CNN

This is the first–and will probably be the only–time that I agree with Bill Bennett. I'm sick of listening to Mark Sanford's juvenile wailing. Shut up about the affair or get a divorce and marry the mistress already!

I recall Mr. Bennett did not use these kind words for President Clinton. He was stating he should be impeached. I forgot President Clinton was a Dem and Sandord is a Republican.

The Republicans are a JOKE!

Shouldn't Bennett be dead from some coronary problem by now? I hated this two faced, gambling adict since the Clinton Administration. He was all "Family Values" on TV and the complete opposite in life. He even went as far as publishing a "Book of Virtues" that I was forced to read for a Republican Professor. I received a page length, red D, over my Title page, for focussing on the idiots hypocracy rather than doing the assignment. It was the best D ever! As for Sanford, I would never stoop to Republican Party tactics. The Republicans who side with Bennett are doing typical Republican, cannibal gestures in order to mislead the public and the little support they have.

Gary's comment is:
Bill Bennett like alot of people to include Sandford need to get their
lives togeather and stay out of the way of those trying to help the
peope of the United States get back on their feet.

Careful what you wish for, Blackjack Bill.

I can't think of anything that could turn South Carolina into a blue state faster than that little kook Andre Bauer sitting in the governor's chair for the next 18 months.

Since the GOP, and even dems made a mockery out of Blago, it's only fair we do the same with Sanford. Sit back and enjot the show. You can't pay for this kind of entertainment.

david, CA,

On top of the fact that they don't mention on FOX that he is a Republican a few times they put a (D) in front of his name.

They are so embarased of Sanford that next week they will most likely label him a RINO.

Now that's just sad!

Bennett needs to just shut up and sit down. The party of family values was a lie. Period. Are they apologizing to President Clinton for people like Sanford and Ensign who were blasting what they were doing.

What a hypocritical party the Repubs are? Now, after they smeared President Clinton they want this to be private. I say no put it out there. But Sanford and Ensign are no where near as tough as President Clinton is.

I think Sanford is having a nervous breakdown.....I think he is more than love happy. Hope he is getting help. Atonement helps! Apologize to President Clinton.

I have to admit that a week ago when this story broke I was pretty gleeful about another Republican hypocrite falling but since then I have to say i'm sorry for my original impression and feel bad for this guy. He clearly needs professional help and I hope he gets it and rebuilds his life. I never thought i'd say this about a Republican but my best wishes to him and his family.

sanford is telling all so his wife will leave him. no otehr reason to be a big mouth. he does not have the guts to end the marriage. saying these things only make situatuiion worsr and he wants to be with other womea

Jefe "Has The Leader spoken on this yet? Until Rush has ruled on Sanford's resignation, it isn't likely to happen."

Yes he has, he basically says Sanfords reason for cheating was because of Barack Obama and the ruining of this nation, so Sanford just said "who cares, the worlds falling apart, might as well have fun"

Rush fails to apparently accept or realize this started in 2001 – oops, i guess Sanford though Dubya was ruining the world (and he was right!)

The TOP REPUBLICAN title goes to Rush Limbaugh. He is their King.

If it needs to stop, then why is Bennett not keeping his mouth shut and talking to Sanford in private? A lot of Republicans pols are getting a lot of milage off of this and the last thing they really want is for it to die down. They are all a bunch of hipocrites.

bennett is correct in saying that sanford needs to quit 'exposing' himself. none of us have signed on as his therapist.

saying that he can be 'easily' replaced as a shining star in the gop in another matter. their bright and shining stars seem to be flaming out at an alarming rate.

I hope he fights it for years,Rush will blow a fuse,the sooner the better.hahaha

I couldn't care less about Sanford's private life, that's his business. However, he was a vocal critic of President Clinton in 1998 and advocated his impeachment for lying to the American people over an extra-marital affair.

Now he is caught lying to the American people over an extra-marital affair, and he expects to stay in office?

Unbelievable.

Mark Sanford need to seriously resign from his job. If he cannot keep his personal life in order, how can he keep his duties in order? He is way too distracted to do his job!

The entire party is crazy and in serious need of help.

This is not a political issue...it's a personal one. Isn't THAT what the left kept saying when it was Clinton? How soon they forget....glass houses my little liberals...glass houses.

Is this the same Bill Bennett who has a gambling addiction so intense he poured more than a million dollars down the slot machines?

Mary is right! Kathleen is wrong! Jenny new and she did noting about it becaue it let her off the hook from doing her job!

To Dan at 10:23am -

That could be the most assinine thing I've ever heard. But I'll give you the benefit of the doubt as you are probably the same type of "theorist" that thinks President Obama is Muslim and doesn't have a birth certificate. The astounding reflection of utter ignorance in your words should only help bolster the argument that right-wingers have no place in governance, let alone offering opinions.

One thing about these articles you always learn something. I now know the Democrats are the celibacy party from these comments.

He lied to his wife.

He cheated on her.

He lied to Congress.

Oh wait, that was Clinton.

More double standards, anyone?

'Fess up and resign. Lie to Congress and be a hero.

I just don't get it.

Posted on another Sanford Ariticle:
Sleezy politicians: Sanford (R), Ensign (R), Spitzer (D), Clinton (D), McGreevy (D), Gingrich (R), Kennedy (D), and on and on and on…It their spouses can't trust them, how can we?

Bribes: Jefferson (D), Stevens (R), Blagovich (D) and on and on…they are all bought and paid for.
--------

But you forgot:
Mark Foley (R)
Ted Haggard (R)
Larry Craig (R)
Bob Allen (R)
Glenn Murphy Jr (R)
Jim Bakker

There are more but I think you get the picture???

"He who lives in a glass house should not throw stones."

So, has Bill Bennett kept HIS life together over the years? Or, is there a reason that the best gig a former Secretary of Education can get is to be a commentator for CNN. Yeah, that's it. He screwed up, too. I don't like Sanford and I don't like Bennett. The party is full of hypocrites.

How much does Bill want to bet on the resignation? What are the odds Bill?

The only reason that what the governor did wasn't against the law is that there's no precedent. There's no law against the governor raising feral baby raccoons, or wearing a diaper on his head, or showing up at his office wearing women's clothing, and there's no law against a governor leaving the USA without telling anyone where he's going either, and who ever thought we'd need one? Sonny Purdue of Georgia is no model of stability either, but I dang betcha you won't find him scootin' off to Peru or Tanganyika without telling anyone.

And for those of you who pity Sanford: Where is your compassion for his wife and children? This is not a movie. It's real life and real human beings, some of them children, are being crushed by this self-absorbed manchild.

I am loathe to agree with Bill Bennett on anything, but I totally agree with him here. Governor Sanford, for heaven's sake, please resign and get your life in order. You need some psychological counseling. You're an emotional mess.

It is not the adultery per se, but the abandonment o fhis post, first when he disappeared for a week, then as he concentrates on pouring his teen-aged heart out to the press instead of buckling down and taking care of business. And doesn't his self-absorption show in announcing to the public that his mistress is his "soulmate," but that he's "trying" to fall back in love with his wife? First he cheats on her, then this? How cruel, how degrading. His wife seems strong – I hope she truly is, and that she leaves him ASAP.

does this fool of a governor not know that "SILENCE IS GOLDEN"?
I thought Blago makes a fool of himself but this guy takes it to a whole new level......since this chick is is so called "soul mate"....yeah he needs to resign and go seek his lady love. i am glad his wife has CLASS to toss his skank behind out the door. Stick to your guns sweetie and DIVORCE his behind....You do not need him. he has always needed you....When his money runs out, then his will realize what he lost. He only married you for your family money name and what your family could do for him ploitically. DUMP HIM !

he is right

I have a feeling he won't leave without a big fight, although resignation should be the wise thing to do at this point.
We'll see....as of now he's probably waiting for instructions from the Supreme Leader Limbaugh.

