Steele: Sanford Should Have Known Better, Threw Trust Back In Voters' Faces (VIDEO)

RNC Chairman Michael Steele lashed out at embattled Gov. Mark Sanford on Tuesday, saying the South Carolina Republican had thrown the voters' trust back in their faces. Sounding like an angry parent, he scolded the governor, saying that he should have "known better."

But Steele didn't call on Sanford to step down from the governor's chair, saying such a decision would be left to the people of South Carolina. But in his second public comment on Sanford's admission to an extramarital affair with a woman in Argentina, he was hardly forgiving.

"It is a problem of leadership," said Steele in an interview on Fox News. "It is a failure of individuals to understand and appreciate why they were elected.... And when you throw that back in the voter's face this is the price you pay. So my heart goes out to Mrs. Sanford and the boys, but the governor should know better. That is not what leadership is about. It is not your personal agenda. It is about the service you bring to the community. That is what people expect. There is a higher standard for guys and gals who assume that mantle of public leadership. And we have got to live up to it. No doubt about it, Democrats and Republicans."

Added to those of Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota, Steele's comments are the harshest rebukes to come from within the Republican Party. Other figures, notably Sen. Lindsey Graham (the godfather of Sanford's children) have expressed personal disappointment with the news but argued that this is largely a private matter. In the end, there seems to be little benefit for the GOP to rally behind Sanford's cause. The party is already reeling from a host of ethics gaffes and political embarrassments. And now strategists are beginning to wonder whether officials should step back a bit from their family values platform. If Sanford survives, in short, it won't be because figures like Steele make moves to ensure he stays in office.

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Comments

[LemonMeringue]

Dear Mr. Steele:

At least Sanford did not kill 1.4 million people when he threw trust back in their faces, as did George W. Bush and his executioner Richard Bruce Cheney. Then there is the $3 trillion cost, the 5 million displaced from their homes, and 10 million or likely more who have been wounded and maimed.

[thinkingwomanmillstone]

Still don't understand how you can leave the country with no way to get in touch and keep your job. He is paying back money for a trip he took which is tantamount to an admission of wrong doing. If my husband used corporate money in this way, he would be fired. I think people are just inurred to corruption and are sidetracked by the affairs. I don't care if he cheats on his wife, I care if he cheats on his state.

[justobserve]

Sandford said he found his soulmate. So be it: divorce the woman he had loved for the woman he now loves. Life goes on until he finds another soulmate! Don't expect his wife to reconcile with him after his statement about his newfound "soulmate". Enough rotten moral to be a role model for his four sons and humiliation for his family. As for South Carolinians, if they accept him then the moral standard is going down hill with these people at the top. Due to their acceptance of such behavor, we can expect to see more of them in our society. No shame!.

[tomasedison]

Are the Feds still investigating Steele, or did he manage to settle ?

[John Bell]

Steele to Sanford: Oh, you nasty boy! Any resemblance to Larry Craig is completely coincidental.

[webrock]

Poor Steele, wishes he was back in the commentary circuit...­.Just keep smiling Steele...i­t will soon be over.

[medic628]

He is just happy to be let out of the house!

[lianmolive]

Well at least there is a Republican rebuking Sinford. Most are quiet on the matter. Or, like Rush, blaming it on Obama (rolling my eyes).

Cons would have more credibility if they all came our and demanded Sanford's resignation.

[Deja Peterson]

don't get too excited, the clarification (aka apology) will be coming soon.

[dollbaby]

YEP!!! Once Rush gets a hold of what he said.

[myworld]

shaking my head....

[cookiejar422]

His words comand no response..­. why are his glasses always crocked

[maryjflyfree]

LOL that was really funny!

[We-Are-The-Ones]

Either his glasses are askew or if he takes them off he is all crazy-eyed looking.

LOL

[henrypapillon]

he is cross-eyed

[NaaJane]

That's how he rolls in Maryland..­.

[hardlyhikin]

His glasses are straight, it's his head that's screwed on crooked.

[henrypapillon]

bravo !

[superstition]

And yet the Obama administration just defended DOMA.

The Democrats refuse to repeal DOMA.

Instead of using the hypocrisy of Ensign, Vitter, and Sanford to stop discrimination against monogamous gay couples, the Democrats are completely ignoring the issue.

Change we don't believe in because there isn't any.

[We-Are-The-Ones]

In case you missed the statements yesterday,

The President has asked Congress to repeal DOMA. There is no refusal to repeal DOMA. There is no bill, as yet, in the House or the Senate.

Since this just happened YESTERDAY, I am certain many of us can wait more than 1 day before a law is repealed.

[superstition]

"Obama defends DOMA in federal court. Says banning gay marriage is good for the federal budget. Invokes incest and marrying children."
http://www.americablog.com/2009/06/obama-justice-department-defends-doma.html

Obama once support same-sex marriage "unequivocally".
http://digg.com/politics/1996_Obama_Once_Supported_Same_Sex_Marriage_Unequivocally

[TKDMike]

The GOP is a PARTY OF FREAKS....­..

[tel8034]

Steele should be well aware of BREAKING TRUST, after he dipped into campaign funds to fatten his pockets and to fatten his sister's pockets.

NO-ONE IN THE GOP TRUSTS MICHAEL STEELE WITH THE PARTY'S MONEY, BECAUSE THEY ALL KNOW THAT HE HAS "GREEDY STICKY FINGERS" ..........­...... Steele can't even sign a check on behalf of the GOP without receiving approval from the "good ol' southern boys".

[factotem]

Micahel, you're off message again. You're supposed to be likening Sanford to Jesus.

[Burkelbile]

tomtomtom