CNN

Cue the Twightlight Zone Theme song.

Something sounds fishy here. I have a feeling there is more to the story than is being told or reported.

How many Republican Presidential hopefuls that have disintegrated does this make? This is an unstable man who is covering up something. No fears of losing thew White House here.

Was Larry Craig absent too??? Or maybe Sarah ? Something stinks.

This story is getting weirder by the day. By the way the flight to Argentina from Columbia, SC is no less than 20 hours one way (including the change of plane). You mean he spent just about two days? Please pray for him!!!

What a kook...worst thing about this is that the Lt.. governor is even more of a kook.

"I told them Agentina, they heard Appalachia, and boy from there everything just got all fouled up. It's no big deal though."

Hmmmm, if I left my job for 5 days and didn't anyone where I was going or how to reach me, I wouldn't have a job to return to!

He should run for president, every body knows him now.

Sounds like the voters (and maybe his wife) should reconsider Mr. Sanford. Argentina is a lovely place and we all need to get away sometimes to unwind, but generally we let someone know where they can reach us.

Clinton didn't have to leave the Oval Office to lie.

EXCUSE ME? What is going on with this guy? South Carolina, vote more carefully next time. You cannot believe anything this man says.

This sounds an awful lot like the manic behavior of an un-medicated (possibly undiagnosed) bipolar. Extreme impulsive behavior is text-book.

Another holier than thou right wing conservative probably doing the humpty dance with a fine looking senorita!

One more thing. Did it ever occur to the media or the general public that they KNEW exactly where he was. It's just they knew he was there ALONE and it was a security risk to tell anyone?

How can one "get away" if tehy ahve body guards and cell phones around them at all times?

Um ... mmm-Kay???

Maybe it's the caffeine insufficiency this morning ... but does this sound REALLY fruity to ANYONE else??

There's something wrong here. I smell affair.

This story really does illustrate how pathetic progressives/liberals are. This is a completely innocuous and unimportant story that the crazy leftists are trying to make a big deal out of. Is there anything more pathetic than trying to smear someone over a vacation?

I suspect a love affair. Poor guy, I'm with him....anything to get out of South Carolina.....but let's get real. Who drives 5 days alone along the coast of Argentina with apparently no one knowing his whereabouts?

I can't believe the Republican party just seems to shoot itself in the foot week after week. I don't buy Sanford's story for one minute. there is no way I would leave the country over fathers day weekend and not either take my family or at the very least tell my wife where i was going. this is just not a believable story we are getting.

Who cares? He went on a holiday and all some on this board can do is spew their hatred. PATHETIC!!!! People on this board who have nothing better to do than hate, get a life.

Game, set, match. It's over, Gov.

I'd say this gov. is in need of a shrink.

Oh please people! Obama takes his security detail and spends tons of Taxpayer money to go on a date night. Do i have a problem with this? No. I get it he still needs liesure time and if he thinks he needs protection than let him have it.

Sanford took a state owned vehicle to an airport and left alone to take a small vacation and people are acting like it's the end of the world. He didn't spend thousands of anyone's money but his own. Yet you're complaining about the cost?

Sometimes it's just good to get away. Not everyone puts tons of emotion on Hallmark holidays. Maybe even that was his present from his family or maybe it's how he vents.

Appalachian Trail, Argentina... Maybe he meant Afghanistan? One of those words that start with an A...

He probably hooked up with Larry Craig at the Airport and went out of country so he would have a smaller chance of getting caught with a teenage transvestite. Of course he cant prove what happend or didn't happen. Unless he releases his billing records and Hotel special service request. But he is to much of a coward or to guilty to show a truthful documentation.

Why didn't he 'spend' his vacation money in the U.S. to help our economy if he had to get away. Say goodbye to any future running for the U.S. top job–nuts need not apply after the former Texan. When he is run out of office, hope he won't need extended unemployment benefits.

So glad I am not a repub

If a major crisis were to happen he was nowhere to be found. South Carolina has put Government on auto for too long.

Does Argentina have extradition? I don't think they do. That's why so many war criminals went there. There's a lot more here than meets the eye.

Ok, so basically he left The United States without telling anyone, not even his wife and kids, on father’s day. His staff claimed that they spoke to him and that he was in the Appalachian trail which turned out to be false. Well if he had any 2012 aspirations ( lol) they are gone out the window.

Wherever there is smoke.......there is fire. There is juicy story to unearth here.

The man is truly a bizarre character. Leaves the country without even telling his wife, just to drive up the coastline of Argentina by himself? Why do I have a nagging suspicion that this isn't the whole story? Whatever political aspirations Sanford had are up in smoke.

Bizzare wack-job is the only way to describe this.

Well, isn't he just Father of the year! I"m surprised he didn't take his "Family Values" with him to Thailand instead of Argentina.

Actually, I have it on good authority that he was searching for the money that the Dems couldn't find to fund their health care bill.

Another member of the GOP (Gay Old Party) -nuts and flakes

This guy was not "out of pocket", he was "out of socket".

Wow, he had the nerve to take a few days off and his staffers got their story wrong. I smell a federal investigation brewing.

Sounds as if there are a lot of questions not being answered very truthfully in this situation. I wouldn't want this character to be responsible for my state much less the country. It is hurricane season in the Carolinas just like it is in Florida and nobody was in charge – not too swift!

How long before he announces he is an alcoholic and goes into rehab?

And he wants to lead our country?????? A kook.

Fred the Moderate wrote:
So the story has already begun to change! I've seen this before especially with the Republican religous right. It starts with a lie, goes to another lie then another until the media finds the truth and they come out with their poor wife in tow and apologize.
It would be refreshing if for once they just tell the truth first and take their medicine. But airs must be maintained if one wishes to become the presidential candidate for the GOP

To be fair, republicans don't have a monopoly on torrid sex scandals. There are lots of weasels in both parties. Have a nice day!

As a tax paying resident of South Carolina I have to wonder: who paid for the trip, car expense, gas, parking, etc. Knowing the administrtion in Columbia we might never know the truth.

You have to admit, even his wife did not know. Makes you wonder about all th previous hikes and those long runs to "clear his head".....

This is simply an ignorant, stubborn, right-wing jerk. Who has no clue about the life's reality other than what he thinks is right.
Such a dumb person can only be governor of sc!!!

I think I would've stuck with the Appalachian Trail story.

It's interesting that the people who don't like the job the governor's doing now complain that he's not doing his job.

This guy is interesting. On one hand he quotes the bible, talks about a need for higher morals and ethics in the GOP party, and less government spending. On the other hand, one has to ask the question: who were you with in Buenos Aires, what naughty things were you up to, and did you or the S.C. taxpayers pay for your "break?"

Another politician following the motto "do as I say, not as I do".

