Sanford implodes, admits affair
posted at 2:55 pm on June 24, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
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I had written a post about the saga of the curious case of the missing Governor, Mark Sanford, but events have surpassed my original thoughts. It now turns out that the Appalachian Trail story was a ruse to cover a meeting with Sanford’s mistress in Argentina, which makes Sanford the most famous Republican on foreign affairs at the moment:
South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford aknowledged Wednesday that he was carrying on an affiar with a woman in Argentina when he disappeared from his office last week, only to resurface this morning.
Sanford said he would resign as chairman of the Republican Governors Association and asked for forgiveness from his wife and four sons.
Safe to say that after having his official spokesman lie to the press to cover the affair, Sanford’s career in national politics has just ended. It’s a shame that it came to this, but Sanford brought it on himself.
Once again, this clip from South Park seems appropriate:
The lesson: If you want to have a career in national politics, keep it in your pants. If you want to conduct affairs, stay out of politics. If you use your public office to lie to your constituents and your family, you deserve everything coming your way. No sniveling.
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I don’t know…I’ve been to Buenos Aires, and some of the women there are make-you-leave-your-wife-and-write-bad-checks hot. Definitely worth ruining your marriage, gubernatorial career and presidential aspirations over.
(Yes, I’m being facetious, you humorless twit!)
flipflop on June 24, 2009 at 3:14 PM
This entire situation is nothing but part of a nefarious plot organized by Jeb Bush to sink all potential rivals so he can be the only man left standing and thus grab the 2012 GOP nod for himself.
TIC
Percy_Peabody on June 24, 2009 at 3:14 PM
Esthier on June 24, 2009 at 3:13 PM
She’s known for 5 months!!!!
Disturb the Universe on June 24, 2009 at 3:14 PM
There is if you want to ever rise to President.
Stomper on June 24, 2009 at 3:14 PM
being an adventurer and all, I say he is splitting for Argentina….
Why couldn’t he have gotten a new car, or a discreet mistress.
I feel the girl is big major wealthy….
nondhimmie on June 24, 2009 at 3:14 PM
“Separation” = Still Married = Adultery.
The hell with him.
OhEssYouCowboys on June 24, 2009 at 3:14 PM
Oh my God, what the “F” is wrong with these people. Screwing around on his wife and asking for privacy. I wonder if the Dems are trying to weed out all the Repubs who cheat to keep the heat off all their indiscretions, i.e. taxes, screwing the American Public and the like.
Also, if he’s trying to work this out with his wife, why is he going to Argentina to meet with the other woman?
jaimo on June 24, 2009 at 3:14 PM
Ease up, guys.
It’s just sex.
- Bill Clinton (D)
Good Lt on June 24, 2009 at 3:14 PM
Hopefully, some one will have pics of the Argentinian inamorata available so we can decide if Sanford at least had good taste in women…
Mister Ghost on June 24, 2009 at 3:14 PM
These republican hopefuls are literally getting screwed.
Sanford must have been serious about getting back in the private sector!
Ensign last week, Sanford this week, who next week — Huck?
lonestar1 on June 24, 2009 at 3:14 PM
I noticed his wife was not “standing by her man” during the presser. Sharp contrast with Spitzer and Clinton.
elduende on June 24, 2009 at 3:14 PM
It’s mostly a thing between him and his wife, but he made it bigger.
the_nile on June 24, 2009 at 3:15 PM
I read somewhere (forget where, but it was in the last 15 minutes or so) that his wife has known for 5 months.
califcon on June 24, 2009 at 3:15 PM
I can just imagine President Obama using this in an argument.
“Well there was one fellow who opposed my stimulus package, but he got frustrated, ran off and banged Evita”
theoneandonlyfinn on June 24, 2009 at 3:15 PM
and Magreevy
elduende on June 24, 2009 at 3:15 PM
Deservedly quick end to promising career. Divorce your wife BEFORE the affair.
eaglesdontflock on June 24, 2009 at 3:15 PM
You see? There WAS something to that Naked Hike rumor, only the hike was in Argentina.
