COLUMBIA, South Carolina (CNN) – A top South Carolina Republican is calling on Mark Sanford to resign following his admission of an extramarital affair, making him the first GOP official in the state to say openly the governor should step aside.
South Carolina Republican National Committee member Glenn McCall cited Sanford's past criticism of Bill Clinton, and accused the governor of hypocrisy.
"He was saying our elected leaders needs to stand firm on principles and values and one of those is strong family values," McCall told CNN in a phone interview. "What he said is hypocritical if he doesn't step down, because he was right with what he said about Clinton and others. When you are elected leader we hold you to higher standards. "
Elected to his post by state GOP activists last year, McCall is not a state lawmaker and has no formal ability to pressure the governor to remove himself from office. But he holds considerable sway with the state's religious conservative community and is considered a rising star in the state Republican Party. He is also one of the three African-American members of the RNC.
McCall said his decision reflects the sentiment of the activists in York County, where he is the county party chairman.
"I got an e-mail from someone this morning who asked me, 'What is the difference between our party and the Democrats when we have our guys behave like this?'" McCall said.
McCall said he primarily concerned with returning the Republican party to national prominence. He said that the state legislature should investigate whether Sanford abused power or misused state money to visit his mistress, but he said he didn't think an impeachment vote would be productive.
From CNN Politics
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Republicans made themselves the morality police.If they can't practice what they preach they should just be quiet for awhile.Don't they have enough trouble.
How amusing. Looks like some of the Republicans have at least a small brain in their heads. Even if its for the wrong reasons.
Okay, I am as left as it gets, however this is NOT a issue for us, it is for his family and only them . Thank you, Scotty
Resign,resign,resign!!!
Martial problems are not a Democrat or a Republican problem. Is the very nature of the complex relationship between a husband and wife. The problem comes from lies and deception when the good Gov failed to let city officials know his where abouts especially on a trip that is Gov sponsored. That is the underlying issue that should cause concern and raise the question on weather or not he should resign.
"what is the difference of our party and the democrats when we have guys behave like this"
What in the hell does that mean? evidently this moron has not been keeping up with the immortality in the republician party, hell the last year or so just about all the sex scandals came from the GOP 's comments like that from mccalls district goes to show the repubs think they are better then the democrats, how interesting after all President Barack Obama is our President and guess what stupid? He is a DEMOCRAT. Mccall is an idiot for even quoting something like that. I tell you another stupid africian american repub who does not have a clue, just like Steele.
Has anyone stopped to think that this story of unfaithfulness may also be a cover up?
Calling for Stanford to resign won’t prevent the same problem from happening again. The GOP should discard their principles or keep it to themselves and be more realistic. They should realize that they are no better than Democrats and self-righteousness won’t turn a hawk into a pigeon.
I don't think he should resign because of his affair.
I don't think he should resign because his testosterone took him out of the country on an uncontrollable whim.
I think he should resign because HE SAID that's what HE would do if he ever found himself in the situation.
You passed judgement on others and now your Judgement Day has arrived (it always does, doesn't it?). Put up or shut up.
My condolences to Jenny.
"What is the difference between our party and the Democrats..."? There is NO difference....there's always a thin line between politician and miscreant...
If impeachment was good enough for Clinton, then Sanford deserves no less. Now, does anybody want to give odds on whether Republicans will vote to impeach one of their own? Considering Bush's retention after declaring an unnecessary war, squandering TRILLIONS of tax dollars, and resulting in the deaths of more than 3,000 American soldiers, I am doubtful any Republican has the moral courage to stand for what's right for a change.
If you want to see how a REAL father and husband behaves, look no further than the White House.
Thank you Mr. President for the good example.
Is there a single vocal 'values' Republican who HASN'T had an affair? Honestly, I wouldn't care except for the laughable hypocrisy.
I don't care about his affair that's his own family business, what I do care about is the fact that the acting governor of a state leaves the country for 5 days without telling ANYBODY. Just imagine if Barack Obama just left the country for 5 days without anyone knowing...
