Whoa: Mark Sanford missing since Thursday? Update: Sanford OK
posted at 4:15 pm on June 22, 2009 by Allahpundit
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Not “missing” per se, just taking some time away from the office to write. Er, without telling his wife — or the lieutenant governor — where he was going. Or for how long.
By god, I think he’s presidential material.
First lady Jenny Sanford told The Associated Press her husband has been gone for several days and she doesn’t know where. She said she was not concerned. Jenny Sanford said the governor said he needed time away from their children to write something.
Sanford spokesman Joel Sawyer declined to discuss where the governor was. Sawyer told The Associated Press that Sanford was taking time to “recharge” after his failed fight against federal stimulus money.
Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer said he didn’t know where Sanford is but said he had not been put in charge.
Did I forget to mention that the cops don’t know where he is either?
Neither the governor’s office nor the State Law Enforcement Division, which provides security for governors, has been able to reach Sanford after he left the mansion in a black SLED Suburban SUV, said Sen. Jake Knotts and three others familiar with the situation but who declined to be identified.
Sanford’s last known whereabouts were near Atlanta, where a mobile telephone tower picked up a signal from his phone, authorities said.
Both his personal cell phone and his state phone are turned off and, according to one critic who claims to have spoken with the police, this isn’t the first time that he’s ditched his security detail. I assume this means he’s not running in 2012, as the thought of a C-in-C who’d jet off in the dead of night to Mexico to lie on a rock and just “be” isn’t what most Republicans have in mind for an age of terror — unless he takes the guy who carries the nuclear football with him, of course. Exit question: First this, and now news this afternoon of an earthquake in Alaska. Is he who bestrides the earth like a god finally taking cosmic revenge on stimulus opponents?
Update: The State reports that he’s been in touch and is fine, so no foul play here, just dereliction of duty. Whew!
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writing articles of secession?
james23 on June 22, 2009 at 4:49 PM
No, Fredo, don’t get on the boat!
Oink on June 22, 2009 at 4:50 PM
Yes, that would seem like 2 days…
ladyingray on June 22, 2009 at 4:50 PM
Ineffectual Fudge? He sure likes Obama…
alliebobbitt on June 22, 2009 at 4:51 PM
Duh.
Jaibones on June 22, 2009 at 4:51 PM
HA! Top story on Drudge!
Weight of Glory on June 22, 2009 at 4:52 PM
it’s so screwed up. Everything is wrong.
blatantblue on June 22, 2009 at 4:52 PM
yeah, that gig worked great for Huckabee too
gatorboy on June 22, 2009 at 4:52 PM
Four-day bender at The Cheetah Lounge?
Jaibones on June 22, 2009 at 4:53 PM
MANIFESTO!
juanito on June 22, 2009 at 4:54 PM
BS…. The guy can’t take a long weekend? Sheesh you’re pulling at straws here.
roux on June 22, 2009 at 4:58 PM
Gee a govenor goes missing for a few days and it’s big news. Our president has “been lost” for 6 months now and people compare him to God.
Geesh
proudteadrinker on June 22, 2009 at 4:58 PM
There may be another Senator named Flake, but Sanford just proved that he is one.
Kalifornia Kafir on June 22, 2009 at 5:02 PM
and what responsible husband does not let his wife know where he is for several days… just sayin
gatorboy on June 22, 2009 at 5:02 PM
Posted on SarahPAC:
“In the mysterious absence of my friend Governor Sanford of South Carolina, I’m in charge NOW!”
Posted on NYT/MSNBC/NBC/AP/ABC/CBS/LAT/DKOS/HP:
“Palin plagiarized Al Haig!”
Sapwolf on June 22, 2009 at 5:03 PM
Frankly, I don’t understand this story. Didn’t Teddy Roosevelt go hunting or camping without telling his security people?
technopeasant on June 22, 2009 at 5:03 PM
Can you just let him eat his waffles? It’s a big order.
danking70 on June 22, 2009 at 5:04 PM
Who hasn’t sat on that bar stool… to have your wife come yank you from it… in front of all your peers…
ericdijon on June 22, 2009 at 5:08 PM
No good husband would do that – under NORMAL circumstances. Having disobeyed the Lord of the Flies on the porkulus, I’m willing to cut him some slack and leave open the possibility these are not NORMAL circumstances.
