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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So why is this worse for Republicans?
In addition to Conservatives actually holding their own accountable, the party of Saul Alinsky whips out Rules for Radicals #4, which says…
Rule 4: Make opponents live up to their own book of rules. “You can kill them with this, for they can no more obey their own rules than the Christian church can live up to Christianity.”
Barrack on June 24, 2009 at 3:25 PM
What did you think of Rudy? How about a run for Newt? I just don’t think that it is as important as people seem to think.
But like I said, I can’t imagine why anyone would either want to get married or run for office. I’d love to have kids and a family some day.
He quit. You got your wish.
ThackerAgency on June 24, 2009 at 3:25 PM
sara who?
Apologetic California on June 24, 2009 at 3:25 PM
Yeah. Aren’t you missing Bible Study?
Monkei on June 24, 2009 at 3:25 PM
Well done.
myrenovations on June 24, 2009 at 3:25 PM
Rudy, Newt, and I am sure there are others.
LevStrauss on June 24, 2009 at 3:25 PM
To say I am disappointed is an understatement. Totally pissed off is a better way to describe this b/s!
What the hell is the matter with these fricking people? Can’t theses spineless ass Politicians keep there damn pants on?
” Politicians! Damn YOU to HELL.”
try again later on June 24, 2009 at 3:25 PM
And teh ghey from California…his name (thankfully) escapes me.
Mommypundit on June 24, 2009 at 3:26 PM
Uh huh. Let’s also be sure they only belong to your religion.
MadisonConservative on June 24, 2009 at 3:26 PM
I can see Argentina from my bedroom.
faraway on June 24, 2009 at 3:27 PM
I wish Rick Perry would take Texas and secede. I would seriously consider moving back. Geez.
–verb (used without object), to withdraw formally from an alliance, federation, or association, as from a political union, a religious organization, etc.
——————————————————————————–
usarmyretired on June 24, 2009 at 3:27 PM
I honestly thought it wouldn’t be an affair, simply because it was so badly coordinated. I was sure he had been doing National Guard duty or something.
Guess he isn’t much of an organizational type. Maybe it’s best if he doesn’t seek the presidency. If he can’t cover his tracks on a quick jaunt to see his mistress, how the heck is he going to run a national campaign?
Siobhan on June 24, 2009 at 3:27 PM
Your lesson is, of course:
Politicians can’t be trusted. None of them. Don’t pin your hope on them, don’t trust them with anything and certainly don’t put them in control of anything important; like, say, the economy. Any system that relies on the “right person” being in charge is doomed to failure.
lorien1973 on June 24, 2009 at 3:27 PM
Now, now, Mark McKinnon pronounced Gov. Sanford a better candidate for Pres in 2012.
lonestar1 on June 24, 2009 at 3:27 PM
If he and his mistress have a male child, then this story will be about Sanford and Son.
Daggett on June 24, 2009 at 3:27 PM
I agree. When these GOP bimbo eruptions explode, everyone starts pointing at dem politicians who have done the same thing. Heck, I point at dem politicians who have done the same thing. The difference is that the GOP — or at least vocal elements in it — are the first to lecture on morality, the sanctity of marriage, traditional values. I think it’s time to give the religious right the heave-ho. Not so that our candidates can have affairs and act like scumbag democrats (too many already do, anyway), but so that Republicans aren’t always having to defend against the charges of hypocrisy all the time. Moreover, conservative fiscal policies with libertarian social policies is probably the winning formula in the country right now. Be the party that believes in live and let live — and spend your own money.
Rational Thought on June 24, 2009 at 3:27 PM
Meanwhile…over on Capitol Hill they’re doing the dance of joy as they prepare to cram Cap-n-Screw into law, the Love Boat from N. Korea is cruising along, the mullahs are taking cell phones by chopping off the hands that hold them, and President I Won is busy getting coiffed for his infomercial. Why, oh why, didn’t Sanford get this little announcement over with 8 months ago?
redwhiteblue on June 24, 2009 at 3:27 PM
and all you betcha.