I think he should resign or get fired from deserting his job for five days with no explanations. If you and I didn't call in to work for five days we would've been axed.
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.
He should resign solely because of his dereliction of duty, i.e. being AWOL for six days. To paraphrase the liberals...."why should anyone resign or be impeached because of sexual escapades?"
I DON'T CARE!!!!!!
Please find something newsworthy. You've worn this story into the ground!!!!!!!
He should resign because that's what he said he would do, remember Mr. Sanford. If you don't, and since you haven't already, I guess you're not going to resign. One word, HYPOCRITE! I have a wager with a friend of mine, that the other show hasn't dropped yet. very shortly we will find out that the mystery woman isn't a woman at all, but a man.
just remember, you heard it here first.
OK so the Dems are the only ones expected to "act like this"?
lol. Let's put a list together and see which side has more infidelity.
Don't forget Falwell and Jim Baker.
GOP idiots making the moral stance instead of recognizing that leaving the country for a week without telling anyone is the reason he should be fired (if Sanford had a security clearance it would be illegal). Most American white collar workers would be fired from their jobs if they did the same thing and they don't have near the responsibility Sanford had.
Your party is telling you to step down governor. I think you should heed to their advice.
"Has anyone stopped to think that this story of unfaithfulness may also be a cover up?"
Yes, it was the first thing that popped into my head. I assumed he was in Argentina to do drug deals. Why else?
I laugh at the fact that this man has been so judgmental of others, yet was living the life he publicly opposed. Typical of a politician. Hypocrite is the title that fits here. But of course, the GOP will all say "He is only human and is not perfect, but since he is an upstanding christian man, he deserves another chance. Mrs. Governor is a fool if she takes him back. Take the children and run, the man disrespected his wife and her family, some cultures would justifiably have him rubbed out for such an act. Leaving the state with all of it's problems and no one in charge so he could go participate in extracurricular activities is grounds for impeachment. That is called desertion. If he were in the military, he could find himself standing in front of a firing squad. Karma GOP...karma...
He did not mean it when he said, He would resign if found in that situation", he meant "he hope he would never get caught". Do you wonder why a husband and father of four would me away with his mistress on Father's Day? Even cheaters know to be home on holidays.
What was he thinking, Bush was still in office and didn't know nor care to know what is going on in the country. Did (He) or congress forgot about the bill they signed called the Patriot Act, nothing is secret now.
What people need to remember is Gov Sanford needs to be judged by the people of SC as governor. It is up to a higher source to judge him for the infidelity.
I loved the job President Clinton did as President but would I let my daughter in the room alone with him back then...not on your life.
So if the people of SC think he is a good Gov. than he will maintain his post. I don't know if this has hurt his chances to move up for higher elected office or not. Again that would be up to the people!
That is the problem with using a political sword. In cuts you as fast as your opponent. Live by the sword die by the sword.Time to go!
At least the Republicans can count on FOXNEWS to try to help by replacing the (R) with a (D) when they broadcast the sad stories – you know, to cast the stink on Dems. Now if they can just find a way to blame Obama for this.
He's right but I still say it should be up to the people of SC.
It destroys the credibility of the Republican Party when one of your core values is Family and then your top leaders go and do something like this.
Kind of like the situation now with no one trusting Repubs after the inability to advance the United States after six years in power.
I'm not saying that they don't have any good ideas, but I am saying that they waited too long to become "active".
He needs to resign because he disappeared for SEVEN DAYS!!!!
Most regular working people know that if you don't call or come in for 3 days it's considered "job abandonment". Also this man talked soooo much crap when Bill Clinton was going through his drama...now he's standing in a glass house and I hope he gets stoned! THERE IS NOTHING WORSE THAN A HYPOCRITE !!!!!
Prosecute his fraud, he commited felony crime when he used taxpayer money for personnel use. Unless somehow he is above the law?
I agree, he should step down, especially after what he said about President Clinton.
He should resign because he doesn't take his job seriously – the penalty for infidelity will be assessed by his family.