This is highly irregular. I don't know how they do things in SC, but if our Governor leaves the country, the Lt. Governor takes his place until the Gov. returns. Sanford should resign.

This guy is interesting. On one hand he quotes the bible, talks about a need for higher morals and ethics in the GOP party, and less government spending. On the other hand, one has to ask the question: who were you with in Buenos Aires, what naughty things were you up to, and who did you or the S.C. taxpayers pay for your "break?"

Another politician following the motto "do as I say, not as I do".

This man is s GOVERNOR of a STATE and left the COUNTRY without telling anyone, not even his wife. If I left work a half day early without telling anyone that's a reason to be fired... South Carolinians need to handle there business and say, YOU ARE FIRED. HE is a perfect example of ab idiot.

give it a rest, libs–you only know the story the media is telling..talk about repubs jumping to conclusions–you libs take the cake for hateful remarks. What did you all need him for, anyway?

If this guy has to "get away for a bit" after "fighting" with the South Carolina legislative assembly, what will he do as POTUS after really fighting with the big dogs in Congress??

This shows he is too pansy to be president.

One more thing it really makes me wonder if President Obama even cares what it going on here in SC with this kind of foolishness. It took a little girl to open up Pandora's box before anything would be done about our school system. This man has been the governor for the past 7 years and has done nothing but run our state in the ground. We were in a recession down here long before the rest of the country was. Mr. President what do you have to say about this. This is the man that will be running against you in 2012.

CNN I hope you post this!!!!!

He didn't want to take any stimulus here so he went to Argentina to get some stimulus. What a creep.

GOP ticket in 2012: Sanford/Ensign

PS: Where was Palin???????? The old one.

How soon can he be impeached?!?!?!?! I know that South Carolina can do better.

What ever happened to "innocent until proven guilty" in the country??!!! As Mrs. Sanford said yesterday "Leave us to our privacy". The governor has been working triple time doing what HE FEELS is best for our great State. Not everyone agrees with him (personally, I do agree with him), but he has done his very best to present his case, and we can't fault him for that. Please do not crucify this man until we know the whole story. His staff may have lied about his whereabouts but perhaps there is something deeper here that we do not know about. Let's give him a chance to come clean before we convict him as a villian.

hmmm, its just a matter of time before the real deal surfaces. I am willing to bet this story gets more interesting. Go republicans. I knew there was more this story.
Party of family values, you are really leading by example. you are in a different country. your own wife doesn't know where you are. you are absent on father's day.
Does any one know what young boys are going for these days in Argentina?

How do you take a trip to a foreign country, on Father's Day, and not tell your wife ???? Anyone who is married knows that you can't do that. Could you imagine if the President took a "vacation" without telling the First Lady, VP Biden, or the Joint Chief of Staff. Something fishy is going on with this guy. Dig deep CNN. Let the truth be told.

Cool. Everyone needs to break out of their bubble every once in a while.

The truly sad thing is the reaction of all you stick-in-the-mud drones who think Governor Sanford has, somehow, done something wrong. I guess it's one of those depressing human-nature things wherein people condemn any activity of others even slightly out of the most boring of ordinary.

Get over it, sheeple! Grow a spine. See if you can find some faint, flickering, traces of imagination and initiative in your pointless lives. And if you can't, then just shut up about people who have more going for them than you do, something that's obviously not hard to achieve.

Why would anyone sneek out without telling his wife and go to one of the world's most romantic citiesalone?

We haven't heard the whole story yet!!!

And this dude wants to run for POTUS??!!

I don't THINK so!

He's an unstable FLAKE!

this guy is a throwback to the flower children of the sixties, not that there is anything wrong with that. Next stop San Francisco with flowers in his hair....he definetly rocks......

Can you say "impeachment?"

Guess he can do what he wants in his personal life as long as he and his wife agree, but if I had four children, I as a wife would not ever stand for this. Further, the poor citizens of SC are being very poorly treated. He sounds unstable to me...so much for 2012.

My guess is that he had a taste for some "exotic" women or maybe even men...who knows?

disappearing on the public, understandable. disappearing on his wife and family, not understandable. the man is hiding something and probably another woman most likely. no man disappears unless they have something to hide. disappears, meaning absolutely no one knows where one has gone. anyone, with half a brain, knows to always leave a trail, memo of destination in the event one disappears without a trace. an elected politician should know to do that more than an average citizen. the man is hiding something. his wife and family mean nothing to this man. some republican!

I hope someone truly investigates this story. This is a big lie and anyone with any sense knows that. Please give him a drug test...............this is a crack head move!

I smell a scandal.

Help me grow....WHY is this news?????

i live here in columbia, sc and i am MORE than ashamed of the fact he is our Gov. He has been so irresponsible and uncaring of the people of SC i would not be hurt if he decided to quit right now.

How do you leave your job, you family, and the citizens of your state to go run off somewhere? He was not just going to clear his head, there is so much more to this story that we dont know, im almost afraid to see what all actually comes out....

sounds like someone hit up rehab outside the country.

the people on this board are pathetic. this isn't weird and father's day isn't a real holiday. the guy has a tougher job (or A job) unlike most people here, and probably just needed to clear his head for a few days. I can relate to his desire for occasional solitude, it is an excellent time for introspection and with the increasing use of cell phones, twitter and various other electronic tethers, it's becoming more and more a rare commodity.

maybe he had to go to Argentina to have a great smoke out with the good ole stuff from South AMerica, If so, he did not need his security detail to know this................or his office, nor his wife. C'mon people of SC how stupid are we!!!!!!!!!!!

He is supposed to be from the party that supports FAMILY VALUES???

I don't think that as a non-resident of South Carolina it's any of my business where he went. And I think it's obscene of his wife to make any comments whatsoever to CNN or any one else! if the voters of South Carolina are unhappy with their governor, let them make that clear at the next gubernatorial election.

hmmm as the repubs would say about Obama.. was this exotic getaway on TAX payers money or did you take ur money right of the top of the stimulus money to take such a trip ??????

Sanford did not have to run for public office. When you choose to do so, you lose a little bit of your freedom. However, it was his choice to become Governor. With power comes responsibility. I think his mental stability and credibility has to be questioned. Plus, what Dad flees to Argentina over Father's Day without the family? This stinks really bad.

Needless to say, I think you can cross this fool off the list in 2012.

Sanford needs to resign, he's done a horrible job in this state and he's not mentally stable to handle pressure especially losing a court battle from a 12 year old of the stimulus money that needs to fix the education system and build jobs. man what a pathetic sore loser Sanford is. make matters worse he left the country during the most precious time to be with his kids during Fathers Day. just pathetic!!

Now the Republicans can say that the Dems had him kidnapped; it
would certainly typify their brand of truth.

