Yesterday, another pro-family, religious right Republican leader fell from grace. South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford admitted an affair with a woman in Argentina. In his news conference, he apologized to his family, his constituents, and his staff and to “people of faith.”
The media firestorm began after Sanford was reported missing for several days. Initially, his staff reported that he was hiking in the Appalachian Trail to unwind from a testy legislative session. Then his wife said that he was in seclusion to work on a book. Of course, the real story was that he went on a 5,600 mile trip to Argentina to hook up with his mistress.
Sanford let down his party, his state, his family and ruined his reputation. He resigned his position as Chairman of the Republican Governor’s Association, but may fight to preserve his job as Governor of South Carolina. He may choose to follow the path of U.S. Senator David Vitter and hang on to his position, or he may resign like former New York Governor Elliot Spitzer.
In this Sanford sex scandal, there are still a few pieces of the puzzle missing. One of the real questions involves whether he paid for the trip personally or whether it was financed by the taxpayers. If it is uncovered that the taxpayers paid for Sanford to visit his mistress, than this scandal will only intensify.
One thing is certain; Sanford will never be a player on the national political scene. It is a real shame because he was the type of independent libertarian leaning Republican that the GOP needs to connect with millions of disaffected voters.
Unfortunately for the GOP, the party has now been rocked once again, and another shining political star has been exposed as a hypocrite and an adulterer who has corrupt family values. The long list of recent GOP sex scandals is growing: Bob Livingston, Newt Gingrich, Henry Hyde, Mark Foley, Larry Craig, David Vitter, John Ensign, and now Sanford.
It is one thing for a Democrat to be exposed as a philanderer because liberal candidates rarely embrace family values or stress the importance of the sanctity of marriage. When this type of scandal happens to a Republican, it harms the entire social conservative movement and raises legitimate questions in the minds of voters. Who can we trust? Are they all just a bunch of hypocrites?
So many Republican politicians have been revealed as hypocrites, it will be no surprise if conservative voters do not trust anyone. The Sanford scandal is a symptom of our corrupt society today and reflects the troubles of many marriages. In a society in which 50% of marriages end in divorce, it is no surprise that so many GOP politicians are having affairs.
However, Sanford did more than just have an affair. He lied to his staff; he abandoned his constituents and went on a mystery trip. In the process, he disgraced his family and he concocted an elaborate story to cover his tracks. How stupid for a man to ruin his promising political career for a 5,600 mile booty call.
It shows once again the frailties of human beings and the narcissism of our politicians today. Who do we trust? It is time everyone stopped placing trust in fallible human beings and started placing trust in the only being that is truly worthy, God.
Jeff Crouere is the Host of “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 7:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and 7 till 11 a.m. weekdays on WGSO 990 AM in New Orleans and the Northshore. He is the Political Analyst for WGNO-TV ABC26 and a Columnist for selected publications. For more information, visit his web site at RingsidePolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com
Um, Sid when you said, "If it's proven that he used public funds in his affair, then he should be forced into resigning," did you happen to come across this quote down thread? "South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford admits he used taxpayer money to see his mistress in Argentina and plans to repay the cash." I think that is a rather unambiguous statement by Sanford, he used taxpayer money to hike the Appalachian Trail. Have a fantastic 4th of July!! Written by Gabriella
on 7/4/2009
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You just can't help yourself can ya KL? Kinda like Sanford, he keeps opening his mouth and his brains continue to leak out. If it's proven that he used public funds in his affair, then he should be forced into resigning, otherwise let the good folks of South Carolina have their way with him at election time. Written by Sid
on 7/2/2009
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If the Federal government wants to help the unemployed in the states then why don't they remove the strings that are attached to the unemployment "stimulus" money. Someone giving you money and stipulating how it should be spent is one thing, giving you money and specifying how you will spend additional money after the original money is gone is quite another. Written by kpf
on 7/2/2009
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"To me Sanford deserves the most scorn and shame not for his affair, but for his cynical effort to reject federal stimulus funds due to his low-income, high-unemployment state".........And, "if adultery is a nonpartisan problem, it's hard not to notice how the worst family-values hypocrites tend to be Republicans, from Newt Gingrich and Bob Livingston, to Mark Foley and Larry Craig, to David Vitter, John Ensign and now Sanford." (Joan Walsh) Written by KjunLady
on 7/1/2009
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I love the way this thread turned from an article about my phalandering to chickens and race. Seems you all have forgotten about me and my ... indiscretion. Perhaps you can help me with a problem I'm having. Seems as though my wife is upset with me. Perhaps you good people would have either some chicken jokes or racial jokes you could share with me. Perhaps if I can get my wife from thinking about that sweet ... I mean ... that homewrecking Argentine harlot ... with a joke or two. Written by Mark Sanford, won't you please hep me?
