Governor Sanford of South Carolina was a rising star. I agreed with his political ideas, and saw him as a viable candidate in the next national presidential election. The rising star turned out to be a shooting star, burning bright momentarily, and then darkening when his own carnal desires overtook him. It is a shame in many ways, but especially damaging when the very ideals he claimed to uphold were merely words that hid behind a facade of sexual greed and desire.
Sanford's summertime vanishing act to rendezvous with his lover in Argentina holds more problems for the GOP governor of South Carolina than just simply the immorality of his actions. In addition to the fact that he was chasing a South American honey while married, a contradiction to the values he espoused, his actions were also paid for by South Carolina tax dollars. The taxpayers, for Sanford's excursions to Argentina, for example, paid for high-class airlines tickets.
His absence was accompanied by Sanford's willingness to mislead staffers, and he failed to put someone in charge of the state while he was gone. Therefore, according to the four Republicans and three Democrats bringing forth the impeachment measure, Sanford's actions "brought extreme dishonor and shame to the Office of the Governor of South Carolina and to the reputation of the State of South Carolina."
In all, Sanford faces 37 civil charges, following a three month State Ethics Commission probe. The civil charges carry a maximum $74,000 in fines, and he may still have to face criminal charges as well. In 2004, when Connecticut Governor John G. Rowland resigned in the face of corruption charges, he wound up going to prison.
Sanford's wife has since left him, moving out of the governor's mansion, and taking the four children with her.
For his actions, Sanford is getting what he deserves.
The star in South Carolina has been extinguished by his own lack of self-control, and inability to adhere to the standards he claimed to hold so dear.
-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary
Committee Takes Up Mark Sanford Impeachment Resolution - WLTX TV19, Columbia, South Carolina
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