The plot thickens: Federal agent spotted Sanford at airport on Thursday
posted at 6:45 pm on June 23, 2009 by Allahpundit
Remember, we’ve already had two different explanations for where he went. His wife claimed he’d gone off to write, although she didn’t know where, then his spokesman claimed he was out hiking the Appalachian Trail. And yet, even in some of the reports of his absence yesterday, the curious fact that his cell phone signal was last detected near Atlanta was being noted.
Now this. Eccentric disappearances are bad enough, but eccentric disappearances plus lies?
On Tuesday, sources told News 4′s Nigel Robertson that a state vehicle is missing and was tracked down, not to the Appalachian Trail, but to the Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta.
Sources told Robertson that a federal agent spotted Sanford in the airport boarding a plane. Robertson was told that the governor was not accompanied by security detail.
Sanford has been out of reach for more than four days, including Father’s Day.
Sawyer has emphasized that the governor was hiking on the Appalachian Trail and that it wasn’t something the staff or Jenny Sanford were concerned about.
But sources told WYFF News 4 that the federal agent who spotted Sanford saw him at the Atlanta airport, which is about 80 miles from the start of the trail.
Sanford’s a guy with many political enemies, even within his own party, so it’s not unthinkable that someone seized on the detail about his cell phone and spun some garbage about a mysterious flight out of it. And yet, the fact that even his wife didn’t know where he was going is decidedly odd and suspicious. What if there was a family emergency? Exit question: Theories? Is this a set up or a cover up? And does Mrs. Sanford really not know his whereabouts?
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Yet, God help them if they go Hunting, Fishing, do a family outting without telling the Media!
Sorry Baldi.. even if Obama went out for a weekend with his family.. It wouldn’t change my opinion. Everyone has the right to have a moment or a few moments to themself.. with or without family. As long as their family knows, which I am sure they did.
I has someone say the same to me, Run for Office up here. I didn’t say what you say.. I think I said something a little more off color though.
upinak on June 23, 2009 at 8:07 PM
LOL..and his college records.
Jeff from WI on June 23, 2009 at 8:07 PM
Will it make him go away permenantly?
upinak on June 23, 2009 at 8:08 PM
Must have SPOT!
Upinak on June 23,2009 at 7:47PM.
upinak: Have you seen the latest model?
Its called Gravity SPOT,G-SPOT for short!:)
canopfor on June 23, 2009 at 8:09 PM
Robert_Paulson on June 23, 2009 at 8:01 PM
.
I liked the part when you were dressed like a busboy and put a rubber band around the police comissioner bag of marbles.
Americannodash on June 23, 2009 at 8:09 PM
Upinak: I don’t think Baldi or myself has said that the media needs to be informed about such trips. Just their own staffs.
I realize that you’re defending these people’s rights, but I think you’re reading too much into what some of us are saying.
Scott H on June 23, 2009 at 8:09 PM
I don’t know if you are joking or not..
upinak on June 23, 2009 at 8:10 PM
Sooo….is he back yet?
dmarie on June 23, 2009 at 8:10 PM
Well if he did have Palin’s baby then we can expect Megan McCain and Colin Powell to be hooking up any day now.
Limerick on June 23, 2009 at 8:11 PM
dmarie on June 23, 2009 at 8:10 PM
He called his chief of staff, was “taken aback” by the reaction, and indicated he will be in the office Wednesday.
cs89 on June 23, 2009 at 8:12 PM
Another one bites the dust.
molonlabe28 on June 23, 2009 at 8:13 PM
Too weird, that’s all.
ddrintn on June 23, 2009 at 8:13 PM
Heh.
Weight of Glory on June 23, 2009 at 8:13 PM
Glenn and Stu were joking about it today. They chalked it up as a smear from his enemies.
V15J on June 23, 2009 at 8:13 PM
P.S. Really though, he’s counseling Jon and Kate. Save that show and you save the institution of Reality TV Marriage no matter what Megan McCain says.