Daggett on June 22, 2009 at 5:08 PM
I wish the President would disappear for a week.
JeffinOrlando on June 22, 2009 at 5:15 PM
Hmmm…and Rush is off until Wednesday.
SouthernGent on June 22, 2009 at 5:18 PM
What, is he having his skin darkened?
LibTired on June 22, 2009 at 5:19 PM
You may have a slight reading comprehension problem. AP’s attitude towards Obama could charitably be described as seething disgust.
DrSteve on June 22, 2009 at 5:21 PM
My God, an adult man left home for FOUR DAYS! Alert the med…oh, yeah, never mind.
mchristian on June 22, 2009 at 5:24 PM
Without the governor present at all times; everyone will lose their jobs and the streets will fall into disrepair and the electrical grid will stop functioning.
lorien1973 on June 22, 2009 at 5:26 PM
Just a week? You’re way too kind.
SouthernGent on June 22, 2009 at 5:27 PM
Relax… he’s just out fetching us South Carolinians some of them jobs so we can like live and stuff.
beekiller on June 22, 2009 at 5:28 PM
Daggett on June 22, 2009 at 5:30 PM
I always knew there was something up with Sanford, ever since that CNN interview he flubbed with Wolf Blitzer. He seems odd and goodness gracious he is refusing unemployment stimulus funds with his state running 12% unemployment! Not ready for prime time.
milemarker2020 on June 22, 2009 at 5:31 PM
Sounds like a big fat case of “none of your business”. I can’t imagine his wife not knowing where he is and not being worried.
froginthesky on June 22, 2009 at 5:35 PM
Sounds like another case of lust gone wild, but I could be wrong. Jeez, are all politicians nuts?
eaglesdontflock on June 22, 2009 at 5:36 PM
Are you daft? Staying in touch goes with the territory, either as Governor or husband. Perhaps his wife knew but isn’t saying. If she didn’t know and couldn’t get in touch with him, that marriage is over. And I sure don’t want a President that acts so irresponsibly.
eaglesdontflock on June 22, 2009 at 5:41 PM
No! Not the grid too???!
ericdijon on June 22, 2009 at 5:43 PM
Since a big deal was man of Sanford’s AWOL status, and now they say that he has been in touch and is fine, I’m sure they are willing to provide proof of that as well as an explanation of where he is.
myrenovations on June 22, 2009 at 5:47 PM
Gee, can we get Michigan’s Governor Granholm to run away and not come back, too? Maybe our state wouldn’t have a 14% unemployment rate right now.
karenhasfreedom on June 22, 2009 at 5:54 PM
Any reports of teen girls gone missing in the Atlanta area around the same after telling friends she was going to meet a “really nice guy she met on the Internet” are purely coincidental.
Neo on June 22, 2009 at 6:02 PM
I’ve officially given up on you, AllahPundit. How do you know that his “missing” was dereliction of duty? Reports say he told his staff where he was going. Earlier reports said that he was getting away to finish some things that had been sidelined due to the stimulus case. His wife was apparently unconcerned with his “missing”; why? b/c she probably knew what he was doing and didn’t want to the tell the worthless local rag, The State.
You have ZERO idea what he is up to yet all of this = “dereliction of duty” in your opinion. What if the product of his hiatus is a Capitalist Manifesto? Will you eat the largest pile of crow ever? Or will you continue to make unsubstantiated statements about beloved conservatives (Palin, Beck, Sanford) while hiding behind an alias?
LastRick on June 22, 2009 at 6:17 PM
While he’s at it, pick up our lowlife, disgusting, he’s bankrupting us Democrat Governor too.While you’re at it, stop by Washington D.C. and pick up our useless Commie Senators.
Jeff from WI on June 22, 2009 at 6:17 PM
The problem about the pleasant dream of Obama no longer there is Uncle Biden the Moron is next in line then the wicked witch of the west after him.