Putz.
Attila (Pillage Idiot) on June 24, 2009 at 3:15 PM
Yes, let’s model our party after Clinton and fill it with power-hungry hedonists who don’t care one whit about anybody other than themselves. To hell with basic decency, we have to win, because people like Clinton have done so much for our country.
Darth Executor on June 24, 2009 at 3:15 PM
hasn’t hurt the current governor of New York
corona on June 24, 2009 at 3:15 PM
I agree with you. I’ve been married 20 years and have never cheated. We take our vows seriously. Several reasons for the lack of morals in today’s society–no negative consequences for promiscuity, sexuality pervasive in the culture, including the gazillion ED commericials on Fox News at any time of the day, readily available birth control and abortion, secularism, etc., etc.
Special K on June 24, 2009 at 3:15 PM
I’m with ya’ on dat!
sarahpalinfan99 on June 24, 2009 at 3:16 PM
And what did Juanita Broaddrick have to say about it?
MadisonConservative on June 24, 2009 at 3:16 PM
Or Barney Frank.
Good Lt on June 24, 2009 at 3:16 PM
Can’t he get any tail here in the states?
Firebird on June 24, 2009 at 3:16 PM
D’oh!
Which is about all I can come up with.
I really wish it was the moon pie/pixie stix binge theory instead.
Truthfully, the affair really is just between him and his wife and kids. He just brought all of this on himself when he tried to sneak off to do it, abandoning his post. Did he think one of the serious Republican contenders for ‘12 WOUULDN’T be under a lot of scrutiny? Or did he not pay attention during Sarah Palin’s past and still ongoing assaults?
DrAllecon on June 24, 2009 at 3:16 PM
I apologize to you Darth Executor for defending Sanford’s right to privacy yesterday in the first Sanford thread. You were right. I was wrong. You are smart. I am dumb.
I just wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt.
This whole situation stinks.
portlandon on June 24, 2009 at 3:16 PM
You forgot Mittens.
He was primping his hair, making sure that every last strand was just so!
victor82 on June 24, 2009 at 3:16 PM
It’s already happened.
starfleet_dude on June 24, 2009 at 3:16 PM
This has brought down so many otherwise good men, regardless of politics. Samson Sanford met Delilah and lost his strength.
Don’t cry for me, Argentina…
Steve Z on June 24, 2009 at 3:16 PM
Well, if Palin’s found out to have an affair with a woman, you know it the end times… LOL.
Mister Ghost on June 24, 2009 at 3:16 PM
That’s his wife. The man was impeached largely because of his sexual problems. The man was a serial sexual harrasser and likely rapist.
There’s no reason to get pissy with Republicans over this. The man screwed up. It’s on him.
Esthier on June 24, 2009 at 3:16 PM
yes, but did he let you know who Trig’s mother is?
/snark
JohnGalt23 on June 24, 2009 at 3:16 PM
I don’t care about the affair so much, but the idea that he can leave the country for a week, while Governor, and not be in touch with anyone is just insane. And to do that, just for an affair, is downright crazy.
I wouldn’t have minded finding out that he was camping, but in Argentina handling some adolescent issues is too much.
progressoverpeace on June 24, 2009 at 3:16 PM
I’ll say again what I said in headlines earlier- I was wrong. Defended him on the AT trail thing.
Apparently, the quote from his wife earlier was incorrect. When asked where he was, she probably said (at least silently) “Don’t know, and don’t really care where that guy is right now!”
cs89 on June 24, 2009 at 3:16 PM
Dealing? Is that what they call continuing to cheat on your spouse these days? I feel sorry for his wife. I wish she had also for her own sake, left him.
Blake on June 24, 2009 at 3:17 PM
I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about.