Who cares!?!? This is for SC to take care of.

9.4% Unemployment! FOCUS!

The wife needs to go to the media to know where her husband is?
What a ridiculous situation.
I don't care about their marriage problems...
The guy took a vacation, went to Buenos Aires to eat some real beaf so What?..Don't cry for me Argentina...

This guy was going to be who the Republican Party might run for president?? It only makes sense!! Another incompetent person in Washington, making decisions for all of us. Of course! Lets see, we can run Sarah P. as his V.P. What a great combo!

OK, As an SC citizen, I can tell you that not only does our Governor live in a nice mansion, he owns one on the oceanfront at Sullivan's Island and has some farm somewhere. He didn't need to go to ANOTHER HEMISPHERE to get away from his kids on Father's Day. Stick a big ole fork in him.....

He "wanted to do something exotic." I hope she was worth it. What a dork. Have a nice day!

Maybe he went to Argentina to meet Nazis!!! Scandal!!!

Too bad he wasn't hiking – on a one way hike across the Bridge to Nowhere. This guy is a nutcase.

For his next excursion, I'm willing to buy Sanford a one-way ticket to Alaska!

This would be irresponsible behavior for any governor. But when most of your state wishes harm on you, it becomes even more irresponsible.

It's not "unusual" for him to take off for Argentina without telling his wife? That's interesting.

Another Republican odd ball. What a whacked out party....

What a duffus!

I am quite frigthened about this unfolding drama. The Chief of Staff obviously knew where he was and decided to lie to the people of the State. He should be repreminded for this. Secondly, his wife appeared not to know his whereabout. This is surprising. Even if he wanted to get away from the bubble of office was he also trying to get away from the bubble of his marriage? Something tells me his marriage is heading for the burst

His wife didn't even know where he went. Niiiice. I have to say for a person in his position that jetting to Argentina without telling anybody is pretty irresponsible. Ranks pretty high on the idiot scale. I hope they remove him from office. He can join the ranks of his state's unemployed because he obviously does not care enough about his job.

Too bizarre! By law, isn't he supposed to tell the lieutenant governor? Not to mention his family? Can't he be impeached for this action? But wait–it's South Carolina!!

Maybe he just had to "get away", relax & do some "attitude adjustment". But to do this & not tell anyone smells of something else!

Oh, yeah. This is completely normal behavior.

Absolutely.

And he refused stimulus money, too.

Perfect. What does he care about the people in his state when he can just fly off to Argentina, without his wife?

A week without another nutcase Republican antic is like a day without sunshine.

OK, this is a little strange but some of you people are way over the top on this. A right wing nut job? What does that have to do with this? Something somehow related with the so-called "religious right"? Come on people, get a grip.

However, I will say this effectively ends his political career.

My gawd people....can't the guy take a vacation without you all tracking down his car and his whereabouts.....that is EXACTLY why he has to keep it a secret....so he can have a bit of peace and quiet......you guys are ridiculous.

ARGENTINA- Oh man ...this guy needs to go back to work.....SC is in very bad shape and he can take a $40,000 vacation

I would think he would have more explaining to do to his wife, than to the media.

May be he has something to hide, right wing-nut.

It was stated in previous stories that his own funds were used, get your facts straight lefties.

There is more to his story. He didn't just go on a "walk about". I would bet that his "walk about" has a name

Please stop turning this into a partisan issue. It is laughable to see pro-Democrats assail this guy and pro-Republicans try to make it out as no big deal – all of you are hypocrites because if he was a Democrat your reactions would complete reverse.

I am not begrudging anyone (regardless of party affiliation) of the opportunity to get away and have some private time....but leaving the country without telling your family or someone on your staff where you are going? That is bizarre behavior. We definitely have not heard the end of this story. Stay tuned for more wacky tomfoolery and zany shenanigans from the office of the governor of SC.

As a Republican, I must say that Sanford has just taken himself out of contention for 2012. Not even telling your wife you're leaving the country for a hiatus? This guy is NOT presidential material. There's more to this story than just a governor's desire to escape from the bubble.

Mmm, on his dime or the taxpayers dime, now that is what the South Carolinians should ask. Going Argentina, now what is in Argentina?

If it was a Democratic Governor, the right wingnuts would be calling for an Impeachment. If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.
If he is looking toward 2012, my advice would be grow-up, and smell the coffee... YOU ARE NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME....

Going off on a whim to a foreign country after a period of stress is actually quite typical of bipolar behavior. The changing stories and justifications simply serve to confirm that. He needs help, but we do not need him as a leader.

Perhaps he wanted to be left ALONE for a while. In other words a genuine vacation.

Can we say wierd ? This is the southern veriion of the twilight zone. Thank god I am not from or living in South Carolina. I would impeach him for direct derelict of his duties. Sounds like the wanna be prez candidate snuck away for an affair. Come on we are not that ignorant. His family didn't know what he was doing ? Way too fishy i think.

Sanford just "tripped" himself out of the lineup of the GOP's possible presidential contenders.

True, in the past the electorate did give a half-hearted okay to installing into the executive branch someone super-secretive = Cheney.

But someone super-secretive AND ERRATIC,??? with 5 day getaways to parts unknown??? and then being surpised at others' concerns??? He's completely untrustworthy.

Further, Sanford could never be trusted to be able to withstand the pressures of living in the much more intense "bubble" and spotlight that come with the chief White House jobs.

Better that he start farming himself out now for jungle adventures on a reality show.

And he was surprised that the story was drawing media attention. Lets see. Gov of a state gone, no one knows where he is, Lt. Gov doesn't know, wife and kids don't know, staff isn't talking. Naw, nothing suspicious. Who's running the store. No one knows. Why would this draw media attention. And this guy is considered a potential canidate for the 2012 presidential election. I can see it. North Korea starts acting up again and he decides to take off and not tell anybody. If he doesn't like being in the bubble now it would be 100 times worse in the white house.

Is this a big surprise... you know the Nazi's also took flight to Argentina. High coinsidence? No, high fact!!!

Amazing how many of you liberial posters think he was with a woman, but then again it runs in your blood so it would not be unusal for your class of people. At least he wasn't off busy spending trillions of dollars that didn't belong to him and flying to NY while Rome collapses.

If this were a Democrat, the right-wing idiots like Limbaugh would be all over him, talking about "another liberal spending goverment money..." "another democrat acting strangely"...Let me get this straight, the GOVERNOR of a STATE goes missing, doesn't tell his security detail or his WIFE where he is, and comes back surprised that people are curious as to just where he's been? This guy should be impeached. Period. I guess if South Carolina had an emergency when he was gone, they could have reached him at,,,,, wait...no they couldn't. They didn't know where he was.