MirCat on June 23, 2009 at 8:02 PM
Must not have worked since J&K are getting divorced and they stopped production on the show.
txag92 on June 23, 2009 at 8:14 PM
Quick email Andrew Sullivan! That will make his head explode for sure. :)
baldilocks on June 23, 2009 at 8:07 PM
.
Dear lady, you are late to the party. That remark was laid down before your arrival.
.
[ps] Andrew Sullivan gets his best ideas from reading this blog. Don’t tell anybody that I let the cat out of the bag.
Americannodash on June 23, 2009 at 8:15 PM
molonlabe”
Why do you say that? I think it is weird that people are stalking the man. Who cares?
Terrye on June 23, 2009 at 8:15 PM
I don’t know if your joking or not..
upinak on June 23,2009 at 8:10PM.
upinak:
Upinak,sorry,I’m full of do do,just trying to lighten up this thread upinak,thought you might find it a tad funny!:)
canopfor on June 23, 2009 at 8:15 PM
Prediction: The media will soon uncover a mistress.
fastestslug on June 23, 2009 at 8:16 PM
actually I went ot the SPOT website going damnit I thought I got the best one!
Ya turd LOL
upinak on June 23, 2009 at 8:16 PM
Opinion must give way to fact. One cannot be both a publicly elected official and a private citizen.
No they don’t. Ask anyone who has ever been in the military. Of course, being a publicly elected official requires putting up with far less intrusiveness but by the nature of the position, you can’t just come and go when you want to–by the very oath sworn.
baldilocks on June 23, 2009 at 8:16 PM
Am I the only one that finds this whole discussion ironic? For the past 36 hours or so, we’ve been treated here at Hot Air to multiple threads and updates about a governor trying to get away for a while, trying to unwind after a hard fight with his own congress and courts, trying to gain a little anonymity on the AT somewhere, all of this presented to us by a moderator that refuses to reveal his name/identity?
AP, how do you justify writing any of this junk? What wife do you answer to? what constituency? what aide or assistant? Yet, you so easily cast judgement (before all the facts are in, mind you) about a guy who does have to deal with this day-in and day-out. You live every day in anonymity but won’t begrudge this man one day of it. Ridiculous.
LastRick on June 23, 2009 at 8:17 PM
Well if he did have Palin’s baby then we can expect Megan McCain and Colin Powell to be hooking up any day now.
Limerick on June 23, 2009 at 8:11 PM
.
Okay now I just lost my appetite for dinner.
Americannodash on June 23, 2009 at 8:18 PM
Drat. :)
baldilocks on June 23, 2009 at 8:18 PM
To help our slower readers I have consolidated the thread into the major theories of the governor’s whereabouts…
1. (320 votes) Kirk left him on Genesis.
2. (2 votes) Recovering from having Palin’s Baby.
3. (1 vote) POD PEOPLE!
Limerick on June 23, 2009 at 8:19 PM
AP, Dude, where do you find these people?
baldilocks on June 23, 2009 at 8:19 PM
Well,if…
Limerick on June 23,2009 at 8:11PM.
Limerick: That would be titillating,to say the least!
Interesting name match-ups though!
Meghan Powell, or,
McCain Colin!:)
canopfor on June 23, 2009 at 8:20 PM
LastRick on June 23, 2009 at 8:17 PM
.
Just when I was starting to have fun………
Don’t start your TR hanging his head sh!T again or I will harass your a@S throughout the remainder of this thread.
Americannodash on June 23, 2009 at 8:21 PM
Baldi: I agree with you, but I also agree with Upinak’s heretofore unstated issue that the media does not have a ‘right’ to create a story (particularly a politically slanted story) because of the duties of our public officials.
More plainly, the media has no right to speculate on the whereabouts of a public official on sabbatical. They have _every_ right to state that the official _is_ on sabbatical. The fact that the media does the former, and does so for obviously political reasons, gets any honest citizen irritated.
