Sanford: I will not resign from office

Posted: Monday, June 29, 2009 12:22 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: States, Republicans

From NBC's Mark Potter
In an interview with NBC News this morning, Gov. Mark Sanford (R) said categorically he will not resign as governor of South Carolina.

He said he intends to spend the last 18 months of his term improving his approach to proposing legislation.

He says he has consulted with a number of friends and spiritual advisers. All encouraged him to stay in office, which he says now he will do.

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Comments

Whose interests does this decision forward ??

A little self centered
There are rumors of multiple affairs

Does this whole incident damage the future prospects for Newt Gingrich ? Rudy Giuiliani ?? John Ensign ?

Time for someone to ask Sanford IF THERE WERE ANY OTHER AFFAIRS ??

How does his staying in office HELP THE PEOLE OF South Carolina ??

MSierra, SF (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 12:28 PM)

And why should King David step down?

Now if only his wife would agree to let him visit his mistress regularly, he can stop begging her to do so, and we can all live happily ever after!

Back to making sure that unemployed people don't get any help and South Carolina schools remain dilapidated.

Liberty and justice for all! (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 12:28 PM)

He said he intends to spend the last 18 months of his term improving his approach to proposing legislation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Geee and here I thought improving his marriage would be his top priority... Guess not!

Typical self centered Republicant! Go figure!

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 12:28 PM)

Hey Marky Mark...."IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU"

Mainly it's about your family and then it's about the people you are supposed to be representing.

As far as this progressive "left coaster" is concerned, you are worthless.

Greg R., Spokane, WA (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 12:28 PM)

If Bill Clinton didn't resign, why should Sanford?

DG, Houston, TX (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 12:29 PM)

Mark Sanford = daddy dearest ... the gangster of love ... and sleazy e-mails to boot.

Sucks to be him I'll bet.

Bad Chihuahua (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 12:30 PM)

Well, of course not - He's done NOTHING wrong. Well, accept for that job abandonment. I guess the higher up the career ladder you get, the less you are expected to be accountable for your position?

Truly the Peter Principle enacted. I just wonder if a woman behaved this way - would she be 'forced' out? It is South Carolina, they are good christians who forgive.

Sarcasm meter at about 110%.

Clara Kansas City, MO (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 12:30 PM)

Sanford just needs to get Reverend Al Sharpton to speak up for him. Shouldn't be much of a problem, Rev Al can be bought for a few hundred thousand. Who said that stimulus money couldn't be put to good use?

Albert H., St. Louis (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 12:31 PM)

What a hypocrit Adulterer Sanford is that he won't resign from office after his affair has been discovered by the diligent free press. Yeah he was real quick to demand that Bill Clinton resign but as always the repugnant ones never practice what they preach.

But that's okay because we Democrats still have Adulterer Sanford to kick around for the next 1.5 years. We'll make sure his shame hangs around the party of sore losers while he's still in office.

Resign Now Adulterer Sanford!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 12:31 PM)

Hey Mark,

If you have 5 more affairs you will qualify to run for President as a Democrap

It worked for slick willie!

MSierra, SF (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 12:32 PM)

See liberals, this phony nonsense about spirtual advisers works for Republicans too.

Rev Ike (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 12:32 PM)

Hello everyone. Please always remember one thing:

Character is much easier kept than recovered.

Have a Happy 4th!

Thomas Paine (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 12:33 PM)

He does, however, plan to vacation in Argentina. What a hypocrite.

Steeler Fan Pittsburgh, PA (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 12:35 PM)

W-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-l-l-l-l, Gov Sanford
Don't talk about President Obama and additional spending nor family values, for that matter, until you repay the State for your Sexual Odyssey.

<><><><>>
Clarence Darrow (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 11:00 AM)
The gentleman involved, Ricci, was dyslexic and had to pay a tutor to prepare for the exam. He ended up scoring the highest. Should he have been denied promotion, Beverly?

If Ricci was an African American, wouldn't he have been promoted by now? So how is that just?
<><><><>><><><><>>
Clarence Darrow
What does a medical condition have to do with cultural difference?
I think... If Ricci had been an African American he would have not have read anything about oranges.

Beverly in Chicago (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 12:35 PM)

He will probably go to jail before his term ends for theft of state money.

TheGOPisGoofy (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 12:36 PM)

It is sad to watch the public spectacle of Governor Sanford continuing to believe that the entire world revolves around him and his every need - his need for "love", his need for the "exotic", his need for redemption.

Yet another powerful man blinded by the illusion that he is more important than those he was elected to serve.

Nashville_fan (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 12:37 PM)

"He said he intends to spend the last 18 months of his term improving his approach to proposing legislation."

Go ahead Sanford, and improve your approach! That hottie in Argentina may still be waiting for ya'.

Hypocrit...where are the "Family Values" in this scenario?

