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South Carolina Dems Express Concern Over Sanford's "Erratic Behavior"
This afternoon, the South Carolina state Senate Democratic Leader John C. Land III released this interesting statement about Mark Sanford's mysterious disappearance:
"We've been concerned by the Governor's erratic behavior for some time. We're praying for him and his family. I hope he is safe and that he contacts the First Lady and his family soon."
So what exactly does he mean by erratic behavior? I just spoke on the phone with the state Senate Dem caucus director Phil Bailey.
"Number one, is actively rejecting our own stimulus dollars back here in South Carolina. Number two is - gosh, where to begin with Mark Sanford, it goes on," said Bailey. "Suing the legislature to prevent our own tax dollars from coming back there to South Carolina to save teachers jobs, and prevent layoffs in law enforcement and prison officers. Sen. Land certainly believes that is erratic."
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Josh
Matt
Eric
Brian
I think Democrats should probably just lay low and stay out of this. Expressing concern for Gov. Sanford's safety is smart; linking that concern to concern over political moves just seems petty and political.
Sandford's got a problem with this situation. The Democrats shouldn't make it a dispute between them and the governor.
I'm surprised, after what happened with Kirk Fordice of Mississippi, that the governor is allowed to wander about on his own, without protection. Fordice was very seriously injured in a car crash and the security was three miles ahead, oblivious to what had happened to the Governor. Three miles ahead at the request of the governor, who apparently wanted some privacy while he drove home from a meeting in Memphis.
A meeting which turned out to be between the governor and his soon-to-be next wife. While his current (soon to be ex) wife was in Jackson, MS.
June 22, 2009 5:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
I disagree. He's fine. Nutty as a fruitcake, but fine. I prefer to speculate about what he's been doing this past weekend. I say he was in a secret meeting with Dick Cheney and the usual gang of criminals. The topic of discussion I will leave to the rest of you.
June 23, 2009 8:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
CT, I agree. Something isn't right here, and it could be very sad for all involved.
June 22, 2009 6:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
It is possible that the stress of his not wanting to take the stimulus funds have gotten to him and he's somewhere chillin. Why would someone has his soon to be ex-wife where he is if they are in the midst of a divorce. Did anyone ask his new girlfriend where he is.
June 22, 2009 6:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree lousgirl. I'd start with the GF. He's been taking official vehicles out joy-riding at night BTW.
June 23, 2009 1:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
Cosign.
June 23, 2009 1:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
Sanford does have some personal "issues" that will eventually come to light once he tries to run for president.
Even his lt. Governor, Andre Bauer, is a bit of an erratic spoiled brat, reckless driving and crashing the plane he was piloting, due to his own negligence.
So with the two seriously flawed executives running the show in the Palmetto state is it any wonder why South Carolina itself is such a basket case?
June 22, 2009 6:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree Democrats should stay out of this until more (any) information is known.
Even worse is that the spokeman doesn't seem to be able to count to 2, since his Number 1 and Number 2 are the same thing.
June 22, 2009 6:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
I left this on another post, but I will risk redundancy to say:
Uhmm. Politically, Mark Sanford is an embarrassment.
But, as a person, he is actually devoted to his family, loyal to his friends, blah, blah,blah.
And so, if you can care about him as a human being at all --even though he is one who may have risen to his level of incompetence -- consider the possibility that he is one who is aware enough to recognize and feel that, maybe, just maybe, he's made an Asshat of himself. Because, whatever else, Sanford is a sincere, though hopelessly naive, majority-pleasing person.
Bottom line: whether one's persuasion is right wing or left, we might evidence some concern about this aberrant behavior in one who has dedicated his life to doing "the right thing".....even though that statement has ironic layers of meaning to those of us who see things completely differently than he does.
In other words, Mark Sanford is not a man who would miss father's day with his boys, unless he is completely, if temporarily deranged or depressed.
Let's empathy up, eh?
June 22, 2009 7:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't even see what the problem is. He hasn't disappeared, he's right there on the Appalachian Trail or someplace.
June 23, 2009 2:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
Regardless of what his reasons are for "disappearing", it seems highly irresponsible for someone in his position to just go away and not have anyone, including his wife, know where he is. Not his staff, not his security detail, not his wife. It does not pass the smell test. One can certainly feel empathy for whatever his problem is, but I don't agree with a Governor just up and going away and leaving the wheels of government in his state without it's driver (so to speak).
June 22, 2009 9:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree. A governor has a responsibility to his state to have his whereabouts known at all times. He is not a private citizen who has the right to just disappear and claim privacy. If he is depressed or ill, than the state certainly has a right to know as it may effect his decisions as governor. The media should check the rehab clinics because that's a possible explanation.
June 22, 2009 9:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
MSM (W. Post, CNN) are all crowing on their sites that this is "solved!" As they explain comfortingly, he's on the Appalachian Trail somewhere and he's been totally incommunicado for days.
See, it's not that they don't no where he is at all! They *know!* He hasn't disappeared, he's just missing is all. Only that!
June 23, 2009 2:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah -- and that trail only stretches from Maine to Georgia!
Seriously, though, while I vehemently disagree with Mark Sanford's politics, I'm glad that he's apparently alright, and just out on the trail and taking a breather. But next time, he really ought to at least let his chief of security know where he'll be and how to reach him if it's necessary. After all, he's the governor of a state, and not the assistant manager at the local Piggly-Wiggly.
June 23, 2009 3:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
Donald, I do hope he's okay. Very sincerely. And I hope every one of us is.
But you are being B.S.'d here about him being out on a walkabout, okay? That's said to you in all respect and good will.
Something in the Palmetto State is not right.
June 23, 2009 7:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
My theory, which stems from the rumors up and down Gervais St., is that both Georgia and South Carolina were "competing for his affections". If you remember those key words from another well known republican.
The stress of holidays can send people around the bend...er if you know what I mean.
June 23, 2009 3:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
Here's the deal:
Sanford runs with the "family values" crowd and is a professional homophobe. So, I want to know why he blew town on Fathers' Day weekend into thin air.
Hmmmmmm....What's up with that?
June 23, 2009 6:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
Dickday was so concerned he tried putting it to music:
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/blogs/dikkday48yahoocom/2009/06/sweet-baby-james-mark-sanford.php#comment-3505568
We all cope in different ways, brat.
June 23, 2009 7:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
Apparently yesterday was Nude Hiking Day on the Appalachian Trail. I'd say he's got some explaining to do.
June 23, 2009 2:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Some fringe speculation has drifted to suicide as an explanation. It is entirely possible that the cognitive dissonance of his political life has gotten to him.
June 23, 2009 5:30 PM | Reply | Permalink