Sanford's Appalachian (Argentinian) hike

Well good people of South Carolina...looks like your governor can't stand the political heat. You have the power to vote him out of the kitchen!

He should have let his staff and lieutenant governor know where he was in case something happened like a hurricane, flood, tornado or some other natural disaster. It is not partisan or overly critical to expect that level of communication from the governor of a state.

Way to go buddy. Next time you decide to go "boating" by yourself in another country with no way to get in touch, you might want to let your family know in advance.

Seriously. What kind of dad/husband does that?

Well, no doubt Stanford did himself some real damage with this little escapade. But while we have several Swamp items on Sanford's "disappearance," I am wondering why there is no Swamp item regarding the brouhaha over Democratic Virginia Gov. Kaine jetting all over the U.S. for the Democratic party's business but on the dime of the Virginia taxpayers? What Sanford did certainly was goofy, but it pales to the ethics problem and possible crimes committed by the Virginia Democratic governor and the Democratic party. But, of course, Mark Silva shows an inability to honestly report and to report the misdeeds of Democrats.

Maybe he didnt get the gift he was hoping for for fathers day?
Definately sounds like a family issue to me, especially if his wife didnt even know where he was.

This story doesn't hold water. There's SO much more going on here. It'll be fun to watch it unfold.

Evidently, he was in communication with his Chief of Staff and the story said he has been known to take adventure trips before. Sounds like some staffer made a comment and the media blew it up like Chicken Little when the media couldn't get a hold of him. Unfortunately, now instead of him being rested or whatever he needed, he will be hounded of what he did there and if he doesn't come up with a story the media wants to hear I'm sure there will be plenty of gossip to fill in the gaps.

Mark Sanford is probably the best governor of any state in this country. His integrity is something that our current governor can only dream about. We need someone like him in Springfield.

Sounds suspicious, doesn't it? If I were a voter in South Carolina, he would not be on the 'good' list. In fact, he just might be on the 'recall' list.

Argentina, Appalachia haven't we all confused them at some point?

I bet this whole thing has made for a memorable Father's day for those kids.

Seriously, who travels overseas without letting his family or his office know? Wouldn't you want someone to know you were going to be in a foriegn country for a period of time? Wouldn't you want someone to be able to get in touch with you in case of an emergency?

Who cares he went on a trip, not that interesting. Its not like he tried to sell a Senate Seat. Leave that to the Democrats of Illinois!

When asked why his staff said he was on the Appalachian Trail, Sanford replied, "I don't know."

Sanford later said "in fairness to his staff," he had told them he might go hiking on the Appalachian Trail.''

*********************

"I don't know". "Well I told them I might do that."

Sounds like there's a lot more to this story. I does not pass the sniff test as it stands.

So what's the over/under on the number of days until we find out that he was there with a lover and figured no one would recognize them in Argentina?

So which is it? Appalachia? Argentina? Oh wait, he wasn't actually in Argentina, alone, with his male or female lover. He was actually in ANTARCTICA.

This story is getting ridiculous. Why the secrecy? Pick one story and stick to it. And make sure your wife backs you up. He looked ludicrous when she said she didn't know where he was.

Remember those "red-phone" ads during the presidential campaign? This guys screwed if he tries to run. You gotta figure one of his opponents would be smart enough to run a similar ad:

The White House gets a 3:00AM call. The staff says "sorry, he's not home and we don't know how to reach him."

Hey Bruce - where are ya?

How'd Redstate.com do on apologizing for propagating lies on this story?

A non-story that continues to grow with the lies and cover-ups and grandstanding by the Repubs saying nothing wrong here.

But I'm sure Redsate will get to the bottom of this,,,,,,,

So what's the over/under on the number of days until we find out that he was there with a lover and figured no one would recognize them in Argentina?

Posted by: Jimmy the Greek | June 24, 2009 10:27 AM

Now you're on to something, bouyancy. The guy was plainly trying to mislead everyone, suggesting he was hiding something.

John D: Try dwelling in reality every now and then. Not all Republicans are perfect. This oddball is an imperfect Republican (but I repeat myself). It's ok; you're not Mark Sanford and don't have to defend him.

Now if Mitch McConnell, Chuck Grassley and that other Senator Graham all take a "hike" the Country would be better off.

It is very clear to me that he is lying. What the truth is, I don't know. Hopefully the good people in the media will find out for us.

The article from The State is very interesting. Sanford didn't come back to the same airport he left his Sates vehicle at because he was trying to avoid the media. Is that because he was trying to avoid acknowledging where he had actually been? Was he going to stick with the Appalachian Trail lie if a reporter hadn't cought him getting off a plane from Argentina? If this was no big deal, why was he trying to sneak back into the country unnoticed?

I want to see Sanford do his Madonna in drag impersonation and dance the lambada at his press conference today!