Why is everyone so concerened anout Bill's past gambling problem? One thing has nothing to do with the other. Gov. Sanford is a public servant like all other politicians (which they forget) and with that comes with the requirement of high morals and values (which they forget). Bennett is not a public servant, he's a talk show host. Gov. Sanford needs to be cleaned out with the rest of the power hungry swine in Washington. The priorities need to change, but for that to happen, something in the system needs to change. Many of you commentors are drinking WAY too much koolaid.

If he is wanting sympathy for his pity party he needs to just stop. He really needs counseling to get his emotions in order for it is plain to see he is just too emotional and is out of bounds. telling the public all his insecurities is not going to help. He has lost his agenda and he needs to focus on rebuilding trust. If that woman in Argentina is so importnat he has lost his way, he may not be ablt tio find his way out of this mess. We just need to pray for him, his family and our state and pray especially for a good moral secure person to step up to the bat. What people who want this type position has to accect is that if you are willing to live in a "glass houst" then expect stones to be thrown., If they are a decent person with high morals they do not have to worry about someone else's lies. God see all and He ie the one to answer too.

This is the situation the GOP put itself in when it validates talk show hosts and non-elected officials as representatives of the GOP. The loudest voice becomes their leader.

No! Sanford needs to hang on for dear life for as long as he can.

Once his time as governor is over, he is finished. He has no family, no friends, no supporters and, soon, no income.

He's a drowning man clinging to flotsam in the water praying for a rescue that will never come. That's life on the hateful sinking ship GOP Hypocrite.

Good riddance Sanford.

What difference does it make? Republicans will be back in power in 2012 thanks to the wish-washy Obama liberals.

This progressive has had enough of wussie Democrats who are afraid to get things done!

As sorry as I am for Sanford's family, I am so glad that FINALLY people are changing their opinion of him. FINALLY people are seeing him for who he really is. Those of us that are educated, informed, and moderate-liberal knew he was crazy, knew he was bad for south carolina, and knew he only cared about himself. We saw it with the unemployment benefits as we are now ranked 3rd in the nation. We saw it with the stimulus money foolishness. We knew through policy decisions that he didn't have the interests of South Carolina at heart. We saw that he didn't care about families with children in the public education systems, and we saw his aversion to help downtrodden citizens that can't find work because he refesus to focus on job creation in this state (a priority for all governors, a job description if you will). Why did it take a public display of selfishness and forsaking his family to get through to everyone? I don't know, but his arrogance continues with his refusal to step down.

If he waits a few years his brain will move to a different location and it will function without so many distractions.

Embarrassment? Gambling millions of dollars away–isn't that embarrassing? No, it is conservative values–I do as I please and I am outraged at this and that so I can be above and be observed.

Bennett should focus on his own food/gambling/self-righteousness addictions and crawl back under his rock. I thought we were finally through with this blowhard!

The poor man is a tortured soul...if this Maria woman is truly the love of his life and his soul mate then go for it. Judge not lest ye be judged.

He is creatively trying to justify his hyprocrisy , lies, adultery, unprofessionalim....then continues to insert foot into mouth by revealing he may have cheated with even more women. Depending on what "crossed the line" meant.

Hey Bennett, when will you ask Ensign to resign? Oh, forgot, he has a nice pad for you in Vegas while you gamble!

Considering the millions of dollars Bennett's lost on the black jack table over the years, I'm not sure I'd split if he told me to.

Brina honey; you are sooooooooooooooooooo right (no pun intended).

"I come from the business side. If you had a chairman or president in the business world facing these allegations, he'd be gone."

Mark Sandford's statement on Clinton’s infidelity.

What did he do that was so bad he had to resign from the being the head of the Republican Governors association that was at the same time not so bad that he should resign as governor? Why the double standard? How many times do the Republicans have to put party above country before people get it?

They need to impeach this pig!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and his wife needs to
kick him to the curb.

As always, Bill Bennett – the consumate huckster!

Someone asked "what about his performance in office"? Maybe that question should be posed to the woman he had bent over his desk.

This is the same retard that went after President Clinton with such a vengence. Guess he is getting his just reward now.

Another black eye for the Republican party that they don't need right now.

Bennett is just jealous because he can't get pretty Argentinian girls to even look at his bloated Republican ego and belly. Keep on gambling Billy Boy, the chicks don't like you pal.

yeah.. this whole thing is pretty weird. this woman in argentina is his "soulmate" but he's going to work on his marriage with a woman who is not? how in the world does that make any sense? he really sounds like a whack job.

Mr. Bennett,
Do not through rocks to anybody. Do you not remember your gambling problems????? You are not better than Sanford.

Olga Gardiner

It seems to me that Mr. Bennett and the GOP are more concerned about the damage Gov. Sanford is doing to the party's image than the damage he's doing to himself, his family, and the citizens of South Carolina.

I agree with loveable liberal – but I also do think it is time for Mr. Sanford to step down.

Has The Leader spoken on this yet? Until Rush has ruled on Sanford's resignation, it isn't likely to happen.

The man is in love and there is nothing in this world that is going to stop him from professing his love for his mistress.The good part of it is that for once outside the "conservative hypocracy crap, Sanford is speaking his mind free from the BS of family values he and a host of adultarous republicans want you to buy.

If we are going to hold Sanford to a high standard we risk losing two thirds of our governing body in Congress and most of the business excutives around the world or are we suppose to be stupid enough to believe he is the only one. Power is the Viagra of politics and business.

What do you mean he needs to get his marriage back in order? He needs to be honest with himself and his wife for once. His wife is duty bound by Christan beliefs to remain in the marriage if Sanford acts the part of humbled husband. Acting is all he will be doing. Sanford's heart is else where. Why should his wife have to look at his face everyday knowing that? Sanford needs to stop acting. His wife will be fine. She is beautiful, smart and strong. She is no helpless wallflower. What is ugly is that we try and force two people who no longer love each other to remain married for the sake of Christan right wing duty. Yuck.
Sanford could be happy if he were honest. Sanford's wife could rebuild her life and be happy if he were honest.

sanford needs to be quiet until he regains his emotional balance later he will regret all he is now saying

This is the first time someone has address the issue head on. Resign to allow someone else to govern, spend time finding out who you are, and start building trust with your family. Remove this wreck to the private domain and allow the state to move on.

Sanford is the epitomy of why liberals hate Republicans. Rep[blicans are simply two faced hypocrites who want to preach to everyone about what not to do as long as they can do it if they "admit" their mistake. CRAP. These people are waste of time and breath! Graham, Bush, Cheney, Gingerich, Rice, Rummy and on and on and on. All hypocritcal liars with phony morals.

Yeah, listen to Bennett. The guy who's at least 100 pounds overweight and has been treated for a gambling addiction. You tell em Bill!

No one is saying that Sanford should follow his one advice to others that have found themselves in this same position, having sex outside of marrige, and that is resign.

Keep fighting them off Sanford!!!! Pay them no attention!!!

Since when is Bill secret-gambling-addiction Bennet considered a "top republican"?

Why is it we can post comments about Sanford, but not about the jobless articles and BHO's non-stimulating stimulus?

Once again, the media is covering BHO's backside!

As Bennett says, there are a lot of GOP politicians who can be at their sanctimonious best, and can carry on with their 'holier than thou' denouncements of all lesser mortals till their feet of c(rap)lay are revealed. They can then follow their time-honored tradition of denial, contrition, atonement, redemption and so on. Bennett himself knows this well – as the gambling moralist that he is.

This does not mean there are no liberal scum-buckets – they just do not preach.

However, it seems Sanford may cross another line of sorts and go the Blogo-route – if the SC elected reps have any moral fortitude left and impeach this guy out of his office. After all, he not only broke 'God's laws', he also went AWOL and incommunicado for a week – and that is inexcusable in any Chief Executive.

Bennett had it ALMOST right. More importantly than Sanford embarrassing himself is that he's embarrassing the GOP. The longer the story unravels, the longer FOX has to play it's shell game with the Senator's party affiliation (notice how they NEVER mention out loud he's a Republican), and the longer Republicans have to wish this whole mess would just go away (like the dems had to with the governor of Illinois).

