We didn’t believe all the talk during the summer that the Sanfords could reconcile after Gov. Mark Sanford‘s affair with an Argentinean woman. What it did, and what was expected by us, was that it lit the fuse on a long burn that would end up in divorce filings. Of course, every divorce, like every marriage, is a different animal. But, after living through watching our parents call it quits, we saw the writing on the wall.
So, first lady Jenny Sanford made it real when she announced that she and the Governor are calling it quits. In her statement, she said, “As so many of us know, the dissolution of any marriage is a sad and painful process. It is also a very personal and private one. Because Mark and I are public figures, we have naturally had less privacy with which to deal with our difficulties than do other couples. Indeed, I know it will soon become known so I choose to release this brief notice that I am now filing for divorce. This came after many unsuccessful efforts at reconciliation, yet I am still dedicated to keeping the process that lies ahead peaceful for our family.
“I remain thankful to so many across this state and nation for their words of encouragement and prayers during this difficult time. Please know the boys and I are doing well and are blessed with the incredible support of friends and family and bolstered by our faith and the unfailing love of our God above.”
In South Carolina, from the way we understood it, you have to have a one-year separation and after that, you can get it done. We do feel for Ms. Sanford and her sons. From a kid’s perspective, divorce sucks, even if it’s totally warranted and understood. We think our parents are better off not being with each other, but that didn’t mean that dealing with the situation was easy. The first year was pretty hard. The second was worse. But, after that, things started to calm down and life moved on.
So, we’re hopeful that everybody gets through this OK. And to Ms. Sanford and her children, we say that it may be bad now, especially because the ordeal is playing out in public. But, it will get better. Really. You just need to keep your head down and get through the hard times right now.
The State Ethics Commission report on Gov. Mark Sanford’s indiscretions regarding use of state money and campaign dollars was released today, but we’re not sure if this thing is really worth a damn or not. A few of these charges, here or there, might lead to a fine or a stern rebuke from the General Assembly. But, when they come across, one after one, it looks like the members of the House may have a case. According to the report, there will be a hearing at SEC offices at an undisclosed date to deal with the findings.
USE OF PUBLIC OFFICE FOR PERSONAL FINANCIAL GAIN
Section 8-13-700(A), S.C. Code ann., 1976, as amended
37 counts
Upgrade on flight
- Graz, Austria to Frankfurt, Germany (2005)
- Frankfurt, Germany to Charlotte, N.C. (2005)
- Chicago, Ill. To Tokyo, Japan (2005)
- Tokyo, Japan to Shanghai, China (2005)
- Beijing, China to Chicago, Ill. (2005)
- Charlotte, N.C. to London, U.K. (2006)
- London, U.K. to Charlotte, N.C. (2006)
- Charlotte, N.C. to Munich, Germany (2007)
- Munich, Germany to Paris, France (2007)
- Munich, Germany to Charlotte, N.C. (2007)
- Washington, D.C. to Beijing, China (2007)
- Beijing, China to Washington, D.C. (2007)
- Columbia, S.C. to Atlanta, Ga. (2008)
- Atlanta, Ga. to Sao Paulo, Brazil (2008)
- Cordoba, Brazil to Buenos Aires, Argentina (2008)
- Buenos Aires, Argentina to Atlanta, Ga. (2008)
- Upgrade on flight from Charlotte, N.C. to New York, N.Y. (2009)
- Upgrade on flight from New York, N.Y. to Warsaw, Poland (2009)
Improper use of state plane
- Spartanburg, S.C. to Clemson/Oconee County for a county party dinner (2005)
- Columbia, S.C. to North Myrtle Beach, S.C., transporting a Governor’s Office staffer, then North Myrtle Beach, S.C. to Columbia, S.C. for staffer and himself to receive a haircut (2006)
- Columbia, S.C. to Mt. Pleasant, S.C. for a book signing (2006)
- Mt. Pleasant, S.C. to Aiken, S.C. for a birthday party for a contributor (2006)
- Lewisburg, W.Va. to Brunswick, Ga. for family for a personal weekend (2006)
- North Myrtle Beach, S.C. to Columbia, S.C. for son’s sporting event (2007)