Jeff from WI on June 22, 2009 at 6:19 PM
Have you seen recent record unemployment numbers in SC? Everyone has already lost their job. The state congress and Sanford do not see eye-to-eye, to say the least.
LastRick on June 22, 2009 at 6:19 PM
Sanford is the man.
therightwinger on June 22, 2009 at 6:21 PM
Are you kidding me ?!? I would much rather MORE politicians run away than hang around, spend money, and generally screw up this country further.
_
When did politicians in any office become so important that if they aren’t present for a few days people complain and declare that there is “derelection of duty”? Get a grip people, we all will do just fine even if the entire federal government disappeared tomorrow. At least those of us who aren’t liberal and as such “victims” or moderate and unable to make reasonable decisions and take action.
_
I guess us conservatives would have to rise up and take care of you folks because you wouldn’t know what to do if your leaders weren’t present and on the job to tell you……
_
This sort of exemplifies the whole reason why it seems politicans from both parties believe the time is ripe for socialism in this country. Because there are so many who look to government and are worried when a single politician is absent without telling them where he went……
woodythesingingcowboy on June 22, 2009 at 6:25 PM
Politico follows up the Sanford story, further exposing AllahPundit’s misplaced criticism of the governor here.
I repeat what I said earlier,
LastRick on June 22, 2009 at 6:37 PM
More crap from the MSM: AP Division. [From Vic at Ace of Spades.]
So the source for going ape over this is a political enemy in the legislature.
andycanuck on June 22, 2009 at 6:45 PM
Yes, Jake Knotts. Long-time (and almost equally well-known) Republican rival in the state. Did AllahPundit mention this? Nope. Because he doesn’t care — just makes a crap statement about Sanford, doesn’t support it and then probably ran off to Twitter to make fun of his readers.
LastRick on June 22, 2009 at 6:49 PM
LastRick on June 22, 2009
Just convince AP that Sanford is really a northeast elite in disguise and he’ll be slobbering all over him.
SKYFOX on June 22, 2009 at 6:55 PM
Uhm, I think he was joking dude, chill. I like Sanford and thought AP’s line was funny!
javamartini on June 22, 2009 at 7:05 PM
Been here long? This is AP’s MO (as SKYFOX also alluded to). If the person in question is a good popular conservative (ie Sanford, Palin or Beck), you can rest assured AP will bash them (and typically bash HA readers who like them, hence, my Twitter reference).
As for the line being funny, it’s not. The GOP has a bad enough problem as it is attracting voters (I say this as a registered Libertarian); Hot Air as a website is a good website for solid conservative thought and for the most part is trafficked by good conservative readers. Why it’s handled by AP, on the other hand, I have no clue. I would think that the mission of Hot Air would be to help the conservative movement, not provide ammo for the Left. But that’s just me.
LastRick on June 22, 2009 at 7:16 PM
Hope Aunt Esther don’t find ‘im, de ol’ heathen fish-eyed fool.
sawbuck on June 22, 2009 at 7:19 PM
There is no champagne in the Champagne Room.
sawbuck on June 22, 2009 at 7:22 PM
Right on cue, Democrats claim Sanford is erratic.
Compare with AllahPundit’s opening:
These statements are different, how? Could someone please tell me how AllahPundit’s statements about Sanford were positive or helpful or constructive while the Democrats were negative? Yet you would defend AP.
Meanwhile, nothing from AP defending his statements; no surprise there.
LastRick on June 22, 2009 at 7:32 PM
“Dereliction of Duty?”
Throw those words around after some kind of crisis has occurred and an official is unavailable to deal appropriately with the situation, without reasonable safeguards in place.
Sheesh.
cs89 on June 22, 2009 at 7:38 PM
Most states could save real money getting rid of their Gov. & Lt. Gov. Instead get a horse that stamps his foot once for yes, twice for no.
Jeff from WI on June 22, 2009 at 7:40 PM
Another thought- does “dereliction of duty” apply to blog hosts who allow trolls to spam threads, repeat resumes etc. ad infinitum, and only clean up the threads after large numbers of commenters express disgust? And then let them back in under new screennames?
cs89 on June 22, 2009 at 7:40 PM
AP can be too critical of fellow conservatives for me, but I’ll take that over a party that protects its own no matter how corrupt.