I don't care that he took a bit of time off - everyone needs it.

And, I don't care that he didn't tell his wife, or deprived his kids of being with him (or even talking to him) on Father's Day - that's between him and them.

But I ~do~ care that my Governor was unreachable by the government in the event of an emergency;

And I ~do~ care that, as a public officlal, he put himself in harm's way by shrugging off his protection detail;

And I ~do~ care that his staff lied about it. Don't want to tell us where he is or that you didn't know where he was? Fine. But don't say he was one place and then admit to being another only after a reporter spots your car at the airport.

Wow...this just keeps getting better and better...is it a new reality show?

No wonder why I left SC 20 years ago-if you stay too long you start exhibiting this type of wierd behavior–weird even by SC standards (which aren't that high to begin with)....

What would he do when things got tough for him if her were President. He can kiss any potential presidential bid goodbye (and maybe his gubernatorial re-election as well)

Good man, Gov. Mark Sanford everybody need a stress break. Like the govenor said" "I would get out of the bubble I am in. A Man need time to himself. It called me time, every man should do this

Good for you Governor! Where were all these CNN libs when Nancy Pelosi took her Italian vacation on the taxpayer dime? This guy is trying to do the fiscally responsible thing, not take tax dollars they don't need. If the posters on CNN had a clue they would understand the world of financial hurt coming due to the tsunami wave of wreckless spending by this Administration!

Ok, so he left his family, forget about coworkers, but his family and kids on Father's Day and didn't tell them where he was....

And he went to Argentina for 5 days???

This gives new meaning to absentee father..

How irresponsible, and hugely self-centered. Another narcistic GOP wonder boy. He shouldn't be in office.

...and who did Governor Sanford rendevous with in Argentina? Hmmmm. This is very suspicious to say the least and I am sure is not going to be over anytime soon.

Gov Sanford has just about the worst judgement of any elected official in the USA.... just amazing!.... And, what about his committment to "family values"; abandoning his wife and four young sons on Father's Day!

Hey JT, there are other things to do in Argentina other than sleeping with women. Maybe he craved a soccer riot, or a theatrical show in a language he doesn't understand.

You people are the insane ones. If this was another one of the unending streak of liberal politicians who pull strange stunts you would be defending him at all costs.

I happen to agree with most of you that it was an incredibly stupid and irresponsible thing to do, but seriously... you guys need to step off your high horses or at least apply the same standard to those who represent your political views in government.

Amazing that you would jump to the "ooooh he must be cheating... what a scum bag" argument... like it's SUCH a political career ender, yet you brush off Clinton's oval "oral" office antics like it's no big deal.

I'm not sure which is stranger: the fact that he left without informing his wife or government officials and that his children didn't know where he was on father's day, or that he seemed clueless that people might think it was weird.

There is more to this story.

The story changing of where he went is typical of the GOP. When get caught, put out some more lies then confess the truth. No wonder people of SC don't like him.

he's searching the world for Obama's birth certificate...

Seriously? Really – I mean, come on!

How long before the GOP has another bimbo eruption on their hands, and poor Mrs. Sanford is dragged out to stand behind her idiot husband with a plasticine smile on her face for the cameras while he confesses his infidelity – or worse? This isn't the end of this story.

The family values crowd needs to GET SOME.

This is just bizarre. I can understand going for a walk to clear your head or even going to the family cabin to clear your head for a day, but to leave the country for 5 days and not tell your wife or your staff? And then to go to Buenes Aires of all places? There's some funny business going on here.

One time my ex husband told me he was going to the corner store to
get cigarettes he came back a week later??? He was really with
some one else.( woman) I am not saying that the governor was with another woman. I have become suspect of husbands that vanish into mountain air. ooppss I mean Argentina. ooppss I mean the corner
store. FAITHFUL HONEST HUSBANDS DONOT BEHAVE IN THIS MANNER. remember what ever you do in the DARK will come to LIGHT. Be patient all the truth will be known shortly.

Why does he has to lie to the people of SC and his own family? There is something very wrong with this guy and doesn't deserve to be a governer!

"Some people out there in our nation don’t have maps" ring a bell? Anyone know where Lauren Upton was during all this? She could have been his navigator!

Impeach.

He can kiss 2012 good bye. There is no excuse good enough to justify leaving his family on Fathers Day and not telling his staff he would be out of the country. There is much more to this than we know now. Everyone has a right to time away but this is not the way to take it unless you have something to hide.
What are you hiding Sanford?????

I love this guy. Finally a man who doesn't ask or need permission from the press or anybody else to take a few days off.

Wow, I feel sorry for the people of South Carolina. For your own sake, impeach this psycho ASAP. Who knows what he'll do next.

Sanford is a moron and an embarrassment to S.C.-He was actually in Myrtle Beach with another moron-Mayor John Rhodes. They were discussing more ways to keep tourists OUT while riding their Suzuki crotch rockets without helmets in the city limits of Myrtle Beach.

Ha Ha, Lib monkeys, if BO had done this you would be praising him for getting away and clearing his mind. Lib monkeys are soooo predictable.

I live in Greenville, SC and I am embarrased and appalled that this is the guy that was elected to represent this state. I didn't vote for him and I don't like his policies or agendas but this takes the cake. There is so much more than meets the eye in this story and I am sure that it will unfold slowly and painfully. I totally understand the need to unwind and recharge but not telling your second in command or your wife is extra fishy. Also, the fact that your wife didn't cover for you seemed like their is friction in your marriage. If it were my husband, I wouldn't have told anyone that I didn't know where you were because I know people would speculate.

Maybe he started cooking meth on the side to make up for rejecting the stimulus money.

Wow...cuckoo cuckoo...sounds like someone might need some therapy. I hope his insurer doesn't rescind his insurance contract...after all, being a Republican might arguably be considered a pre-existing mental disease lol

I live in Greenville, SC and I am embarrased and appalled that this is the guy that was elected to represent this state. I didn't vote for him and I don't like his policies or agendas but this takes the cake. There is so much more than meets the eye in this story and I am sure that it will unfold slowly and painfully. I totally understand the need to unwind and recharge but not telling your second in command or your wife is extra fishy. Also, the fact that your wife didn't cover for you seemed like their is friction in your marriage. If it were my husband, I wouldn't have told anyone that I didn't know where you were because I know people would speculate. I'm telling you, we will find out more.....

Wow, I have gone out driving and gotten lost in the past but, I have never ended up on another continent.

It's kinda a non-story, other than our insatiable apetite for weird stories.

I smell blood in the water. Let the feeding frenzy begin.

I mean it is completely normal to think maybe I will go hiking and then take a left turn,ditch the hiking equipment, drive more than 200 miles, and get on the next available flight out of the country without telling a soul.