Scott H on June 23, 2009 at 8:21 PM
Ya turd LOL
upinak on June 23,2009 at 8:16PM.
upinak: See,you released a bit of pressure,tee-hee:)
canopfor on June 23, 2009 at 8:22 PM
Maybe the man wanted a break without any pappar-nazi’s, or left wing whack-jobs for that matter following him. His wife and staff are taking the HEAT rounds for him so he could get a break. There are people in this country that have a forgotten quality…Loyalty. Bet his hiatus didn’t cost nearly as much as any of obummers trips with the first crony (Great one Michelle) on scare force one. Not in the ballpark, or even the same zip code.
Sam_I_Am on June 23, 2009 at 8:23 PM
LastRick: Irony indeed, and would be moreso if not for the private/public gap. Also, historically speaking, journalistic anonymity has always been more respected than other forms of such.
Scott H on June 23, 2009 at 8:23 PM
Whogivesashit?
If he didn’t break any laws, harm, or defraud anyone who really cares? The only other theory I can think of is this is a slow drip of leaks by someone who knew where he was going, because I don’t understand the coverage with the facts that we know. As someone who lives in an area full of surveillance I am actually jealous that he can go somewhere with no one knowing where he is.
LevStrauss on June 23, 2009 at 8:24 PM
SamIAm: All this is true. I’m a bit… irritated, though, that his wife is ‘taking the heat’ for him. Call me old-fashioned in that way, but I feel like it should be the reverse.
Scott H on June 23, 2009 at 8:25 PM
Since you apparently need the cliff notes version of my response from the other thread, here. Synopsis: TR liked hiking. Sanford went hiking. Next, imagine how TR may have agreed with what Sanford was doing.
LastRick on June 23, 2009 at 8:26 PM
Sanford can kiss 2012 goodbye. Even if his whereabouts were entirely innocent (which is seeming less likely by the day), it’s unacceptable for a governor to be out of touch with his family, his government and his security detail for days.
This thing stinks; I hope he doesn’t end up being a talking point for the lefties.
redfoxbluestate on June 23, 2009 at 8:27 PM
Cell phone traced him to the Boars Nest. Secret meeting with Daisy. Bo & Duke aren’t happy.
Jeff from WI on June 23, 2009 at 8:27 PM
No he’s not used his head on his show once yet. So, he don’t need it
- The Cat
MirCat on June 23, 2009 at 8:29 PM
Maybe if he ever actually replied, I’d get an answer to all of my questions. I noticed also you didn’t say anything about my argument, so I’ll take it you agreed?
LastRick on June 23, 2009 at 8:30 PM
LastRick on June 23, 2009 at 8:26 PM
.
Good for you. You did some homework on TR since we last chatted. What was his nickname? You can google that one too.
Americannodash on June 23, 2009 at 8:30 PM
To help….
Limerick on June 23,2009 at 8:19PM.
Limerick:
4), In Iran,conducting covert operations with a crack
squad of Israel commando warrior chicks,in prepar
ations of a joint US-Israel AirSrike of NutJobs
peaceful Nuclear project!!:) ahaha.
canopfor on June 23, 2009 at 8:30 PM
Iran?
faraway on June 23, 2009 at 8:31 PM
Edna?
Limerick on June 23, 2009 at 8:31 PM
Wrong…again.
baldilocks on June 23, 2009 at 8:31 PM
He was meeting with a huge conglomerate that is contemplating putting a factory employing 5,000 people somewhere in the Southeast. They didn’t want any publicity, and Sanford met with them to make the case for South Carolina. When the company announces it’s decision to locate in Columbia or Charleston or Langley-Bath-Clearwater, he’ll look like a hero.
Or not.
rivlax on June 23, 2009 at 8:31 PM
Batting great tonite,should be AirStrike,not AirSrike!
canopfor on June 23, 2009 at 8:32 PM
Cell phone traced him to the Boars Nest. Secret meeting with Daisy. Bo & Duke aren’t happy.
Jeff from WI on June 23, 2009 at 8:27 PM
.
Tell it to Lastprick. He’s gone full bonerville over this.