Not sure his statement here does any real harm to Sanford.
jazz_piano on June 22, 2009 at 7:45 PM
Charles Johnson?
LastRick on June 22, 2009 at 7:46 PM
Then enjoy being the minority party.
LastRick on June 22, 2009 at 7:47 PM
Ah, but I’m not a Republican! (:
jazz_piano on June 22, 2009 at 7:49 PM
LastRick on June 22, 2009 at 7:46 PM
Nah. AP can run his site however he wants to. Think I can offer my take, though, and sometimes I can be a little too literal or hyperbolic.
Just expressing my opinion of his snark.
cs89 on June 22, 2009 at 7:50 PM
I basically agree with your point. But I can’t help but like AP.
jazz_piano on June 22, 2009 at 7:52 PM
Why not?
My guess, the same reason I’m not a Republican: because those in high profile positions in the GOP are not good conservatives. So why would you (as the moderator of a conservative website) repeatedly bash good, affable conservatives like Palin or Sanford who could actually draw conservatives/Libertarians like us back into the party?
LastRick on June 22, 2009 at 7:58 PM
Meanwhile, nothing from AP defending his statements; no surprise there.
LastRick on June 22, 2009 at 7:32 PM
.
Come on.
.
I would prefer Allahpudit give his take on the situations at hand. He is also a pundit after all. If something strange or out the ordinary (changes in a behavior pattern) occurs to someone, does not a flag go up for you. When someone or anyone for that matter exhibits an inconsistent way from their past, would not you call that any persons into question for that? Relax, in this instance, everything turned out fine. I’d take those Allahpudit’s comments under advisement for now. Honesty from Allah is preferred expression we here at HA should cherish and not dispose or demean but rather repose and admire.
Americannodash on June 22, 2009 at 8:05 PM
*Allahpundit
Americannodash on June 22, 2009 at 8:06 PM
As near as I can tell from the news reports, the only way Allahpundit could be positive or helpful toward Governor Sanford is to ignore what he did, ban any commenter mentioning it, and delete their posts. That’s not the kind of blog I want to read. And I’m a Reagan Republican.
Loxodonta on June 22, 2009 at 8:14 PM
Oh, Allah, I don’t know ’bout all that – after a few months of President Constant-Infomercial, I’m thinking a little peace and quiet might be nice.
uncivilized on June 22, 2009 at 8:19 PM
No, what AP could have done if he was a good moderator would be to actually report the entire story. For example, he could note how the story originated with Sen. Jake Knotts (R),
He could have reported how Knotts is a longtime Sanford rival so this seems suspect, especially given his wife was unconcerned. How long did it take me to find this? Eight seconds using Bing? But AP, hidden away in NY, has no idea what goes on in South Carolina and apparently doesn’t care. It gave him an opening to deride Sanford, so he took it.
LastRick on June 22, 2009 at 8:24 PM
I’d be pretty happy if the current C-in-C spent the next few years trying to find himself by lying on a rock in Mexico and not answering his cell phone.
I have my doubts about Special Joe…but at least he means well.
18-1 on June 22, 2009 at 9:26 PM
Odd man.
chansen9 on June 22, 2009 at 9:35 PM
See, that’s what I’m thinking…
uncivilized on June 22, 2009 at 9:36 PM
Regardless of who tattled on the governor, the governor’s behavior is extremely weird and does not bode well for his future.
Loxodonta on June 22, 2009 at 9:39 PM
Actually, he drove to Ga. to secretly stock up on soon to be FDA forbidden Cheerios.