Truly, there is nothing more entertaining that to watch a politician who has shot themselves in the foot trying to save their politcal career. Pass the popcorn. This is going to be fun.

Mark Sanford is probably the best governor of any state in this country. His integrity is something that our current governor can only dream about. We need someone like him in Springfield.
Posted by: eBob | June 24, 2009 9:43 AM

Springfield? Where Bart and Lisa lives?

Show us your bank records, sir!

Wow, and to think there was talk of this guy running for the next presidential election. That's pretty sad to leave your staff and making them look even more idiotic because you've basically lied to them regarding your whereabouts. Imagine if he were the president.

Mark Sanford is probably the best governor of any state in this country. His integrity is something that our current governor can only dream about. We need someone like him in Springfield.
Posted by: eBob | June 24, 2009 9:43 AM

eBob, say what you will about Quinn, but his integrity is pretty much acknowledged by everyone. Do you have some specific charges to level against him?

As a South Carolinian it's unfortunate to see yet another negative story related to our state. Come on Gov, WAKE UP! Embarrassing...

I admire the governor for his free spirit in going on a sudden adventure.

South Caroline survived his short absence.

Being from Illinois and Chicago I believe we would be better off here if nearly all are legislators and elected officials left for South America permanently.

Don't cry for him South Carolina..... he'll be back to pasty in no time.

Sheesh. I am a democrat, so I guess I should jump on the bandwagon, but I can't.

As political transgressions go, this one is pretty tame. I hope we don't rule out candidates for things like this. Sounds more like a communications snafu rather than some flake out.

I too like to escape on occasion, just hit the road and go for a drive for a few days. It is a great way to think though life's problems, have some fun, and get some rest.

No respect for a governor who refuses to accept Federal money for political reasons. It is not that he cares for the people of the state who are looking for immediate relief, but he is pandering to his political support base.
it is the basic duty of a senior manager to let his immediate subordinates be aware of how to reach him in case of emergencies. Especially in this era of cell phones. There are situations where u need that

Ok Place you bets! Here's the latest betting line on Sanford's excuse at his press conference this afternoon:
3-2 "All lies by the liberal media. I never left the Governor's mansion"
3:1 "I can't answer any questions for reasons of national security"
5:1 "I was spending time with my secret lover, Kate from Jon & Kate plus 8".
10:1 "I was spending time with my secret lover, Jon from Jon & Kate plus 8"
40:1 "My impulsive act was the result of eating too many twinkies."
100:1 The truth.

Well, according to the right wing contributors here at the Swamp, BHO's and Michelle's date to NYC was a political cataclysm, and going out for burgers with dijon mustard was a fatal mistake.
But this dude disappears to Argentina for days, his peops lie about it, and it's just understandable decompression.

This is erratic behavior and may indicate a mental illness.

I'm sure he did indeed get the gift he wanted on Fathers' Day- from a nice little hottie in BA. You know Republicans. Very keen on family values. Even better if those family values happen out of the US. Remember Newt?

Isn't South Carolina famous for em peaches? I am also just utterly shocked that Johny W and Herby have no comments here after uploading a terabite of fluff on a similar thread.

Give the guy a break. So he had a wild hair and needed to get some Tango action. It's not like S.C. needs governing anyway, or why else would the voters elect a Republican?

Gov. Sanford please come home the wife, the children the taxpayers are wondering where in hell you are. What a dufus, his future is not very bright at this point.

So he went to Argentina for a dalliance?

He fits right in with the rest of the presidential wanna-bes; Newt, Ensign...

Sanford's having an affair? I'm shocked, shocked I say!

In a weird way, this kind of makes me respect Blago and Ryan more. Even when the heat got to be too much for them, they managed to stay in the country.

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 cell could tell you he would get caught.

Thanks, stooopid- good job

Must be nice. I've been out of work for over a year and I'm really stressed too. Maybe I'll deduct a trip to Rio from the taxes/penalty ima have to pay for the early 401k withdrawal I'm currently living off.

Posted by: Jimmy the Greek | June 24, 2009 1:46 PM

Looks like the 5-1 shot is the winner!!!

Close enough, anyway.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/24/sanford-admits-affair-wit_n_220294.html

"Mark Sanford is probably the best governor of any state in this country. His integrity is something that our current governor can only dream about."

Oh yeah!!! Oh yeah!! OH YEAH!!

ROFLOL!!

"What Sanford did certainly was goofy, but it pales to the ethics problem and possible crimes committed by the Virginia Democratic governor and the Democratic party."

Please. Your party is so morally bankrupt, so devoid of integrity, that nothing compares to the deviant acts the GOP has committed. Then again, when a man abandons his family on Father's Day to be with his mistress and a supporter such as yourself refers to this as merely "goofy," that pretty much explains why the GOP is now in shambles.

GODP/Sanford = No moral compass

Anybody else get the feeling a body is ready to pop up somewhere?