- Columbia, S.C. to Greenville S.C. for House Republican Caucus reception (2007)
- Columbia, S.C. to Greenwood, S.C. to Charleston, S.C. for Reason Weekend dinner (2008)
- Columbia, S.C. to Myrtle Beach, S.C. for family to attend “soft” opening of Hard Rock Park (2008)
Campaign funds for personal use
- Receiving $40 for activity not related to the campaign (2006)
- Receiving $329.40 for expenses from attending the Alfalfa Club Dinner in Washington, D.C. (2007)
- Giving $610.30 to staffer Marisa Crawford to attend the Republican Governors Association meeting (2007)
- Receiving $181.23 for direct marketing, telephone, Internet and/or cable services at the Governor’s Mansion (2008)
- Receiving $280.16 for direct marketing, telephone, Internet and/or cable services at the Governor’s Mansion (2008)
- Receiving $297.89 for direct marketing, telephone, Internet and/or cable services at the Governor’s Mansion (2008)
- Receiving $864.90 for expenses from the Republican Governors Association meeting and a hunting trip in Ireland (2008)
- Receiving $79.95 for direct marketing (2009)
- Receiving $96.95 for direct marketing and a presidential inauguration ticket (2009)
- Receiving $159.90 for direct marketing (2009)
New Columbia establishment The White Mule is hosting an event on Sept. 10 by Alamos winery with “the wines of Argentina.” It will be accompanied by an art showing with Megan Riley. What a perfect event for Gov. Mark Sanford. Just call it “Taste of Maria.” A remembrance of the good times, eh?
It even fits in with his alleged penny-pinching tendencies, as it’s free. Win-win, all around. So, Gov, head on down to 1530 Main Street. It starts at 6 p.m. Alamos will be bringing along its Torrontés, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Reserve Malbec.
For the third time in as many days, Gov. Mark Sanford called a press conference to go on the offensive against his perceived opponents. Yes, there are people in the General Assembly who smell blood in the water and are setting their sights on the Governor. Of course. If Sanford hadn’t endorsed Will Folks’ proposal to declare war on more than half the GOP caucus last year, maybe things would be different.
But, the Governor cast his lot with the biggest douchebags in S.C. politics, and now his has to lay down in that bed. Thankfully, after days of asking, Sanford finally said he would waive confidentiality as it came to a State Ethics Commission investigation of his travel practices. However, according to the South Carolina Radio Network, the SEC has yet to receive notification from the Governor’s Office waiving its right to confidentiality. As well, there’s no confirmation that the investigation is going on, though per an SCRN tweet, the Governor’s Office has sent its paperwork to lift the veil on the real/potential investigation.
One of the most absurd things to happen Friday was when The State‘s John O’Connor asked Sanford a question, and he responded, “I don’t work for you.” It’s a good thing we weren’t a beat reporter for a paper there, because we would have hounded the d-bag-in-chief until he gave a genuine answer.
The Herald-Journal reporter Jason Spencer got a little torqued off, as we did, but did a much better job at explaining the situation:
Last I checked, reporters paid taxes and most, if not all, register to vote. They tend to take their civic responsibilities seriously.
Last I checked, many reporters were more informed about the processes of government than the average man on the street and, sometimes, even elected officials.
Last I checked, elected officials should look at EVERY reporter — from the smallest weekly to the largest daily — as virtually thousands of people rolled into one. People as in taxpayers, constituents, residents. It’s a bit of advice I got from an editor at the first weekly I worked at after college. The Internet only exponentially increases a news organization’s reach.
Last I checked, millions of people still rely on news organizations to not only report information, but to do so in the larger context of how that information is presented. (Sanford complained that The State reported on his current conflict, and not as much on the records his staff pulled on past administrations and even sitting lawmakers.)