Americannodash on June 23, 2009 at 8:32 PM
Then present your argument. I’m willing to listen to it.
LastRick on June 23, 2009 at 8:32 PM
Yes.
exception on June 23, 2009 at 8:32 PM
Sandford could be hiding because he’s had a little nip/tuck.
Christina_M on June 23, 2009 at 8:33 PM
So it’s bad when a politician takes the world with him everywhere he goes and bad when one gets a way from it all. It will be interesting to see what this is really about. If a wife doesn’t “know” where her husband is but isn’t freaking out about it, that should be considered a clue about this whole thing.
Cindy Munford on June 23, 2009 at 8:33 PM
err Sanford
Christina_M on June 23, 2009 at 8:34 PM
Present my argument about what? AP’s intentions?
baldilocks on June 23, 2009 at 8:36 PM
rivlax on June 23, 2009 at 8:31 PM
.
No, no, no, he flew to Hawaii to look into somebodies missing paperwork.
Americannodash on June 23, 2009 at 8:36 PM
Wait, what if it’s really Mrs Sanford that is missing and reporters are really talking to Gov Sanford in drag?
- The Cat
P.S. Plus he’s flying to Indonesia I just know it.
MirCat on June 23, 2009 at 8:36 PM
This thread would make a great South Park episode.
Limerick on June 23, 2009 at 8:37 PM
Exactly. If the wife truly did not “know” where he was, she would not be so calm. We should take our cue from her as to how to react. Yet, we’ve devoted two posts about this here at Hot Air, posts full of mere speculation. WHY? What is AP’s ulterior motive? Hits? Ruining Sanford’s reputation? That’s all I want to know from him.
LastRick on June 23, 2009 at 8:39 PM
AP’s ulterior motive is to do whatever Mrs. Malkin pays him to do.
baldilocks on June 23, 2009 at 8:40 PM
Yes (see my 8:39 pm post to this effect). Why is this topic being fed to the concern trolls for rampant speculation before we even know what the truth is?
LastRick on June 23, 2009 at 8:40 PM
Curiosity?
Seems you think that conspiracies only run in the family.
Limerick on June 23, 2009 at 8:40 PM
You mean to say that Sanford found out that Obama is a Guinea Pirate so he went to the airport to fly to Peru?
- The Cat
MirCat on June 23, 2009 at 8:41 PM
That’s what worries me. I agree with you 100%.
So, the bigger question is (and I’ve stated this before), is the driving of traffic in the best interest of Sanford and the GOP?
LastRick on June 23, 2009 at 8:41 PM
This thread would make a great South Park episode.
Limerick on June 23, 2009 at 8:37 PM
.
Not edna, try again .. hint..starts with the letter _______
Americannodash on June 23, 2009 at 8:41 PM
He will be manning the missile defense system in Hawaii on July 4th.
faraway on June 23, 2009 at 8:41 PM
Sally Struthers is missing too, isn’t she?
Limerick on June 23, 2009 at 8:43 PM
So, a federal agent, from agency unknown, randomly encounters a not particularly prominent Republican governor, Schwarzenegger he ain’t, picks him out of what must be a crowd of tens of thousands, and it just happens to stick in his mind so he can mention it to the press a few days later?
That guy must have some awesome rolls on his Monster Encounter table.
Terry_Dyne on June 23, 2009 at 8:44 PM
Pundit = analysis and speculation
- The Cat
Besides speculation is fun. And by:
You even do it yourself.
MirCat on June 23, 2009 at 8:45 PM
Duuuuude. And she’s always in Africa and other serious places . . .
MirCat on June 23, 2009 at 8:46 PM
a federal agent spotted Sanford in the airport boarding a plane.
Terry_Dyne on June 23, 2009 at 8:44 PM
.
The agent made a mistake, it was Sanford’s body double.
Americannodash on June 23, 2009 at 8:47 PM
Scott, I understand your position. I’m old fashioned as well and I believe that marriage is a team effort. I’ve been married for 15 years and you have to be willing to cover for your wife in times she’s struggling, but she should be willing to reciprocate. Sometimes you just need a little time to regroup and focus.