Another Republican; another scandal. Like Michael Steel said, "Here we go again!" It's truly appalling what a lack of morals the Republicans have. No wonder their party is dying out.
In response to McCall's e-mail questioner "what's the difference between our party and the democrats when you have our guys behave like this...?
"GETTING CAUGHT AND BEING SLICK ENOUGH NOT TO GET CAUGHT!"
This is why I said do not get conservatism mixed up with christianity. Many people believe that all republicans are christians, but they are not. The repubican party realized that there were a lot of christians who were looking for godly leaders, so they went under cover as christians/conservatives to win over christians with no intention of living a christian life. This is why McCain never addressed his religious belief, because he is not a practicing christian, he's a hypocrite.
Let's ask Bob Livingston what he thinks.
You remember Bob. Had an affair and was asked to resign by – that's right, you guessed it!
I don't think he should resign for having an affair, I do think he should resign because he is guilty of hypocracy and the bibical sin of self-righteousness. He was part of the crowd that wanted Clinton's head because Clinton couldn't keep it in his pants and got caught then lied about it. This guy is an even bigger slimeball than Clinton. The party of situational ethics and false morality should never cast stones at anybody.
The ensuing fallout will decide whether or not he resigns - if SC funds were used for any of the trysts - what the banal poetry in the email discloses - reaction of local GOP officials - SC newspaper editorials.
But he's out of the 2012 WH race - NH doesn't really like conservative Southerners (W nearly got decapitated there), and the Evangelicals in the Iowa GOP caucus will look elsewhere. A poor showing in both of those races would be fatal.
"What people need to remember is Gov Sanford needs to be judged by the people of SC as governor. It is up to a higher source to judge him for the infidelity."
I don't agree with this, however, I heard adultery was on the law books in S.C.
If true, Sandford should be arrested and indicted. I'm just saying...
This call should have been made yesterday. At least there's one Republican in SC with a backbone.
I don't see any reason for Governor Stanford to resign. He is only acting like all of the other politicians. Just look at Washington D.C. That seems to be all they do and we pay them for it.
he refused stimulus money to show disdain for the new administration and deeped his hands into state funds to screw a woman in argentina.... hypocrisy at worst... when you take how he gloated and spoke of the monica affair serves him right let him resign
The "affair" is something that should be worked out between the Govenor and his wife. The main concern for me is the mental, emotional, and physical state that he is in right now. Is he capable, at this moment, to have the responsibility of governing our state? The press conference showed a very fragile and frail looking man.
He will resign once he realizes he's a lame-duck... no credibility., He threw morals at everone else and the boom-a-rang just hit him in the head.
Why hasn't dumbo jumbo Rush Limbo called Sanford to resign yet?
May be this idiot thinks that Republicans have right to pick and choose morality and character anytime they want while painting Democrats as adulterer is way to go.
Hypocricy is the new name of GOP.
How can you be so hard on Sanford when the LT Governor can speed above and beyond the speed limit and drive drunk with a slap on the hand. I think the officials need to step back and think, Governor Sanford is the best person for his job.
I whole heartedly disagree. Sanford was wrong to rebuke Clinton the way he did. Lets not keep making the same mistake to justify previous errors in judgment. Sanford will learn from this and hopefully he will become a better person for it.
As for his position as Governor, that should be left up to his constituants to decide.
Abandoning his post is reason for resignation. Having a affair is between him and his family. Leaving the state with no leadership would have been criminal if a crisis had arisen.
One of the most vocal critics of Bill Clinton.
Bill Clinton must be laughing his pants off over this one. The stone Stanford threw at him some years ago has recochet and hit poor Stanford in his face. What a day of rejoicing it must be!
Gov. Sanford's affair is a breach of trust between him and his wife. His leaving the state and not leaving anyone in charge is a breach of trust between him and the citizens of this state. For that reason, he should resign.
