CNN

The Republicans have still not stopped talking about Bill Clintons sexual interludes in the Oval Office. We Democrats are reminded of it every single time a Republican gets in trouble with adultery. Which means that we have been reminded of it a lot lately. While Sandford and Ensign's romances will be swept under the rug, Clintons indiscretion is a gift that keeps on giving to the Republican party.

Sanford is a GREAT man, a GREAT Husband and a GREAT father. Lay off him. He is a shining example of the Family Values that me and my fellow republicans strongly believe in.

If we didn't have men like him, we would all have jobs and not cheat on our families. What fun would that be?

Anyone else get the impression that Willy Brown is one of those mindless hand fed sheep? Or am I the only one?

GOP needs to change Party’s name to GODSP (Grand Old Double Standard Party)
That’s all I have to say about this.

WAH! I got caught having an affair that has been going on for a year! WAH! I can't use the ole "moment of weakness" excuse! But I guess there's still the ole stand by excuse! You know the one! It's called the "I suddenly realize that I have a drinking problem" cop out! Work's every time! WAH! I'm suddenly soooooo sorry and just full of remorse! WAH!!!!

Yep. Its all President Obama's fault. If the President hadn't forced the stimulous down his throat, he wouldn't have been so stressed out and have a year long affair. Riiiiight?

Hey, is it any surprise that he was being considered to ride the same ticket as McCain. Peas in a pod, both men of no honor and no integrity. They both have made a career out of cheating on their wives.

Ahh, the standards of the republican and the depth of their steadfast beliefs in "Family Values' at it's finest.

But hey, they could have been on the campaign trail together tag teaming their staff as they crossed the nation. Now that would have been fun, wouldn't ya say?

its funny. those who are religious seem to be able to forgive him for he has sinned and hope that he finds peace. these are the same people who reject homosexual marriage. if he was a democrat, how bad do you think the vitriol would be? you think the religious right would be praying for things to work out?

it sure is convenient to let these things go by when its someone of your "values". this religion thing is so comical!!!

Sure it is a sin according to God, I'm a heathen so that doesn't bother me. But for a person who touts his "family values" and was able to vote for and call for Pres. Clinton to resign I think Sanford should follow what he preaches...

Steve-Michigan

oh puhhhhlease spare me your shock.

Mon Dieu. This is horrible. It's like gawkers at the scene of an accident trying to get a look at the deceased and/or the dying.

In a country where hit television shows include the likes of 'desperate housewives' and 'sex and the city', it's no surprise how many people are trying to get the best view of the salacious details.

Grow up whiny obese 'Bridezilla' crowd.

The whole situation is sad and as a Dem I honestly feel more for Sanford.

Speaking for all the pagens, heathens and athiests –

WE DON'T NEED NO STINKING BIBLE TO KNOW THAT ADULTRY IS WRONG.

Why do you?

Adultry is breach of contract on legal , moral and spiritual levelvs. It puts your spouse at risk of contracting a fatal disease that she could pass along to your newborn child.

And I love the "mistake" excuse. No, a mistake is transposing numbers in your checkbook and accidently bouncing a check – which, by the way, you will pay for at the bank. Having carnel relations with anyone isn't a mistake of any size, shape or kind.

Can we just stop saying this was a mistake? It was selfish, egotistical arrogant choice that rightfully should make resonsible people DOUBT the mental processes by which you make decisions.

Oh... what about the Vatican folks that protected those Boston child abusing priests for decades until they got caught? Why do they keep pontificating about the sanctity of marriage? There is no doubt that they (and those GOP religious chest thumping folks) touch themselves just as much as anyone else!

Loosen up, folks! Political parties and religions have nothing to do with morality! So, please stop pontificating about religion and morality!

Sanford is delusional. His wife, Jenny, has been there for him and he has four sons. What more could a man want? It is amazing that he is using the Bible to explain his infidelity to Jenny. What a moron.

If he used one dime of taxpayer money for his "personal use," that is enough for me. He doesn't want people in his state who are honest but out of work to take money that would help them through these times and then he does something like that. That is totally unbelievable and unforgiveable. Until a complete investigation is done, he needs to be sidelined. Sorry that he is such a hypocrite, as we sure don't need any more like him.

This is not Orwell's society. The freedom to hate whom we please is as sacrosanct and the freedom to live. "Hate crimes" are liberal attempts to push an Orwellian society. Why are liberals so self-destructive?

It is pathetic to read the excuses neocons are trying to make for Sanford, Ensign, Vitter, Craig, Foley, et.al. The party that tauts itself as the morality police in our country has been caught with their pants down way too many times. The bible-thumping morons want to preach everyone else how to live their lives while they disregard their very own words. Typical neoCON double-speak.
And Sanford was a rising star in the neocon party? I just hope he wasn't a Promise Keeper. Or maybe there is a neocon version–promise to screw everyone!

@Murph
Spitzer is & was a democrat. So was JFK, RFK, Clinton, FDR, Marion Barry, Mel Reynolds (Pardoned by Clinton), Daniel Inouye, etc. Funny how you failed to mention people like this.
****************************************************************
The different is these people(democrat) did not holding a bible and preaching family values on one hand and cheated his own family behind the back on the others hand like Gov. Sanford or the other falllen one last week. Oh! forgot to mentioned Newt who cheated on his wife while trying to impeached Clinton .

I know this might sound shallow, but I wonder how fine this woman is, because he seemed to just throw away his political career for some yummy yum yum, hope it was well worth it Governor...