Monkei on June 24, 2009 at 3:27 PM
All he needs to do now is to have a “tax problem” and he will be a perfect candidate for Obama’s cabinet LOL
Isn’t this a resume builder for the Dems?
Why aren’t we spending more time looking for the MIA birth certificate?
karenhasfreedom on June 24, 2009 at 3:28 PM
Oh I know the difference; I produced and raised 3 fine children. I just doubt you have the capacity to produce, as you show yourself to be quite childish.
Patrick S on June 24, 2009 at 3:28 PM
So Sanford isn’t Batman. Batman only sleeps with the Boy Wonder.
lorien1973 on June 24, 2009 at 3:28 PM
David Dreier?
Siobhan on June 24, 2009 at 3:28 PM
I am sure the state media will have no need to add ‘R’ after his name.
faraway on June 24, 2009 at 3:28 PM
Bye Bye Sanford…there are plenty to take your place.
At least you were straight forward when you had your presser…you explained the situation, and now it is time for you to go.
Here, and I stand by what I said “Wait until the facts come out, they will be out soon enough, then you can pick him apart”
So many posters, make so many “predictions”, one is bound to be right and crow about it…
right2bright on June 24, 2009 at 3:28 PM
Better to learn now than later, after he became a national figure that could deflate a presidential campaign with his infidelity. Republican politicians will never understand that this behavior is not a resume enhancer as it is with Dems.
Is this character defect a result of their power positions or does politics just attract horndogs whose marital vows are purely conditional?
Good riddance, Sanford. The sooner we forget about you the better.
SKYFOX on June 24, 2009 at 3:28 PM
Bill Clinton did the same thing, and lied about it under oath (a felony) and it only enhanced his “resume”.
Del Dolemonte on June 24, 2009 at 3:28 PM
Only events can make a president and three years is forever in politics. No one would have bet any money on Nixon winning the Whitehouse in ‘68 but the Vietnam War set it up perfectly for him. GW Bush would have easily won re-election in ‘91 prior to the economy collapsing or in ‘93 after the recovery was well on the way, but he could not win in ‘92.
The question is not whether Palin could be elected, it’s what events have to conspire to enable that to happen. Imagine for example if the economy is still in the doldrums and the stimulus bill is seen as a huge joke. At that point the public is going to be in the greatest anti-Washington mood in history and they won’t be too thrilled with candidates who advocate big government solutions to all of our problems.
That’s not an unreasonable scenario and it sets up perfectly for Palin to run as the common-sense outsider. Palin has to rehabilitate her image certainly, but that can be quickly done with some excellent interviews and debate performances. The public will be willing to forgive the mistakes of 4 years earlier, attributing it to inexperience with that national spotlight.
Not a done deal by any means. As I said, events make the president and we don’t know what those events are going to be yet. But it’s silly to write off Palin at this point.
PackerBronco on June 24, 2009 at 3:29 PM
Don’t Cry for me Carolina
ICBM on June 24, 2009 at 3:29 PM
Why won’t people just vote for Fred Thompson. Why?
Mad Kimchi on June 24, 2009 at 3:29 PM
Rich Lowry weighs in:
starfleet_dude on June 24, 2009 at 3:29 PM
Interestingly, his wife is an heir to the Skil Power Tool fortune.
Blake on June 24, 2009 at 3:29 PM
I saw it too. Of course the man was wrong, but why must he go? If Clinton can be president of the country after Monica, is it beyond the realm of possibility that Sanford can still be an effective governor of SC after this?
If conservatives would go after Dems and their policies with the same zeal that they exhibit when one of our own strays, we would be much better off.
He can’t damage the “brand” all that much after what the Republican controlled Congress managed to do with their spending under Bush. Give me a break.
hillbillyjim on June 24, 2009 at 3:29 PM
Face it folks.
Sanford nuked himself.
He may end up resigning from his current job, and that means he couldn’t have the judgment to run his own state, much less the country.