Has it ever occurred to the GOP that Gov. Sanford is not interested in putting his life back together? Gov. Sanford has reached a new epitome in LOVE and he my fellow Americans has no interest in going back to business or life as usual. Marvin Gaye recorded a hit song that lyrics went like this . . . . “Makes you wanna holler; throw up both my hands”.

Suffice it to say this is how Mark Sanford feels. He has had a taste of the Latin lolita and he is NEVER, EVER going home!

top republican my foot. this bennett is nothing more than stooge for republican party. mike steele is not head of rep party russell slimebaugh is the head of party of losers.

Can't say i disagree with Mr. Bennett. It's time to see if he can get his life in order and that would mean stepping down.

"Mark Sanford is "embarrassing himself." – HAH! Republicans have been embarrassing themselves for years! But it's fun to watch the party of NO (No ideas, No sense of reality, No knowledge of America) self-destruct.

I agree, he is totally embarrasing himself. It's time to see a shrink, and tak Newt, Rush, Ensign, Mccain, and all you so called over-religious, bible toting, christian, marriage is sacred, people shouldn't be gay, right wing hypocritical nuts with you. The entire conservative movement is ridiculous right now.... Basically a joke.

from a purely political perspective, i can't believe i'm actually saying this, but, i agree with bill bennett... but, after having listened to the "holier than thou" right for the past 28 years, it sure is nice watching people like sanford and ensign and cheney implode.. it's the least we can get for the $14 trillion debt the republicans left to us..

The GOP is just looking for excuses and scapegoats on why they're in a political wasteland, and that's why they are turning on their own. The entire GOP needs to pull itself up, not just these scapegoats. The GOP is full of lazy whiners who only ever parrot pundit talking points, but can't come up with a viable plan of their own. They come up with budget proposals without any numbers, a health care plan that's just a 3 page outline and is mostly copied from the democrat's health care plan. Republicans need to start taking their job seriously! Until then, they don't deserve to be listened to!

I rarely agree with Bill Bennett. But I am in lock step with him on this. Sanford is telling us way too much. His professional conduct was irresponsible to the people of SC – he should go.

You mean the way Bennett kept his life together as he gambled away millions of dollars? The hypocrisy of the right knows no bounds.

Uh since when is Bennett a top Republican?

I respect Bill Bennett and Mark Sanford a great deal. Sadly Bill is correct that enough already with the information about a sad situation. It is bad enough that a man is suffering the effects of a simply ugly situation of infidelity. But Mark Sanford was also a rising star within the Republican Party that seems to have few left these days. That means the Republican Party just keeps on taking hit after hit and the only people remaining are the ineffectrive or extreme IDIOTS like Rush Limbaugh. Having been in a similar boat at one point in my life, I would strongly suggest to Mark Sanford to leave office and rebuild your family. I guarantee nothing in life is more important than your family and finding your way back to where it all started.

I think Sanford should quit too, but not for hateful reasons, but reasons of love. He loves Maria. He should go be with her. Honestly, I didn't like him much when he was rejecting the stimulus money but now I feel sort of sorry for him. He has to leave the punitive Christian ideology behind and enjoy what remains of him life. Lighten up and go be in love. Rethink his positions, but do it in Argentina. Life is too short to be a Christian conservative!

Hey, Bill, wanna lay odds on that?

I think CNN is embarrassing itself by having Bill Bennett as a contributor and naming him as a "top" Republican. Mr. Book of Virtues has embarrassed himself and shown himself to be every bit the hypocrite that Mark Sanford is.

To varying degrees, rightist Republicans from Mr. Bennett to Rush Limbaugh have been as much of an embarassment to a once-proud constitutionist conservative party. They have hijacked it and driven it right over a cliff with no intention of lossening their grip on the wheel.

I don't care if he embarrass himself, he needs to stop embarrassing the state of SC. RESIGN.

I don't recall Bill Clinton being asked to step-down by "top" Democrats. And Bill Clinton perjured himself. And lost his law license.

Why hasnt John Boehner, Mitch McConnel, Eric Cantor or Michael Steele asked for Sanford to resign. Aren't this the leaders of the republican party? What are they waiting? Oh, I know for BOSS Limbaugh to tell them what to do, which in the case of Sanford is to do exactly what they are doing BE SILENT.

Well with their silence this "leaders" are condoning Sanfords behavior and ultimately the GOP is loosing the respect of the American people. The republicans in Congress need to come out in full force and ask for Mr. Sanford to resign.

he should quit, if he was a state trooper, he would be unemployed, how can replaced stolen funds without pinishment, neglect your duties

Bennett has a point concerning the pain Stanford is putting on his family and embarrassing himself because he misses his woman. Did Bennett and the Republican party think about what a long investigation and public embarrassment did to Hillary and her daughter they had nothing to do with the affair that Bill had. I feel for Jenny but she is not the victim here. All woman say they love their husband and want the marriage to work. If Mark fell in love with this woman and has been seeing her for over a year, where was Jenny? Did she not know she no longer had her husband affection or just assumed it(relationship with this woman) would go nowhere. Unless Mark is a lustful man, he found something in the mistress he was not getting at home,especially when he spends Father's Day with her instead of his Jenny.

Before we worry about a replacement for Governor Sanford let's get a replacement for obama. Hows the change working for you.

He won't resign because this is all about him and not the people of South Carolina. The Sanford saga will go on.

Bill who!?!

And this from the person that gambled millions away. Hmmm, some family values.

Wait... is this the Bill Bennet who embarrassed himself by presuming to write a "Book Of Virtues" to instruct the rest of us... and then was revealled to have racked up millions in gambling debts?

That's the Republican party, folks. Hypocritical to the end. Sanford might as well stay in office, he didn't do anything unusual given his party affiliation.

Amen Bill!

He does not need to resign. Everyone thinks that when public officals mess around, "oh no, you must resign". This guy Bennett is thinking about the party before the individual. If this matter isnt affecting the people of S.C then it should not matter if he stays in office or not. Anytime if interfers with how the state is run, then there is a problem. This is a personal problem that must be dealt with personally.

For example if someone in a normal job cheats on his wife and his employer finds out. Should they retire like how public officials are asked to resign?

Bennett needs to get a hold of himself and again do what i think is important for the people of S.C TALK ABOUT THE ISSUES...NOT PERSONAL LIFE. !

I don't usually agree with Bill Bennett – but this time he's spot on. Sanford should be an embarrassment to the republican party – thank goodness someone in the ranks has the courage to say so!

Republicans need to stop thinking they are Saints. What Sanford did is not that different then Clinton...did Clinton resign? Did Bill Bennett stop being a pundit after his gambling problems surfaced? Barney Frank ran a brothel out of his congressional office and stayed in office. Sanford needs to stay put and fight.

Gov. Sanford clearly suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. He can't stop obsessing about Maria Chapur and his compulsion to talk about his affair and himself is literally screaming at people for attention. Think of the scene in Shakespeare's play Macbeth about the concept of "undoing". Sanford needs to step down, seek psychiatric care with a doctor who specializes in OCD. His arrogant, narcissistic focus and delusional references to King David and himself along with his inability to stop weeping are signs of mental and emotional deterioration that can devolve into further self destructive actions. Just look at his sad, crumbling face.
His wife Jenny needs to come to grips with the fact that she'll never be number one with him again. The specter of Maria will always haunt them both. Jenny can heal both herself and salvage her
children 's future by realizing that her husband is a serial cheater and that her marriage is OVER. She needs to bail out. before the fallout gets worse as it will.
Dr. K. Nelson, Clinical Psychologist, Retired.

So what does the REAL Republican boss, Rush Linbaugh, think? After all, the opera's not over until the fat lady has sung.

"fiscally interesting .." now just what is that?? As for Sanford – thinking he like is King David shows just how self-absorbed he is: very immature.

what's the surprise here?...typical CONservative thinking but not with their brains (heads)....really feel sorry for this guy...he is torn between a wife and a mistress and doesn't want to give up either.......