You gotta love it! I can't quit laughing. I wonder how many of his sabbaticals down south were at the expense of the tax payers. No wonder he wanted to use the stimulus money to pay the states bills and not help the schools. I just feel for his family. They are the ones suffering right now.

A few things about SC:

We are a small state with a lame duck Governor. After losing his fight with the court over the stimulus money some called for him to resign then, because he would not be able to get anything passed.

The SC consitution provides us with what is called a Weak Governor. The Governor does not really have a lot of power. The Legislature has the most power as proved by the recent lost in the courts concerning the Stimulas money. In laymans terms: THe Governor's job has a lot of responsibility with very little authority.

Anyone who thinks they are above sexual temptation is a total fool. In fact the more powerful a man is the more danger he is in. It is amazing how weak a man can be in the right situation. Yes he should step down, but we should all

Sanford would make a great Liberal.

Please give him a break. There was obviously a big deficiency in his life. I am a very active Christian and will not be casting a stone at this guy. We never really know the real reasons why people marry and stay married even if they do not love each other. As painful as it sounds and feels he probably connected with Maria on levels that he never connected with any-one before. He seems like a very sensitive man and obviously loves Maria. I hope he can fill the void that he lacks and contiue to trust God for his healing.

What I find interesting is that The State (Columbia SC newspaper) obtained these e-mails in December but held them because they couldn't verify their authenticity. Does that mean they were sent anonymously? Based on his behavior this past week, I can believe this guy would be so stupid that Mrs. Sanford could have come across them on a home computer, especially if he was using a Yahoo or Hotmail account.

Think about it - Mrs. Sanford telling the media "I have no idea where my husband is" is what set the whole investigation into motion. She had to know it would have this effect (especially over Father's Day weekend), and she also had to have a pretty good idea where he would be if missing. So while he was wrong to have the affair, she set him up to be caught.

Mrs. Sanford was the one with the family money - she's the granddaughter of the SKIL tools founder. She's got a lot of repressed anger over the fact that she basically funded and managed her husband's political ascent, and this is the payback.

Lady Macbeth would be proud.

I don't particularly like Governor Sanford because of his right wing politics, but I don't really think we should drag people's personal lives into the equation. I was against it when it happened to President Clinton and when it happened to Gary Hart, and I'm against it now. We are pushing people who would otherwise be good at government out of politics by making their personal lives too visible.

you called for the resignation of others for your actions, so you should resign. unless of course you live your life according to the do as i say, not as i do.

Hey Willy Brown, the wealthy republicans own the media. Guess you didn't go to school that much when you had the chance. If you republicans wouldn't keep saying we are holier than thou it wouldn't be a problem. But you do and it is.

Just goes to show that when you think with the wrong body part, you get yourself in trouble....BIG TIME. Kiss 2012 goodbye

Who remembers these lines by Jimmy Cliff "The harder they come, the harder they fall, one and all?"
Gov. Sanford borders on ridiculous. Perfect fodder for the tabloids. Why go to Argentina if he knows he is wrong? Why not the Appalachians to do some soul searching and call his children from there for Father's Day?
Such hyprocrisy is out of character for conservatives. I do not care about his private follies; the chain of events leading to his confession is bizarre by any standard.
The Argentine press, the National Enquirer etc. will have a field day selling newspapers and magazines. Suddenly Iran and health care reform seem mundane and boring. Those emails are perfect for a steamy novel. RIP McGreevy, Spitzer, Ensign and the rest.

I may be in the minority here but I think that Sanford should fly away on the big silver bird to the land of the tango and sunshine to be with his TRUE beloved.

Give up the Governorship Romeo and be with your TRUE LOVE.

While he was making the rounds, ripping Obama's stimulus package and touting his "values" he was involved using a "stimulus package" of his own.
Yesterday, the man started his "confession" by still blaming the pressure from the stimulus package for his failure. His affair was years old and the federal stimulus was only a few months. Sanford is a self indulged creep and needs to get out!

C'mon folks. Democrat or Republican (or whatever), they are all the same!

If it wasn't for bad luck, the Republican party would have no luck at all! But, this is what happens when someone gets too full of himself and his own self-importance as Sanford has done. He totally villified Bill Clinton for the same thing years ago and put himself up as an upstanding moral man. I feel sorry for his wife and sons and for what they're going through, but I sincerely hope she doesn't become another "stand by your man" stepford wife and take him back and say that all is forgiven!

Oh yeah, WIlly Brown, it's so typical of you people in a situation like this – whine about the media and repeat until you have to be put in a corner for your timeout. Actually, if Sanford changed his affiliation from Republican to Democrat, he would have to resign or be impeached. Moron...

All politicians are hypocritical scum. However, it's good to see more of the GOP scum floating to the top, out of all politicians, I perceive them as the worst.

One word : EEEWWWWWWW!!!! I say again, he's an embarrassment to the country and should just quietly slink away with his tail between his legs! I personally don't care to read or hear any more of his dirty laundry.

Sanford's confession was a joke – 8 minutes of rambeling about NOTHING and then the punchline of 5 DAYS CRYING IN ARGENTINA. It really would not be a big deal if it was not for the Republican Party and their MORALES. It is so phony and hypercritical it makes me SICK!!! Let's see if the GOP gives him a round of applause like Ensign got.
Let's just pick a GOP CONFESSION DAY – they all can come out and we can get it over with in one Day!

