CNN

It's pretty sad that Americans are spending so much time beleagering on this Sanford guy for falling in love with someone and so LITTLE time focusing on the real crook, that sTanford guy. The one who pulled a little Bernie Madoff down in Bermuda, bilking scores of people out BILLIONS of dollars! How come nobody cares about that?!?? People wallowing in this silly game of media gossip, and reading people's email's, but very little time is spent discussing the hardened criminals and crooks out there amongst us!

Everyone needs to give the guy a break... we dont understand the circumstances and to be honest.... who cares.... as americans we spend way too much concerned about the private lives of our politicians.... everyone deserves to be able to keep their private life private – even polticians. Personally, I am a Dem and I strongly disagree with Sanford's policies and his overall demeanor... but that really doesnt matter. The fact that his private letters are on display for the world to see is dispicable... shame on the people who would even release such material.

I agree with Ed.

Yeah! I always make it a practice to pay back money I (supposedly) don't owe! Makes perfect sense, what's the problem? C'mon CNN, don't censor me now! This is just getting good!!!

Now he's qualified to be President.

He always has someone else to blame for his lies.

Yeah! I always make it a practice to pay back money I (supposedly) don't owe! Makes perfect sense, what's the problem?

Does it even remotely occur to anyone that Mrs. Sanford may be a cold, self-absorbed prima donna and that the guy finally needed a little TLC?

That said, I hope he resigns, because he sounds like a man with deep feelings who deserves some personal happiness - and politics will never give him that.

Is anyone in Sanford's circle concerned about his mental state? If not, I do believe they should give it some thought!!!!

One could argue they are other mental issues at play other than narcissism.

As a SC resident and on behalf of my extended family and friends – We all want Sanford to RESIGN NOW! What an embarrassment to the state!

I also think he should be made to do public service for stealing the state's money for his Argentina trip. Serving the poor, educating the uneducated, assisting the needy to obtain healthcare. Heck, our infrastructure is crumbling and the state looks like one contiguous truck stop – Maybe he could get out and help the road pavers or pick up trash by the side of the road.

@Dbow Queen City
You cheated your wife, your sons, your political backers and your state. What does it take to get a GOPer to resign?

About the same thing that it takes for a Democratic President who cheated on his wife, his daughter, his political backers and his Country.

Get ride of this Bum ! Is there no one that believes that this guy violated the peoples TRUST. If you or I did this at our work place and lied about it as well, we would be history.... He will now tell his four boys how important it is to use good judgement and not to lie!

Bottomfeeder

So much for the sanctity of marriage! Stop the hypocrisy and stop denying the gays the right to commit to a loving relationship through marriage!

The one thing I fail to understand is: Why is this man crying?????

This man reminds me of Bush: Whenever he did something wrong, her cried in public thinking to make us feel sorry for him... Sorry for WHAT????????????????

It is odd that the Department of Commerce just happened to schedule a trip to Argentina where his dear, dear friend lives, and where he just happened to start his affair.

I take real issue with his lying and deception.

I hope other women also look out and defend Mrs Sanford and her children, because they most certainly do not need this type of publicity.

Gah!

@ "matt"......... There is nothing "upstanding" about Sanford. Paying South Carolina back for his trip, is the only thing to do.

Sanford should resign, or be fired, not for the adultery, BUT for being AWOL from his job.

No one disappears from his job for 5 days and has a job waiting for them! We ..... regular people would have been quickly fired!

@demwit

More pearls of wisdom. Spitzer resigned, will Sanford?
If he used taxpayer money for a personal trip he should.

But that would require the right wing hypocrites to admit their faults. You'll never see that.

In having this affair, he did break the law. See the SC state law code (on "fornication" etc.). He could be put away for a year!

@ Jim in SC........... Sorry, sir, Sanford is NO decent man. Any man who talks about being holier-than-thou (as Sanford did when Clinton was cheating) is no decent man.

A decent man, does not cheat on his wife.

A decent man, does not leave his job for 5 days to have a 'good time' with his lover.

@ BILL......... Well said! You are right, when BUSH LIED PEOPLE DIED!
But the GOP keeps defending Bush, Sanford, and the rest of them! Tell you a lot about the "real" GOP.

I reside in SC, and I would like for him to resign. This man has done 0 to advance the state of SC. He is wasting our time and money, and I hope Americans now see how poor of a President he would be should he foolishly decided to run in 2012. I feel sorry for his family especially his wife, she foolishly thinks she can salvage her marriage. He is clearly in love with Maria, he risked everything to be with her.

The general feeling seems to be that the affair itself is not the issue. However, it is fun to note that South Carolina state law supports family values by making adultery illegal. It can be punished with up to a year in jail. The law is 16-15-60 in the SC Code of Laws.

@demwit

More clueless commentary, right?
Spitzer resigned. Should Sanford? Yes, IF he used taxpayer money for a trip to Argentina to meet with his mistress.

But, when it comes to the party of hypocrites, there is never any accounting, is there?

The GOP Party is just plain full of it!!!