Let's start a pool. Check Block A if you believe the real story is a lover (male or female). Check Block B if you believe the real story is financial corruption. Check Block C if you think it is even more wierd than this.

Another right-wing moral trooper from the Independent and Sovereign Nation of South Carolina. Used to live there, now I don't even FLY OVER IT. Those people don't get it. Even if they throw out this bum, they'll just replace him with someone equally as incompetent from FARTHER right. Oy!!

Sanford and that GOP senator from Nevada got together, didn't they?

I'd love to know what his wife really knew or what she really thinks about this whole ordeal. She's a better woman than me if she just forgives him for not telling her that he left the country!! I think there is alot more to this story and I hope it all surfaces soon. He sounds like a nut and a total jerk!! But I think alot of people felt that way with his refusal of the stimulus money.

he should have just done a golf outing like dear leader

The idiot came back to the village, that's all. He met W down there. Leave the idiots alone. It's too bad that South Carolinians elected him governor. That's there problem.

I am a SC resident for 12 years and this guy is a joke! Our state is in dire straits. Almost the worst education system in the nation, 2nd worse unemployment rates and Mark Sanford is our governor! He didnt want the stimulus money because he would have to use part of it to pay teachers!!! South Carolina...where our governor thinks literacy should be optional and family values means abandoning your children on Fathers Day!! Time to Retire Mark....your stimulus gamble to be the GOP frontrunner failed...and you sir are a vile example of government in action!

I'm still trying to figure out why this is a huge crisis and any sort of story of interest. Was this a slow news week? What happened that was newsworthy. Was SC invaded by TN while Sanford took a break? Do we need to send troops or negotiators to Columbia, SC? Somebody contact the UN quickly!

Good grief!

Maybe he is suffering from early stages of Altzheimers. He needs to see a Doctor.

a completly fabricated story by liberals...
this is what they do best.....atempt to destroy (like they are doing with palin)
what an embarrasment for these liberal/dem loons!!!!!

most comments on this are the product of REAL Lib nut jobs without a brain

Much a do about nothing. If a democratic governor did this, which I'm sure many have, it would be a non-issue.

There seems to be some sort of contest going on among Republican leaders. They should have the decency to publish the entry criteria and rules so we could follow along.

LOL. It's good to be king.

I see this truning into a Mcgreevey thing.......

It is not a big story, just something to get the libs clucking like a flock of chickens. It was funny on yesterdays story about John Ensign, one of the avid contributors said something about "another hyocritical republican apologizing." That's so true, they apologize and resign, unlike the libs who don't have the decency to apologize and then blame someone else for their wrongdoing ala Kennedy, Rangel and Jefferson.

There is something really wrong when a governor disappears into thin air in another country, in a post 911 world, and doesn't let his wife know that he left and where he is going- and she has his children on Father's Day weekend. WTH? With all the secrecy and mystery, hope the media wears this story out getting to the truth. Hopefully the National Enquirer won't beat true journalists to the punch( Hey, hey got John Edwards...LOL) ALL THIS FROM THE GUY WHO DIDN'T WANT THE STIMULS MONEY TO FIX DELAPIDATED SCHOOL BUILDINGS IN HIS STATE.

[...] Turns out the press was in the wrong place – they weren't ACTUALLY hiding in the lean-tos for Sanford, but you know, I love the thought. From CNN.com: [...]

Lies, lies, lies...they're going to get you!

Didn't your mother ever teach you that if you tell one lie – you have to tell another one to cover the first one.

My advice to you is to write your lies...errr...explanations down to keep them straight.

The fact that this is news is pathetic. A governor takes a trip to get away, doesn't tell anyone so as to avoid the press, and everyone freaks out. I think people are more pissed that they weren't in the know so they have to make something out of nothing. Maybe he has a mistress in Argentina, but that's none of the public's business, just like it was none of the public's business when prosecutors asked Clinton about his relationship with you know who. [yawn] CNN should try a little harder than this, there are more newsworthy topics than this.

What is up with Republicans these days? This guy just disappears, has his staff say that he's hiking the Appalachian trail, ends up in Argentina and then refuses to say why he went or what he was doing there. This is SO typical of Republican behavior and ideology.... and stupidity.

I'll admit that this seems odd. However, the only South Carolinians saying Sanford is a terrible governor are the same left wing fanatics that make comments on here such as "what a lousy person" and "right-wing nutjob" – and of course mixing every Christian in with any shortcoming of any Christian – without knowing all the facts. He's actually been a good governor and I think his stand on the stimulus money was a solid, anti-socialist position. But I don't pretend to know why he ran off to SA without telling his wife – I'll give y'all that.

This is not vacation time in Buenos Aires. It is like 50 degrees down there. It is far from over. Gov. Sanford and his entire administrators are known to be incompetent, but now they are lying incompetents.

This sounds like a little kid who gets caught in a lie. So he makes a bigger one to cover the first one. The GOP thinks we are all stupid. I am waiting for the REAL truth to be told.

This more bizarre by the day!

He can forget any presidential aspirations, with all the lies and deceit he and his staff have been dishing out the last week. It is very irresponsible for an elected official such as a governor to leave the country without notifying the Lt. Governor he needs to step in. "Get out of the bubble"??
What does he think living in the White House would be like??

Conference with North Korea over missiles and this clown would take a week off to disappear??

Perhaps, the citizens of S.C. do not mind an AWOL governor, but this citizen would mind an AWOL president for a week.

This man should not be anywhere near the WH other than as a guest!

first the GOP 'take a hike'

then the GOP have 'gone south'

can't be sure where GOP 'have gone'

Gov. Mark Sanford you are the GOP and the best of it

I hope you had fun, down with the GOP and up with the independants

Who paid for it? Tax-payers or Business Lobbies? Who did he meet there? What was he talking to them about? Why did he need to be completely alone? This REEKS of corruption!

This is not news. Would CNN mind giving some attention to the energy tax bill coming to a vote this Friday?, or the nationalization and cost of the Obama health care plan?, or perhaps the N. Korean missle launch scheduled for next week?

Well...Argentina and Appalachian Trail both begin with "A". And we thought OUR Governor was a bad apple! I say impeach and divorce. Even this citizens of his own state are appalled by this behavior...and rightfully so. There is more to this story than meets the eye, truat me.

Ok…well…

You are an elected *public* official. You take a state owned vehicle, and without telling anyone, including your family, what you are doing, where you are going, disappear for several days.

Upon your return to the world, you *lie* about where you went.

Then when you are caught in your lie, you tell the "truth" …that you went to Argentina for originalstiffnights.com a "quick change of scenery?"

?!?!?

