The story of Sanford and Sin (I stole that from Keith Olberman on MSNBC) keeps getting curiouser and curiouser. After Governor Sanford of South Carolina was missing for five whole days his family and South Carolina government officials became worried. Where was the Governor? It was puzzling why a good family man would forgo spending Father's Day with his family. He is blessed with a wife who campaigned for him mightily when he ran for the governorship of the State of South Carolina. He is father of four handsome young sons that many another man would envy. And last year he was even considered for the slot as Republican vice-president. Beside that some folks honored him for his stance on not taking federal stimulus money for his state. He refused it in favor of pride that he would lead South Carolina to stand on it's own two feet as he feels any states-righter should do.
For five days last week neither Sanford's family nor his staff could say where the good governor was. But someone finally 'fessed up that the governor had mentioned hiking the Appalachian Trail, but he had not answered his cell phone so no one really knew where he actually was. Why would he be out hiking alone on Father's Day? Why would he be out hiking alone on what was also Nude Hiker's Day? We all mulled that over and a lot of us developed some sympathy for him and could sort of understand why he would want to get away from all the pressures of parenthood and governing a state. I heard a report that he had just vetoed a packet of bills the South Carolina Legislature had put on his desk, but they all were overridden and passed anyway. That might make him want to go out alone in his birthday suit and commune with nature. Of course he might have enjoyed it more if there had been time for the federal stimulus bill to make scheduled repairs on the Appalachian Trail. Poison ivy can be a menace when it grows too thick - especially to man hiking along in his all-together. I wonder if hiking boots count in nudity?
Then, shocking to us all, we find out that story was an attempt to cover up an illicit love affair with a certain senorita in Argentina whom he had met on the Internet. Their ensuing friendship developed into a steaming love affair that couldn't be contained to their computers and Sanford had made at least three trips to Buenos Aires to meet his Latin lover. Not only that, a reporter from a South Carolina newspaper received anonymously some passionate e-mail letters as long as six months ago that would make most Viagra-takers blush. I wonder if the 'tipper' will turn out to be Mrs. Sanford.
Oh you rascal you, Governor! You were neither hiking in the nude through Georgia on the Appalachian Trail, nor were you driving alone on coast roads in Argentina as you told us in another story of your absence. I wonder what further explanations for your South American escapade you will tell us tomorrow. It sounds to me as if you are having a mid-life crisis to end all midlife crises. I sympathize with you as you tearfully offer up apologies to family, friends and all the citizens of the whole United States. I'm crying with you, but I must confess my tears are from trying to suppress my laughter because of your ineptitude at conducting a clandestine love affair that even your wife knew about last Christmas. A sophomore in high school could have done better. Do you really consider yourself qualified to continue as Governor of South Carolina?
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Comments: 20
This guy is so stupid. I don't read the news too often, but I noticed this article on the home page today. His lies about his whereabouts and his cheating on his wife are just unacceptable. She said she'd welcome him back though!? Ugh. People like this should never be forgiven. Not something like that.
sounds like a winner.... too bad there's already so many reality shows on TV - this guy could be a star
That's about what he's qualified for. Certainly not for a public office. The affair, to me, is not that big a deal, just as I said with Clinton. As long as it does not impair his ability to govern, it's between him and his wife. But this guy isn't fit to have a wife, much less a governorship. He left without so much as a word to the guy who was to take over while he was gone. That's not acceptable.
This trash is whats wrong with the public.
While everyone focuses on this crumb government has another chance to slip something crooked by us.
The hypocrite quit so move on.
[Sarcasm Alert ]
That should end his run for Congress or the Presidency. Candidates for those offices must have mistresses who are good American citizens. No affairs with Argentinians unless they are living in the USA (remember Wilber Mills?)
[/Sarcasm Alert]
Oh, but wait! I hear the Newt thinks he'll get the next presidential nod from the GOP of hypocrits. He's had a number of affairs while married and served one of his wives divorce papers when she was in the hospital with breast cancer. He thinks we are so stupid we won't remember! Maybe the Newt and Sanford can be running mates.
Fish in a barrel. I think we should let it rest depending on what else he does.
This affair may cast doubt on his good sense but it has nothing to do with his positions on the stimulus package or other matters.
I think a lack of good sense has a LOT to do with his positions on the stimulus package and other matters. But that's just me. Republicans seem to be able to put their personal intergrity or lack of same in another world and expect to have everyone's respect here in the real world.
Too much repression and self-loathing will cause these kinds of breakthroughs into unacceptable behavior. Better to be real all the time.
Irrationality in one area of life does not mean that one is irrational in all areas. Someone could be briliant in politics or on solving social problems and a total dufus in other areas of life. We can't judge his positions on other matters by his foolishness in his personal life.
Well, how about the fact that the state paid for his trips to Argentina? Smacks of fraud and oh yeah, poor judgment. It is irrational that a man of his position would think he could pull something this stupid and outrageous off. The GOP is always willing to turn the other cheek when one of their own errs, but don't expect the same for a member of the other party. Double standards reign supreme.
It sounds like fraud or theft to me also. But even criminals (and he might be one) can have good ideas and can be right about economics or politics. I cannot judge his programs based on his ethics.
Ah ha! An affair. That sure beats a nudie stroll along the Appalachian Trail...with all those mosquitoes and blackflies...
Its really crazy. What is this world coming to?
And, lets not forget his words for Clinton: "President Clinton should resign!" due to his illicit affair with Monica Lewinsky....so, Sanders, where is your resignation?????
Oh the torture of being a caught hypocrite.
It's interesting that he chose to abandon his post AFTER the legislative session ended so there would be no risk of being censured. If someone has an affair that is between them and their spouse. However if it interferes with your job, especially if your job is GOVERNOR, then it is the business of the people that you have left without a leader. He violated the chain of command by not officially transferring his powers to the lieutentant gov.
This is DOUBLY EMBARRASSING, actually... you see, I thought the nude hike was going to be on the APPALOOSA Trail! Boy-o-boy my face turned SO red when I finally understood all the strange looks I received on that hike. Ha ha on me!
He was pathetic when he alloweded all those reporters to question him, but his former words of criticism about Bill Clinton and the fact that he was a spokesman for Republican family values makes him fair game now. He would have faired better being a nude hiker on the 'Appaloosa Trail' even with all that poison ivy, horse flies and mosquitoes and heat. Maybe he could have blamed it on an Appaloosa.
I listened to his so called apology and at one point he made reference to "the mother" (or maybe it was "the wife") which so objectified and emotionally distanced him from his wife that I give him NO credit for being genuinely remorseful. Anyone can turn on crocodile tears. He's a pig and should resign. Karma is going to bite his disgraceful hiney big time! He said he spent 5 days in Argentina crying and saying good-bye? I wonder if the seniorita knows that. My guess is he said good-bye when he got caught. Pig! Oh, sorry, I already said that.
This seems to be part of the usual pattern.