They should put him in prison with all the other crooks, and he should do what he always called on others to do and resign.

If you didn't do anything wrong then why are you paying money back to SC tax payers? Mark you are pathetic

OMG...........get over it CNN. Ok, we all agree that Sanford is a jerk for doing what he did. Why must you keep beating a dead horse.

We have NK declaring they are going to light us up on July 4, news is leaking out that the people in Iran are getting slaughter by their government, we have millions in this country not working, we have people in this country that are not legal and sucking us dry and the list goes on.
Get to the real news CNN. The news that affects Americans, not just news that affect this Gov. and his state. Let the Gov. , his family and the people of SC take care of this.......MOVE ON CNN!

Why is "Stimulus Package" Sanford returning the money if it were not used for "other than" purposes? Of course this trip was paid for by tax payers; and this is the same hole that didn't want "tax payers" money going to poor schools.
I will give him credit for his honesty yesterday... He really is a "BOTTOM (TAN) LINE guy."

Mark was making such a scene about the stimulus money to pay down SC debt to cover his butt. Mark you are pathetic

preaching from such high ground on his family "values" and turn out to be another pig

Bill, good comment!

But, I haven't forgiven Bush and Cheney LOL!

It isn't about the affair – infidelity knows no political party. What it is about, however, is hypocrisy. The republicans, and Sanford in particular, has been shouting family values and DOMA, chastising others all in the name of religion. I suggest the republicans drop this mantra from their talking points, it makes them look even more pathetic than they really are. Furthermore, in Sanford's case, he abandoned his state for 5 days, leaving no one in charge should an emergency arise. I guess his personal needs were more important than his state. If South Carolina wants a man like that, more power to them, I guess.

You cheated your wife, your sons, your political backers and your state. What does it take to get a GOPer to resign?

CMG June 25th, 2009 4:46 pm ET

Thou shall not steal
Thou shall not commit adultery
Thou shall not lie

Congratulations, Governor " Holier than Thou."…
-----------------------
You forgot onen of teh most important
ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God!
Congratulations to you AND me!

That is not good enough. I am from Columbia and attended Eau Claire High. RESIGN, please.

@Raymond Burgoon-Clark June 25th, 2009 4:57 pm ET

Gotta love them "biblical family values."
-----------------------
Biblical Family Values are STILL intact regardless of someone's failure to practice them.!! What else you got?

This is CORRUPTION.

Use of Taxpayer's Money for Personal Use is THEFT.

He used Tax Dollars for Satisfying his Lust. HE IS A THIEF.

Are Thieves allowed to get away by Just Returning the Money and Not Getting Prosecuted?

I hope he keeps on fighting to keep his job... It just puts more of a light on the hypocracy of the GOP and it's "holier than thou" Christian morals nonsence...

The GOP noise machine went nuts with Clinton and Edwards... but when it is one of their own – even one's who actually called for the head of Clinton and Edwards – it's all OK and no one's business...

Can't have it both ways NeoCons, but you will try and it will backfire on your for doing so! This is just one of the many reasons that only 21% of this country take the GOP seriously anymore...

Bill - You hit it right on the head! Bush and Cheney's actions hurt, maimed and slaughtered innocent lives. Extramarital affairs hurt the people most closely involved and its a personal matter even if the perp is a hypocrite. When a president and his evil VP can do what they did for the past eight years and get away with it.... that is a much bigger story that effects everyone on this planet. Well said!

resign!

My take on this is that he deliberately "disappeared" in a desparate attempt to come clean out of guilt. It's obvious that he couldn't handle it any more and he wanted an escape. After his wife told him to move out, he went to see this woman and did it in such a way that there was no doubt the whole episode would be exposed. He could have quietly handled his personal problems by ending his relationship with the woman. He doesn't want to end it. Instead he chose to light it up with fireworks. He is a coward in my opinion. It wasn't necessary to drag the affair into the public's view. He chose to unburden himself in public as well as in private. He needs serious counseling and he needs to resign his public office for the good of the people of his state. He's not qualified to do his job at this point.

What he's guilty of is shouting at the top of his lungs that he represents the party of FAMILY VALUES!!!!

The man leaves his wife and four kids alone on Father's Day, to go have an affair... which I could care less about. That's between him, his wife and God.

But you don't get to go cheating on your wife and leave your kids alone on Father's day AND pretend that you represent the party of
FAMILY VALUES!!!!! Once again... Republican hypocrisy in its highest form!!!

Wake up, America!!! Please remember this when it's time to vote this November!!! A vote for Republicans is NOT a vote for family values, and Sanford and Ensign just proved that once again!!!

Why do you pay back something if there's been no wrongdoing??? More GOP double talk. Just like Palin this week paying for her freeloading kids to fly on OUR $$$. BTW, he should resign just as Spitzer did for the same extramarital affair. Oh yeah, the GOP doesn't resign. Remember Ensign and Craig? Has anyone thought of what SECREATS this fool may have passed to a SPY in Argentina? This country is going to hell quick when our politicians even OUTSOURCE their affairs, just like OUR jobs. I guess the hookers in the US cost too much. Hey Sanford, HIRE AMERICAN (prostitutes), help OUR economy.