LOL. Poor dears, comparing themselves to the Thorn Birds. Governor, your career is over so if your love for Maria is as big as it sounds in your cheesy letters, go and be with her. And please enough of the hypocrisy. I wish you well.

it is not for us to "forgive" Gov. Sanford, that is for his family and his creator. It is however, our right to point out the hypocrisy of Gov. Sanford. When a political(publilc) figure takes a stand (Promise Keepers for instance, and his public condemnation of then President Clinton) and then proceeds to do the opposite of that stance, it is the very definition of being a hypocrite. "Do as I say, not as I do". We deserve better from our politicans, regardless of their politcal affliations.

Here we are again--another hypocrite in government. And HE went after Clinton? Oh, he's sorry alright-–he's sorry he got caught.

Dianna

LOTS OF EGO ...

little brain ...

the only challenge now is the presidency ... LOL

I'll have to try that line the next time I'm fishing to get lucky ...LOL

BBWWWAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA !!!!

Call me crazy but the man is human. Any marriage takes work but in his case it wasn't working. I cannot condone what he did to his wife and family but It happens...and from reading snippets of the e-mails he sounds like he is quite in love. Could I dare say.....Romantic? We all know love will make you do crazy things. Thus I cannot hold this against him. I am not God and have my own life to worry about BUT as the governor he cannot just up and leave his state without notifying anyone of his whareabouts. That is irresponsible.

Hey, Murph. None of those Dems ran on a platform of family values. That's the difference that republicans just can't seem to let sink in. You want to tell people how to behave in the bedroom, but you can't manage it yourselves. The difference is when it's a democrat, all the repigs call for the resignation, but when they're up at bat, they never resign themselves. Walk the talk.

Michelle M., as a moderate Republican, I'd never condone what Sanford has done regardless of party affiliation, and it DOES hurt Republicans greatly, but it does NOT make him a hypocrite for having pursued Clinton.

Clinton WAS NOT prosecuted for having an affair but for LYING ABOUT IT UNDER OATH. What Clinton did was illegal, regardless of party affiliation – what Sanford has done, while dispiccable, is not illegal unless it is proven that he has used tax payer money to fund his extramarital activities.

It's All Obama's fault that the Gov.Had an affair....I knew his name would be brought into it....and Kennedy.. but what do they have to do with a Gov. Who Screams family Values?

@ Bleeding Hearts...... Thing is that no one is perfect! No one! With 50% of Americans cheating on their spouses it would be tough to find politicians who were perfect.

Also, to the GOPers, you people do realize the McCain & Cindy began their 'relationship' by cheating on their spouses.

Like I say, people who live in glass houses should not throw stones.

Sanford confessed because he was caught. Period.

He should resign because he failed to do his job.

Mr. Sanford no one feels sorry for you.

[...] CNN Political Ticker: All politics, all the time Blog Archive ... [...]

@EBJ June 25th, 2009 12:38 pm ET

Yeah, how dare people try to put aside a scandal and look at real issues! How dare they!!!

The fact is that infidelity is a hallmark of politicians – both Republican and Democrat. A study recently suggested that infidelity in the general population is around 13%, but among national government leaders it's close to 50%!!!

Power corrupts...

Think about it – most people have affairs to fulfill a need – their need to be loved. Who has that need more than a politician?

@ David.......... Well said! Bravo!

The bad thing about this to me, is the fact that it is taking attention away from issues that are real, and issues that need to be resolved for the good of the American people. Issues like the lack of health care, the economy, stem cell research, and basic bread and butter issues. I guess I could care less about this one individule, and his weaknesses. What we (The People), need is our attention focused on issues that affect us. This person has been so far removed from the day to day lives of the people in his state, that he's forgotten his oath to them. Also, he forgot his oath to his wife and children. Forgetting the family this easily means the people of the state were never considered to begin with.

We only see all these tears and "remorse" because he got caught!

People (without Knowledge) trying to compare this to Clinton Big Difference
1. Lying to Congress is a FEDERAL offense! That's what caused the impeachment, NOT the adultery!
2. The adultery DID NOT destroy Clinton's political career! In fact, he's probably more popular than ever!
3. Democrats have had their share of sexual scandal as well (democrats seem to forget easily).
4. The People of SC through their represenatatives will determine the fate of Sanford and not the bloggers who live outside the state!
5. He will not be a candidate for Prez in 2112, too much baggage!
6. If His wife decides to take him back, that is a private family decision! Other than that enjopy your day!

Sanford has certainly done more than cross the line. He ha dotted all of his i's and crossed all of his t's!! I sincerely hope that the South Carolina government, and other governmental officials put this guy on the carpet and gives him no alternative but to resign his Governor position! There is no shame or integrity in Sanford! He deceived his family, his wife, the people he works with, and most of all deceived himself! And to add insult to injury, in his e-mails to his lover he has even quoted the Bible!!!! Just another controlling man, using his so called power and money to get what he wanted! And now, he has much more Karma coming back at him then he ever believed would be possible!!

Clinton looked into the TV and lied to the American people. Remember, "...it depends on what is,is"? He was outed for certain only when Monica produced the blue stained dress with his DNA, and he never asked to be pardoned. His wife did not divorce him only after he promised to rig an election for her in NY (which he and what's-his-name did). Sanford is honest enough to tell the truth to his family and state and ask for forgiveness. This is a huge difference in morality, folks.

I could care less about the affair. What I am concerned about is him leaving the state for 5 days without notifying his staff. That is the height of irresponsibility. If an employee of a company did the same, he would be fired. The people of SC deserve better.