There is a whole lot more to this story than what he is letting on. At the very least, the man is unstable. At worst, he is involved in something criminal.

ok, his case looks pretty bad but people should stop short of accusing the man for sleeping around, etc...what if his staff screwed up on the trail story, what if his wife cheated on him?...hhhmmm...p.s., Father's Day is another made up Hallmark occasion just like Valentine's Day...so what?

I wonder how many Americans can afford to hop on a plane on a whim and head to Buenos Aires for 5 days?

Regardless, to leave the country for 5 days without telling his family is a little strange, to say the least. And to leave without putting someone else in charge of his state in case of an emergency is irresponsible. I don't think we've seen the end of this story.

I ask again...if the aid said he was hiking in Appalacia, why did he contact him in Argentina? The aid knew where he was and lied.

Well it sounds a little weird, but the terms "scumbag" or "right-wing nutjob" are not appropriate, I don't think.

It's just a little weird, nothing else. I'm weird too. But I'm not contemplating a run for POTUS in 2012...

He went alone on this trip – yeah right!!!!! What a whack job!!! I hope his state didn't have to pick up any of the tab. Most curious is that his staff covered up for him with a big fat lie.If he hadn't been seen at the Atlanta airport they would probably stick to the hiking. Here is another outstanding Republican to lead the Republican party into the future. Knowing the investigative tv news stattions, it won't be long before "Her" idenity is discovered. Go get him CNN MSNBC(Fox won't because he is one of them)

I'm usually in favor of giving politicians.celebrities their privacy, but leaving the country without even telling his family where he's going is irresponsible. He's the weakest link. Goodbye.

Stand back, Buenos Aires!! Does he do Evita in drag?

This looks like merely the tip of an iceberg. I won't speculate, but I will suspect that Governor Sanford is hiding something quite a bit more dark than the need for a get away.

Oh definitly an extramaritial affair. Only question: was it with a girl or a guy?

"Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive......"

This guy is a nutcake and irresponsible in his actions and thinking, lock him up.

How many more lies will we hear until the truth comes out?

Can't a guy take a vacation and getaway? It's not like he was stealing from the state or running from justice. After being forced to take that ridiculous stimulus money, I would need a break myself.

Nuts – just another in a long line of GOP crazies!

sounds like the Michelle Bachmann of the South. I know there are plenty of crazy Democrats too, but lately the Republicans seem to be taking it to a whole new level.

More disturbing to me is the fact that his wife supposedly did not know where he was. Not the fact that no one in his office or the second in command of the state. What if something had happened to one of his children and noone could reach him? That is the scarey part.

I really wish Governor Sanford would quit embarassing the Republicans in this state! I don't understand none of it! He has done some of the stupidist things I have ever seen a Governor do, and I didn't buy the stupid trail story, and I don't buy he went to some exotic land for a week alone! Poor Jenny! I am sorry but why he didn't take his beautiful wife? and the kids on such a great vacation... but alone... Re-election time can't come fast enough! and please God don't let him embarass us all again by even attempting to run for President, sounds like he has a mistress, and I am sorry but I don't want another Clinton either!

Something is very 'fishy' about his story..........wonder what really is going on between the lines. And his wife did not know............even more suspicious.

The Governor was on a "walk about." walkabout 30 up, 5 down
Background: Australian. Given to us by Crocodile Dundee:
A spontaneous journey through the wilderness of one's choosing in an effort to satisfy one's itchy feet, a need to be elsewhere, the craving for the open road, that space over the horizon...yes... something like that... you can't quite touch it so you have to go find it because it's you just know it's there...Or maybe it just feels good to go walking around ... Yeah. It's WALKABOUT.
See "Crocodile Dundee" 1986 starring Paul Hogan.

Sanford handled this situation with the maturity of a 16 year old. His actions were not only irresponsible to the state of South Carolina, but also to his family.

When the going gets tough, Sanford runs away to hide. Kiss those presidential hopes goodbye.

Strange and curious.

I think when it's all said and done-you will find there is another woman somewhere in this story!

From what I understand, Sanford "escaped" to Poland last fall without others knowing as well. Seems he needs to get away from it all including his family. Raises some red flags doesn't it?

Sanford Palin 2012

Can't wait to get the rest of this story. I'm sure the media can do some digging and find out.

Just because you disappear on Father's Day without telling your wife and kids doesn't mean you can preach family values.....

Beyond the issues of a governor not being available to serve his state in the event of a crisis and using government equipment for personal use. I wonder what this does to his security clearance; normally when you have a security clearance and plan to leave the country you have to file paperwork on where you're going to see if any conflicts arise. With him taking off like that, it could be argued that his clearance should be pulled and at that point does he become ineffective as governor

To Fred the Moderate,

Sure you are a moderate, unless moderate means liberal in your world. What a stupid comment you made. What does this have to do with the religious right? The so-called "religious right" does 80% of the charitable work that liberals only talk about fool!

Just think...if Sanford was President of the United States, where would he be if the 3 am emergency call to the White House is made?

They both begin with "A."

Sanford. Name rings a bell. Is he or not somehow related to Ponzi Sanford? Seems like similar personalities.

Did the taxpayer pay for his trip?

We're not paying for these morons to take "exotic" trips because they're a little "stressed"!

Michael – Maybe Edwards can run again for you guys. You think Democrats are such stand up guys. What about former President Clinton, Gotta love what he does on the job!! Politicians are sleezy, and that my friend is the only true bipartisan bond they share!!

I guarantee you that he spent the weekend with ESCORTS, HOOKERS, and PROSTITUTES. I mean c'mon I have been to Buenos Aires..........they are EVERYWHERE. Not judging him because they are smoking hot just giving you the truth. Maybe now he will get that Republican Swagger back in his step!!! Go get em' stud!

As bad as we've got it here in GA with Sonny "Go Fish" Perdue, at least he never "wigged out" and left without telling someone.

Maybe he thought he could see Iran from South America?

Fishy much?

Weird to say the least. A governor is allowed to travel and take vacations like anyone else but this is alittle weird.He leaves the country without telling anyone anything?Not his wife, his staff and when it comes out on the media, they say he is hiking in the App trail and than we find out he is thousands miles away, very weird.

He was there for a reason? Think, clearly.
The situation. Pay attention.

The chief executive of a state disappears for a week without notifying a soul and he doesn't understand why it's a story? Governing the state is a full time job, this guy isn't even a full time person.

One down for 2012! Was he even a contender?

Interesting how he refused money that would help his state but had no problem supporting bush bankrupting this country with an illegal war. He was one of bush's staunchest allies. I don't care where he went or what he did although he sure seems a little unstable but to deny your own people money who are struggling because you are self righteous and yet you supported a crooked president, well that is hypocritical and typical republican.

Again, I ask who is footing the bill??????????

remove him from office........ NOW!!!