Jeff from WI on June 22, 2009 at 9:44 PM
of course there was foul play, by the democrats in SC and the media. They knew sanford had a habit of doing this. They’re trying to turn it into a scandal. That is what the left does, create scandal where there isn’t any. Try to destroy the opposition by any means. Now it will be interesting to see how quickly and how many “conservative” pundits blindly jump in with thier opinions on sanford’s behavior.
peacenprosperity on June 22, 2009 at 9:56 PM
Read the comments here: there’s a fair number that have clearly turned on Sanford because they’ve bought the media yarn of an erratic governor. Look no further than this nugget which essentially translates to “I don’t care if there were partisan or jealous reasons to smear Sanford, they must be right“:
Bravo, AllahPundit, you’ve done it again. Palin, check. Beck, check. Sanford, check. Who’s next on the hit list? Hmmm, now that I think about it, maybe I’ve got this all wrong; maybe this is a Newt-esque way of starting a third party (or elevating the LP) by reducing to rubble every good Republican candidate. If that’s it, say nothing.
LastRick on June 22, 2009 at 10:21 PM
And the mystery is over:
Hmmm, isn’t Atlanta really close to the southern end of the AT? So Sanford wanted to get away for awhile after the stimulus showdown by going for a hike. Left-wing media and Jake Knotts gave him hell and AP willingly obliged. Teddy Roosevelt shakes head.
LastRick on June 22, 2009 at 10:46 PM
Who knew when his critics told him to “take a hike” he decided to take them literally?
Seriously, if he’s taking time alone (or with one or two friends/security) on the AT, it’s much better that it wasn’t on the evening news. Safer in anonymity than with a published itinerary.
Well… until now.
Thanks, guys.
cs89 on June 22, 2009 at 11:03 PM
And people wonder why red state governors like Palin are thought to have easy jobs………
Its stupid stuff like being out of contact for 5 days that creates the stereotype.
Speedwagon82 on June 22, 2009 at 11:05 PM
Teddy Roosevelt shakes head.
LastRick on June 22, 2009 at 10:46 PM
.
I have had about enough of your take on this subject. Don’t sight TR and what he is doing with his head. You are putting forth more information/updates to this story which is fine. Just don’t bring Teddy Roosevelt into this. What do you really know about TR. It appears to me your only knowledge of the man is based on the movie “The Wind and the Lion”. Back off now. Don’t expouse positions of any rhetoric here that really does not reflect what historians know about Teddy Roosevelt. His thoughts and actions of his policies have no content for the topic at hand. I will measure your comments here to support the topic at hand and only accept them as an minor addition to this conversation. Read my earlier post [ Americannodash on June 22, 2009 at 8:05 PM]
Americannodash on June 22, 2009 at 11:08 PM
I’m with you.
People joke about fearing Joe as the Prez, but I’d take him any day over Obama.
I used to think Obama was an empty suit, but he’s worse than that. He’s an empty suit with a mission, and no idea what he’s doing.
I think Joe would just coast for the remainder of the term, maybe puke in a foreign leaders lap, embarrass us a few times, but overall, not do any lasting harm.
Obama, on the other hand…
cntrlfrk on June 22, 2009 at 11:08 PM
Jeff from WI is a funny guy. Didn’t someone mention that Rush is off until Wednesday? Hmm. I wonder where Newt is this week? Sanford’s wife says he is off writing “something”. Maybe it is a platform for conservative candidates to coalesce around before next year’s primaries and general elections. I do find it odd that he chose Father’s Day weekend to get away from his kids…
Kevin71 on June 22, 2009 at 11:17 PM
This is from one of the articles popping up now.
Let’s see: Sanford decided to take some quiet time after the legislative session ended. Apparently, his wife either didn’t know his exact location, or was playing her cards close, but did state she was unconcerned. He apparently let a few close members of his staff know his approximate location, informed them ahead of time that he would be difficult to reach, and they know how to contact who they need to for the state business to function appropriately. In an emergency, they could contact the Lt. Gov.
Political opponents (Mr.
FifeKnotts in particular) blew this up into a national story, AP and other pundits ran with it and gave it more oxygen, and this will now be a “scandal” that Sanford will have to contend with if he decides to run.Did I miss anything?
cs89 on June 22, 2009 at 11:30 PM
OK so he was supposedly hiking the Appalachian Trail…but why from Atlanta? Springer Mt. is not that close to Atlanta; it’s easier to get over to the trail from Greenville, S.C. than Atlanta. Plus, it was Father’s Day weekend; he has 4 sons. I’m wondering why he didn’t take at least one of them with him. The whole story is just plain weird IMO.
howIroll on June 22, 2009 at 11:36 PM
howIroll on June 22, 2009 at 11:36 PM
You do know I20 goes directly from Columbia (SC capitol) to Atlanta, right? Greenville may be closer to Springer, but I don’t think it’s an easier route from Columbia to Springer.