It would be nice if the politicians and the press would grow up. Ever since the Republicans used Bill Clinton's dallying to try to destroy him, we have the interesting phenomenon of expecting our elected officials to be sexually pure. The male animal is not monogamous in general, and politicians are no different.
The only time a person's sex life is anyone's business but their own is if it involves children, or physical harm to someone else. There used to be a code among the press that personal lives were not fair game, if the behavior wasn't criminal. That code should be reinstated.

what a sorry bunch!!! Republicans are shameless!!! They love to throw stones. LOL

Sanford needs to resign and then we can have his wife run for Governor of South Carolina!!!!!!

Amen. Imagine the humiliation his family feels as he bears his soul and anguishes over the loss of his soulmate. Has this man no dignity? It seems as if he wants us to feel sorry for him. What a loser. We may want to rethink our South Carolina beach trip if this dunce stays in office. He's needs to check-in to "lost soulmate" rehab and both the wife and mistress need to kick his ass to the curb.

How is Bennett a "Top Republican"? Is he just all mouth or has he actually been elected to something?

BTW ... When his gambling addiction was discovered, did he step down from whatever it was that made him the Republicans Moralizer-in-Chief??

Gee. How did I know when the link on the main page said "TOP" Republican that it was not going to be the case?

This entire missing in action saga is an indictment of the conservatives insistance that "no governing is best governing." Disinterested, unengaged politicians is what the right prefers, so that's what they get.

Why should he resign. He, at least, had the gonads to admit what he did. We had a president who denied his affair under oath and was allowed to continue his term in office. All parties concerned need to stop talking about something they can do nothing about and let him do his job. All this media hoopla is taking away from the real issues that face South Carolinians. And I'm sure they have plenty of them, just like every other state.

Take note Democrats, when a Republican screws up they call each other out. But yet again Democrats lack integrity and Class. I can remember it like it was yesterday when Clinton was caught up in the scandal with Monica and all they wanted to do is make excuses and cover for him. I guess that is the different between Republicans and Democrats , republicans have class and Democrats have NONE.

Bennett claims the GOP has "other people" who can fill the Sanford gap. Odd he doesn't name them? Who are these mysterious "other people" that have no personal problems and can magically lift the GOP out of its mess?

Bill Bennett hit the nail on the head! EVEN I feel embarrassed for Sanford, he is acting so high-schoolish it is comical. Step down and let an adult become Governor.

if this guy has any kind of sense of ethics, he needs to resign...not run for ever...............for the benefit of the nation...

doesn't need a shovel. apparantly just keep talking is enough

I would have more respect for these Republicans if they demanded his resignation sooner. They have let this fester and now it is out of control. I remember the Clinton debackle and the Republicans were howling for blood, but they seem rather timid when it is one of their own.

After reading the article in CNN today, all I can say for those self-righteous conservatives is that you need to get a life of your own and not try to control the lives of others. I am sure that Mr. Bennett has a lot of skeletons in his own closet that he would not want others to know about as do most of the other conservatives who are quick to point a finger at others who do not think and act according to the great conservative "ideal" life. Surely you have more to do in your life than dictate to others how they should live.

He keeps talking like his staying in power amidst this scandal is showing his sons he has backbone. I believe it shows more backbone to say, "I was wrong, I am wrong, I will take the penalty and step down and build my way back up"... however, the typical repub response is always, "I was wrong, but God forgave me and I need to stay in power to show that I am forgiven and that I will not give up even if something bad happens. You need to forgive me too."

Well, Bennett would certainly know about embarassing oneself!

Reminds me of that line from the Bible about tending the mote in your neighbor's eye while ignoring the beam in your own.

This is a S.C./republican problem. I don't have a dog in this fight. But I do enjoy it.

I agree with Mr. Bennett, he should resign and get his life in order

Of course they can fill the gap he leaves, the lots more JUST LIKE HIM! This is, of course, great news for the Democrats.

I agree with Bennett. The governor has gone out of his way to give us too much information. For the sake of his family, he needs to stop all this embarrasing blather and resign. The man sounds like he needs some mental help. He certainly can't govern in such an irrational state.

Hmmm... sounds as if this is the person who will take the heat for all the fiascos of the Republican party, Sarah Palin's " watch me, hear me, attitude... full of self glorification, Cheny's wretched politics and lack of honor. Sanford is wrong and his behavior deplorable. But, I fail to see why he should resign and others, who are equally in error, remain.

a top republican, bennett???????????...man, they change every other day in the top spot......and where is the bloated king kong rush?....what does he think of the evil sinners in his party?....I didn't hear any comments YET.......hissss hissss hissss

Adultery is sin. Stanford loves his mistress. It is all over his face and his heart is expressing it. How do you tell a man like Stanford to stop talking when he wants the world to know that is was not something that happen once but this mistress is his soul mate? Which one of us in American can not pick up on how much he loves this woman. He left his family on Father's Day and that means he cares for her. Cheaters who are not serious about the person they are dealing with always spend holidays at home. Leave the man alone, after all he is a good Republican with no family values. He just talked the talked. I am a Democrat and have been with my husband for 26 years, yes faithfully and yes married to him.

Please Sanford for the sake of your sons, shut up! I don't care if you step down or not but STOP talking!

Here here, Mr. Bennett.

I agree with Mr. Bennett. South Carolina will elect another GOP Governor. Mark Sanford's best move would be to say, "I confess. There is no excuse. How can I manage the state when I can't even manage my own house hold? I will take responsibility and start following a course of repentance. The course of repentence will be to resign, seek qualified counseling, get a regular job, have transparent and accountable finances, get a filter on my Internet and start allowing my wife to view ALL my email.

Actually, Bill Clinton should have done the same thing.

I am hoping for the day when politicians of all parties return to the place where the people they represent are considered as a poltician's first priority. Governor Sanford's actions reveal remarkable self-interest and disregard for the state of South Carolina.
On a positive note, Mrs. Sanford has shown herself to be a real person with enough self respect as to not represent herself as an appendage to the governor's agenda.

I agree with Dr. Bennett that the Republicans have other potential candidates. The problem, for all parties, however, is the kind of glare that strikes individuals who veer off the beaten path at all, whether in their personal, busines, or political lives. There are no doubt candidates in the wings who are indeed both straight and robust enough to endure the glare. Maybe problems like this will compel them to follow their good conscience and decide to help out the people of South Carolina and the rest of the nation.

Sanford is doing himself nor the entire country any favors by being in this situation and digging himself deeper by the mouthful. So I'll chime in with everyone else, even with Keith Olbermann: In some ways we must envy a person who has so found a soul-mate, even late in life. However, be quiet about it, Gov Sanford!

I think that Sanford should stay and give as many interviews as possible!!! Every time he speaks we all learn what the GOP is all about.

This is probably sound advice. "High Roller" Bill Bennett knows a thing or two about how to embarrass yourself, after all. Just don't bet the milk money. Why anyone still listens to this outrageous hypocrite I do not understand. I suppose he and other "top Republicans" think gambling away a fortune at Las Vegas is not a moral issue. They looked the other way while Wall Street and AIG gambled away trillions of dollars, and now they presume to lecture the rest of the country about morality! What chutzpah.

He is finding it very difficult to implement his own preachings about how the president, the liberals, the country and the world should act!!

Who the heck is Bill Bennett? Top Republican?!?

If Clinton could stay in office so can Sanford....at least Sanford didn't lie every which way to Sunday.

The Difference between Repubs and Dems is that Repubs actually take responsibility for their action and saying how Sanford needs to step down. Dems would just say oh well he's a man and move on and no one would say anything. Its amazing how Dems are such hypocrites its disgusting.

South Carolina's governor is not confessing his "sins"; he's simply indulging himself in sophomoric, locker room bragging about his sexual exploits. It's the kind of thing we "liberals" have come to expect from the formerly" Moral Majority."

If Bennet is a "top Republican" the r's are in a real jam.

RESIGN Sanford!

He has only two options, either he needs to quit or he needs to follow in Arlen Specter's foot steps.