He’s done.
Brian1972 on June 24, 2009 at 3:29 PM
You know, you have been on that cross as much as a christian lately.
portlandon on June 24, 2009 at 3:29 PM
But we aren’t democrats…we don’t settle for this stuff.
right2bright on June 24, 2009 at 3:29 PM
Hey, what ever happened to that Online Tea Party he and Rick Perry were gonna do? We already know Sanford’s a big fan of online activities. Maybe Perry’s his wingman.
Siobhan on June 24, 2009 at 3:29 PM
What a kind, compassionate thing to say. Not.
Whenever I hear about these political affairs, my first reaction is real sympathy for the wives and especially the children. Oh sure, I put some limits on the sympathy I feel for betrayed wives, like when Elizabeth Edward encouraged slutty John to run and stood by him to give the lie that he wasn’t the moral fraud she already knew him to be.
But how can any man do this to his children?
ProfessorMiao on June 24, 2009 at 3:29 PM
Hmmmm… Larry Sinclair…
WordsMatter on June 24, 2009 at 3:29 PM
I blame Bush.
Good Lt on June 24, 2009 at 3:30 PM
I’m mixing up my skanky whores in office…hang on…Gavin Newsome was not gay. Who was the gay one who made his shamed wife stand there while he confessed to the world?
Mommypundit on June 24, 2009 at 3:30 PM
One can always hope!
belad on June 24, 2009 at 3:30 PM
I don’t care about the affair. I care that he’s acted like an immature, selfish teenager by running away without telling anyone just so he could be with his girlfriend (on Father’s Day weekend!!) and now that he’s been caught, he acts all chagrined and choked up.
He’s just another loser. Let’s get ‘em all out in the open now so they can be picked off before early 2011 and things have to get serious.
Bennett on June 24, 2009 at 3:30 PM
Your right, he’s too old to have an affair.
Monkei on June 24, 2009 at 3:30 PM
If not for screwing women in other countries while you’re still married, Obama wouldn’t exist.
Jim Treacher on June 24, 2009 at 3:30 PM
I heard the live confession at the presser was horrendous…even if the circumstances didn’t doom his political career, that presser certainly did.
AUINSC on June 24, 2009 at 3:30 PM
Hey, the American people are a forgiving people. After all, the people forgave a president, no less. Anyone remember Bill Clinton? I do not think this ends the governor’s chances. But he damn well better be sincere and work this through with his wife and children. But, I say this. WHAT A MORON!
righty64 on June 24, 2009 at 3:30 PM
Hold the pitchforks. While his actions are repulsive – 3 years is a long time to put the death into the GOP for 2012 – and even next year – 2010 – Sanford will be a lost case.
It will not matter, nor should it to the GOP.
Let him make his bones with his wife and kids.
Odie1941 on June 24, 2009 at 3:31 PM
And we were all worried about that incoming nuke missile from NoKo.
faraway on June 24, 2009 at 3:31 PM
He was from Maine or some such northern state.
usarmyretired on June 24, 2009 at 3:31 PM
Ohhhh. You’re missing lunch, creep. You’re mommy’s calling.
We own family values and Democrats own abortion!
HornetSting on June 24, 2009 at 3:32 PM
You mean “call lady” Vitter?
Monkei on June 24, 2009 at 3:32 PM
New Jersey governer.
Emily M. on June 24, 2009 at 3:32 PM
Pretty sure he would never cheat on HIS wife… I sure as hell wouldn’t.
BPD on June 24, 2009 at 3:32 PM
Promoting vile libertarian crap like southpark is part of the problem
PrezHussein on June 24, 2009 at 3:32 PM
I think people would be happy to vote for teh Fred, but he bailed . . . I really don’t think he has the fire in the belly to serve out a full term or two in the WH.
califcon on June 24, 2009 at 3:32 PM
Yeah I loved giving the libs heartburn over that one, but he did fail his lie detector so the fun is up on that one. Even though it is still fun to play dumb at Huffpost from time to time.