Esco June 24th, 2009 8:42 am ET

I don't blame you for getting away at all…the public offices can be very stressful. It is dangerous to just go off on your own without notice though…especially a foreign country. They should just squash this story and move on.
**********************************************
You'll never get that lucky bub. Buenos Aires is a spot notorious for gorgeous people, some of whom can be had for the right price. This guy is a philanderer, and he's done it often, which is why his wife didn't seem upset about him being gone, but more upset that anyone found out.

What makes it even more strange is that this guy's wife is gorgeous and his kids are adorable. What an unappreciative jerk.

[...] LATE LATE UPDATE: Wow. The Appalachian Trail goes all the way down to ARGENTINA???? Who KNEW??? [...]

There's a transporter station in Atlanta! Beam me up scottie!

What's that sound? Oh, it's the nails in the coffin.

Never mind if something happened in the state and he was needed, what if one of his children was in an accident, or became ill and his wife did not know where he was. And it absolutely is our buisness, this bozo wants to run for president.

If I left my job teaching for five days to decompress and did not tell anyone, I would be dismissed.

All the major news sites have covered this story except for fox.com. If this was a dem it would be their whole news cycle. Thanks CNN and the other real News outlets. This dude is a bad liar, how did he get elected???

As a Carolinian I don't care where he went, I just wish he would have stayed there. The state is a mess, education in this state is a ranked 48th in the US, and he goes to Argentina?! Moron!!

What happens in Buenos Aries stays in Buenos Aries...

I think Sanford is a selfish, self centered person, especially since he did not even tell his 'Family" how arrogant can one person be! I still believe there is more to this story than he is telling. I hope he runs for President in 2012 and gets the nomination, that would guarantee Obama a second term! He is an "Idiot"!

Aww man this guy is crazy.

Who cares already?? Hunt him down like a dog. Secret trip, there must be pictures of him with another woman!! What else could it have been?

I blame George Bush. All heil Obama!!

one other thing..since Cnn, and the local law were able to find mr, sanfords chevy, ( at least it's American ), at the airport, maybe Cnn can use their vast financial resources to pin-point bin-laden, could you imagine the size of the Stetsen blitzer would need after that..

Sounds like family problems to me. Good to know that CNN is all over this!! Did you find out what color shoes he wore when he returned from Argentina? What about the currency exchange rate? That can kill a vacation.

Unless he is a CIA agent in deep cover, there is no possible reason for his disappearance that can be consistent with the future of his political career. This guy is toast.

The trip to Argentina has a first and last name. It's a matter of time.

His critics have been saying what a flake this guy is ... Now will you listen?

Just getting funnier by the minute! he he

I understand a guy wanting to take some time to himself, but couldn't he have given his wife a little more information? Hotel phone number, name of the country, or at least the name of the continent? Emergencies happen, and he was being a little too selfish in his escapade.

I heard he wants to run for President. Good luck with that. I feel sorry for my Republican friends. They have clowns and buffoons representing them. Too bad.

You shouldn't all be assuming he had an affair. A lot of this has to do with news outlets making major stories out of rumors ... any time anyone said anything it got covered as breaking news.

I find this erratic behavior appalling for an elected official. What would happen if an emergency required the governor's attention?

Things that make you go hmmmmm.

Wife doesn't know where he is?? Good for you lady, for not protecting him on this. Mrs. Sanford should research "narcissism" on the internet.

This is hilarious–kind of. I don't think we will ever know what actually happened.

Don't cry for me Argentina...lol... Lets see how this snowballs.

WOW! Curious and more curious...who in their right mind would leave their wife and family for 5 days without letting them know where he was going, let alone a governorship!! The man is hiding something. Throw the bum out!!

[...]the governor, a possible 2012 presidential candidate,[...]
yeah right!!!

i think the serious thinkers within the GOP will have their new party running long before 2012 .. Nuff said !

He should be drug tested asap.

His wife should be waiting at the door with divorce papers and a gun!!!!!. Who does he think he is kidding. Just up and leave four sons (one Father's Day weekend) and his wife and not tell them that he was going on a trip alone. Does he think everyone is as stupid as he is??

Everyone needs time to themselves, that is just part of being human, however, when you take on certain responsibilities, the prudent thing to do, is be responsible. I can even understand your going on vacation, but to be so selfish to just disappear from the responsibility of being THE executive officer of a state, is disgusting. We have nothing to with how one leaves his family, that is truly personal, but to leave your state unattended is something else.

I now know how people feel who voted for George Bush! Simply duped...

Those of us in Illinois are grateful to the Gov. – finally another state has a governor just as screwed-up as Blagojevich!

Can you spell bimbo? Boy, does this smell.

Seriously, the person(s) I feel sorry for are his wife and kids. This guy is another fine example of male politicians run amok who cannot keep their in their pants. What is with these guys?

This guy needs to give complete and total details about where he was and who he was with the entire time. If you want to be a public figure and you pull this sort of junk you need to learn there are penaties to pay. Only then can the public decide whether he is fit to hold office or not.

Who voted for im again? I bet yall want them votes back now...and Im pretty sure tax payers paid for this...

I've deserted my family, my job, my office and my state....... I really don't undertand why this is getting any attention at all.

What a Governor to be proud of.

This wrong on so many levels! This man has serious psychological problems! He must be pressed to leave office!

Not unusual for me to take such trips?

So basically he's saying he's wandered off to find himself many times before without letting anyone know his where abouts even his family. What a responsible guy.

Palin-Sanford in2012! More Republican Wing Nuts! Don't forget to throw Newt in there and also: Obey Rush at any cost!
What kind of guy doesn't even tell his wife where he's gone?

Is this guy pulling a McGreevy?

Who really cares? I for one would like CNN to report on stories that matter. Such as North Korea and rising unemployment.

Something stinks about this whole story. As a South Carolinian, I think he should have let those who pay his salary know he was on vacation. When one decides to run for a position such as governor, you don't get to clock out and go off not to be heard from. South Carolina has one of the highest unempoyment rates, is low on the list in terms of education and he decides to go off to lick his wounds. His term is almost up and can't come soon enough. Don't take the job if you can't handle the pressure.

Sandford is just another one of those Republicans who talk -the -talk but can't walk -the -walk. Like Ensign, he will finally confess to the truth of what he was doing, and then he will claim that someone was trying to blackmail him. These "conservatives1 make me sick! They are all about keeping the power and the riches of this country in the hands and control of a very few, while the rest of us scrape and suffer and then die broke. Shame on the Republicans!

This is just your typical diversion story to get away from the real points out there. Iran is in kaos, north korea is showing there guns, they are spending trillions and want to spend more on healthcare, we have prisoners being taken in foreign countries and the best we can do is plan wheres waldo? no wonder this country is in the shape its in and its not a rep, dem thing its a media has forgotten there real job thing.

