SC Governor Mark Sanford admits to affair

By Neil Braithwaite

Filed Under Race for White House 2012, Scandals on Jun 24 

Governor Sanford admits to affair and also resigns as Chairman of RGA.

Speaks extensively about his faith and apologizes to family and constituents.

Sad to say that one of the Republican hopefuls just lost hope.

Scratch the top GOP horse for 2012.

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Comments

25 Comments

  1. Clint on 24.06.2009 at 14:43 (Reply)

    Cant believe this. I would have not been surprised by man… but I would have NEVER expected this out of this man. This is a sad sad day for South Carolina.

  2. Alaina on 24.06.2009 at 14:46 (Reply)

    I can’t believe this… he had a shot in 2012 and then to blow it like this? Unbelievable…

    I didn’t hear the press conference, but it’s clearly not a one night stand… he went to another country to see her.

  3. Scott A. Robinson on 24.06.2009 at 14:51 (Reply)

    No freaking way. I thought Neil trying to be funny but it is the real deal.

    1. Neil Braithwaite on 24.06.2009 at 15:00 (Reply)

      Scott – I’m funny, just not always. No laughing matter today! Pray for the Sanford family.

  4. Red State Eddio on 24.06.2009 at 15:00 (Reply)

    Wow. I’m just stunned. What a shame and a waste. How sad for the kids and family.

  5. Lizzy on 24.06.2009 at 15:11 (Reply)

    The pressure is just too great for the average man or woman in politics now. I’m all about Romney this cycle now more than ever, I don’t want to see this type of deceit and lack of character in conservative leadership anymore. What a let down. Wishing strength on the wife and kids.

  6. East of Eden on 24.06.2009 at 15:14 (Reply)

    Perhaps he shot himself in the foot on purpous?

  7. Joe Citizen on 24.06.2009 at 15:15 (Reply)

    Yawwwwwwnnn….Spitzer, Edwards, Clinton, Ensign, Gingrich, Vitter, Sanford…..SHOCKED! I’M JUST SO SHOCKED!

  8. Jason Wright, Editor on 24.06.2009 at 16:53 (Reply)

    Here’s what I said yesterday at 2:11 PM.

    “Will it be an issue in 2012? Not unless they discover he was cavorting with another woman — or worse — a democrat.”

    It took 24 hours for this to go from an odd and awkward gaffe to the end of a promising career.

    Yeah, yeah, I know, he can still be a good governor, his career isn’t over, whatever.

    Well guess what? A week ago he was the best hope for the GOP in 2012, chairman of the RGA, a darling among conservatives. Now he’s just another cheater.

  9. treen on 24.06.2009 at 16:57 (Reply)

    Don’t you just LOVE it when a professed-Christian politician gets busted for cheating on his wife, his press conference is a declaration of his faith? Some faith there, buddy! It’s jack-holes like you that make decent Christians look like morons!

    I’m not watching the clip because stuff like this is so totally aggravating to me, but please tell me he didn’t make his wife stand there next to him like Spitzer did.

    1. East of Eden on 24.06.2009 at 17:27 (Reply)

      No, she did not stand next to him. In fact she was not at the press conf. I also just saw a story, that she kicked him out of the house two weeks ago….

      What a mess.

    2. Gary Russell on 24.06.2009 at 18:00 (Reply)

      Treen,

      First, let me say that I am NOT defending Sanford. Very disappointed in him, and sad that he wasted what could have been a lot of influence for good.

      Having said that, Treen… what a self-righteous, arrogant windbag you must be to have such a response! Can’t you imagine that, just possibly, a Christian could mess up and SINCERELY regret it, or have you never heard of David, or read the book of Psalms? Or maybe Abraham? The list goes on and on…

      Falling flat on your face/faith does NOT mean that you weren’t sincere in the past, or that you weren’t trying NOT to screw up, or that you’re giving up on your faith.

      Just curious…do you hang out at liquor stores and verbally harass anyone who ever attended an AA meeting for being a phony?

      1. Gary Russell on 24.06.2009 at 18:06 (Reply)

        Please don’t confuse my comments to be in ANY way supportive of Sanford as a politician.

        Concerning his political future, I agree with Brian H – this former “Stallion” should be converted to a “gelding”. Ouch!

      2. treen on 24.06.2009 at 18:43 (Reply)

        I do believe that Christians can mess up and regret it, and be repentant. I’m very familiar with the stories of David and Abraham in the Old Testament, thanks. I don’t, however, believe that politicians in this position are in that situation. They’re sorry they got caught and nothing more, especially since – hello – he JUST got off the plane this morning.

