South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford Admitted to an Extramarital Affair

It is a shameful day for South Carolina. There is sadness mixed with outrage. And a giant dose of embarrassment.

South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford has had a tough year to begin with. First he lost his fight to reject $700 million in federal stimulus money on the grounds that it would undermine South Carolina's fiscal stability. And next... well the nation now knows that earlier today South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford admitted to an extramarital affair with a woman from Argentina.

During a tumultuous news conference held today in South Carolina's state capital, Sanford tearfully joined a growing list of US politicians who have publically admitted to sexual indiscretions. Sanford confessed "I've been unfaithful to my wife; I developed a relationship with what started as a dear, dear friend from Argentina."

49 year old Mark Sanford is a conservative Republican serving his second straight term as governor, which expires in January 2011. Previous to this debacle, Sanford was considered a likely Republican contender for the U.S. presidency in 2012.

The people of South Carolina, already well known for voicing their opinions, have a lot to say about this mess. There are mixed reactions. Some of the more colorful comments swirling around Mark Sanford's admission include:

"As if it wasn't bad enough to be the laughing stock of the nation over the Governor's stance against the stimulus money, Sanford has now put South Carolina in an embarrassing position with his affair. The Senate and House cannot act fast enough to impeach him."

"I admire him for being the one to tell the story, now let him and his family have peace and quiet to so they can work on their problems."

"Thank you, Governor Sanford, for once again putting our state on the map."

"I've lost what little respect I had for Gov. Sanford. How can you be a man of high morals and spend father's day with your mistress instead of your four sons? Not even a phone call? That's the lowest of low."

"If I left my job without making proper accommodations I would be fired."

"I believe it was a noble thing he did by speaking out on this matter. He did not wait until it was discovered he was having an affair, he chose to tell us."

"At least Mark Sanford has good taste. Buenos Aires is at least a classy city to have a classless affair. The whole episode doesn't speak very well of his security detail. "Hmmm, wonder where the governor is today. Appalachian Trail taking a hike...yeah, that's it."

"I'm not particularly interested in Mark Sanford's sex life, though I do find his hypocrisy startling. I do care about is his blatant dereliction of duty to the people of our state. If he does not have the integrity to resign, he should be impeached."

"Come on, what was he thinking? Leaving his family over Father's Day weekend? Enough said."

"Did anyone on the plane not recognize the governor from South Carolina? I mean, really? No one person on the jumbo jet recognized him? I would have been twitting the whole thing had I been on there."

"Gov. Sanford choosing to leave as he did at a time we were not in any state of emergency or threat, was his choice. I firmly believe had any kind of emergency developed Gov. Sanford would have indeed made his whereabouts be known."

"How about it Mr. Sanford, save the taxpayers some money and resign now!"

So there you have it. Local reaction to a national story. At least those are the local comments I can put in print.
I'm interested to hear your comments.

Sources:
CNN
WCSC TV
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