on 7/1/2009
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"Stuck on sterotypes are you"... nah- but I sure got you pegged. Written by KjunLady
on 7/1/2009
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"I like chicken and I like watermelon, does that make me a democrat?" Written by Sid on 7/1/2009 .......... You keep telling us you're black-- so what!?...who cares?... This blog is color-blind, remember?.. Why do you feel a need to include your race... Nobody asked- Nobody brought it up... Only YOU,... AGAIN... (now back to the chickens...geesh) Written by KjunLady
on 7/1/2009
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Why do you equate watermelon with black folks dear KL? Stuck on sterotypes are you? Written by Sid
on 7/1/2009
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Uh, Sid--- who mentioned watermelon?.................You.............Why?........ cuz you LOVE playing the race-card..... You start it -- then ya wanna scream racism.... (I still say you're whiter than sliced bread) Written by KjunLady
on 7/1/2009
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Dear KL your blatant racism precedes you dear woman. Get a life. Grow up. It's time to graduate high school. Written by Sid
on 7/1/2009
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"I like chicken and I like watermelon"... whoops... and, one black rooster. Written by KjunLady
on 7/1/2009
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I like chicken and I like watermelon, does that make me a democrat? Stupid crap on this one guys! Written by Sid
on 7/1/2009
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Cute, Gab... a "turn to the left."......and, WB- what's gotten into you?.. You surely are "acting up" lately.... (seems I heard those same words somewhere:)... and, when you said "Rhode Island Red"-- I could've sworn you picked up on our "chicken conversation".... (oh, never mind.)... but, all our chickens are BLUE:) Written by KjunLady
on 6/27/2009
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Taking a left turn, WB, can be most refreshing! Written by Gabriella
on 6/27/2009
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And now you see how it's done folks... Pay close attention to the right hand now......................... nayuck-nuck-nuck-nuck-nuck............. Media, sheesh, what an embezzel, wut an ultramaroon.. Heh-heh, Yah know Doc, (crunch-crunch-crunch) I knew I shoulda taken that left turn at Albuquerque!
Written by
on 6/27/2009
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"Did ya see that hawk after those hens? He scared 'em! That Rhode Island Red turned white, then blue. Rhode Island, red white and blue! That's a joke, son, a flag-waver! You're built too low. The fast ones go over your head. Ya got a hole in your glove. I keep pitchin' 'em and you keep missin' 'em! Ya gotta keep your eye on the ball! Eye. Ball. Eyeball! I almost had a gag, son--a joke, that is!"
Written by
on 6/27/2009
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'ell if I know what you would get when you cross an elephant with a rhino, but do you know why elephants are big, wrinkled, grey, and hairy? Because if they were small, smooth, white, and hairless, they'd be aspirin tablets!
Written by
on 6/27/2009
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Well it's very simple Doc, You either get peanut butter with a wonderful memory, or an elephant that sticks to the roof of your mouth... Written by
on 6/27/2009
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Hey Robert Desmarais Sullivan on 6/26/2009.......... What do you get when you cross an elephant with a jar of peanut butter????
Written by
on 6/27/2009
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Unfortunately the voters in this country are largely limited to waiting for re-election time to be rid of an elected official. I suppose we could try to convince sitting politicians to enact legislation that would make it easier for us to kick them out of office.... Written by ... but don't hold your breath waiting on that
on 6/27/2009
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Jeff, as you said, "If it is uncovered that the taxpayers paid for Sanford to visit his mistress, than this scandal will only intensify." Well, it looks like the heat will be ratcheting up as "South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford admits he used taxpayer money to see his mistress in Argentina and plans to repay the cash." A SurveyUSA poll conducted with South Carolina adults showed 60% feel Sanford should resign. A major issue for voters was that he chose to go AWOL. When asked, "Did the governor have the right? Or not have the right? To take a vacation without informing the public of his absence?" 63% responded he did not have the right. Written by Gabriella
on 6/27/2009
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Generalizations, no matter how accurate are the primary source of evil in human relations. They not only taint interpersonal relationships but also have led to such things as death camps. Best to treat people as individuals, and not assume they have "x" characteristic due to "y" trait. I like to think of the absurdity of prejudice (a form of generalization) with this statement: “I can tell by the color of your skin that you judge people by their skin color.” Wrong, silly and yes - evil. Written by kpf
on 6/26/2009
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Jeff, on morals and political parties, you are a crock of peanut butter! To make a gross generalization that Democrats and liberals don't have family values and that Republicans and conservatives do is so prejudiced and unfounded that I was tempted to ignore the statement. However, I can't let something so absurd pass. If you just think about the scandals of the last ten years, including the exaggerated Bill Clinton years, you will be astonished at the number of Republican men who have been caught with their fly open for men and women, girls and boys. The only generalization I could make from that long list is that Republicans have a tendency to be caught, and that for me suggests an IQ problem as much as a moral one. We might also compare divorce rates in blue and red states as an interesting exercise. I don't know whether that would lead to anything or not. Or even whether it would mean anything. In any event, your statement is on the level of the claim that Blacks eat more watermelon, even though I've seen all my White Mississippi and Louisiana relatives dig into plenty of watermelon at crawfish boils! Written by Robert Desmarais Sullivan