After all, Bush took us into a war of choice blah blah blah
- (fill in Democrat here)
Good Lt on June 24, 2009 at 3:17 PM
Every guy in the country would vote for the single presidential candidate who said, “can you imagine the tail i’ll get if elected? hell no, im not married”
lorien1973 on June 24, 2009 at 3:17 PM
Hypocrisy is killing the GOP and the Right. This is one reason I won’t support the GOP, just individual candidates.
The public won’t tolerate lectures about the family or traditional marriage from adulterers and solicitors of gay sex in the airport men’s room.
Let’s get it all exposed now and see who’s left standing to lead us when the smoke clears.
jazz_piano on June 24, 2009 at 3:17 PM
Disgusting idiot.
The country’s in peril and this sort of “leader” will get us 8 years of Obama and a destroyed nation.
Go find a tall cliff….
TexasJew on June 24, 2009 at 3:17 PM
It has nothing to do with Dems having indiscretions, they do … it has to do with those in the GOP who seemingly think they have cornered the family value’s issues, which, obviously, they don’t own.
Monkei on June 24, 2009 at 3:17 PM
Yeah you can’t get anyone to consume American goods or services anymore.
LevStrauss on June 24, 2009 at 3:17 PM
By the way, Allah or Ed, does anyone have a pic of Evita yet (the Argentinian gal)?
victor82 on June 24, 2009 at 3:17 PM
Disgusting. Although, I do have to point out that he manned up to it today and didn’t have his wife standing next to him (I can’t stand that!).
Oh and I’ll modify Ed’s moral of the story:
“The lesson: If you want to have a career in [Republican] national politics, keep it in your pants. If you want to conduct affairs, stay out of [Republican] politics.”
And one lady lamented that there aren’t any good guys left anymore. Well, I’m an almost-thirty year old that has been faithfully married for 7 years and plans to remain so, so don’t get too down on the state of things.
On a more political angle, what do you wanta bet that the Democrats use this to attack Sanford’s position on the stimulus money (the ultimate non-sequitur)?
willamettevalley on June 24, 2009 at 3:18 PM
Some of you should get the details, or at least wait for the vid of his news conference to hit the tubes before you make your sweeping, holier-than-thou pronouncements.
The man was wrong, but really people, a lot of you are sanctimonious assholes, probably with little room to talk.
I’m not defending him, but I think a lot on our side feel an irrational need to beat their breasts, scream bloody murder and wear the hair shirt every time one of ours fucks up.
hillbillyjim on June 24, 2009 at 3:18 PM
Oh, and Ace has a link up that Bill Clinton had a little Argentinian excursion of his own- think his office is denying it, though.
cs89 on June 24, 2009 at 3:18 PM
Palin’s had a good run lately too. Letterman generated a ton of sympathy for her. Even NOW sided with her after remaining silent during the campaign when much worse things were said about her and her family.
I never understood why people were touting Sanford as a top Presidential candidate in 2012. His state has a 12% unemployment rate and he looks like he hasn’t slept in 20 years.
I don’t see this having a huge effect on the GOP’s fortunes in the midterms though. As long as the focus remains on fiscal responsibility and not family values, the Dems will have no way to defend themselves.
That being said, with Ensign and now Sanford admitting affairs within a week of each other, there better not be another one on the horizon to complete a hat trick.
Doughboy on June 24, 2009 at 3:18 PM
I live in South Carolina.
My sympathies to his wife and sons.
F-ck him – I hope he resigns and moves to Argentina.
The sooner the better.
And f-ck his little chippy too.
jake-the-goose on June 24, 2009 at 3:18 PM
Luckily for Clinton, he was in his second term as President when his biggest, most damaging sex scandal happened.
Speedwagon82 on June 24, 2009 at 3:18 PM
Damn damn damn damn damn.
What a freaking moron. Just resign and really disappear now.
Emily M. on June 24, 2009 at 3:18 PM
I figure it THIS way, how many congressmen are pumping someone other than their wives….when one is caught, usually the whole house comes down…..
