Mark Sanford Interview: Governor Suggests Affair Scandal Helped Him Govern

Outgoing Governor Mark Sanford (R-S.C.) recently explained that things had actually looked up after his notorious scandal involving a falsified Appalachian trail disappearance and a quick jaunt to Argentina -- and it all had something to do with stars and rainbows.

In an interview with South Carolina's WIS-TV, the two-term governor described why his current and final legislative session -- the one after his affair went public -- was his most successful.

"What became abundantly clear was the supposed stars on the rainbow weren't there and I think we were able to debate the issue at hand," said Sanford, perhaps claiming that with his reputation in shambles, there was actually less distraction concerning personal politics. "I was less the issue, and the issue was more the issue."

Sanford continued, insisting that people's negativity only motivated him to get things done in the state house.

"I think that a lot of people at times would push against certain things based on their fear that my political star was climbing," he said. "If they did that it would help me get to wherever it was they thought I was going."

WIS-TV plans to release their hour-long interview with Sanford in two segments, starting Tuesday evening. Keep up with it here.