Mark Sanford Censured By South Carolina GOP, Which Stops Short Of Calling For His Resignation

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Fellow Republicans have censured South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford after he left the state last month on a secret trip to Argentina to meet his mistress.

The state GOP met for more than three hours by phone Monday before 22 members of the executive committee voted to formally reprimand Sanford. Ten others voted to ask him to resign, while nine voted to support him.

In a statement, Sanford says he appreciates the party's position and will continue to work to earn back its trust.

Sanford might have survived a state probe last week into his travel, but plenty of his fellow Republicans say they are still hearing from unhappy constituents.

The governor also has repeatedly said he will serve his remaining 18 months in office.

Comments

[LeawoodKansas]

i think he'll like this action better than the divorce settlement.

[osusana]

I'm guessing the divorce will be put on hold until he's out of office - gotta give the impression that all is well in the Sanford home and all is forgiven. Gotta hold up those Christian family values, you know. After all, the President whom Sanford raked over the coals for an affair stayed married and remained in office and retained a great deal of respect...Sanford can only HOPE for such an outcome!

[MountainPenelope]

This was the proper course for the S.C. Legislature. We cannot afford a protracted hearing.

And, besides, Sanford and his allies know where the bodies are buried, I think. Many legislators would not be comfortable accusing Sanford of the same thing they do every day.

I know of two legislators from my county who have mistresses - both good "Christian" GOPers.

All this drama is the best thing to happen to the Democratic party in 50 years. We now have proof that GOPers are NOT the only family values candidates.

[GreyWolfSC]

Unfortunately this wasn't a legislative censure, only the SC Republican party. The legislature is full of cowards and gubernatorial hopefuls that don't want to do anything about this.

[TheAlchemist]

He left the state last month on a secret trip.

The guy needs to resign. He does not take the role of Governor seriously.

[lobear00]

The hypocrites of the republican party! sitting on their mighty collective rears of immoral values, what a joke! of a party.

[osusana]

Has anyone polled the S.C. Legislators AS A WHOLE? I don't know what the split is, but since ten of Sanfords own party cronies voted to ask him to resign, doesn't that mean that it is NOT a purely partisan issue? Why are they not convening as a body to give all of the S.C. legislators a voice?

[loria]

Because that would mean Sanford would have to resign. They probably also think this is a party thing and has nothing to do with the people of the state. We just need to trust our GOP daddies to do the right thing for us since we can't possibly be trusted to form our own opinion about what is right.

[ObamAtomic]

Why do he need state security?
He traveled for 5 days without one,Argentina.
He must resign,your blessing to continue been a governor, its a loosing proposition.
Your party is extinguishing at a fast rate.
:)

[AbeMartin]

Wow, I felt the heat from the GOP's blast and I live five hundred miles away!

[SF13]

They gave Sanford a time out ? lolol .. You can't make this stuff up.

[SF13]

Well that was predictable. The GOP - doesn't have the courage of their convictions.

[Hollywooddeed]

What are their convictions again?

[loria]

Everything everyone else does is wrong and evil. Everything we do is right and blessed by God. When we fall, we are forgiven because we are blessed. After all the GOP is the party of family, God and country.

[dillydawg]

Zero, a number they can always attain.

[rudiy]

These are the same people who demanded Spitzer resign. Spitzer did at least not abandon his State and job but did rightly resign.
Sanford not just engaged in a bad personal situation but totally disregard the welfare of his State. This should have alone been a job killer.
No forgiveness to Dems but forgiveness to any Repub. the moral, good the be a family values real American.

[jonjon66]

The White Gentlemen Club says they better keep him to help expose the GOP's New Family Values.

[nicole44]

That's not true, I don't think. I believe that family values are still an important part to most repubs, at least the ones that I know, including myself. I think that the problem is the "few bad apples" situation. And those that are public figures and represent the party get the most attention when they fall off coarse, so to speak. It's a shame that those struggles are made public, but since trhe public elected them they have a right to know whats going on. Name calling and bashing is a bad way to go because it gets nothing done, but questioning and accountability should be an absolute.

[roblabrousse]

Family values are not a system of how to exclude people. Values of treating people decently is what we should care about. In regards to Mark Sanford's fantasy foray it's about trusting this man's judgment on his commitments. Love will wane or even fail without a couple meaning it to. But to up and leave your post without informing anyone as if your romance counted more is just not right. An adult is expected to act like one in matters of their commitments and responsibilities.We learn all this as young children up through. Yes, public figures are held more responsible. It goes with their job. But so isn't the parent who leaves there little kid home with no supervision while they go out for a few hours. It's really all the same.

[loria]

These GOP politicians aren't listening to the people of SC. A majority still want the govenor to resign and that includes those who supported Sanford. We are in the middle of the worst recession of our lifetime and we have a govenor that will be able to get little done for the next 18 mos. He might as well go be with his mistress. He'll be as effective there as he will be here. What a joke!

[dax49]

was there any doubt that republican outrage was just "lip service"

[SF13]

Of course not. This is totally predictable. They said almost nothing about Ensign's affair.

[judiNJ]

Except giving him a standing ovation. Guess that tells the whole sad story.

[sueinmn]

The people need to file a "non confidence" charge against him and begin impeachment! Why wont they step up and take this guy down? Its these kinds or republicans that obstruct any progress for this country!

[quantumspin]

Southern GOP 'forgiveness politics' at its finest.

[loria]

Why do I think these GOP politicians wouldn't be as forgiving if this were a dem?

[LMT]

The white sheets and rope would've come out a long time ago!