Sam_I_Am on June 23, 2009 at 8:48 PM
My husband traveled when he was working. I NEVER knew where he was staying and this was before cell phones. I knew the the city and state and that was it. If I needed to contact him I could call the base and they would contact him. This only got interesting when he was in Alameda California during that huge earthquake in 1989. Even then his mom freaked out more than I was.
Cindy Munford on June 23, 2009 at 8:48 PM
Are you denying the total bionic awesomeness of our TSA?
MirCat on June 23, 2009 at 8:49 PM
This is what you call a fun thread. This has just enough mystery in it that HotAir commenters come up with very funny theories or plots. Don’t take it too seriously and don’t be so cynical about AP. Let your imagination run away with you. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Cindy Munford on June 23, 2009 at 8:51 PM
He was playing golf and strategizing with Rush, Cheney and Fred Thompson. That’s my fantasy anyway.
Monica on June 23, 2009 at 8:52 PM
Some people walk the Trail, some people fly the Trail.
HotWeaver on June 23, 2009 at 8:52 PM
Don’t know, don’t care. MM never claimed that HA was some sort of a Party platform. And knowing a bit about her, I don’t think that most of us come to this privately-owned site expecting Ed or AP to toe any mark except for that of their employer.
baldilocks on June 23, 2009 at 8:53 PM
This is so stupid.
therightwinger on June 23, 2009 at 8:53 PM
Stop it. I read that and snorted beer from my nose. Hilarious.
Sam_I_Am on June 23, 2009 at 8:53 PM
Was he an elected official?
baldilocks on June 23, 2009 at 8:56 PM
No he’s just a goof. He would pack the morning he was leaving. Always meant to write it down for me. In fairness sometimes they didn’t know where they would be staying until they got there, if they could stay in quarters on the base they did but if not they would head out to the closest motel.
Cindy Munford on June 23, 2009 at 9:01 PM
OMG Baldi…
so what you are saying is NO ONE who is an elected official can go on vacation?
Tell that to my legislature. They are just as bad as the California Leg… but with money!
upinak on June 23, 2009 at 9:04 PM
Oh, come on. Gov. Sanford is either trying to locate Obamao’s birth certificate, or…he’s indulging himself in secret rites at the Bohemian Grove.
This is a non-story. It’s a distraction away from Obamao’s shenanigans and a preemptive smear by the Dems. They start their destructive narratives early and often.
onlineanalyst on June 23, 2009 at 9:05 PM
Some people here (and not saying Cindy Munford is doing this, just responding to your point baldi) seem to think that being Governor is no different from being a traveling salesman, trucker, or crop circle engineer.
- The Cat
Personally I think he was kidnapped by Thumb*Thumbs
MirCat on June 23, 2009 at 9:08 PM
No, that’s what you’re saying that I’m saying.
What I’m saying is that publicly elected officials are accountable to the public they were elected to serve. That accountability includes their whereabouts. A publicly elected official must say to his/her constituents “I’m going on vacation to ____.”
baldilocks on June 23, 2009 at 9:09 PM
Yeah but people know where they are at and this is the point
MirCat on June 23, 2009 at 9:10 PM
Weird isn’t it?
baldilocks on June 23, 2009 at 9:11 PM
OT but here we go on cap & tax……
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124579482359843937.html
txag92 on June 23, 2009 at 9:11 PM
I just have serious doubts about his wife and chief of staff not really knowing where he was or is. I think they are answering that in the most literal way that where can be interpreted. Dollars to doughnuts, if he was needed he could be contacted.
Cindy Munford on June 23, 2009 at 9:11 PM
So they do have a Bat Signal
- The Cat
But if they don’t . . I mean what if his truck breaks down?
MirCat on June 23, 2009 at 9:14 PM
Is this something I’m supposed to be outrageously outraged over?
So the President goes to have ice cream while Iran is killing it’s own citizens and basically says nothing for week. Meh, no big deal apparently.