As a Democrat his adultry won't even be on the radar, you got libs selling senate seats, libs caught with hundreds of thousands of dollars in their freezer, Demos who always D.W.L like Ted Kennedy, and well, I can't even post the rest, CNN sees it as so vile that it needs to be censored but Democrats actually celebrated it (Gerry Studds).

Well, who'd a thunk it. Someone on TV saying someone is telling us too much about their personal life. Everyday in the "news" we get an up-close-and-personal view of people's personal lives and opinions. Americans know no shame (thank you Oprah) in hurling their stuff on us. Could it be we will ultimately own Sanford a debt of gratitude for finally being the straw that breaks the American camel's gossip back?

He should not quit. I am interested in all the juicy desciptions. It helps spike my marriage!

No Bill. Remember? The GOP apologizes. The DNC actually takes responsibility and resigns. DId you forget to check with Fox for your talking points?

Mr; Sanfor is shameless he should it have resign long time ago, he is truly embarrassing not just himself but he is embarrassing the all Republican Party, I think that it's time for him to go.

Wow, I agree with a Republican, I'm shocked. Sanford needs to go. He also needs to be impeached.

Well what do you know? Bill Bennett is actually right about something. Will wonders never cease!

Sanford isn't going anywhere, the proof is left at the door of Idaho Senator (R) Larry Craig's office. Remember he was selling blow jobs in airport "men's" rooms. He said he would resign his senate seat...but he didn't. Maybe he's giving other senators a little cheek and gum while they're away from their homes, and the votes go on. I have no major problem with these guys preference, but they lied, and then lied some more.

Isn't this the guy who wrote a book on "upright living" and was then found to have an addiction to gambling. God deliver us from Republican hypocrites. You would think that after you have publicly fallen, you would be more forgiving of others. And since when are talking heads and radio personalities "republican leaders". I am neither a republican nor a fan of Mr. Sanford, but as a Progressive Christian believe in grace.

I,m a Republican. But I'm an American first.
This guy went AWOL as a governor of a state.
Had he gone AWOL as an enlisted soldier or
sailor WOULD THERE BE A QUESTION ABOUT
CONSEQUENCES ??????
E N O U G H of this silly crap. He shouldn't have
the choice to resign. The people of his state
should fire him !!!!!!!!!!!

There's one reason most sane South Carolinians DON'T want Sanford to step down: Andre Bauer.

But I thought republicans are the only party with "family values"?
God forbid faithful gay couples getting married!

I can't think of anything else that I agree with Bill Bennett on, but I couldn't agree more... I almost feel assaulted by all this personal information he's throwing about, so I can't imagine how his family must feel. So sad...

Oh, yeah – it's always good to hear from that bastion of moral rectitude, "High Stakes" Bil Bennett.

What a load.

Who really listens to these gasbags, anyway?

Following the Repugnant's normal line of reasoning, he should be impeached. He simply abandonned his office for four or five days to go off and play with his little Argentine tart, without even turning over the government to his Vice Governor. All of the moral questions aside, isn't that flat out malfaisance in an elected official at his level?? Seriously. Dude...QUIT!

Sanford's not going anywhere voluntarily. Even before this, he didn't get along with his colleagues in S.C. and the situation came to a boil during the stimulus scrap. He is certainly not going to listen to them on this. Either he gets impeached and removed, or he stays.

We'll get plenty of interesting and zany stories in the mean time.

How does this man have the GALL to comment on, much less advise, Gov. Sanford after he himself made a fortune on moralizing and then got caught with his hand in the slot machine? This particular elephant (in more than one sense) is evidently very forgetful.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
My, what a lovely bunch of conservatives we have in this country! A degenerate gambler criticizing a horny governor. Oh, and by the way, where are all of these self-important moralizers like Tony Perkins and Gary Bauer and Rick Warren and Sarah Palin, and why aren't they chiming in on this fable of Republican moral terpitude, or do they only stamp their feet and cry their phony, salted tears and display their faux indignation only when a sexual scandal involves a Democrat? Funny how it works that way, isn't it? But excuse me for now; I have to roll on the floor and laugh my ass off for a while longer.

I would not keep an employee with judgement like this guy has displayed running a hot dog stand. Of course he must go.

Mr. Bennett needs to SHUT UP and focus on his eating behavior and preaching HATE every morning !
Where were you when NEVADA SENATOR did the same thing ??? you are NO BETTER just another HYPOCRITE

"Mark Sanford is "embarrassing himself" and needs to resign as governor of South Carolina, conservative talk radio host and CNN contributor Bill Bennett said Thursday on CNN's American Morning."

Run Sanford run! You are embarassing the Repubs and they see the GOp being flushed down the toilet of history despite all their efforts with negative ads and comments on the Fox Channel.

After all, the Repubs are the ones with VALUES. They do not commit adultery, lie continuously, arrogantly try to force our democracy down the throats of others around the world and invade their country for no good reason, and never make hypocritical comments. NAH!!!!! They don't do dem tings. At least not on Thursday.

Sanford's " My mistress is my soulmate but I will try to fall back in love with my wife" comment was almost beyond belief in its cruelty.

To say that IN PUBLIC about a person that YOU have cheated on multiple times shows just what type of person Sanford is.

And then to even bring God into it...what a mean and evil human.

Seriously, dude. Too much information. Have a nice day!

He shouldn't stop; it's too much fun!!

No, he doesn't need to get his marriage in order. He will just do the same thing again. He needs to leave the wife and kids alone to have a good life with a moral upbringing.

The governor sounds as if he has gone around the bend. His spiritual advisors and friends needs to get him some professional help. He is trying to clear his soul, but he doesn't need to do it publicly, and he certainly needs to get a grip. Sounds like he really hasn't given up the bimbo.

Your head line said "Top Republican Says Sanford Should Quit." So Bill Bennett, talk show host , is the top Republican. How interesting that the radio waves are running the show here. Sounds to me like no one is running the show.

Why does he have to step down, I wouldn't at my job. Get his life back together? He can be governer and screw up, he can also fix things as governer. Someone wants the seat and this is a way into it. I hope that the man never steps down! Bill Clinton didnt step down! Life happens, let him be. Perfect leaders of a inperfect world? He is not the first and will not be the last to be caught. Get over it!

I concur wholeheartedly. This has become cringeworthy. He needs to stop talking, go away, and get his life together. His personal life is a disaster and he is in no position to be executive of a state. His time would be much better spent with a therapist and then trying to mend his relationship with his children, who must be devastated by all the humiliating public details of hypocrisy. As for his marriage, whether or not that is saved is a private issue. I'd be surprised if his wife still wants him after this public betrayal and humiliation. Too many ugly details have been exposed in the media. Why stay with a man that publicly insists he loves someone else and only stays with you out of duty?

Its time. Bennett is right. Sanford needs to stop acting like Blago and other democrats.

This coming from Mr. closet gambler... the Repugnicans are a never ending source of irony and hilarity. Best reality show sitcom on TV bar none!

The GOP is taking the right step in telling this scumbag to resign. I only wish my party had been more forthright in telling Clinton and Frank to resign.

for once i agree with this guy. Even if Sanford did not do anything wrong he cannot run South Carolina while scandal plagued.

Be a gentleman and resign. Don't embarass the Republican party anymore than you already have.

Why ask him to leave unless you ask all the other GOPers who are screwing around to leave also? It seems that the sin is not as important as talking about it in public. If Sanford had only kept quiet, the GOP would still adore him even if they knew about his betrayal of his marriage vows. After all the GOP knew GW Bush betrayed his oath of office and never once asked him to resign. (You know the part about upholding the constitution?)

If Mrs. Sanford is reconciled with this idiot, she needs to be rushed to therapy immediately, because she will have definitely lost her mind! I cannot imagine the humiliation she and her children must have endured from his endless recitation of his love for his mistress.

Very true. Bennet is correct. We have other options and there is no need to duplicate democratic leadership and ignore moral lapses.