Im not upset about the affair itself my problem is if He took tax payers money and used for his personal business that what i would be more concerned about, after all this mouth He and the republicans had about our tax dollars being wasted over the stimulus not to mention he was going to use it to pay down the states debt instead of trying to used toward the schools and people of south carolina .

he should be IMPEACHED. At least Clinton never left the country during his infedelity. What's good for the goose is good for the gander...

EVERY POLITICIAN THAT ADMITS TO AN AFFAIR SHOULD BE IMPEACHED!!

Not fair if only done to one...

Do the right thing and resign now and save the taxpayers any more money spent on illicit activity! If you were finagling around with a married woman and you weren't, I might be more sympathetic! You are now a laughing stock to everyone!

Republicans are right...This is a personal matter, however,
I am sure that would be a lot less fuss made if he had not made a career of being a moralist. His platform and attacks on Clinton
made him vulnerable to attacks when he falls into the lust
pit.
Clinton did the same but he did not preach a holier than thou
sermon.

Fox Noise Channel is so blatantly, flagrantly biased against the President and all Democrats that it has become truly pathetic. They lie to our face and expect us to believe it – some of their listeners unfortunately do believe every word they say. I personally don't listen to them but only hear second-hand what a bunch of lunatics they are. How can this propagranda channel be allowed to continue spouting their lies and distort the truth to suit their own agenda – which is to hope our government fails. Nice bunch of patriots over there at Fixed News.

What's up with the Columbia State, the newspaper that had these salacious E-mail's since last December, and failed to run the story?

Are their owners big Republicans and Sanford-backers? What is their excuse for this derelict lack of journalism?

Hit em hard CNN - don't let slackers like this poison the journalism waters.

Well, he has squandered his investment. The shame of it is, he has also squandered his wife's lifetime of investment, and damaged that of his children.
It is foolish of people to post here, pretending that this is some sort of Republican or Democratic issue.

Of course you imagined. You just thought you'ld never get caught. Say good bye to any GOP recovery in 2010 and 2012 with Ensign and Sanford. Nah Nah Nah Nah, Hey Hey Hey, GOODBYE!!!

He voted to impeach Clinton. He staunchly opposes marriage between those who want to legally acknowledge their commitment to each other, just because they happen to be of the same sex.

Hypocrite.

Isn't he the guy who fought so hard for former President Clinton's Impeachemnt. Boy oh boy. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.

I wish people would stop saying stupid stuff like "he was a man about it" or "he didn't lie like Clinton" or "he fessed up"? NO HE DIDN'T!

He got busted in the airport in Atlanta and then found out they had those e-mails. Before that, he was writing, hiking through the Appalachians, and cruising the two mile intercoastal waterway in Buenos Aires Sanford called a "coastline". The man is a LIAR, who has condemned anyone else who has done the same.

CNN – get off the Sanford kick; report on the North Korean crisis, Iran, the healthcare robbery, CAP and Trade corruption.....stop covering Obama's back with these irrelevant stories; they do not affect the country. I say let the folks of SC deal with him....But, the continual coverage of this nonsense, when there's the persistent damage by the obama administration going on behind closed doors...well, that's biased coverage that's downright criminal.

I'll bid you one Clinton & one Spitzer and raise you Newt, McCain, Rudy, Vitter, Craig, Mark Foley, Ensign and Sanford.. Mitt Romeny, standing with all the presidential candidates quipped that although he was the Mormon, he was the only man there with only one wife!

Its not the sin, really, its the total hypocrisy! Ensign was a "Promise Keeper" ... then didn't. The GOP runs on "family values" which means they fall father and land harder.

There are families in South Carolina who are dealing with problems every day and are making decisions about what bills to pay and how to feed the kids, and where to live when the house is foreclosed upon...To hear Gov Sanford tearily talk about how he's been crying for 5 days about how to decide between his wife and his Argentinian mistress is absolutely nauseating. Is he so out of touch and self absorbed? He needs to go.

How on earth can a man that says he wants to apologize to his wife and kids for the hurt that he has caused them, stand up there and spew all of this in public? He was not thinking of the ridicule that all of those boys are going to go through in school because he is airing his dirty little secret to the world. He talked more "Lovingly" of the other woman than he did of his wife, and he wants us to believe that he is going to make his marriage work. All he was trying to do was save his job. Get sympathy from the press because he had been caught with his pants down. He lied to his staff, he didn't leave anyone in charge when he decided to leave the country to see this woman. This man is only thinking with one appendage, and it isn't his brain.

If the e-mails to Sanfords lover are really his words he could write romantic novels, now that he will not be running for the "GOP maybe's" in the next election. He's made his karma and now he'll have to erase it by who knows. After reading the words of his wife in an article last night on CNN I can understand why he needed some romance in his life. Good luck to both of them and their family, they need some really good counseling and not by a Church.

The difference always is the Republicans and the religious right CONDEMN everyone else for doing the very same thing they're doing in airport bathrooms, with young congressional pages, or with tramps from Argentina. That's the difference, people!

Hahaha,Sanford,the wannabe Jefferson Davis,is still missing in action.Rush is about to blow a gasket.It doesnt get any better than this.Keep up the great work Crushers,the drip,drip,drip method is working great.

Mark, your fifteen minutes are up. You thought that you could fool the public with all of your family values.

Jeff writes...