Last I checked, newspapers still employee people in this state, pay taxes of their own and have to deal with travel budgets. Many of those travel budgets are shrinking or in some cases being eliminated — and they are wasted when media outlets send reporters all over the state for press conferences in which the person speaking refuses to answer any questions.
Last I checked, Elected Office 101 taught elected officials never to pick a fight with someone who buys ink by the barrel. Or, today, has access to unlimited space online. Why? They’ll never get the last word. Ever.
And, last I checked, every reporter is keenly aware that it’s not always obvious ethical or other infractions that must be avoided — it’s the appearance of impropriety that can cost a someone his/her credibility.
Perhaps, governor, that last part is the most important lesson of all.
How the hell can Sanford get away with this? Sure, he may not like getting asked hard questions for once, but O’Connor is a resident of this state and is paid up on his taxes. That means that, yes, Sanford does work for him.
Somebody get Marky Mark a dose of laudanum and wake him up when he starts making sense. Because right now he’s not helping anybody out, least of which himself.
We’ve been reading “America’s Finest News Source,” The Onion, for neigh on 11 years, and never expected something we were politically close to would be featured on the site. Then, voilà, God said, “You shall have Mark Sanford to kick around, and he shall do incredibly stupid things, allowing for nationwide parody. Enjoy the chuckles.”
After thinking about it, nevermind the tubthumping for impeachment. Sure, Sanford has been a horrible governor, but the man’s a goldmine of jokes and news. Sixteen more months of that could be pretty entertaining.
This idea is just covered with epic win. OK, so the House Republican Caucus is in Myrtle Beach to set the 2010 legislative agenda and figure out what to do in regards to Gov. Mark Sanford‘s impeachment. They obviously don’t want impeachment to suck all the air out of next year’s session, but there is significant support to remove the Governor.
And, enter deus ex machina — President Barack Obama appoints Sanford to be ambassador to Argentina. Done and done. It’s an all-around victory. We get him out of the state, Sanford gets to be with his “soul mate,” Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer gets to enjoy being governor for a little over a year. No problem.
Yeah, yeah, there’s already an ambassador. Vilma Socorro Martínez was the designee and assumed office on July 24. Sure, she’s a brilliant person with a resume that includes being counsel on an important racial discrimination case in 1970-1971, was a part of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, worked to make the Voting Rights Act applicable to Mexican-Americans, among other notable accomplishments.
It’s not like Obama can’t make a change, however. Just, oh, kick her upstairs somewhere. When LBJ wanted to remove Bob McNamara as secretary of defense, he nominated him for the World Bank. There’s always another place to go.
So, Mr. President, you know what you have to do. Help us out. Do us a solid and get that bumbling loon far, far away from here.
Welcome to the biopic of Gov. Mark Sanford, “Crazy As I Wanna Be.” Maybe it was Sen. David Thomas‘ remarks yesterday that everybody knows Sanford is continuing his affair with Argentine businesswoman Maria Belén Chapur. Maybe it’s because Sanford gets his rocks off by going after Republicans in the General Assembly. But, Thursday morning he went up to Greenville, across from Thomas’ office no less, to hold yet another weird press conference.
According to The State, “Sanford also said he was being unfairly held to a higher standard than past governors and lawmakers, repeating his claim that, during the past 25 years, 230 business-class tickets were bought on the state’s dime for various lawmakers, staffers and governors.” OK. His office earlier — and this has to be a first — ran smack on a Democrat, Sen. John Land, by saying that Land “presumably” flew comfortably on a trade mission with Gov. Jim Hodges. The insinuation was that Land did it with state money. Not so much.
Land, contacted late Wednesday, said he personally paid for his and his wife’s first-class tickets.
GSA Business talked to Thomas, who was rather upset and called Sanford’s action’s bizarre.
Thomas said he got the final documents of the first phase of the investigation at 5 p.m. Wednesday. Had he known Sanford would be visiting Greenville today, Thomas said he would have told the governor “thanks,” and “we would have had a Coke.”