Since this is a governor…..we’ll see.
HornetSting on June 24, 2009 at 3:18 PM
Resign.
p40tiger on June 24, 2009 at 3:18 PM
silly rabbit
you forgot that he has a (D) next to his name
cmsinaz on June 24, 2009 at 3:19 PM
That must have been some seriously powerful stuff for him to fly all the way to Argentina.
Idfaciam on June 24, 2009 at 3:19 PM
HUGE facepalm.
patriette on June 24, 2009 at 3:19 PM
Granted, I’m not married, but I have bailed on my family and gone and taken a tour of the East Coast alone before.
Tim Burton on June 24, 2009 at 3:19 PM
Um… I think that would help her appeal to swing voters.
Now, if Palin is having an affair with Ted Steves, that is end times.
myrenovations on June 24, 2009 at 3:19 PM
He can hang out with John Edwards & Bill Clinton now in their political bachelor pad. Call them the douche bag crew.
mizflame98 on June 24, 2009 at 3:19 PM
monica on June 24, 2009 at 3:02 PM
There is one GOP politician you can absolutely trust: Sarah Palin
technopeasant on June 24, 2009 at 3:19 PM
Is Palin really a man? Has anyone seen her real birth certificate?
Monkei on June 24, 2009 at 3:19 PM
:D
Vatican Watcher on June 24, 2009 at 3:19 PM
It’s really hard to get access to your credit/bank cards when you wife knows you’re having affairs. Just an observation I throw out there for those who might benefit.
DarkCurrent on June 24, 2009 at 3:19 PM
Buy American
faraway on June 24, 2009 at 3:20 PM
Like that moron governor of NY, I mean, the REPLACEMENT governor after the other one was caught bone dancing with the hooker…..
HornetSting on June 24, 2009 at 3:20 PM
Well, I wouldn’t trust her to raise my children.
Monkei on June 24, 2009 at 3:20 PM
This sucks big time. good lord!
youngO on June 24, 2009 at 3:20 PM
What a maroon. He should have practiced K.Y.P.I.Y.P. Which is actually good advise for anyone thats married.
chicken thief on June 24, 2009 at 3:20 PM
As someone earlier said, poontang is a powerful drug.
A boobie chaser doesn’t help, either.
lorien1973 on June 24, 2009 at 3:20 PM
Just in time for the Cap and Trade vote.
What Cap and Trade vote?
SANFORD AFFAIR!
OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG!
24/7
It’s going to be brutal.
RarestRX on June 24, 2009 at 3:20 PM
I wouldn’t trust you to feed my fish, let along watch my dog.
Troll.
upinak on June 24, 2009 at 3:21 PM
October 2010. Mike Huckabee has shocked the entire Republican party with the admission that he has been enslaving elves and vampires in his basement for sexual gratification. When questioned further, a remorseful Eric Cantor came to his defense, and admitted not only to knowing about Huckabees exploits, but engaging in homoerotic orgies with legless unicorns himself. Barney Frank, meanwhile, is enjoying the success of his tell all book describing his escapades with Xenu.
Seriously, never set the bar too high for politicians.
theoneandonlyfinn on June 24, 2009 at 3:21 PM
Monkei, you really want to GO THERE! Go ask your mother again if you can have the car tonight to go to your friend’s house.
HornetSting on June 24, 2009 at 3:21 PM
More Media Hypocrisy:
Mr. Joe on June 24, 2009 at 3:21 PM
So by your reckoning, if someone commits murder we should drop laws prohibiting murder?
atheling on June 24, 2009 at 3:21 PM
Then what’s her problem? Why stay with him?
I’d honestly be fine with that. At this point, I’d almost rather vote for the bachelor.