Another pearl of wisdom from someone who was addicted to slot machines. I think I'm getting it – family values are for other people...

I don't often find myself in complete agreement with Bill Bennett, but on this issue with Gov. Sanford, I totally agree that he needs to let go of the politics and work on pulling himself together to save his marriage or to move on out of the country. He needs to do one or the other and we do not need to be in the loop on his communications or decisions. Blood is thicker than water. He has lost the support of the people of South Carolina and it is not retrievable but there may be a possibility of him saving his marriage and family.

As a conservative, I fully agree with this assessment! Sanford is embarassing himself, his family, and his state! He needs to step down and LEARN to fall in love with his wife again! This is beyond selfish as he is showing what has the place of importance in his life! It should be his family!

He is embarasing you, the GOP.

Y'know Bill, he can be IMPEACHED. y'know, its an option that you and others talked about quite frequently in regards to another political executive in the past...

Bennett is right, he should know embarressing well as he is among the no serving, speak with forked tongue gop. both of these dudes combind don't amount to a small hill of beans, much a man. Pathetic.

Mark Sanford's wife would be crazy to take him back after his remarks about his soul mate, and how much he loved her. She should throw the bum out. Also, I'd make him pay back every penny he spend on trips to Argentina. We're broke and these politicans spend our money as if there was no end to it. I've had it.

CNN. Why the 75 articles about Sanford, and his need to resign, but NOTHING about the fiasco occurring right now in the NY Senate? Dems refusing to take the pledge, counting a Rep. that was passing through the chambers as a vote so they could pass their bill, the Governor refusing to sign the bill. What's up? Surely THAT is newsworthy. You guys are a joke!

Sanford thinks his love life is much more interesting than virtually anyone else in the world does.

Bennett is right but then again a man who lost $5 million gambling needs to look in his own mirror and stop pontificating about anyone else's shortcomings. The truth is the Republican Party and it's leaders destroyed what was good about this country – the ladder up – with their corruption and greed and hearing from any of them is nauseating. I'd suggest if they want to survive – and I hope they don't – they should shut up for a long, long time and hope people forget that they make Nero and the Roman decadents look like frat boys.

Bennett needs to stop embarrassing himself too.

Hang on in there Gov Mark Sanford, the Republicans are upset because two of their onetime Republicans rising star have rock the boat. If conservative talk radio host and CNN contributor Bill Bennett and other ,would stop talking about this, it will go away for now like everything else. Gov Mark Sanford don't resign this to will pass

Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. This is someone who had/has a huge several hundreds of thousands of dollars in gambling issues and said that black babies should be aborted and that would reduce crime. It is beyond me why Bill Bennett gets to sit and commentate on CNN shows with some brilliant legal minds, when he is clearly a judgemental bigot himself.

I am not fluent, but I speak a little Bennettese. Translation: Gov. Sanford needs to stop embarrassing the GOP.

I can't understand why people compare any person's private life decisions and personal problems to their public life.

Do you think these irrelevant standards are applied any where other than in "holier than thou" America?

These things are simply none of our business.

And, incidentally, I am NOT a Republican, I don't live in SC, and I wouldn't vote for Sanford on a bet – because of his political views.

"Fiscally interesting"? What on earth is that supposed to mean?

The people of South Carolina, including Jenny Sanford and her four sons, should tell him to get lost. They all deserve better and will be better off without him. "Saving the marriage for the kids" is often an ill-advised fallacy. He has failed as a father, husband, and governor and doesn't show any signs of being able to do what's necessary to succeed in any of those important roles.

This makes sense. Just look at tSanford's behavior during the past month. Also, one might expect him to bolt again. His soul is restless and calls out to be liberated from the confines of job and place to heal.

FINALLY, a republican opinion that demonstrates rational thought. Had a democrat made this statement he/she would be declared "biased". Either way, who cares. The rest of us concur with these feelings...Sanford needs the boot.

Governor Sanford's greatest self-embarrassment is his self-righteous condemnation of others' behavior. Remember Mark's vehement support for a foolish impeachment two terms back? What "God opened" that "door" for him?

Has anyone thought of the possibility that our current administration could have had somethings to do with the death of Michael Jackson in order to divert attention away from the upcoming votes in congress. Just food for thought.

I hope Sanford keeps talking. This is very interesting. He's acting like a school boy with his first crush on a girl. There is no doubt in my mind that he will hook back up with his mistress. He is really hoping that his wife will divorce him, but she stupidly sees a political future in this clown.

Mark,
If you had told the truth and then kept your mouth shut you may have weathered the storm. Unfortunately, you are going through something alot of people go through, mid life crisis or middle age crazy. It is apparently clear that you have lost it. Resign and come back to fight another day when you clear your personal issues. People can't focus on any of the good you've done politically right now all they see (right or wrong) is a father that has betrayed his family.

Did cnn just headline this story on the ticker referring to Bill Bennett as a top republican? They're reporting on what their own personalities are saying now and inflating their status at the same time? cnn is the worst. Is there any place on the web to get unbiased news??

Mr. Morality has spoken, I guess he tore himself away from the gambling tables long enough to lecture others on vices.

Anyone care to understand the underlying reasons of why he did this? Was the marriage downhill for some time?

Hypocrisy is the epitomy of arrogance. To espose family value as a public official and to be having an affair is the height of hypocrisy. Sanford should resign immediately and hang his head in shame for as long as he lives for betraying his family, the people of South Carolina, and the Republican Party. And this is from a life long Republican!

He doesn't need to quit ,just get his story straight and then SHUT-UP.
The Dems are so much better than the republicans at this game. Learn from them and move on!!

Bill Bennett sure knows all about embarrassing oneself.

Bennett needs to go "muscle" Sanford in person. The guy is not leaving on his own. He believes he is "above" all. All of the Repubs need to muscle him like they did to Clinton. I should think they could impeach since he abandoned his position for 5 days and used public money. Doesn't matter that he is going to pay the money back. He would not have paid it back if he had not been caught. He is unstable.

Yes, Mr. Bennett. Sanford has given us too much information. And his continuing to talk about this affair and others, just confirm that he is a egomaniac!

I ask again...... WHY has Sanford not been fired??? Or impeached?

Anyone who is AWOL from their job for 5 days would have been fired!

I am from S.C. & yes he needs to resign, but Bill Bennett is 1 to call someone's actions embarrasing, Want to bet on it?

I am sorry that Sanford is putting his family thru this, but as a political family it comes with the turf. Yes he need to shut up, the more he speaks he is showing himself as a "wacko" in his personal life and not only with his political views.

If he can 'hide and lie' to his wife, family, friends and staff.., he certainly can 'lie' to his constituents. Governor Mark Sanford why not come over to the Democratic Party and have some fun. At least the Democratic Party is forgiving within its ranks. Mike in Montana

I am sure Sanford knows the role Jenny played in killing the love in their marrage and feels why should he give up the Gov post just because she stopped giving herself to him and he found another. Stay Sanford. Everyone always the blames the one who cheated instead of the one who coped out of the marrage: the wife. I am sure she drove him to it.

people should just worry about their own personal lives and stay out of others!

This Stanford mess must be a huge weight on Mr. Bennett, who has all those Family Values and holier than Thou attitudes than every one else. What a two faced man. Why is he not slamming Stanford really hard? Is it because Stanford is a Republican and not a Democrat? I think so.

I hate to admit it, but Mr. Bennett is right: Mr. Sandford is embarassing himself AND his family, he needs to het his personal life in order, otherwise it would be very difficult for him to do his job properly and most of all, this nonsense needs to stop! If nothing else, do it for Mrs. Sandford and your sons!

Say it isn't so Bill......I just bought another case of popcorn

It was a huge deal when Clinton did it. The GOP seems to like the media spotlight on sex scandals sometimes.... Perhaps if they weren't so hypocritical it wouldn't stay in the news cycle so long. Great piece on Colbert Report last night about the string of GOP critics of Clinton who have been brought down by their own sexcapades... I love it.