I’d hope he was in touch with his family too, but I’m not sure how old his sons are exactly but think they’re kind of young. Probably be pretty hard for, say, a 12-year-old boy to keep up with a healthy adult male on a weeklong hiking trip.
Sanford has opened himself up to criticism on this, but you’re wide of the mark IMO.
cs89 on June 22, 2009 at 11:54 PM
I’ll add one more thought to this thread- Sanford needs to learn from this event if he has national aspirations. He has exposed a vulnerability that opponents will use to discredit him.
Nevertheless, at its core I see his actions (at least professionally) as emblematic of a Conservative philosophy of government- lay out the principles, put people in charge of doing the job, and trust them to do it. IMO, it’s a more naturally Democratic tendency to micromanage and make sure “you can call me anytime,” and “I feel your pain.” In broad strokes, Libs say “Look at what I’m doing for you!” and Conservatives say “Let’s get Govt. out of the way. Look what you can do through your own initiative!”
cs89 on June 23, 2009 at 12:00 AM
Will he be saying that he came upon a burning bush while he was up there, and that he brought back some Words to lead the GOPs from wandering in the desert?
bayview on June 23, 2009 at 1:06 AM
cs89, Sanford’s oldest son is 16 and bigger than he is. The next one is almost 15. I think they could’ve handled a hike with their Dad on Father’s Day. I’m not casting aspersions, just sayin’ it seems a bit odd.
howIroll on June 23, 2009 at 1:57 AM
AP, you are one funny dude. lol
Maggie45 on June 23, 2009 at 3:07 AM
Bizarro tale to say the least!
Guess we will uncover more details in the days to come.
sarahpalinfan99 on June 23, 2009 at 5:34 AM
Exactly. The governor of a state wanted to go for a hike on the AT; he had certainly earned one. Now if you’ve been there, the AT’s not exactly well-lit and heavily guarded. So do you announce your itinerary — hey, I’ll be in the Shenandoahs on the 12th — for the public to find you? Of course not.
LastRick on June 23, 2009 at 7:46 AM
He was a naturalist that enjoyed the outdoors, apparently just like Mr. Sanford. So I’m pretty sure TR would approve of taking a hike. Perhaps he would enjoy one of these trails?
Try this in the future: Bing.com or, if you have to, Google.
LastRick on June 23, 2009 at 7:53 AM
You go to Atlanta because that’s where good transportation is. You can find lots of information about shuttles to Springer Mountain here. Greenville, SC is great but if no one there wants to give you a lift, then it’s worthless.
Remember when, for Father’s Day, BHO played golf? Not a child to be seen (well, Biden was there). Anyone criticize him for leaving the girls at home? Nope. And you’re assuming the boys had no say in the matter and had to go along if told to.
LastRick on June 23, 2009 at 8:01 AM
Talk much?
Coronagold on June 23, 2009 at 8:34 AM
Sanford is such a joke. This guy wants to be president? A disaster waiting to happen.
Constant Parrhesia on June 23, 2009 at 8:38 AM
“dereliction of duty”????
What?
The comments are even worse: “marriage is over”???
What?
Look, Governors aren’t vital to day to day operations, and they don’t have control over the response to a nuclear attack. If he wants to get away and think for a long weekend- good for him.
We could use more politicians who don’t think the world will stop turning if they aren’t around to keep twirling it.
Calvin Coolidge said it very well that “It is a great advantage to a president, and a major source of safety to the country, for him to know that he is not a great man.” The same goes for the vanity of thinking you are indispensable just because you got elected to office.
As for the marriage- has anyone ever heard of “trust” before. He told his wife “I need to get away and write” and she says, sure- and she’s not worried.
If the wife isn’t worried then I’m not worried.
Sackett on June 23, 2009 at 8:50 AM
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