" love it when a self-righteous Republican (and there are a lot of them) who condems gay marriage, gay unions, etc., gets caught in a sex scandal. Way to go Mr. Family Values. Wasn't Eliot Spitzer a huge anti-prostitution person? Wasn't Rush Limbaugh a huge anti-drug person? Didn't Newt serve his wife divorce papers while she was recovering in the hospital from cancer? What a bunch of skunks."

Spitzer is & was a democrat. So was JFK, RFK, Clinton, FDR, Marion Barry, Mel Reynolds (Pardoned by Clinton), Daniel Inouye, etc. Funny how you failed to mention people like this.

A constant rule of nature is that Politicians will philander, lie, cheat & steal. This goes for both sides of the aisle.

Sharon while I disagree that "HYPOCRICY is a big a moral sin as the adultery"

Adultery is not "a failure to be a grown up and tell the person to whom one is currently committed that feelings have changed and it's time to move on."

Adultery is a viloation of the 10 commandments. It is also a violation of the pact you made between your spouse. I pray that his wife finds the strength to do what is best for her with GOD's help. Divorce is horrible and if someone cheats on their spouse they should have never married in the first place. Marriage was designed to be forever with the trust that your spouse honors this committment.

In Luke 16:18 (GOD's idea of divorce) "Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery." I hope she has the strength to fix the marriage, I don't think I would be as strong.

The truth always come to light. No matter how hard you try to suppress it.

Give him credit for his confession. There are so many more like him out there that have yet to be discovered.

There are far more important real issues – hunger, shelter, health care and freedom.

Who is NEXT.

To all the people saying "It's a private matter for Sandford, leave him alone."

We'd be more than happy to do that if he and his ilk did the same for our relationships, marriage rights, etc. in the past. But he's and others have decided many times to appoint themselves the moral arbiters of the nation and restrict our rights based on his "morals".

Stay out of the governor's private life? Gladly, just as soon as he and other GOPers extend us the same courtesy.

Gotta love all this GOP angst, and their phony give the family some time to work things out. I don't know when I've laughed harder, listening to Limbaugh lament that Sandford could have been our Republican JFK. Or listening to Olbermann read Sanford's e-mails like some harlequin romance novel with Fabio on the cover.

Affair aside, the guy deserted his job for 5 days, lied about his whereabouts, didn't properly turn over the state to the Lieutenant Gov, used the states vehicle and money to see his mistress and he should keep his job? Obviously he wasn't thinking about the people of SC or his children on Father's Day. Knowing that his kids may be having a tough time dealing with their parents separation wasn't his place with them rather that running around like a teenager in heat?
It does not take 5 days to break up with anyone, the relationship could have ended like it began by e-mail.

Gov Sanford was one of those who called for "Clinton's head" when he did what he did while in office, now that the shoe's on the other foot he probably wishes he didn't live in a glass house. How the hell can a chief executive of a state just take off and not leave anyone in charge while he's gone? Putting himself before his sworn duty?

I really could care less about a Governor cheating on his wife; that is the business of his family and does not pertain to his ability to function as a governor. The big deal is that he LEFT his post at the leader of a state; just disappered. To me this is the big deal about the whole thing. As far as I am concerned this man is not fit to be the head of a state. Even in the private sector if you just decided to disappear from your job for a week would you have a job when you came back? Probably not!

I don't know what is funnier..this situation in South Carolina or all the far right folks covering for this guy and somehow trying to switch the topic to President Obama.

When Mark Sanford, John Ensign, Bill Clinton and John Edwards, LIED to their Wives- No Body died or Injured.
When Bush and Cheney Lied about WMDs of Iraq.- 4,300 US Troops died – 45,000 US Troops got injured -100,000 Iraqis civilians died.
We must Forgive Mark Sanford, if we have Forgiven Bush and Cheney.

God I really love republicans. They have this affinity for the ability of sticking their foot in their mouth. I'm sure he was on the impeachment band wagon against the Clintons. Go republicans, you are all the moral majority! Not!

Pat in California: That's right, how dare the President of the United States take his wife out (like any normal person) and allow the media to have a field day in the name of transparency. He should take another woman into the cumulus clouds (seventh heaven obscurity) just like your idol did.

@ Pat, CA, who said "Misusing taxpayer money for personal pursuits is another matter — and that also applies to the one who takes his wife on expensive dates — who pays for that?"

Sorry dude...the POTUS has no choice but to travel using AF1 and be accompanied by a crazy security detail. Are you saying that for the next 4 years we expect him not to take his wife out to do anything whatsoever because it incurs taxpayer expense? No Broadway shows...no dinners at nice restaurants...no nothing...all becaue he's POTUS? Do you smoke crack by chance?

I love it when a self-righteous Republican (and there are a lot of them) who condems gay marriage, gay unions, etc., gets caught in a sex scandal. Way to go Mr. Family Values. Wasn't Eliot Spitzer a huge anti-prostitution person? Wasn't Rush Limbaugh a huge anti-drug person? Didn't Newt serve his wife divorce papers while she was recovering in the hospital from cancer? What a bunch of skunks.

Personally I don't care if Governor Sanford, or any other politician, has an affair. It's a personal matter between him and his family and in no way affects his ability to govern, except for the fact that he left the state with no leader for a week to be with his mistress. HOWEVER, when you preach "family values" and incorporate it into your campaign, and call for others who did the same thing to resign, you've become a hypocrite if you stay in office after this. As the saying goes "If you want to talk the talk you've got to walk the walk".