He says, "...the purpose of this trip was an entirely professional ...". What kind of business is he in?

Thank you for the money.
Will you reimburse us for the loss of trust?
How can your justify this to your family?
Shouldn't you fire your security detail who can not keep track of your whereabouts?

Did you not tell us this recent trip was hiking the apalachian trail? Did the trail lead to a gold mine?

Throw some more stones while your are casting them about. After all, you are without sin are you not?
Unbelievable! This entire story is just stupid. What a dumb man S.C elected as gov. He pulled the wool over enough people eyes!

Gotta love them "biblical family values."

Please, Governor, the next time you disappear, please make it permanent.

As a retired military man I have to wonder about this woman who had the affair with Gov. Sanford. Does anyone know anything about her? Is it possible she's a foreign agent, or perhaps an employee of some company that could benefit from Sanford's position?
In the military we were taught not to let ourselves get involved in anything that could be used as blackmail against us. Maybe our elected officials should have to get training on this subject – not just Sanford or Republicans, but all of them!

Pay the money back, AFTER YOU GET CAUGHT. Nice example of ethics. Family values guy caught having an affair. He lead the fight to get rid of Clinton on morality issues. Me thinks this guy is toast.

I don't care what the liberals are going to say, in attacking this repayment of the money. I think this is an upstanding thing for Sanford to do, in light of the incredibly poor judgement of having the affair in the first place. There is no evidence that Sanford did not attend and participate in the meetings with other government and private businesses. If you are going to accuse him otherwise, I say show your evidence. If you don't have any, then your accusations are based on blind partisanship.

As for Sanford himself, I don't defend his actions. His decision was a poor one and he should face the consequences of them – whether professional or personal.

How do we keep the false prais of Obama going say CNN.

Drag up some more on a Republican. Ah yes Nixon! Dig up some more dirt....

Mark Sanford, despite his mistakes and 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.

There seems to be a strong correlation between judging others and having questionable behavior of your own...

I'm not outraged that he had an affair... that's between him, his wife, and God.

I'm outraged because he's been an outspoken leader of the Republican Party, the SAME party that claims to be the party of FAMILY VALUES!!!!!

That's TWO Republicans in TWO weeks having TWO affairs... and both have been shouting at the top of their lungs for several years now how Republicans have been the party of FAMILY VALUES!!!

Wake up, American.... your party of FAMILY VALUES is obviously represents everything BUT FAMILY VALUES!!!!!

Please remember this come November when it's time to vote.

Make sure you include the amount of salary you were paid while spending time with the woman, plus accrued interests. Today, I'm ashamed to be a man because of your cheating, lying behavior.

Coincidense! Remember the congressman who just happened to have $80,000 in his freezer.Stuff happens like Hallirburton . Nobody plans this ,it just happens. One sorry will take care of it. Hey Gov I hope you fail. My condolences to the wife.

Big deal. At least it didn't involve young boys, animals, crack or male prostitutes. Nor did it invlove the transfer of trillions of dollars from main street to Wall Street. Get over it! America has far more important problems to worry about than a guy cheating on his wife.

Thou shall not steal
Thou shall not commit adultery
Thou shall not lie

Congratulations, Governor " Holier than Thou."...

How very very sad; not for Sanford, the cad deserves what he gets. How sad for my party, which is again reeling from having one of its bright stars self-destruct on the public stage. How much more can the Republican Party take? We moderates are or already have left by the millions. A tiny regional party confined to the red redneck states seems to be inevitable. Bad news, the country's not as conservative as you'd like to believe.

Ok, he's on crack. He can reimburse if he wants, he still went awol and spent state funds.

He's not getting out of this no matter what he does. He needs to be fired.

The state's attorney general should investigate the whole matter to see just how much the taxpayers were being ripped off. Of course, he is a Republican as well, so I guess it will all get swept under the rug like the Republicans do so well.

Wow. This is not news, again. His claim of no wrong-doing regarding use of taxpayer money for expenses related to his trip is a no-go. You don't payback expenses if you didn't do anything wrong. They make a ton of money, but I still don't think they're willing to give it away. And this type of story–male politician caught spending taxpayer dollars for personal trip; or, putting his tool where it doesn't belong–is simply old news. It would be new news if we could report on one who didn't do these things. Imagine the headlines: Politician caught being faithful, Again; or, Read All About It: Senator X uses Personal funds to pay for vacation. Wishful thinking.

How long until he resigns the governorship?

We certainly would never expect that.., from a democrat.

That's the right thing to do Mark. Now step down hypocite!

Why is he still in office? Oh, yeah, he's a Republican. When everybody else messes up, it's off with their heads. When a Republican messes up, it's a minor infraction that should be overlooked. Well, not this time. We call for him to resign!!!

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 INJURED
..………………… 100,000 IRAQIS DIED.

We must Forgive Mark Sanford, if we have Forgiven Bush and Cheney.