        I am getting pretty tired of my non-Christian friends mocking me for my faith because of morons like Sanford giving Christians yet another notch on the hypocrisy scale. So you’ll have to forgive me for my criticism of Sanford’s profession of his faith.

        1. Gary Russell on 24.06.2009 at 19:07 (Reply)

          Hey Treen,

          I understand where you’re coming from a little better now. Sorry to come across so harsh earlier…

  10. Sartho on 24.06.2009 at 17:10 (Reply)

    Hope he things she’s worth it – the loss of reputation and a decent shot at the presidency.

    But at the same time, I can’t help but compare him to all the other stupid things are presidential hopefuls (and winners) have done. How many have cheated on the wives? How many have done drugs? How many have done both? How many have done so many other “shameful” things? He’ll probably get the nomination if he still runs. ;)

    1. Sartho on 24.06.2009 at 17:24 (Reply)

      Man, I need to review my posts before I post them. He “things” she’s worth it??? And are instead of our? They need to repeal the “no internet at work” rule so I don’t feel so rushed.

  11. Jason Wright, Editor on 24.06.2009 at 17:18 (Reply)

    Want a fun chuckle? Read these comments:

    http://politicalderby.com/2009/06/23/pd-lead-horse-sandford-goes-awol/

    Especially #3 and #4.

    But there are other wonderfully misguided opinions there, too ;)

    1. Gary Russell on 24.06.2009 at 18:03 (Reply)

      Kinda puts a new spin on the whole “Slam Bam Thank you Ma’am” line, doesn’t it?
      Wow…

  12. Reaganite Republican on 24.06.2009 at 17:20 (Reply)

    What an idiot- the DNC has been tracking his every move since he embarassed Chairman O with his rejection of porkulus funds.

    Anybody with a dozen brain cells could tell you he would get caught. Oh well- he wasn’t going to beat Palin, Gingrich or Romney anyway.

    Thanks, stoopid- and good job, I hope it was worth it… I pray for your family.

    http://reaganiterepublicanresistance.blogspot.com/

  13. Mrs. Rusty Shackleford on 24.06.2009 at 17:21 (Reply)

    OK, it’s bad enough that they have an affair, but in his statement he appears to be more concerned over hurting his mistress than anyone else since he spends more time explaining how it started and says “I hurt her” then says his wife and his boys.

    I thought these men would be too busy to be able to start another relationship? How did he have so much time on his hands and how do you hook up with someone from Argentina from South Carolina, USA???

    And to think that when the initial outrage of him being MIA, Homeland Security was referenced. OK, second question: Did he pose a possible threat in his actions? In these day and times should it be looked into further since it involved another country? Any security misteps or room for misteps possible? Not a conspiracy theory, just a question.

    Lord please let there be better men/women out there that are qualified and capable of leading our country and our citizens. People of virtue, commitment, priciples, faith, and compassion. AMEN

  14. Brian H on 24.06.2009 at 17:34 (Reply)

    The utter stupidity of this man can not be out into words. These things are all to common in families but, PLEASE, don’t run for public office and expose your family, friends, party, and constituents to your lack of control. He should have quietely stepped away from his duties when this began.

    I am still not convinced this is the entire story. I think the people of SC deserve to know exactly who this “dear dear friend” is and exactly when he was with her. White, wealthy, married men do not secretly travel to South American countries to engage in “affairs” with a “dear dear friend”. I am not convinced that this man has not participated in “activities” in Argentina that would make him not only a cheater, but also a criminal. Not trying to feed into any conspiracy theories but it simply still makes no sense to me.

    A few months back I attacked John Edwards for this kind of behavior and this man derserves no less treatment.

    Many of us have, and will continue, to slam President Obama for his policies, but, we should also take this moment to acknowledge him as being a loving father and husband to his family. Obama at least seems smart enough to know that self discipline is a character trait that one must have to seek such high positions of public trust.

    Happy Ftahers Day, Mr. President.
    Screw you, Sanford.

    Looks like this Stallion will be to retiring to the stud farm.,,,or perhaps should be converted to a gelding. Either way, his entry into the 2012 Derby has officially been scratched.

  15. David Kaiser, Editor on 25.06.2009 at 09:33 (Reply)

    Sanford needs to resign.

    1. Brian H on 25.06.2009 at 10:00 (Reply)

      Exactly.

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