeline]

Michael wins the bet.

He had a press conference and admitted to having an affair.

What IS WRONG with these guys? Sheesh. He has 4 young sons.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/top/all/6495525.html

[Evangeline]

LOL Birdz. You owe me a beer.

[Michael]

Bingo!



http://news.yahoo.com/s/bloomberg/20090624/pl_bloomberg/ajzyci9wetpy_1

Damn, you're good, Michael! ;)

:rofl:

Yeah, its not too hard to see some of these coming... :lol:

[Donkey]

How peculiar.

[Americano]

Sure sounds like lust was the determining force. I mean a trip to Argentina for solace while incommunicado after his vetoes were overridden? A player. Those are some of the better experiences in life.

As a Republican governor in a state dominated by fundamentalist religion and holding the head chair on the Republican Governors Committee, his political profession is more than likely going to be relegated to a behind the scenes player. I do need to see pictures and bios on his wife and the new interest before condemning his actions.

[Lily]

Damn. It was so much more intriguing when I believed the Governor just up and decided to trek the AP. A simple extramarital affair? Pfft, how gauche.

[Michael]

I've always held to the idea that 'lawbreaking cops' are much worse than 'lawbreaking criminals'. Likewise, infidelity is only annoying/significant when it comes from politicians/religious figures who preach about the sanctity of marriage.

And as for my earlier bet about an extramarital affiar, if challenged, I would might have bet on a homosexual affair! That wouldn't have surprised me either. ;)

[Birdzeye]

I've always held to the idea that 'lawbreaking cops' are much worse than 'lawbreaking criminals'. Likewise, infidelity is only annoying/significant when it comes from politicians/religious figures who preach about the sanctity of marriage.

And as for my earlier bet about an extramarital affiar, if challenged, I would might have bet on a homosexual affair! That wouldn't have surprised me either. ;)

For me, my attitude is that I expect people to cheat on their spouses. I don't condone it, but I expect it to happen sometimes.

What I can't abide are the people who preach about morality, family values, etc., and then don't walk the walk themselves.

[Michael]

For me, my attitude is that I expect people to cheat on their spouses. I don't condone it, but I expect it to happen sometimes.

What I can't abide are the people who preach about morality, family values, etc., and then don't walk the walk themselves.
Personally, I draw the line for those who are married with children. I have a very low tolerance for adultery/divorce amongst this group. I think our laws make it far too easy for people to walk away from lifelong commitments.

I'm certainly not a morality crusader - I don't care what people do. I'm a public policy wonk and I know the data that shows divorce harms children in a very substantial way (especially for children under 12).

Any child of divorced parents (if the parents divorce prior to child age 12), the child has a significantly large increased likelihood of alcoholism, divorce, prison, drug abuse and suicide in comparison with the statistical norms. Ergo, I conclude that easy divorce laws is bad public policy due to the harm to children.

The connection with adultery is that adultery is a major cause of divorce, thus, a similar dynamic is in play - adultery hurts the children.

For this reason, I'm never sympathetic to any divorce or adultary situation involving persons raising young children.

As for the South Carolina Governor, I understand adultery is still illegal (and on the books) in South Carolina. I say charge him. To do anything less makes the State just as hypocritical as the adulterous 'family values preaching' Governor himself.

[Evangeline]

Damn. It was so much more intriguing when I believed the Governor just up and decided to trek the AP. A simple extramarital affair? Pfft, how gauche.

He sure did know how to make it a big story didn't he?


Dear Governor Sanford,

THANK YOU!

Sincerely yours,

Senator Ensign

[Americano]

Personally, I draw the line for those who are married with children. I have a very low tolerance for adultery/divorce amongst this group. I think our laws make it far too easy for people to walk away from lifelong commitments.

I'm certainly not a morality crusader - I don't care what people do. I'm a public policy wonk and I know the data that shows divorce harms children in a very substantial way (especially for children under 12).