This guys is toast. Mentally he is unstable. The world knows that he is unstable and should be watched. This explains his off he wall political stunts and view points. His wife is done with him, because she could care less what he does, where he is, or if he ever comes back.

He lies to his staff, the people of SC and abandoned his job as governor of SC. And this is the whack job that the GOP want's to be president??

Family value, he was with his other kids on fathers day and the other wife knows that. Cut him some slack

the media has done their job again..one thing sure, with all these negative comments, we certainly hope all of you recuse yourselves from any jury duty..

This guy is more than just a little peculiar.

Then the aid knew where he was all the time...and lied about it.

Another scandle for the Republicans, what is all this secret stuff anyway......Palin does the same thing.........I guess they have to may skeletons in their closets and they have to be always on the sly.......

Weird. who paid for the trip. did he pocket the money he refused to accept for the state. he has very understanding wife, doesn't he. or maybe he is a delight to be away from.

The truth?, I think not. Doesn't he know that the truth WILL come out. Politicians are such habitual liars. I predict a sex scandal in a few days involving this person.

Sorry–I am not buying this story. Gov. Sanford could NOT just change his mind at the last minute.
At the least, he would need a PASSPORT, and unless he carries it all the time, he needed to do some planning.
Did no one from Homeland Security notices that the Governor's name was on the flight manifest?

During DC Mayor Marion Barry's fourth term, he used to disappear for several days on end - to relax etc. Turns out it was attempts at rehab.

what a typical scumbag politician.
we all know what he was doing there.
didn't even want to be with the family.
what a guy!

And this guy is considering running for POTUS? You gotta be kidding!
The last trait I want in a president is one capable, by demonstration, of "blacking out" for days at a time with it appearing that not even his wife knowing where he's at, let alone his staff!
So this morning we have yet another "version" of his whereabouts!
The spin will be in high gear now!
This is a "stable" president? Governor? Individual?
Sir, seek some counseling, please.

Say whaaaaat??? Argentina? Without inviting his wife along? Without informing his wife that hewas leaving the COUNTRY? This guy sounds like a total jerk. Meanwhile, his plane could've crashed, or any number of things could've rendered him missing and the State Troopers would've been beating the bushes searching for his irresponsible behind along some trail in the Appalachians!

He can kiss running for Pressident goodbye. He is too arrogant and irresponsible. ARGENTINA???????!

This is just the beginning of the story. This will be fun to watch it play out.

bye bye presidential chances. Of course, I'd have never voted for him in the first place, but hopefully others now see this guy is erratic and unstable. I think his posturing during the stimulus talk was also ridiculous, when his state was aching for increases in its school budgets, etc ... he rejected money from the feds. (or tried to at least) Everyone needs a vacation, but to miss telling your family and the state where you're going – that's unexcusable.

How nice for him. If I took a vacation from my job for a week without telling anyone, I wouldn't have a job left to come back to.

Another right-wing nutjob.

I don't think people would care if he actually TOLD his staff where he was going. But the fact that he disappears to foreign countries and left his kids on FATHER'S DAY really irks me.

From what I read from actual SC residents, he is a terrible governor and really needs to be removed, and certainlly no way can he run for President in 2012....or maybe he should so Obama can have an easy win.

This clown has been a constant embarassment to SC. Can't wait until he's out of office. Nothing he does surprises me. His behavior in inexcusable.

I wonder if he hooked up with Kate Gosselin while he was gone? Hence, the divroce announcement on Monday.

This is insanity!

I live in Columbia, SC and I must say I am appalled by this whole situation. As a Governor, Sanford should not have gone out of the state, let alone out of the country!, without officials knowing his whereabouts. I can understand people in the public eye wanting to get away, but c'mon! There are some things that need to be done when you're the head of a state – and letting people like the Lt. Gov and other high officials know that you'll be "out of pocket" is one of them!

this dude lost his mind....I think he wanted to flee to south america with stimulus money....unfortunately, his visa there might not have permitted, so came back.....Lt. governor needs to take care of this state....this dude is an idiot....to escape...

This guy is just too wierd...not even telling his wife. Wonder what he would think if she ran away for a week...hmmm...

This is bull sh@t, he will always be in a bubble, because he did it to self. American people cant trust him because of his strange behavior.
What a butttttt wipe.

So who is his mistress? What a lousy human being,

Ok...well...

You are an elected *public* official. You take a state owned vehicle, and without telling anyone, including your family, what you are doing, where you are going, disappear for several days.

Upon your return to the world, you *lie* about where you went.

Then when you are caught in your lie, you tell the "truth" ...that you went to Argentina for a "quick change of scenery?"

?!?!?

There is a whole lot more to this story than what he is letting on. At the very least, the man is unstable. At worst, he is involved in something criminal.

This story is getting more interesting. It seemed like a ridiculous non-story at first, but now I wouldn't be surprised to find that he was accompanied on his trip by Sen. Ensign and a couple prostitutes.

So the story has already begun to change! I've seen this before especially with the Republican religous right. It starts with a lie, goes to another lie then another until the media finds the truth and they come out with their poor wife in tow and apologize.

It would be refreshing if for once they just tell the truth first and take their medicine. But airs must be maintained if one wishes to become the presidential candidate for the GOP

Was Gov. Sanford with Senator Larry Craig?

And this was te best SC could pick to be governor? Glad your state didn't have an emergency.

I understand that he may need to take a few days to clear his head, but I do wonder how he used the tax payers dollars on this trip. Certainly the people of South Carolina paid for the gas that he used to get to and from the airport.

Maybe he used the stimulus money that he didn't want.

Say hello to one of the GOP 2012 frontrunners.

This is weird and suspicious. I think we can eliminate Sanford as a Presidential candidate for 2012. WHOOPPEEEE!!!

What a nut job!

Okay, you were in Argentina without telling anybody-fine, let the voters decide if that's important. So why did your staff say you were hiking? Seriously, where the hell did that come from? And why didn't you even tell your wife?

Something's very fishy here. Away from your family on Father's Day? Sounds like another Elliot Spitzer type thing to me.

I don't blame you for getting away at all...the public offices can be very stressful. It is dangerous to just go off on your own without notice though...especially a foreign country. They should just squash this story and move on.

SCUM BAG! He probably went to sleep around with a bunch of women...i hope this guy gets impeached!

He sounds like an odd fella. Personally, it really is none of our business. And this is coming from a person that doesn't jibe with his policies. However, it is his family's and state's business. All the best SC.

He's done.

How deceitful can you be, Mr. Sanford?

[...] LATE LATE UPDATE:  Wow.  The Appalachian Trail goes all the way down to ARGENTINA????  Who KNEW??? [...]