LevStrauss on June 24, 2009 at 3:32 PM
As I’ve previously stated on this blogsite, I do not have a religion nor do I belong to a religion. Religion is the opiate of the masses.
platypus on June 24, 2009 at 3:33 PM
An affair in Argentina?!?! This could be the Hispanic appeal the Republican party needs for 2012!
fed-nad on June 24, 2009 at 3:33 PM
They were just being dumb, though most of them aren’t.
DarkCurrent on June 24, 2009 at 3:33 PM
How about if all Republican officeholders, especially in the South, keep their religious views private and just do their jobs? Sanford was a giant social con, just like the base clamors for, and even he has affairs.
Speedwagon82 on June 24, 2009 at 3:33 PM
Yes, I just saw one of your family value guys on TV … did you miss it? It’s all the rave. Why do thumpers like you always throw in abortion instead of dealing with the issues at hand?
Monkei on June 24, 2009 at 3:33 PM
Unless of course you a liberal, then you get away with lying in the face of DNA evidence.
Once a cheat, always a cheat. It is a basic Character flaw!
CDM on June 24, 2009 at 3:33 PM
It won’t happen..too many damn yankees in Austin!
belad on June 24, 2009 at 3:33 PM
If he cannot control himself for his term to, at least, serve the people, then he has no business running the state or, certainly, country.
I don’t care what sleazy liberals like Bill Clinton and his party justify, if it’s in office, it’s suicide. It is doubly hard given what conservatives are dealing with now. Outrageous.
Mommypundit on June 24, 2009 at 3:33 PM
You are thinking of McGreevey from New Jersey.
AUINSC on June 24, 2009 at 3:33 PM
Don’t forget rock & roll music and dancing, and jazz and liquor.
LevStrauss on June 24, 2009 at 3:34 PM
I got the Rush AUDIO on Sanford.
V15J on June 24, 2009 at 3:34 PM
I think we can assume Sanford is out for 2012. That leaves Palin and Jindal as the only true conservatives. Jindal’s wife is a “hottie” and most women think Todd is a “hunk.” Let’s hope they can stay out of trouble.
bw222 on June 24, 2009 at 3:34 PM
I will never for the life of me understand why these pols think they won’t be caught. I don’t think Sanford is a terrible human being or anything, but this is just dumb.
Say what you will about Bush and Cheney…at least they could keep it in their pants.
Terrye on June 24, 2009 at 3:34 PM
I think what they did was horrible and can’t imagine they’d be more faithful to us than they were to their own spouses. Can you?
Now that isn’t to say I’d never forgive them. Time can heal most things.
I don’t understand why you put “get married” there, as though the fact that he’s not admitted to an affair is somehow the fault of his marriage? I don’t get what you’re saying there.
I don’t know why a cheater would get married. Staying single is always an option.
He quit one position, but he’s still the governor, which I have no problem with. He may as well serve out his term. I just won’t trust him by 2012.
Esthier on June 24, 2009 at 3:34 PM
What does that even mean?
MadisonConservative on June 24, 2009 at 3:34 PM
Obama got the diversion he needed for the media to cover his epic fails.
marklmail on June 24, 2009 at 3:34 PM
That is so true, and funny!
Brian1972 on June 24, 2009 at 3:34 PM
I see you and Monkei and company crawled out from under the refrigerator to revel in this story. We’ve truly missed you for days now, since your Golden Calf Barry has been epically fumbling how to act like a world leader in the face of state-sanctioned beatings and murder.
You need to understand that you and the other trolls are viewed as weak little wussies because, unlike you, HA commentors are here to discuss ALL news, both good and bad for “our side”, whereas you mental midgets only appear from the sludge when “our side” has bad news. Typical liberal cowards, incapable of facing up to “your side’s” screw-ups.
