June 27, 2009
Posted: June 27th, 2009 02:55 PM ET

(CNN) - South Carolina Democratic Party chairwoman Carol Fowler said Saturday that Republicans in the legislature should form a bipartisan committee to investigate Gov. Mark Sanford

"Mark Sanford deceived us– the only way now for South Carolinians to feel confident they are being told the truth is for the General Assembly to pursue every recourse under the law to get at that truth," Fowler said in a statement.

Fowler's full statement after the jump

During the past 10 days South Carolinians have been subjected to the greatest display of irresponsible behavior by an elected official in a hundred years. Mark Sanford abandoned his official duties, deceived the public, and misled his family. He has even admitted to using public funds to support his extramarital affair."

"But in spite of 10 days of full national humiliation, South Carolinians still don't know the whole truth. Is Mark Sanford simply an irresponsible public official or guilty of something criminal?

"Mark Sanford has made a mockery of Republican claims to represent family values and stewardship of tax dollars. Now he's hoping his fellow Republicans will turn their heads rather than do what they are obligated to do – investigate how the governor abused the public trust by using official resources to conduct and cover up an affair.

"Just over a week ago Mark Sanford abandoned his duties and sneaked out of the country. He went to great lengths to cover up his conduct – even using his staff to do so. His fellow Republicans should not now be complicit in covering up Sanford's abuses.

"But Attorney General McMaster, who wants to be governor, has said he will not conduct an investigation, perhaps because he fears retribution from Republicans who still support Sanford. This shows a lack of responsibility to the public.

"SLED has also said that it will not investigate. Chief Reggie Lloyd has shown himself to be independent, professional, and responsible, but he is a member of the Governor's Cabinet. So SLED is probably not the appropriate agency to look at Sanford's irresponsible behavior.

"It becomes obvious that the body with the independence, power, resources, and responsibility to investigate Mark Sanford's aberrant, anomalous behavior is the SC General Assembly.

"For these reasons I call upon the Republican leadership of the General Assembly, Speaker Bobby Harrell and Senate President Pro Tem Glen McConnell, to appoint a special bipartisan House and Senate Committee to conduct a thorough, objective, and complete investigation of the whole sordid affair that Mark Sanford has inflicted on South Carolina and its people.

"Mark Sanford deceived us– the only way now for South Carolinians to feel confident they are being told the truth is for the General Assembly to pursue every recourse under the law to get at that truth," said Fowler.

Filed under: Mark Sanford


renea   June 27th, 2009 4:47 pm ET

My biggest problem with Mark Sanford is not that he had an affair thats between him and his wife as far as im concerned, But the fact that there is speculation that he used tax payers money to cheat thats my problem with him especially when he refused to take the stimulus money and use for the state. instead he said he wanted to pay down sc debt. for what he spent too much money cheating.

hypocrites_are_everywhere   June 27th, 2009 4:44 pm ET

No one is above the law - let's focus the investigation on financial abuses. Mark's sexual practices should not be anyone's business.

Right wing religious nuts need to understand that, on every moral issue, there is no variation of statistical significance between non/religious groups! So, stop pontificating on any ties between morality & religion!

Kim   June 27th, 2009 4:39 pm ET

Wow, can you say hypocrite...how come all the "Christians" are less Christian that those who don't claim to be...He is hiding behind a cloke of deceipt and lies. Those who cast stones should not live in glass houses. Mr. Sanfor should do what he asked everyone else to do and that is RESIGN!!

Marti-Columbia, S.C.   June 27th, 2009 4:38 pm ET

I think Sanford should spare the State of SC any more grief and resign. I still can't believe he left the country without telling any of his staff.

GI Joe   June 27th, 2009 4:35 pm ET

I want Ensign to quit. Just because Nevada was stupid enough to put him in office so he could double his girlfriends pay and hire her husband and their son, doesn't mean the other 49 states should have to put up with him.

ENSIGN spend money on his girlfriend and her FAMILY.

Steve, Columbia SC   June 27th, 2009 4:23 pm ET

It is utterly disgusting that a demoncrat attempt to make hay out of such a personal issue. If you want to make hay Fowler, get your butt back to the farm.

Liberals lack honesty   June 27th, 2009 4:23 pm ET

As a conservative, Sanford should resign for lying (just like Obama does EVERY day) and for using taxpayer money to fund an affair. Attn. Liberals....Why are my taxes going up if I make less than $250,000? It's because Obama lied to all of us.

Perusing-Through   June 27th, 2009 4:02 pm ET

WHY AN INVESTIGATION? Republican Governor and "Focus On Family – Family Values" advocate Mark Sanford clearly stated during the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal, that he would resign if he found himself in an unfaithful scenario as did President Bill Clinton. So why the investigation when Mark Sanford is expected to keep his word and RESIGN?

Sam   June 27th, 2009 4:01 pm ET

I like the way Jenny Sanford has handled the situation so far. She seems to be more in control of her senses, whereas he is not clearly master of his domain to catch a phrase from Seinfeld. Shame on him to promise that he would "work things out" and go and see his mistress. Best wishes to that family.

Frank   June 27th, 2009 3:57 pm ET

Conservative Republican family values.........Hypocrites!

Susan   June 27th, 2009 3:36 pm ET

Oh, but don't forget he is a Republican, and therefore above the law or any question!

EcoAZ   June 27th, 2009 3:34 pm ET

Seizing every chance to demonize the Republican Party with worst vitriol available.

I personally will never cast a vote for any Democrat, ever, until that group stops acting like a bunch of bloodthirsty savages.

And investigate what??

Republicans are the American Taliban   June 27th, 2009 3:33 pm ET

He needs to be audited by the IRS back as far as possible....

Liberal4Obama   June 27th, 2009 3:33 pm ET

Sanford should resign, period. Either that or the lieutenant governor should call for impeachment proceedings and held a special election.

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