If republicans would just take a look at how far their "High Horse" has sunken into the mud of their own making, and jump off with the rest of us humans, onto the Earth, they wouldn't have to take such big hits every time they show up as human AGAIN – and YES, fellow "Communists"/"Socialists"/"Progressives"/"Liberals," these too are God's children – They just don't think that we are (envision high horse).
I feel bad for the guy, I think I know how he might feel.
I feel worse for the GOP which will undoubtedly throw him under the bus.
Even good men make mistakes. Even good men lose good judgement to hormones/adventure.
He is a laughing stock, and no longer has any credibility.
Resign, man.
Work out something with your wife about the kids, and then be with the woman you love.
I find it surprising to agree with any RNC committee members, but I was actually thinking the same thing: wouldn't it be hypocritical to criticize and crucify Bill Clinton for infidelity, support an investigation and impeachment that wasted a sizable amount of taxpayer funds, and not hold yourself to the same standards. If only more republicans would hold themselves to their own principles maybe they could rebuild their future, but I won't hold my breath.
June 25th, 2009 4:28 pm ET
I don't see any reason for Governor Stanford to resign. He is only acting like all of the other politicians. Just look at Washington D.C. That seems to be all they do and we pay them for it.
Hey BEBE,
If everyone was jumping off the Brooklyn Bridge......would you?
Maybe he will be the nominee in 2012 and run against John Edwards....lol
Mark Sanford, 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 ... Read Moreto 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, 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.
I see no difference in Sanfords hypocracy and the republican massive effort to sabotage the effort for health care change. It all reflects lies and deceit when it comes to family values and the protection of the business and insurance communities. Thats what repubs are all about and boy, did the last election prove that.....The voting public sees thru their efforts at stealing money and their destruction of regulating laws to protect consumers.
He should step down because anything he says and does from this point own will be discredited by the affair whether it is right or wrong. Gov. Sanford confessed and "manned up" because he had not other choice, the story was about to leak out and he knew it. Also, his wife had already kicked his butt out of the home. Most of these guys are only sorry they got caught, but not truly sorry for the affair. To err is human, but to pass judgement on other people is to leave one to judged.
Gov., I read your emails to Maria and wondered how could you possibly shower such a seductive prose and not to your wife Jenny, the mother of your dear children and the first lady. Please quickly resign and console and renew your vows again, and this time listen and live your vows. I know we are all vulnerable, but ask God for strength, restraint and not be led into temptation.
Funny how these are the guys that went after Clinton. Clinton never went after them. In my mind, that puts the two in very different catagories.
Larry Craig went after the gays, and his career ended in the toilet.
The only equivalent I see is with Spitzer, but at least he seemed to be competent at what he did for the public.
Gov. Sanford left his state (and the country) without notification. Leaving South Carolina without the proper leadership in place.
How can you justify his remaining in office?
should impeach him.
Why are some posters defending Sanford? Aren't you the same people who wanted to 'purge and purify' your party? Although, I have to admit, since Newt and Rush want to 'purge and purify', as long as they can stay in, Sanford can, too. Maybe the GOP should just shut their collective pie hole and do some work for the people that elected them. As ignorant and hateful as some of those people are, they do deserve to be represented.
Well said Mr. Glenn McCall. It is time we have republicans like you.
God... this is funny! And people wonder why the GOP is going downhill at a breakneck pace. From political figures to political commentators, they are all proving themselves to be huge hypocrites! Hysterical!
Who will cast the first stone?
Regardless -he has got to go!! anyone who flies 10,000 miles to satisfy his desires without any consideration for the citizens of the state south carolina REALLY!
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.
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.
He does not need to resign. If he does, there will be no Republican to stand up the Democratic leadership disguised as republicans in the SC legislature and wasting SC tax dollars like the Dems on the national level wasting out federal tax dollars. Stay right where you are Sanford and keep trying to pull Harrell and McConnell back on task with their outragious spending.
Since Republicans always seem to want to be associated with high moral values and the like, it's only when these types of things happen that makes it such a huge deal and makes them look like total hypocrits. And is it just me or does it happen to Republicans more than Democrats? Sure, Democrats have their share of problems, too. But I think the Republican party needs to officially change their tune from the party known for "high moral values" to "human".