My opinion is that Gov. Sanford is either mentally unstable, or he is entirely aware that his behavior is making it an ultimate certainty that he will either have to resign or be impeached, thereby allowing him to be out of public service and be able to leave his wife and four boys for someone else, which will probably last about five minutes once they are together.

I think it's most likely the first, that he is mentally unstable. I don't a person can do what he has done, keep talking about it as if it's a socially accepted behavior, so completely devastate his wife, and especially his sons, and not be mentally unstable.

He needs to resign or be impeached. He can no longer do his job, and he can't be quiet.

Well I for one am enjoying it. The Republican Party is like the clown car at the circus. Just when you think there cannot possibly be another one, another one comes out.

"Don't cry for me, Argentina."

The GOP has already set the standard on issue like this. When you have a consensual adulterous affair, and use you office to cover it up, and lie to your staff and public, you get impeached
What is the GOP waiting for? This is there way, so why is the GOP sitting on their hands here?

Bennett said we aren't interested! Oh hell yes we are, just like he and the conservatives were interested in Bill Clinton. I want to read every sordid detail! America needs to know the freak quotient of it's politicians. So far we have discovered two in the Down Low (DL) Craig and McGreevy, several Johns, including the Spitzer and that dude from Louisiana, and Clinton and Sanford are just plain hoes.

Can't wait to see what is going to come out of Cantor, Gingrich, Pawlenty, Jindell, Palin, and Bachmann's closets, watching with baited breath!

I am wondering if these episodes of infidelity aren't a means of self destruction, sending a message that these men are over their heads and they want out of the political merry-go-round, and they are not able to face it and admit it. They have to know that it is political suicide to cheat on their wives and have mistresses and illicit sex, but they do it anyway. With Clinton though, I think he was driven when it came to women and he couldn't say no. and these men are faced with the temptation probably every day. And they are human. I am not excusing it however, as they are not thinking of their families and their duty to their job.

Well, then it's official. The "moral conscience" and noted inveterate high stakes Vegas gambler of the Repuglican Party has spoken. Given its utter lack of moral "leaders," the GOP would do well to stop casting stones.

Gee, I never thought I'd agree with Bill Bennett on anything, but here I am!

Yes, Sanford should go – the sooner the better.

This from the guy with the gambling addiction? The GOP has become the party of self-righteous, judgmental buffoons who can't seem to control themselves when the camera's off (or on, it would seem). The true comedy is that they think we're still supposed to take them seriously.

He's right!

Wow, never thought I would agree with Bill Bennett! Finally the GOP critizes one of their own? Meanwhile.....

The Dems are busy trying to pass bills to help the country...these bills may not be perfect, but the party is certainly trying, and with no help from the GOP for sure.
The GOP just complains about the Dems plans...and at the same time, the GOP is collapsing from within due to scandal after scandal after scandal......
The GOP needs to understand that voters like ME will never allow them credibility, when they loudly proclaim themselves the moral party who has the interest of the country at heart...while in a lot of their own homes......evidently a different story is happening.

Mr Bennett you hit the nail on the head. Anyone who is so self absorbed that he cannot see what he is doing to those 4 boys and his hopefully ex-wife that he continues to make an ass of himself in the public. Mrs Sanford please don't stand by this man. Stand up for yourself and women in the world by telling us you will not forgive and dam sure will not forget

Now this is funny. If anyone should stop embarrassing themselfs its this tub of lard.This idiot had McCain winning the election well into the evening on election night. Just another FAT CAT old white guy wishing Bush was still in charge, he has no credability at all.

Mr. Bennett, Governor Sanford had an affair, and you're insisting that he must resign his office because of a morals indiscretion. Yet, where were you for the last 8 years while the Bush Administration was up to their "indiscretions" that cost many people their lives and helped us lose our standing in the world community?!?!

Well..................................???

The GOP strategy involves clingling to power under any circumstance. Nevermind the will of the American people, or what's good for us, it's all about maintaining a boot on the neck of progress, while keeping their own pockets lined with kickbacks from the health and energy special interest groups. No RepubliCON representative is fit to serve in office. The state of Arizona, a GOP stronhold, is going so far as to change their state constitution to ban a public health option. Their lack of respect for health care equality is sickening. I only hope the voters in AZ are smart enough to know a sham when they see one. If the private sector can't compete with a public plan, then it's obvious that the private sector is guilty of what most of us already know, that they've been bilking us out of billions for years, and their money wagon is in jeopardy of losing it's wheels to a more streamlined, honest competitor.

the republican party itself needs to stop embarassing itself. go back to your roots of fiscal conservatism and leave matters of the bedroom and religion out of government. don't blame sanford for your hypocrisy-the party is too busy casting stones to come up with solutions or to clean up its own closet.

"Fiscally interesting," that's strange thing to be looking for.

Bill Bennett = Top Republican?

Seriously CNN. This with your breaking news that flight whatever it was didn't break up in the air but crashed vertically. How is that "breaking news"? The tragic loss of lives over a month ago was, but a vertical descent is not.

I agree. He needs to resign. He turns my stomach, not because of what he did, but because he was so morally self righteous and sanctimonious through it all. He is a blazing hypocrite and more of an idiot than Clinton ever was. He is most definitely embarrassing himself, as well as making a mockery of US Government.

I agree with Bennett. As a life-long conservative, we can do better. He should go and save what little dignity he has left. We definately don't want to appear like liberals.

I want Sanford to STAY....is the perfect example of what it really means to be a republican.

At least someone from the GOP is listening.

Just like John Edwards, Mark Sanford is a hypocrite. Both men are opposed to gay marriage because they see it as an attack on the institution of marriage. Sanford is even opposed to letting lesbian and gay couples adopt children. But, like most of those who use this empty rhetoric, they don't practice what they preach. In fact, it's people such as Edwards and Sanford who threaten the sanctity of marriage.

Bill,
I'm a big fan of yours as a conservative but this is demoralizing to the point where an arguement can be made that Bill Clinton could of been the moral majority of the republican party. At least it was done in the oval office and another country wasn't involved . There has to be a mental breakdown of some sort for him to not resign.
The republicans will get passed it because of how pathetic the democrats are.If the shoe was on the other foot Hannity and Limbaugh would of been on Fox 24-7 demoralizing the moral fiber in which our elected leaders conduct there personal lives. This whole country is a joke through out the world. It's an ambarrassment to say in NY you are an elected official in Albany and the Feds are spending our grandchildrens future away like drunken sailors in port. my hatches are tied down and don't believe a word out of any of them period. But Bill your OK in my book. Someone I enjoy listening to.

Oh please we are tired of the republican party lying to this country just that they stay in office they took us to a war that was not suppose to be, they have destroyed this country now we are in a big mess with the economy they can win election but they cant govern so BENNETT and his republican party need to go away for a while and let the democrats do a better job we didnt have this problem when bill clinton was president i dont think for now we need this shameful people

We must admit... Sanford is a real joke but then so are the Republicans as a whole. Most of them are self righteous hypocrites, liars and thieves.

The real problem before us is if the Democrats do not take care of business, "we the people," who seem to have such a problem with remembering what the last 8 years brought us will bring the party of Sarah Palin, Dick Cheney and Newt Gingrich back to power.

Talk about a real tragedy.

As I contemplated why Stanford is over exposing himself, I surmised that he is doing so to antigonize his wife and frustrate her enough to divorce him. That will give him the excuse to elope with his soulmate while portraying his wife as an unforgiving person. His dilemma, however, is that she is not taking the bait. Woe to you, Mark!

There's not doubt in my mind that Sanford is a mirror of the people
in SC who voted for him. Water does seek its own level.

Missing for a week??? Uhhh, please step down...

Be careful, 2moro might be your turn.Remember how loud sanford,Ensign and co were during Clintons affair.They never knew they will one day get busted.So Mr.,keep quiet and let him embarrass himself.hypocrite

Considering that most of the Republican party has a knack for embarrassing themselves and their party maybe they should all resign and let the Dems just rule the world!!!!!! LOL!!!!!!

