S.C. Governor Mark Sanford Goes Missing?
By anniepa
@anniepa (27955)
United States
June 22, 2009 4:38pm CST
South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford, famous for refusing to accept the money from the stimulus bill and touted as one of the GOP's bright new "stars" with a possible eye on the 2012 Presidential nomination has been MIA since last Thursday! His wife, S.C. First Lady Jenny Sanford has said she's "not concerned" and that he needed time away from their children to do some writing. On Father's Day?
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0609/Sanford_goes_missing.html
His last known whereabout was Atlanta where a mobile phone tower picked up a signal from his cellphone. The governor's office released the following statement on Monday afternoon:
"Gov. Sanford is taking some time away from the office this week to recharge after the stimulus battle and the legislative session, and to work on a couple of projects that have fallen by the wayside. We are not going to discuss the specifics of his travel arrangements or his security arrangements."
Does anyone else think it may be Sanford's Presidential aspirations that have fallen by the wayside? If you're from S.C. are you wondering who's minding the store?
Annie
5 people like this
12 responses
@iriscot (1289)
• United States
22 Jun 09
Hmmm.... This sounds very strange... is he on a respite or could it be something else. Does he have children, my 3 sons their wives and my grandchildren all spent most of the day at my house, and I enjoyed their company immensely. Maybe there is more to the story that will come out later? Question: Did South Carolina get any of the stimulus money, I know he said he wouldn't accept any.
3 people like this
@iriscot (1289)
• United States
22 Jun 09
Who would force him to take it? Is it because of a health problem? Where did you get the information that he was forced to "take it"? I guess it won't affect me directly, so maybe I shouldn't be concerned but I think the people in his state would probably like to know where he is or what is happening.
2 people like this
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
23 Jun 09
There's very odd that in these economic times that he's on vacation. My cousin lives in South Carolina and I know that the economy there is not good because her husband is losing his job. That's very weird that he would miss Father's Day as well.
2 people like this
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
24 Jun 09
Just where are all those family values?
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
24 Jun 09
It sounds like his wife and his children planned this for him, sort of like paying for a fishing trip when they are not interested in fishing. Have you considered that this was a Father's Day gift, that perhaps he had spent a lot of time with his family and who knows if perhaps they are going to join him there, but secretly so no one knows about it?
Or he could have really been missing, maybe in danger, and his wife tries to put a brave face and is worried about him. Kidnapped perhaps? Forced to go someplace? Kidnappers *(who of course are Democrats and Obamamites force his wife to see he just went on a hiatus.)
There are lots of possibilities other then the hate Republican, love Democrat views that you have.
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
24 Jun 09
I guess you weren't listening to any news as you typed this, were you, Suspenseful? I sure don't know where you got a "hate Republican" view from my posts here but it seems like you see that in everything I write.
Anyway, maybe by now you've heard that yet another member of the "family values" party has been forced to admit to an affair. As has too often been the case, Sanford is another Republican who felt he had to speak out against President Clinton after the latter's infamous indiscretion. My feelings for this guy have little to do with his party affiliation and everything to do with the fact he's not only a cheating jerk but also irresponsible and very hypocritical.
Annie
1 person likes this
@heathcliff (1415)
• United States
23 Jun 09
Less than an hour ago the Associated Press released a story on the hiking story. Here's a link:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090623/ap_on_re_us/us_sc_governor_where
At this point it seems we shouldn't worry about him as long as he returns by the end of the week as promised, however it really opens the conversation about his decision-making ability. The Lt. Governor was probably only a few hours from having to declare himself Acting Governor. Being any sort of leader, COMPLETELY out-of-touch from responsibilities is anathema to the job description. Heck, as a measly store manager on vacation years ago, I was required to have my pager on. Relaxing is one thing: Disappearing is quite another.
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
23 Jun 09
Thanks for the update. I really hope this closes the book on his Presidential aspirations, if he ever actually had any! I agree about his decision-making ability being in great doubt. I must say if he couldn't handle the battle over the stimulus funds how would he handle even the smallest problems a President faces every day?
Annie
@iriscot (1289)
• United States
23 Jun 09
I think I heard in the beginning that the stimulus money was NOT to be used to reduce the debt of ANY state. It was supposed to be used to put people back to work or to help them keep their jobs. Reducing the debt wouldn't have kept the money turning and that's what has to happen to get this economy back on the right track money has to circulate in any commerce.
I wonder if his wife knew where he was or not. Maybe he instructed her that she not tell where he was going. I think it's amazing that a governor in office would just disappear for a few days. I also wonder if the lt. governor really didn't know where he was? It's just strange, but I'm glad he is ok and not totally missing.
1 person likes this
@lilwonders456 (8214)
• United States
22 Jun 09
wow. Guess I really have been out of the loop lately. I had to do some research on this before I answered and I live in the state of SC. Yep it's true. And yes it is disturbing.
But to honest, he has had a tough time of it lately. He has really been battling it out with the state legislature in this last session. Not just about the stimulus money. From what I can find out it is not uncommon for him to be out of pocket some right after the session ends. Which recently happened. Even he needs a vacation and a break. But I do find it wierd that his wife did not know where to find him.
We will definately need to keep an eye on this.
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
23 Jun 09
Absolutely, EVERYONE needs a vacation and a break now and then but this is getting stranger by the moment. Apparently someone from his office had said earlier today that he'd been reached but then someone said that couldn't be confirmed. I'm actually typing it as they're talking about it on TV so it's really sketchy at the moment. He reportedly had said he'd be "hard to reach". I'm guessing that his wife isn't being completely truthful when she says she doesn't know where he is or she's lying when she says she's not concerned unless there are problems in the marriage no one knows about. They've said he's done this before but I guess not for this long. Was this known to the people of your state?