Any child of divorced parents (if the parents divorce prior to child age 12), the child has a significantly large increased likelihood of alcoholism, divorce, prison, drug abuse and suicide in comparison with the statistical norms. Ergo, I conclude that easy divorce laws is bad public policy due to the harm to children.

The connection with adultery is that adultery is a major cause of divorce, thus, a similar dynamic is in play - adultery hurts the children.

For this reason, I'm never sympathetic to any divorce or adultary situation involving persons raising young children.

As for the South Carolina Governor, I understand adultery is still illegal (and on the books) in South Carolina. I say charge him. To do anything less makes the State just as hypocritical as the adulterous 'family values preaching' Governor himself.

Charging him with adultery and trying him in criminal court would be an interesting bump in the road for a GOP struggling to attract moderate voters. Damage control is hard at work, prayer, forgiveness and trust in god will be the major thrust.

[Michael]

Charging him with adultery and trying him in criminal court would be an interesting bump in the road for a GOP struggling to attract moderate voters. Damage control is hard at work, prayer, forgiveness and trust in god will be the major thrust.
I should of course expect him to be offered the opportunity to resign upon being notified of the intent to file charges.

Or rather if SC law likely requires, wait until the fellow has finished his term and then slap the charge on him.

(I understand it is very common for Legislators to be exempt from civil arrest while serving office - certainly is for members of US Congress as well as the Canadian and UK Parliaments - I assume it is there for Governors too)

I'm just stating what I thing ought to happen, not necessarily what I think will happen! :D

[Americano]

I should of course expect him to be offered the opportunity to resign upon being notified of the intent to file charges.

Or rather if SC law likely requires, wait until the fellow has finished his term and then slap the charge on him.

(I understand it is very common for Legislators to be exempt from civil arrest while serving office - certainly is for members of US Congress as well as the Canadian and UK Parliaments - I assume it is there for Governors too)

I'm just stating what I thing ought to happen, not necessarily what I think will happen! :D

He hasn't broached the subject of resigning other than offering apologies for his actions. Deals are being cut and negotiations require time. He trounced his opponents in the last two elections with public support, so I see a public 'values' reconciliation with lots of prayer as he still has, with recriminations and prayer, political value in SC. Nationally? Who knows what can happen after the dust settles.

Unless the Argentinian paramour is that irresistible, but that's also a wild card he can play. If there's enough wealth, he can have his cake and eat it.

[Michael]

He hasn't broached the subject of resigning other than offering apologies for his actions. Deals are being cut and negotiations require time. He trounced his opponents in the last two elections with public support, so I see a public 'values' reconciliation with lots of prayer as he still has, with recriminations and prayer, political value in SC. Nationally? Who knows what can happen after the dust settles.

Unless the Argentinian paramour is that irresistible, but that's also a wild card he can play. If there's enough wealth, he can have his cake and eat it.

His national career is over. He may politically survive at the provincial level, but any aspirations he may have had to move up the chain are now completely dead (though, he himself might not know this).

[Michael]

In a written message to supporters Monday, Mark Sanford asserted that God’s plan for him includes finishing his term as South Carolina governor.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0609/24353.html]Source

Are we to thus conclude that Mark Sanford's adultery/cheating/deception was also part of God's plan?

Odd God that Sanford worships there.

[Americano]

It is South Carolina. If it happens the reconciliation with his wife will involve much prayer and also be part of God's plan.

[Evangeline]

Can you believe this guy? Now he says he's had other relationships with women outside his marriage. He was actively looking. This wasn't just a fluke. He compared himself to King David, who cheated on his wife and had his mistress's husband killed. And David still held his power because he felt he was chosen by god. Sanford is a true nutcase.

[Lily]

It is South Carolina. If it happens the reconciliation with his wife will involve much prayer and also be part of God's plan.

From the little I've heard from his wife, she's not too interested. Can't say I blame her. The guy's a lunatic.