Willy Brown ....what are you talking about ??? I did not see any playing faves when Clinton , Edwards or Spitzer were caught playing Doctor.
In fact I think the public pretty well along with the media did a fairly good job raking them over the coals. The most hateful comments about Sanford is coming from his own party. Many of the Dem pundits have said some very positive things about how they felt for the guy! The GOP pundits have been brutal!

@ pa., who said "I saw Fox Noise showed him as a democrat. "

Yep...they put a "(D)" next to his name during the press conference. They did likewise with Craig and Foley when their scandals became the MSM's pet tabloid stories.

Jim in SC June 25th, 2009 12:06 pm ET

Mark Sanford, through his mistakes and despite his recent accounting of infidelity, is still a decent man, who I believe is more interested in reconciling his marriage than restoring his gubernatorial credibility or political future. Regardless of your/our position of his political welfare, remember that he came forward and publicly confessed his wrongdoing. It is easier to publically profess my faith than it is to confess my sins. Judge not, that ye be not judged. God deplores divorce but through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation can restore all and make them whole. I hope that we can give him an opportunity to restore his family life.
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I am a Christian but please lay off the Sunday school lesson. The issue isn't so much the sinner as it is the hypocracy. What makes this so bad is all too often we Christians have become so judgemental and all too often call for witch hunts against people who do not hold the same views. I well remember the judgements we rendered on Clinton- heard it every Sunday. Then, not to mention the lies we so – called Christians support, such as teaching that the President is the anti- Christ. Hurling remarks such as facsist, marxist, terrorist! Christianity in this country has become a blatant form of Pharaseeism.Even in Mrs. Stanford's statement, she acknowledges problems in the marraige but she then goes on to instruct using scripture. Its time that Christians, the Moral Majority, etc, look in the mirror and learn humility. One this is true...judge not lest ye be judged, and right now, alot of Christians are being judged with the same meausre of judgement they dispensed on others.

Wonder how many of the people now stating that this is a personal matter for the Republican govenor are Republicans who were howling at the gates for the scalp of Bill Clinton? HYPOCRICY is a big a moral sin as the adultery, perhaps more as the hypocritical behavior involves absolving someone for the same behavior one condemns in another. Adultery is a failure to be a grown up and tell the person to whom one is currently committed that feelings have changed and it's time to move on. This failure is often related to money, fame or political powerand the fear of losing one or all of those things. In a word, craven behavior.

I love how the left is all caught up on the "hypocricy" thing. If politicians are judged on "hypocricy," ALL of them should be removed from office. And that includes the hypocrite-in-chief, who decries racism yet sat in a racist church for 20 years!

Misusing taxpayer money for personal pursuits is another matter - and that also applies to the one who takes his wife on expensive dates - who pays for that?

To Mike, all the way at the top. Regarding Obama's firing of the inspector General, it was approved and signed off on by both democrats and republicans alike. If firing the Inspector General is to you an abuse of power, than I am sure you would agree Bush should have been impeached for lying to America, destroying our economy and killing many americans for a war that wasn't even. Your delusional, disgruntled and clearly off your rocker!

The same folks who defend Clinton and JFK now attack Sanford. What Sanford did was wrong at least he is man enough to admit it. The hypocrisy is amazing.

Once again, the party that claims "moral high ground" demonstrates it's blatant HYPOCRISY. So laughable, it's pathetic.

"how faithful can a man be to his Country or to his State when he can't even be faithful to his wife and 4 sons who love him more than anyone probably in this world"

Most ridiculous nonsense I've ever heard...well, not ever...it's the same absolutely insane rhetoric we had to deal with when the GOP tried to impeach Clinton for getting some in the White House (no, idiots, the articles of impeachment weren't solely because of perjury). Are we supposed to believe someone irresponsibly waving their wang where it doesn't belong (or vice versa...women DO cheat) makes them a potential traitor? Really? Complete crap. It was irrelevant when Billy did it and it's irrelevant now. Focus on performance of his DUTIES AS GOVERNOR. This 90210-style "scandal"...no matter how hard the media is trying to create false links...has NOTHING to do with his competence as a governor (or lack thereof as the case may be).

Okay folks, now that the governor has been found it becomes a matter for his family and his state. So let's all back off and let his family and state handle it.

Sanford was front and center when they were impeaching President Clinton. What a hypocrite. As was Newt Gingrich, who had an affair while his wife had cancer. He should resign immediately. How can he be trusted; lied to his staff, wife, the people of South Carolina, used public funds for his trysts.

Is that guy serious? He, a public servant, goes AWOL on a tryst without a word to anybody (and courtesy of taxpayers money, I might add). He lies through his teeth until truth busts him in the kisser. Then he admits he has sinned and all is well. We are supposed to accept his smarmy apology, and is back to business as usual, right? Get real, man!

Where were the republicans outrage when the florida votes weren't counted.But they speak out on Iran votes.They want dems who cheat fired but not themselves.There policys destroyed America and now after 8 years,they blame the dems for the state of the economy.Its time this partys days are numbered.

Correction to people on the blog that state that Bill Clinton was re-elected after his indiscretion with Monica Lewinsky
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Not true; Clinton’s rendezvous came to light during his 2nd term after the election. However, this is not about Clinton, this is about Gov. Sanford. By no means am I giving Clinton a free pass, quite the contrary.

Clinton has no morals just like all of the other politicians before him and those that come after him that commit adultery.