Mark Sanford goes away for 4 days and what exactly…? I wish my governor in WI would go away for 4 days instead of trying to figure out ways to kill the economy here.
StevefromMKE on June 23, 2009 at 9:15 PM
I just don’t think that this lack of knowledge is true. I have to admit that it’s an interesting mystery and considering all the interest it seems unlikely that the public won’t find out. I don’t feel that my governor has to let me know where and when he’s going. Now if it turns out that he was out of touch with no contingency plans I will agree that he has been derelict in his duties.
Cindy Munford on June 23, 2009 at 9:17 PM
This is such bull.
I really don’t care what people think. Maybe I am tired of the stupid bullshit… yeah I said it… of the media and how people, even elected officials, have to put in a memo to the freaking world for anything they do that would be concidered personal…. which would be, not excluding, wiping their butts.
Palin still gets it. Sanford is getting it. I am waiting for Jindal and others to be “next” to deflect from our absolutely stupid Present’ent who doesn’t do anything but push socialism with his band’o'bluthers and mishap.
I really don’t care what Sanford is doing. It can’t be any worse then what Obama has done.. and is doing now.
upinak on June 23, 2009 at 9:18 PM
That Bat Signal sounds way more exciting. I bet a phone is a lot more likely.
Cindy Munford on June 23, 2009 at 9:19 PM
Oh, and how come the media isn’t being held accountable? They let him get away without a trace. Who was suppose to be on the case?
Cindy Munford on June 23, 2009 at 9:21 PM
Thanks Cindy Munford!
Hey, we have THE ZERO who has been MIA as POTUS since Jan. 20. The ZERO is still voting “present”
katy the mean old lady on June 23, 2009 at 9:27 PM
Honestly, I’m interested in this, especially since he was someone people wanted to run for president. I’m not a resident of his state, but if I had an opportunity to vote for him, knowing that he just does this sometimes, would negatively impact my decision regarding him.
I’m with, Baldi, though I very much respect those who disagree. It’s not that I think he can’t go hiking or wherever he went but that I think he needs to be on call 24/7 barring some health or family emergency. He’s a governor, not some senator who can vote “present”. I mean wasn’t that one of our big things in the Palin vs. Obama issue? That she at least has executive experience, which to me, means she’s actually doing something and is actually needed in her state regularly.
Also, if Sanford can be completely out of touch for several days, then maybe his state doesn’t really need him.
Esthier on June 23, 2009 at 9:28 PM
I don’t think that’s what she’s saying, or at least I know it’s not my problem with his disappearance. From all accounts, not even his staff knew where he was. Maybe that’s not true, but if it isn’t, they need to make that clear now, because, to me, that’s what’s most damaging about this.
Now, if it turns out he was in contact with them regularly or at least was somewhere he could have been reached if he was needed, then I won’t care where he was (so long as he wasn’t breaking the law) or why.
Esthier on June 23, 2009 at 9:32 PM
Who cares? This is just something his Lt. Governor used to try to stir up some sh*t. Unfortunately he has succeeded. What is so hard to believe about the guy needing a break? After all the battles he’s had lately it sure sounds to me like he deserved one.
By the way any kind of getaway would make a great Father’s Day present, kind of like mom going to the spa to get some time for herself. Seriously, this is getting ridiculous.
Post again when you know something, OK Allah? Geez, I can’t believe how easily some dipstick can lead you down whatever path they choose.
Speaking of which hey, didn’t Megan McCain say something interesting today?!! lol
kg598301 on June 23, 2009 at 9:34 PM
The different reads on this is really interesting. Considering how much it has truly bothered some people, it will have to be an amazing explanation if he is to be a future presidential candidate. Either he has decided not to run, he has grossly underestimated the impact of this on possible constituents or he is doing something utterly awesome.
Cindy Munford on June 23, 2009 at 9:37 PM
OK, he came here, we had a couple of Buds and watched Kasey win the race. GeeZ, leave the guy alone already.
PaCadle on June 23, 2009 at 9:37 PM
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