Patrick S on June 24, 2009 at 3:35 PM
Fence it off……
usarmyretired on June 24, 2009 at 3:35 PM
So his career just went Tango Uniform.
exhelodrvr on June 24, 2009 at 3:35 PM
Exactly.
changer1701 on June 24, 2009 at 3:35 PM
Im still waiting for my Congressmen, Mr. Dreier, to show up in a TMZ photoset with Perez Hilton and Adam Lambert… but until that day arrives we have Governor Sanford roaming around the world banging Carmen San Diego…
theoneandonlyfinn on June 24, 2009 at 3:35 PM
Right, and I don’t have access to the internet.
MadisonConservative on June 24, 2009 at 3:35 PM
Geez Patrick, why miss out on the fun!
Monkei on June 24, 2009 at 3:35 PM
Watch all the O-bots pretend this sends all Barry’s EPIC FAIL down the Memory Hole.
Christien on June 24, 2009 at 3:36 PM
right ‘we’ who aren’t democrats lose. and ‘our’ votes are currently irrelevant in national politics. What a great way to run a political party. There needs to be another party.
ThackerAgency on June 24, 2009 at 3:36 PM
I don’t think he has the fire in the belly to watch a movie in one sitting.
Speedwagon82 on June 24, 2009 at 3:36 PM
Gary Condit.
Bobbertsan on June 24, 2009 at 3:36 PM
He was not a candidate. His name was being floated around by a few people. The vast majority of republicans and voters had never heard of the guy. It was not much of a loss. Why make it into more than it really is?
Blake on June 24, 2009 at 3:36 PM
Well… this was an unforeseen turn of events…
clancy_wiggum on June 24, 2009 at 3:36 PM
“Edwards was better looking” – Liberals
Ed, that “foreign affairs” s/b Quote of the Day.
Schadenfreude on June 24, 2009 at 3:36 PM
How many rising stars in the GOP banging someone who is not their wife is it gonna take for you to be disabused of this notion? Let it go, man. Focus on candidates who don’t want to spend all of our money and make us all slaves. Leave the family values to, you now, families.
Rational Thought on June 24, 2009 at 3:36 PM
Why does this type of activity keep happening?
When thinking of adjectives to describe politicians, the word “sexy” does not come to mind.
HellCat on June 24, 2009 at 3:37 PM
I don’t thump ANYTHING except my husband, asshat. And, if you’re going to throw the family values card at us, we’ll throw the abortion card back in your face. Thought you tools liked ‘choice’, not that you will ever need to make that choice, monkei. You’d have to find a girl that didn’t mind that you still live with your mother.
HornetSting on June 24, 2009 at 3:37 PM
Having a trans-ocianic love affair while governing a state and being interviewed on Fox all the time, and then trying to pretend to be hiking for four days while really flying through one of the busiest airports in the world while making calls on your cell phone.
Yeah, that was gonna work.
A double-knot spy, mark sanford is not.
DrW on June 24, 2009 at 3:37 PM
Inquiring minds want to know! Btw – Sinclair supposedly has a book coming out….
sarahpalinfan99 on June 24, 2009 at 3:37 PM
Faithful men do to exist. My husband and I have been married almost 19 years and together 24, we met in college. I make sure his needs always come before mine and surprise he does the same!
Guess what we have? A happy marriage!
CCRWM on June 24, 2009 at 3:37 PM
And your parents were crap at raising you.
atheling on June 24, 2009 at 3:37 PM
yup. Now THAT was a tawdry spectacle, wasn’t it?
So sickening.
Mommypundit on June 24, 2009 at 3:37 PM
Pretty much. However, when we see certain politicians in control of things that are going down the crapper, the lure of those who say they’ll do things differently is irresistible…even though, more and more often, it’s an utter lie.
MadisonConservative on June 24, 2009 at 3:37 PM
I’ve been friends with a guy from Argentina for over 30 years. All of his sisters are drop-dead gorgeous.
Del Dolemonte on June 24, 2009 at 3:37 PM
Yeah well his tools armature just burned out.
Speakup on June 24, 2009 at 3:37 PM
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