It’s time for Americans to stop sweeping these infractions under the rug and demand that our Leaders be held accountable for the position that the people have entrusted into their hands.

No one knows why we fall in love , we usally do know why we stop being in love....personally I feel this relationship is not over , If she is that important to him , more than family, state , career,church, to fly off to Argentina this is not over. But that is a personal matter and is not what effects anyone in SC but himself and family.
What is important here is that he should resign for leaving his state and his job and flying off into the sunset for any reason. He did not put his job as a elected official first and that is not what a clear thinking official does. So he should resign and let SC get on with buisness. And this will give him time to work on a broken marriage which with all the emails is doubtful , or pursue Maria and a life with her.
What is not an option, is him staying in office!

People need to realize that this is a big story for several reasons:
1: Gov Sanford used tax payer money to advance this affair. This includes travel and emails. Just like Kwame in Detroit emails sent using gov devices are public domain.
2: He is married with kids.
3: He refused money for his state that could be used to improve schools and infrastructure based on the argument it was wasteful spending-I guess his own package needed stimulous more than the SC people.
4; This man has no problem blasting others shortcomings. He wants to be president.
5: Because the leader of the GOP govenors association should be held to a high standard just as he would demand from any member of the GOP party-at least publicly.
6: The unemployment rate in SC is over 10% right now and if you have been to that state recently you understand they need money and leadership from the top. If the Gov is missing for a week of course it is big news!

Mark Sanford, through his mistakes and despite his recent accounting of infidelity, is still a decent man, who I believe is more interested in reconciling his marriage than restoring his gubernatorial credibility or political future. Regardless of your/our position of his political welfare, remember that he came forward and publicly confessed his wrongdoing. It is easier to publically profess my faith than it is to confess my sins. Judge not, that ye be not judged. God deplores divorce but through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation can restore all and make them whole. I hope that we can give him an opportunity to restore his family life.

Another shining example of the sanctity of traditional marriage.

But you had no problem slamming former President Clinton and voting to impeach him when you lied to your office and constituents.

Boy, I bet McCain's glad he didn't pick that guy!!!!!!!!

To Bleeding Hearts: Well said!

Hypocracy is new name for the G NO P party.

sure wish someone would publish a picture of argentina maria. jenny sanford, everyone knows what she looks like but argentina maria remains a mystery. maria must be one hot number for sanford to destroy his family, his career, all for argentina maria. their love letters should be published for laughs. some of what sanford has written and some of what maria has written is really corny but, after all, they are deeply in love. jenny is a fool to take sanford back, he loves argentina maria!

There is a smart man with no basic ommon sense. Pathetic liar. If he violated his family trust, the country can';t trust him. he will go in history like all other demo-Rep disgraced. Next time you hear a politician specially a republican lecturing us about god faith and country..Thunk he or she might be hiding something. what the heck his wife is thinking when she said she is giving him a second chance?

Time to get off Palin's back Mc Cain could have picked Sanford. I am sure he had an idea for immigration reform

I have laughed for two days straight! This is so hiliarious! Just goes to show that what's done in the dark will always come to the light. The Governor working so hard to get Clinton impeached, can't wait to see this fool suffer from all the humiliation!

I do feel for his wife and kids, it's not there fault.

If he hadn't got caught, it would be just another day in the cheating, lying, unfaithful world of this republican.......how faithful can a man be to his Country or to his State when he can't even be faithful to his wife and 4 sons who love him more than anyone probably in this world.....at this point I don't believe a word he says........

How about a real story for a change. How about writing about obama firing an Inspector General because he was going to investigate a friend of obamas who had misused funds for AmeriCourt. obama said he was confused, however, 04 former Attorney Generals and others including Democrats and Independents said that was a lie. Talk about abuse of power by a sitting President.

I think he needs to resign...now...no "sorry" "I apologize". business...

The American People paid for his trip.The American People were robbed, this has nothing to do with fact finding.He should be prosecuted for theft.

I don't give a crap what he uses his ZIZI for and I feel very sorry for his children and wife.
I have a problem though with him being very irresponsible in leaving a state being no where to be found for days just because he wants to satisfy his vice and libbido. That is very dangerous and irresponsible and he should resign because of that period.
He is the governor for God sake and nobody chooses the job for him.

CSI,

You forgot Vitter. We barely heard a peep about his name showing up on a list of Johns in the DC area.

Sanford's affair is unfortunate for him, his family and his political career, but the part that make it worst is his hypocrisy. He has been one of the loudest republicans with opposition to democrats policy and morality and he himself is doing the same thing. Judge not, yet you be judged and it looks like judgment day is here for Mark Sanford. I guess this will be Obama's fault since he has been under so much stress about taking or not taking the stimulus money. Mark Sanford has a huge ego and this whole thing is about him and his fake tears. This guy is a real piece of work, I think this nightmare will not be over for him anytime soon, it is just getting started.

although I am a democrat and don't approve of the Man's policies, he's human and he made a mistake; big deal as if we don't make any...people should leave him alone and especially his family, they don't deserve this...Mrs. Sanford has shown great deal of maturity and poise in this difficult situation

Just imagine if Edwards were to have won the presidency and his affair came out after he was in office? The dems dodged the bullet on that one.

Hey Willy, just like they left Spitzer alone?

Or Clinton? The fools on the Fox boards still cry about Clinton as soon as you mention Craig or any of the countless GOP goons that got caught.

Dems don't preach from moral high grounds, which is why they don't look quite as ridiculous when caught like this.