Ed, San Antonio (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 12:38 PM)

I hope he takes a high profile with the Family Values message. This is just what the Dems are hoping for. He should propose legislation and tour the country telling of the republican way of life and fiscal conservatism (except publicly funded mistress vacations).

Comedy at its best.

John Lemaster (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 12:38 PM)

Arrogant just like his friend the former dunce in chief! He lives by HIPOCRISY!!!!His word is no longer worthy!!!!!!HE WENT AWOL!!!!!!!!!!

Terry, Disabled Vet, Des Moines, IA (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 12:38 PM)

Do as I say, not as I do. Typical politician!

Chris - IL (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 12:38 PM)

Sure would like to hear how the people of SC feel about this. Haven't seen any one interviewed. I personally don't care what he does. He's gotta live with himself!

cindy, las vegas, nv (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 12:39 PM)

As it often happens, it is not about adultery or spending South Carolina's money. It is about politics. The Dems do not want the Lt. Gov. to get a leg up and the GOP...they don't know what they want. He may stay in office, but it will be the most miserable 18 months of his life. Oh, and forget a political future. What will bite him is spending taxpayer dollars.

Ron Indiana (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 12:39 PM)

Good for you, Mark Sanford.

Did Clinton resign? Enough said.

Now watch the Libs show their hypocrisy.

Fortunate Son (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 12:39 PM)

I would think the state should take him to court, to recover lost wages,air fares,food and lodging, that sanford spent while making up reasons to visit his lover.Eight years of lame reasons to go to Argentina to have his willie wonked.I'm sure Ensign will not resign either,the Family values party has a differant idea of values as the rest of us,for them working the tally wacker over time,with some one that is not the little lady at home watching the kids.This guy is like watching a train wreck,you know it's going to happen,but there is nothing anyone can do to stop it.Clickity clak,Clickity clak!

jesse St Paul MN (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 12:39 PM)

He won't get much done after this because people will question everything he does. He has been tainted by scandle and may not be able to recover.

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 12:39 PM)

Maybe while he's at it he can improve his approach to being truthful and trustworthy.

Gail, TN (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 12:45 PM)

Of course he wont resign
The People of SC should have him inpeached

Nj (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 12:46 PM)

Hypocrisy with a capital H! Others who have
also had "extramarital connections" (ie:
Bill Clinton) are too soiled to serve and
should step down, but not him.
Power is too wonderful to give up.

Pat Yates, Humble, Texas (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 12:47 PM)

Why should he resign. He fits the perfect mold of an American politician. He is status quo!!

Ollie (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 12:49 PM)

who cares. While it's funny and ironic that he was caught betraying the principles of his Party...politicians disrespecting marriage isn't really news. Clinton wouldn't leave office either. Calls that he resign should be policy based, not because he is poor example of a husband.

Jonathan Flint, MI (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 12:49 PM)

Sanford, you are an embarrassment and disgrace to the party. Get off the stage, your continued presence is not helpful. Come on Repubs, we'll never get off the floor if we let jerks like this to continue representing the party. What is it about 'dumb and dumber' that we just don't get? Michael Steele, you worthless piece of crap, do you need any help in giving this guy a push?

Bill, Fairfax, VA (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 12:50 PM)

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 12:50 PM)

From NBC's Mark Potter:
He says he has consulted with a number of friends and spiritual advisers. All encouraged him to stay in office, which he says now he will do.
-------------------

His spritual advisor was probably Ensign, but the "fat lady" hasn't song yet...wifey..

While I had my ear to the wall I also found out the the Gov’s wife said, “unlike other political wives, "she is laying down conditions at the outset and being very specific and emphatic that he's got to toe the line". "The other wives sort of stood there like submissive somehow. She didn't take that approach. She said, `I love him. I want him back. But it depends on him.' She's holding the cards.

Code language; “if your sorry butt insists on me remaining the smiling dutiful little wife in public instead of divorcing your lying cheating no good ass and cleaning your clock, you’d better get rid of the little jade.”

It is my opinion that she was the one that actually assisted the efforts of the presses knowledge about the affair and e-mails. The old “hell hath no fury…

She also said that his career was his concern, not hers. In one of her statements it was quoted her as saying, “the trial separation was agreed to with the goal of ultimately strengthening our marriage." (Hump)
That was code language for “if you stay with me you will catch hell everyday for the rest of your life.

So it’s best that you start stepping, because there’s not a chance in hell that I’ll have anything else to do with your sorry ass”.

As details continue to unfold, I do believe that this incident will prove to be quite a shaker for the GOP in months to come…

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 12:50 PM)

Read McCain's blog at Daily Beast. It has nothin gto do with his private life. But there is a greater cloud over him, in that he has clearly not focused on his job, only on his little head. The big head went brain dead. In business, he would be out the door with a nice payout. His hubris makes his pennance all the more ridiculous. This is the classic response of someone infatuated with his own self worth.