on 6/26/2009
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Spot on, I agree. If we just had a party that didn't try to legislate morality and also would neither steal the taxpayers' money (through means too numerous to mention) nor attempt to "control the markets" through the Fed and other schemes. Unfortunately, neither party is close to fitting that description. The best that similarly minded people as I can hope for is divided government (what many call "gridlock"). Written by kpf
on 6/25/2009
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that while these scandals are exposing Republicans for being hypocrites on "family values" issues they also have a track of not practicing what they like to preach on fiscal issues, as well. Written by The Real Story is
on 6/25/2009
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What's new. This has been going on for years. They use to keep it quiet and the press would cooperate. It is not limited to Republicans, but they sure don't practice what the preach. Written by Disgusted
on 6/25/2009
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First, the idea that Sanford, Ensign(and Vitter before them) will obviously not be on the national ticket in 2012 and that automatically diminishes a party that was slaughtered in the '06 and '08 election cycles---that myth has been swallowed lock, stock and barrel by the media which promulgates that falsehood. It proves once again that if a lie is repeated often enough and not refuted or debated objectively, it becomes truth. That phonies like Sanford and Ensign are banished from the national ticket because of their sexcapades(and Louisiana's erstwhile junior senator as well) is a plus for the party. There are and will be many qualified and articulate candidates to offer against and administration that is the most far left ever and whose popularity will fade, as it already has begun to somewhat precipitously for someone in office for only five months. Gov. Pawlenty of Minnesota and former governors like Romney and Huckabee as well as Haley Barbour and others will step forward soon enough.
Good ridance to completely self-absorbed, selfish and 100 percent narcissistic individuals like Sanford, Ensign and Vitter.
While their conduct says much about their character of lack thereof, Gov. Sanford left his state for six days without his staff or family knowing his whereabouts, thus leaving the state completely vulnerable and without anyone at all at the helm. Were their to be an emergency or a crisis, the state would be left utterly leaderless, and he didn't care because of his sexual appetite. Were any working person to walk off the job for six days including the governor who is responsibile for the safety of every single citizen in his state, that individual would be fired from job---especially a GOVERNOR of state. Not to mention that he was so concerned over his four sons and wife that he left on Father's Day weekend---what a completely joke to cry over the damage done to his family. Lastly Gov. Sanford would still be carrying on the affair if he had not been caught by a reporter when he stepped off the plane in Atlanta. At least, South Carolinians have some standards that we in Louisiana don't have---there is already a move afoot in South Carolina to impeach the imposter who masquerades as their governor.
Good riddance to Sanford and others like him! "Power corrupts and abolute power corrupts absolutely". Written by Randall
on 6/25/2009
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What is with all these GOP politicians? They espouse family values while moonlighting on the side. That's what people hate about them. They're phony. At least the Democrats don't go around shooting their mouths about being Holier than thou.They moonlight, get caught, and admit they "have a need".They then go to church, preferably a minority church and beg "jesus for forgiveness". They then become distinguished Fellows,kinda like Bill Clinton. Written by wise ole owl
on 6/25/2009
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Seems that he learned his family values from Vitter. Another case of do as I say, not as I screw Written by Noladude
on 6/25/2009
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One of the top GOP leaders in South Carolina has called on the Governor to resign. How come none of the top GOP leaders in Louisiana ever called on Senator Vitter to resign? Written by David Quidd
on 6/25/2009
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This has been a pretty boring little buzzy buzz buzz bored buzzy buzzy day.... You folks need to come up with something worth reading..... ITS BEEN VEWY VEWY BOEING ON THIS SITE HEAR......................... Written by
on 6/25/2009
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On the other hand, it's difficult to get a "yea or nay" from God on proposed legislation. Since politicians continually show themselves to be untrustworthy, why not institue political reforms where politicians "propose" legislation, but the voters will decide whether or not to implement the proposed legislation? Written by In Us we trust
on 6/25/2009
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Another damn fool, Jeff, dear. However, it is time to out some of those democrats and independents, etc. Get hold of the D.C. Madame's records and the Canal Street Maldame's book and go to town. This city, this state, this nation will be topsy-turvy. We do need some good laughs. However, those laughs will come at the expense of many families. Written by RhettsWife
on 6/25/2009
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Yesterday, another pro-family, religious right Republican leader fell from grace. South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford admitted an affair with a woman in 