Hola amigo! Regardless of political affiliation the media will cover it to death, Willy Brown (up to this day talk show hosts, etc. are on Clinton's case). I feel your embarrassment though. That being said, I think that even if he does not care to resign this man should take leave for a while and let someone else run the show while he sorts out his private life. South Carolina is in a pathetic state and deserves a better deal. Best wishes to his wife and children!

I

Sanford is a hypocrite like most of the family values crowd, and I have zero sympathy for him...but printing these emails was a low blow to his family. Totally inappropriate, in my opinion.

@ Ann

What in the world are you talking about? He's not a senator, he's a governor. Read a book.

And these clowns are the moral bed–rock of the GOP.

Hypocrites. Liars. And stupid. You want this type of guy making national decisions?

No way.

Ann - Let me guess. It was different when Bill Clinton was the guilty one, right? We were supposed to judge him on his morals. And Willy, I should have known it was all the media's fault. Sanford didn't do anything wrong. It's just the media making a big fuss about him leaving his office for days to pursue an affair and not telling anyone where he was.

I saw Fox Noise showed him as a democrat. The sleazy GOP will just never stop. And I'm sick of the religion card they play. Ever hear of KARMA; I hope they all get what they deserve.

Go to Huffington Post. for more.

It's a private matter, like all of these similar stories. Leave it be.

There was a time not too long ago when certain public figures were known to be unfaithful but it wasn't news, it simply was. I think all of these constant stories is more a poor reflection on a society too quick to judge and trumpet condemnation due to 'lack of morals' than anything else. I'm so tired of so-called righteous people judging everyone on everything. And I live in Utah so, believe me, I know.

Didn't you say infidelity is grounds to be impeached from government, Mark Sanford?!

The door is on your left; don't let it hit you where the good Lord spilt you!!!

It’s appears the Gov. is in love with this woman. Now that the Genie is out of the bag; my suggestion is to just follow his heart. In all of this there is no way someone will not be hurt. Unfortunately his wife and kids will suffer the most.

As a wife myself; it would be a bitter pill to swallow to know that your husband is in love with another woman. However, in knowing that; I would not in good conscience want him to remain with me for the sake of loyalty or because of the kids. A marriage is about FAMILY, but most of all it is about LOVE. When there is no ERGOS love; it is no longer a marriage or a FAMILY.

I think they should both cut their losses and move forward with their lives separately.

Give the man a break, he was in LOVE. At least he wasn't soliciting in an airport bathroom, soliciting young male congressional pages, or doing it with a staffer's wife.

And since when did the media forgive Democrats' indiscretions, Mr. Willy Brown? How long did the Spitzer scandal stay in the news? Far longer than Senator Ensign or Craig for sure.

Ah yes, blame the media.

You ought to read "What Liberal Media"? - quite an eye-opener.

I see this "Family Values" Republican did not have a problem accepting taxpayer money to have his package stimulated.

This is the man who "SCREAMED" President Clinton needed to resign after the Monica mess...If kids weren't involved it would be funny..

The republicans cried "impeachment" with President Clinton and tried their best to destroy him and his family. So where is the crying out for resigning and getting off the front page? Oh, who paid for this sexual outing? This republican and all the others are a poor example of family values.
Bill Hewett

He must resign. He used state resources to advance this affair, left the people without an executive for days, and lied while allowing his staff to lie to cover him. And let's not whine about the amount of news coverage for this story until it exceeds the number of hours Greta Van Sushollowaysstillgonestren has spent on a single missing teenager.

So,
Who was in charge of South Carolina while he was out of the Country?

How many times has he been in Argentina?

His wife knew of the affair 5 months ago and he went there again?

Why is his wife staying with him after cheating so many times?

So many more questions come to mind.

So the guy got a little on the side no big deal, now all the news media is making a big deal out of it.

Obviously this guy's love affair is more important to him than his job. He vanishes without telling anyone?

For most people if you don't show up for work you're terminated.

This clown is just another "holier than thou" Republican.

I do not care for Gov. Sanford, but I do not think it is appropriate to publish his emails. That is really none of our business.

Oh dear, bible thumping, being a Pagan I understand about the bible, it is word of mouth and to me is hearsay! Quoting the bible, having a sexual relationship with a Woman in Argentina, whether he was with her three times, that is three times to many. The e-mails can be read as cyber-sex which is up and coming thing you can do know...

I feel for his wife and sons... First Lady Jenny Sanford should kick him to the curb...

I believe the woman's name was Maria Belen Chapur. One of the local papers in Argentina reported it today. This is truly sad for the Sanford's family.

Oy, I think Mark Sanford needs to give the bible up for a few days and have a drink and evaluate his life on a higher level. If this Argentian woman is his soul mate, he needs to make that clear to his wife and four kids.

The Republicans are doing a belly flop into the pit onto spikes. Its funny.

All his expklanations are just disgusting. Just another case of more testosterone than brains.

This is becoming a soap opera.

This is the senator and his family's problem. If she is a good governor, who cares about his private life? Yeah, sure.. family values.. see the Obamas.. rhetoric and doing nothing.

for some reason I think Limbaugh is trying to figure out a way to blame all this on Obama...I'm sure if he can't somebody on the far right wil.

This is great, another Repub bites the dust...so happy you wont come within 1000 feet of the oval office Sanford...

All Governor Sanford needs to do is change political party affiliation from republican to democrat and all will be forgiven by the media and they will quit covering this story.