Jeff, Rochester, NY (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 12:52 PM)

Won't resign? Then he should be fired/impeached for job abandonment - just like any other worker in the country.

jilli, houston, tx (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 12:52 PM)

Where is Senator Graham in all of this? The same Senator Graham who prosecuted the impeachment trial of Clinton over supposedly moral impropriety? Time for the Senator to throw Sanford under the bus; lest SC becomes the new and improved Illinois (political joke). The Senator has enough clout to make this happen, and he should.

ds, nyc (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 12:52 PM)

Will he work at being less of a hypocrite as well? Honestly if he wants to cheat on his wife thats his decision, however I think an apology is in order to all the people he has spewed his sanctimonious, holier than though BS at...start with Clinton and go from there.

Matt, detroit, mi (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 12:57 PM)

MSierra, SF : '...Hey Mark,

If you have 5 more affairs you will qualify to run for President as a Democrap

It worked for slick willie!...'

MoonDawg, Chihuhhua, Plastic Pam, Sailor Moon is using my signatorue again
I think he used it last week too

Can't get anyone to read your post, Moonie ??

MSierra, SF (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 12:59 PM)

One more thing...
The Republican Party in itself is being exposed for what it truly is. There is more news to come about Governor Sanford because he really hasn’t been honest. Why visit your Mistress on Father’s Day when you have young children of your own?

These politicians and ministers kill me with getting up before the public to confess their “sins” to America; playing on our sympathies then keeping their seats. Both he and Sen. Ensign should resign from public service.

They ran their offices on the platforms of self righteousness, it only right that both of them should be “forced” to practice what they’ve preached.

If they politicians) want us out of their bedrooms, then they shouldn’t put their bedrooms and family value ideas and dangerous personal religious opinions on the public stage. Didn't Spitzer resign for this same reason?

Thought For The Week: “The wisest, time, for it brings everything to light."

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 1:05 PM)

I'm so proud of you. Just hang in there and accuse your accusers. Ask them what the definition of IS is!

Bill, Little Rock, AR (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 1:05 PM)

Wow,,, My mind is at ease knowing his spiritual adviser gave him a get out of hell pass.What kind of priest would find this kind of behavior not troubling?Just go back to the office and keep a low pro for a while.Seems his friends approve of his cheating,Mitt was there,Lindsey,was there,I'm sure Ensign,a member of the Wet willie club,is happier then a pig in Alaska that Sanford came forth,he " got off easy".

jesse St Paul MN (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 1:07 PM)

DG, Houston, TX

You Repuglican ideologues live too much in the past. Stop bringing up Bill Clinton that was nearly a decade ago. Take responsibility for your own actions – it’s almost like a characteristic trait that is absent in Repuglicans and their supporters. Stop the hypocrisy it almost defies belief.

KPMc, Dallas, TX (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 1:13 PM)

Looks like we'll have a family values pinata for the next 18 months

Pedro, Texas (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 1:17 PM)

H.Y.P.O.C.R.I.S.Y

Having your penis omit committment regularly In six years

You need to quit govna... You were the first in line to call for BC's resignation, don't act surprised we are asking for yours.

This isn't even about being a callous P.O.S.

This is about taking off for 10 days without a peep to those running the state. Anyone else would be fired.

GP NW Indiana (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 1:19 PM)

If Bill Clinton didn't resign, why should Sanford?
DG, Houston, TX (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 12:29 PM)

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Clinton didn't go missing for 5 days!

Dennis, Columbus, Ohio (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 1:21 PM)

Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus

I said Jesus more than Bush

Obummer (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 1:23 PM)

Where is Joe and Mika's holier than tho endorsement of Mark Sanford for presidential candidate? Yes, you do endorse the finest sleeze when going after our President at the same time.

Donna in Old Toown (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 1:23 PM)

"Friends and Spiritual Advisers", huh? Do these "spiritual advisers" support adultery? Does he have any Democratic "friends"? This guy (Sanford) is a shameless two faced liar. Is that why the folks in South Carolina support him? If he faced an election today would he win? He has admitted using state funds to enable his Argentinian trysts. Should the guy who upbraided Bill Clinton for his lack of morals remain in office? I hope not. He doesn't pass the smell test. South Carolinians beware, this guy is an admitted liar and thief. Can you ignore that?

Richard, Topeka , KS (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 1:28 PM)

I agree with you Matt.

I noticed MSNBC changed their format on the screen. It's different, not sure if I like it, but what the heck, change is here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

cindy, las vegas, nv (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 1:29 PM)

I think that Nina Totenberg had the funniest line yesterday on Inside Washington to her male pundits: She said that in 1874 the hockey league made a rule that players had to use a cup to cover their package; it wasn't until 1974 that they had to wear helmets to protect their heads; and she added, that's where your gender is coming from....it was hilarious.

LB, V (Sent Monday, June 29, 2009 1:31 PM)

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