Aside from the affair- If I had not shown up for work without telling anyone where I was going to be for 1 day I would loose my job. His disregard for the office he holds & his constituents is enough fo get him FIREd in my book.
Lying about his whereabouts and not handing control of the state over to the Lt. Governor when he was not in a position to deal with his states issues was irresponsible and should be enough for him to resign.
If he cares about his family, I would believe he would step down and deal with his issues. I do not believe he can properly deal with with the affair, his family, the press and his job. He created a firestorm and he need to give up the jobs and focus on what we would assume is important in his life - his children and what might be left of his marriage.
it is a sad day, no one can be trusted.
story is a former governor's aide turned over the e-mails to the news paper 6 months ago. Wonder how much they got paid for spilling the beans? Disgruntled ex-employee perhaps!!
If Sanford wouldn't have been so quick to call on Clinton's resignation for his marital infidelities I would give him the benefit of the doubt, but nothing galls me more than when a politician, or anyone for that matter, believes the "rules" apply to everyone except him. I feel that way regardless of political affiliation.
What a great father. He went to spend time with his mistress on Father's Day. He's a scum, just like Elliott Spitzer, Ensign and Craig. At least Clinton never professed to be a good moral man.
This has nothing to do with politics. It's all about a man with no morals. I feel sorry for his wife and kids, but the best thing is for him to resign and move to Argentina.
President Obama is not giving the comedians a lot to laugh about and Biden has not really been that good either, but leave it to the family values party to trip and fall all over themselves. They continue in the shoes/steps of #43 giving us nightly laughs. Pathetic!
Isn't it interesting that White Christian Conservatives are held to a much higher "Moral Standard" than liberals. I often wondered why and and then I realized – Liberals don't have any moral standards. I don't condone what he did, but at least he didn't look the American public in the eye, point his finger and say (a lie at that) – "I did not have sexual relations with that woman". Only slick talking, lying liberals can do that. How many papers called for his resignation (which he would have never done anyway)
"When Bush and Cheney Lied about WMDs of Iraq.
…………… 4,300 US TROOPS DIED
.……………… 45,000 US TROOPS INJURED
..………………… 100,000 IRAQIS DIED."
Why do you Bush haters always forget to mention the 3,000 lives lost in he World Trade Center, Pentagon, and in PA. There was a reason we wen in there.
Way to go when YOUR own party wants you to setp down. MAN UP and do the right thing you scumbag. Spitzer did, now it's your turn.
As a South Carolinian, the only problem I have with Sanford resigning is that we'd be stuck with Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, another loser. I don't care about Sanford's personal life except that it proves he's a hypocrite and a liar. However, leaving your post for 5 days with no way to be contacted is dereliction of duty. Any employee who does that should be fired.
Whoops-In my post below I mistyped the SC law against adultery. It's 16-15-60.
To SC Conservative:
Do you still think Iraq had anything to do with 9/11?
No wonder your team lost.
This gives all political parties a black eye, not just the GOP!
This is too much! What a moron this guy is. His own state doesn't like him anyhow...have you read the posts from citizens there when he turned down stimulus $$$? They are furious with him. He won't accomplish anything there now; he might as well resign. I think the dirt on him is just beginning what with his flying around and using security vehicles etc.
But the best is the 'moral majority' GOP; they stink and lie just like many other human beings do. Their 'high horse' has fallen bigtime all over the country. Phony religious- right quacks can go hide and shut up!
Condolences to his wife and family.
SC Conservative
The reason we went there was 9/11?
To Iraq?
They had nothing to do with it...........
Both sides of the political fence cheat, the difference is one side (Cons) always seem to want to tell everyone how they should live and how "moral" they should be...
"Family Values"
"Respect/Protect Marriage"
"Etc...ad nausum"
I'm a liberal like Jesus....feed the hungry, take care of the sick, teach the young, etc...