Esthier on June 24, 2009 at 3:21 PM
I have to admit I’m one of them but don’t bother beating us up about it, we feel bad enough already. Screw me for giving someone the benefit of the doubt because I thought they had integrity.
kg598301 on June 24, 2009 at 3:21 PM
Silver lining: If the coverage knocks Obowa off his marxist deathcare message on government media day with ABC, this could be a good thing.
Western_Civ on June 24, 2009 at 3:21 PM
sorry, just feeling very cynical right now.
WordsMatter on June 24, 2009 at 3:21 PM
McLame cheated on his wife and he’s had a successful (for him) political career anyway.
Darth Executor on June 24, 2009 at 3:21 PM
THIS MAKES ME SO UNBELIEVABLY SICK.
I am so tired of this.
So, so tired.
You know, fine…you’re all so busy in politics…you’re so important. But why can you not just WAIT until out of office to destroy yourselves, constituents, your WIFE, for Gosh’s sake. Seriously. In case you losers didn’t read your email or something, WE ARE IN THE FIGHT OF OUR LIVES FOR THIS COUNTRY? My GOSH. There is something bigger than yourselves.
I hate politicians. I really, really liked Sanford, though.
Mommypundit on June 24, 2009 at 3:21 PM
Haley Barbour is now the head of the Republican Governor’s Association.
Damnit, they should have picked Palin.
Enoxo on June 24, 2009 at 3:21 PM
What a dope.
At least he didn’t trot out the wife in a phony bid for sympathy like Spitzer did.
Politicians are the new used car salesman. Don’t believe a word they say.
FireBlogger on June 24, 2009 at 3:21 PM
THIS JUST IN: Palin NOT chosen to replace Sanford as head of the Republican Governor’s Association! Guess she is just not smart enough, or as in Sanford’s case, not stupid enough to take that job either.
Monkei on June 24, 2009 at 3:22 PM
I doubt you’re capable of producing children, jackass.
Patrick S on June 24, 2009 at 3:22 PM
Jim, I saw the video live. It’s bad. Real bad. He needs to go.
Matticus Finch on June 24, 2009 at 3:22 PM
I proprose that “conservatives” scrap teaching abstinence to schoolkids, and instead promote teaching abstinence to their Representatives.
LevStrauss on June 24, 2009 at 3:22 PM
Dem’s don’t have families, they abort them.
HornetSting on June 24, 2009 at 3:22 PM
What was Mark McKinnon saying just yesterday about Sanford? Crazy like a fox. Has McKinnon ever gotten anything right?
lonestar1 on June 24, 2009 at 3:22 PM
Argentinians doing the work Americans wont do.
BacaDog on June 24, 2009 at 3:23 PM
:D
Vatican Watcher on June 24, 2009 at 3:23 PM
Admittedly, I was duped, so I can now make jokes.
Gov. Sanford favors off-shore drilling.
SouthernGent on June 24, 2009 at 3:23 PM
Have to give Drudge credit.
Firebird on June 24, 2009 at 3:23 PM
Raising? You call me the jackass when you don’t know the difference between raising and producing? But come to think of it, the Palin’s are indeed good at producing babies.
Monkei on June 24, 2009 at 3:23 PM
You don’t have to call them tools. They were just being trusting.
Esthier on June 24, 2009 at 3:24 PM
Jerry Doyle just trashed the Republican Party on his radio show. He was great. Try to find a net radio stream of it – you won’t be disappointed.
Either purge the party of perverts, deviants and liars OR the true base will leave the party. No other choices.
platypus on June 24, 2009 at 3:24 PM
So did Slick Willie. But, see, neither of these guys are conservative. Sanford, supposedly, was.
Mommypundit on June 24, 2009 at 3:24 PM
Oh, that was TERRIBLE, and I wish I thought of it first.
Daggett on June 24, 2009 at 3:24 PM
Obama loves this!
Anything to distract from the Friday debacle called Cap & Trade…
Barry loves anything that distracts the public from what wonderful things he has in store for us.
rockbend on June 24, 2009 at 3:24 PM
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