“It seems very odd to come here to do a press conference in a field,” Thomas said, calling Sanford’s visit “politically motivated” and a “soap opera.”
It should be noted that Sanford alerted the press to his media event after 9 a.m., and the event was scheduled for 11 a.m., basically saying “fuck you” to every Columbia media outlet that doesn’t have a private plane at its beck and call.
But, that’s not all — no sir, that’s not all. The crazy is spreading. Like darkness. So, a gentleman by the name of Brian Macdermant from Hilton Head is in some serious trouble for threatening bodily harm on our illustrious governor. It wouldn’t be the first time something like this has happened, but it usually happens between friends over drinks, not on a call to a Sanford staffer.
For some out there, the comedic possibility of Gov. Mark Sanford‘s affair hasn’t been exhausted yet. During a conversation with director Kevin Smith on Twitter, @dandersonjr32 wrote, “Brazilian Trannys are the hottest.” Well, someone is in disagreement, and that would be the Argentinean alter ego of a jokester in love with our own Governor, describing itself as, “a one-legged, pre-op tranny splitting time between sultry Buenos Aires and historic Charleston, South Carolina. I ran into Governor Sanford several months ago in the Ministro Pistarini International Airport in Buenos Aires. And I have lusted after his muskiness ever since.”
The blog is Dear Governor Sanford, filled with the sort of outrageous love note missives we became used to when the scandal broke in late June. Also, very thinly-veiled double entendre. We would have to say this entry has permanently ended any chance of us going to the Hardee’s in Five Points.
Oh Sanford, the messes you get yourself into. Hmmmmmm. I was laying on the beach yesterday thinking about all the places you were wanting to “put the genie back in the bottle” with me.
Here’s a short list:
1) That time on Sullivan’s Island (you sent your security detail after pear jelly)
2) Hotel NH Jousten
3) Cab ride from airport (Buenos Aires)
4) Bathtub at Charleston Place Hotel (I still dream of that one)
5) Bathroom at CVS in Columbia (you said you needed Vitalis)
6) Deli section at Piggly Wiggly in Myrtle Beach (new one)
7) Hardee’s off Harden Street in Columbia (back by the fries)
Oh, no. But, if you’re still interested, you can also follow Ms. Adriana on Twitter, @AdrianaTheTran.
The State‘s Gina Smith is on the story, reporting in a brief in Thursday’s paper that Gov. Mark Sanford will not be inviting paramour María Belén Chapur to live at the Governor’s Mansion for the duration of his stay as the state’s chief executive.
“I’m moving ahead,” Sanford said when asked by The State if he and Chapur are still in contact.
Sanford said he was not being coy by not giving a yes or no answer but thought it best to concentrate on his legislative agenda instead of rumors.
Sanford also dismissed as untrue an item on a political blog operated by his former press secretary, Will Folks, that the Republican governor was “contemplating” moving Chapur into the Governor’s Mansion.
There have been all sorts of rumors flying through town about what could be happening since S.C. first lady Jenny Sanford moved out and took the children back to Charleston. Right now, it looks like Sanford will have “All By Myself” on endless loop on his iTunes.
Like we’ve said before, when we assume things about the behind-the-scenes machinations of the Sanford administration, they generally prove to be true. Now, we know. News outlets filed FOIA requests for emails and phone records detailing the actions of Gov. Mark Sanford‘s staff during the period he disappeared.
According to those records, chief of staff Scott English tried to contact the Governor 15 different times, and was unable to secure a connection. As well, Sanford may have been relatively smart in not using his state-owned cell phone (something that Houston Nutt would’ve have been good to understand).
And, Sanford’s staff had no idea he was leaving, according to emails days before he flew to South America. There was, however, a response to a business wishing to expand its operations here, refusing to meet with executives because the Governor would be doing his thing in Argentina.
It certainly will be interesting how Sanford’s usual song-and-dance before the General Assembly returns goes over this time.