Annie
@lilwonders456 (8214)
• United States
25 Jun 09
nope this is the first time I have heard of him taking off without leaving the Lt Gov in charge. Everyone needs a vacation. But there are rules in place for the gov. if he needs a break and one is he has to turn over power to the LT Gov. until he gets back.
This was a stupid boneheaded thing for him to do.
1 person likes this
@aerous (13434)
• Philippines
22 Jun 09
I don't familiar about this guy but as far as I'm concern the government of South Carolina, is much concern where about of this guy. I wonder why his wife, not concern more about his husband. I come to think that there are serious problem in his family? or have some other woman in the lime light? That's only my opinion and am not saying is true.
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
23 Jun 09
It has been rough on him. His staff say that they know where he is and has been able to reach him if the arose a need to get to get in touch with him. He is hiking in the mountains. Oh by the way he claims he doesn't plan to run for the presidency in 2012.
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
23 Jun 09
I hadn't heard that about him hiking in the mountains. Is he all alone and if so, isn't that rather dangerous? I heard where he's said he has no plans to run for President in 2012 but I believe he's refused to close the door. I say he was probably looking at it, at least in the back of his mind. "Testing the waters" so to speak. However, a President or a Presidential candidate for that matter, wouldn't dare to disappear for days at a time, would he?
Annie
@irisheyes (4370)
• United States
23 Jun 09
This is really odd and I definitely think it will be a huge impediment to a run for the presidency. I know a lot of folks complain about the president getting so much publicity but I've always expected to see whoever was president in the news on a daily basis whether he was my choice or not. I'd be very concerned if a president was suddenly MIA and I wouldn't like to see a governor go missing either. I think the people in his state have some reason for concern. They elected him to a 24/7 job and he's not there.
1 person likes this
@clrumfelt (5490)
• United States
24 Jun 09
Sometimes everyone needs time alone--even from their families. Maybe Sandord was overly stressed by the stimulus battle. Maybe he thought his sudden absence would be immediately noticed by the Papperazzi and someone close to him would leak the information and ruin his respite. Perhaps his Father's Day gift from his family was to take some time alone to clear his head because they realized they needed it. Why cast the worst possible light on something like this? I don't think his vacation has anything to do with his presidential aspirations and there are always plenty of people around to mind the store so an official can have a little time off.
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
24 Jun 09
It turns out you are right, he just confessed to an affair and admitted he'd been in Argentina with the other woman the past 5 days.
Circumfelt, you're right, any official deserves some time off now and then and there are always others who can "mind the store" but there are steps that need to be taken before someone in Sanford's position can just disappear for a lover's tryst or break-up.
Annie
1 person likes this
@clrumfelt (5490)
• United States
24 Jun 09
I think everyone, even a politician, has the right to go on a vacation, even a very private one, if he so chooses. Ideally, he would plan ahead, alterting his staff and taking care of any immediate business before leaving.
@lang530339491 (15)
• China
25 Jun 09
l like the soripit of vacation to realx and enrich the minds of their onw
1 person likes this
@Taskr36 (13963)
• United States
22 Jun 09
I think it sounds rather odd and I'm actually a bit concerned. Taking a hiatus is one thing, but the fact that NOBODY knows where he is is extremely odd. Even the Lt. Gov. has said he has no idea where Gov. Sanford is and that the Governor has not placed him in charge. The fact that he has given no notice to his wife OR his second in command makes me think something could be seriously wrong. On a side note I was disgusted at the hateful comments that followed the article I read about this on CNN. Some people can't help but say the most cruel things about him based solely on his party affiliation. Some even took the opportunity to smear Sarah Palin and John McCain in the comments. I'm sure CNN's moderators will keep my comment from being posted though since I'm not a liberal.
@Taskr36 (13963)
• United States
23 Jun 09
Unfortunately lilwonders it looks like he was forced to take it by the state supreme court.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,527220,00.html
I must say, he really fought tooth and nail against it. At least after this nobody can say HE was fiscally irresponsible.
1 person likes this
@iriscot (1289)
• United States
22 Jun 09
I'm certainly not going to smear him, but I'm sure the people in the state that he represents would like to know if something happened to him. Taskr, you seem to be on top of everything, do you know if the state of SC received any stimulus money or if they are in line to get any of it?
2 people like this
@lilwonders456 (8214)
• United States
22 Jun 09
no we are not getting it. Sanford won.
He refused it. The state house tried to go behind his back and get it by includinging it in the state budget. Sanford vetoed the budget. Session ran out before the state house could vote on an override. But to tell you the truth they did not have enough votes to override it.So as it stands now the state of SC will not be excepting any of the bail out (stimulus) money.
2 people like this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
23 Jun 09
I don't believe, anniepa, that any public servant should ever be "unreachable" for such a length of time as Gov. Sanford was. He has been charged with overseeing and running the state government, and should always be available. I won't even go there as to why a father would want to absent himself from his children on Father's Day, but let's just hope that issues don't arise later about where he really was.
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
27 Jun 09
I'm sorry I took so long to get back to you on this, worldwise1, but have there EVER been other issues arise about where he really was! I was totally unprepared for his confession/apology/whatever the heck that was that he did the other day! I guess he's now apologized to his cabinet but he still hasn't agreed to resign as governor, which I certainly think he should. He abandoned his job which would be cause for dismissal just about anywhere else plus he apparently used taxpayers' money for some of his lovers' trysts while trying to deny the states' unemployed workers and school children stimulus funds. What a guy!
Annie