Let him stay in office to be the poster boy for hypocrisy, deception, dereliction of duties, adultery, and taxpayer fraud. He's doing just fine on those fronts...

Dear CNN:

Stop with the sensationalism. Bill Bennett is not a "top republican", like your front page says. You just like to say that it is because he contributes on some of your shows. He's not.

I can't take CNN's sensationalist spin on literally everything anymore. Time to go to a less crappy news source.

If anyone knows about embarrassing themselves it would be Bennett.

Please don't step down Mr. Sanford, the GOP Party need you.

And after making his statement, Bill Bennett returned to his gambling addiction.

Ugh. Please, Repubs, get some new faces.

The pot is calling the kettle black.

I wonder what all these republicans who are call for the gov to resign are hiding. I think they are afraid that if the investigation continues other might get caught.

I can hardly believe I'm saying this but I agree with Bill Bennett. However, my reason for thinking Sanford should resign are different. Derelection of duties is the real reason he should go. Everyone knows that a 5 day unexplained absence from work is grounds for automatic termination. HE SHOULD LEAVE OR BE REMOVED. Just like the rest of us.

This tree hugging, lib hopes this heel, stays in power.

I can just hear the DNC ads in 2010/2012, first one will start out with Sanford, Gingrich and Ensign condemning dems for having feet of clay, then it will fade to the sobbing apologies, maybe even work in a Jimmy Swaggart/Ted Hagee moment for extra credit, and end with the silent print of "WWJD"?

It certainly will stop all that sanctimonious, self-righteous, holier-than-thou blather from the neo-con "christian" right-wing bible thumpers!

embarassment = free publicity = more book sales

no fame is bad fame

what Bennett REALLY means is "stop embarassing the GOP"

If anyone would know something about embarrassing yourself it's Bill Bennett.

Nothing on 600,000 job losses reported.
Nothing on unemployment now at 9.5%.
Nothing on a U.S. solder captured in Afghanistan.
Nothing on DPRK firing off 2 missiles.

THANK GOD there's a Sanford story...

I suppose what Bennett says about Sanford is essentially correct, but he ignores the hypocrisy factor. Sanford, like Bennett, has built his career, in part, by passing moral judgment on the behavior of others, all the while ignoring the motes in their own eyes. They should both go away.

I was absent the day Bennett was appointed Moral Czar of America. I guess I'd better read up on things. He's probably one of those people who does things in his closet until he can hardly stand it anymore and has to come out to show the world.

top republican?

when was the last time he (Bennett) held office?

fiscally interesting? as opposed to telling the tax payers the truth as Sanford did?

here in NY we have a bunch of children in Albany- i would love to have people who actually tell me the truth about our finacial problems.

This is one thing I can agree with Bennett on.

You know it's time to leave when not only fellow party members but friends insist that you step down. I think some are trying to compare his indiscretion with Clinton. But there is a vast difference. Clinton did not leave the country and not only forsake his job but family. Bill Clinton was and probably still is a scoundrel, but he was and is able to take care of business.
People try to connect politics with morality all the time but do not see the irony in it. As a politicain you are showered with money and power. And to alot the temptation to do something you normally woudn't do working a minimum wage 9 to 5.
Sanford has so little respect left because of this episode and is only dragging it out in public by not resigning. He talks about God but I think God would probably prefer him to step down than to further disgrace his wife and children. Haven't they been through enough?

[...] and more conservative voices are calling for him to step down and stop embarrassing himself.  But the governor declines to comply - so [...]

Follow your heart. This is the final call for the next flight to Argentina.

Giving the benefit of the doubt to Gov Mark Sanford and his staff, if you are talking into a cell phone in the crowded Atlanta airport, saying "I'm going to hit a little of the Appalachian Trail" and saying "I'm gonna get a little Argentinian tail" COULD be honestly misconstrued....

Bennet should know about embarassing himself. Stanford is just another example of GOP cluelessness.

It appears the good governor of SC want to make piece with his wife and family, but he doesn't want to give up his lady friend from Argentina

The governor has a problem. I REALLY THINK HE IS IN LOVE WITH THE LADY FROM ARGENTINA AND HE IS NOT GOING TO GIVE HER UP.

Gee Bill, I was going to say the same thing about you....

Doesn't this guy seem a little like Roger Allam as Lewis Prothero in V for Vendetta?

After four years of Obamanomics, just about anyone can run against the big O and beat him, even Larry, Moe or Curly.

This 4th of July weekend, let's not forget the 5,000 United States servicemen and civilians who gave their lives in Iraq in order to protect freedom and democracy in the country of Israel.

I usually don't agree with this guy, but he is right about the Gov embarrassing himself (and us).

I do NOT, however, think there is anyone on the horizon in the Republican Party that "has it together". Unless the fakes are counted. Geeesssh. What a bunch of hypocrits in the GOP.

Top Republican???? Now that's sad!

No, as a Democrat, I think Mark Sanford really needs to keep talking. Maybe talking about how he is such a hypocrit. Maybe talking about having other affairs as he was leading the charge to impeach President Clinton. Just get it all out there...

Aim high!

Governor "I don't want to be right" Sanford, should go to Argentina. He is obviously very much in love and heartbroken. I think he wants his wife to leave him and to be fired from his position. Why else would he continue, to tell everyone, the depth of his love and attachment to his mistress?

This from the guy that wrote a book of "values", accused America of sliding toward Gomorrah while gambling away millions in Las Vegas. I've a theory that conservatives are genetically incapable of recognizing the irony of their own words.

I think he is trying to justify his actions. As so many have said, too much information. It is not only making himself look foolish, but it is shooting all credibility he might have salvaged right out the door.

He is a grown man, an elected official .....not a puppy love sick teenager for goodness sakes. I am surprised if either woman would want him now.

I believe something good will come of this. South Carolina which has been economically and educationally suppressed will rise from the ashes once Lucifer and other fallen angels are rooted out.

On an amicable parting note to his apologists/defenders: Mr. Conservative has been carrying on with his affair and other philandering escapades for eight years it is said. Had it not been for his wife 'picking up a scent' a few months ago.... had he not been captured on Hartsdale Airport's security camera pulling his Samsonite with a zip in in step ...had his staff not botched the alibi as to his whereabouts – it would still be business as usual with him.

Don't forget from the very first chapter of this story that he had a cavalier attitude when first confronted by the media etc., ("why the fuss?"). Simply put – he is now spilling his guts because his back is against the wall. He needs to step aside and sort out his personal life and get a medical evaluation from head to toe.

If an ex-gambler's telling Gov. Sanford to go, then the governor SHOULD go. NOW.

Bill Bennett is practically the only person left in the GOP who possesses articulation, common sense, pragmatism, and moral integrity all in one package. Unfortunately cloning hasn't progressed far enough to create a younger version of him, or else the Republicans might have a chance. The Dems figured out that they needed a new voice and a fresh face, even though they almost blew it with their choice of VP. (They've since been smart enough to keep Joe Biden bound and gagged since the election.) Figure it out, GOP: yes, there are still a lot of us Americans who share most if not all your values and ideology. We're just sick of the same old crowd of hypocrites and insiders leading the party. And until you throw them ALL out and start over, we're going to look elsewhere for leadership.

Bennett should know about embarrassing himself – he was outed several years back for having a gambling addiction. Republicans are such family value / moral hypocrites. They're a joke of a party.

I really could care less about his personal life. How's his performance in office been?

I agree–we do not need to hear anymore about his personal weakness–he was never a Pres contender in my eyes–always seemed not strong enough–lots of others–Palin, Romney, Jindal, Pawlenty and probably others are very qualified to run and win.

Is this the same Bill Bennett who said that if all black babies were aborted, crime would go down? If so, I'm not sure how much I care what he says about anything.

No kidding! We don't need or want to hear every detail of this mans affairs. Sounds like he is trying to justify his actions. His wife can't be serious about giving him another chance.

Pot. Kettle. Black.

I agree with Dr. Bennett. Mark Sanford was a man about it and owned up to it, but it needs to stop.