CNN

Isn't this the guy who voted to impeach Clinton?

Of course he won't be impeached, he's a member of the "Do as I say, Not as I Do" party–the party of hypocrites to the rest of us.

So, the high and might GOP will vote to impeach Bill Clinton from his chief executive position for "lying", but has "no appetite" for impeaching Sanford form his chief executive position for "lying",

Oh, and by the way, Bill Clinton never abandoned his post as Commander-in-Chief. Governor Sanford should be impeached not only for lying, but also for dereliction of duty. Sanford went AWOL from his duties as chief executive of the State of South Carolina. That is an impeachable offense.

I guess the family values of the GOP don't include telling the truth, fulfilling your executive obligations, honoring your wife and children anymore.........

Mr. Sanford, if you had any honor you would resign.

Ciizens of South Carolina, if you want good government demand Sanfords resignation or have him impeached.

GOP, thank you for showing your true colors of hypocrisy.

It's too bad the unemployment rate is so high. I'd love to find a job that I could blow off for a week, have an extra-marital affair with a foreign national, then have the people paying my salary buy the story that it was all not only sanctioned, but orchestrated by God.
Your a pathetic joke Governor. Next time you head south why don't you just stay there, and leave the serious work of government to the adults.

Just goes to show you that republicans talk a good game on personal responsibility and values, but that's all it is...talk.

Sanford should head to Italy - he and Silvio Berlusconi are cut from the same cloth.

GOP = hypocracy

Of course only a slap on the hand, since he is a republican. Where are the calls for him resigning, like it is called when the democrats get in trouble? Since he is such a good christian it is fine for him to do whatever he wants and everything will be fine. He really cares about family values! What a joke.

continuing in the great examles of "the politicians are only human" and therefore forgive their bad behavior

bad idea

Sanford and Palin, are they the future of GOP? Secretly leaving the state to visit his mistress is abusing the power to me.

Every day that Sanford remains in office, the GOP in SC will lose more and more support.

South Carolina is basically leader-less. The SC electorate is sick of this entire fiasco.

It wouldn't take much for a Democratic candidate to run and win in 2010. Anybody need a job in SC? Run for governor as a Dem – your odds are extraordinarily good.

I would expect no less from a Confederate state......Take that flag down and maybe God will bless you, SC....And maybe then you'll get a real gov, who's concerned about you - not himself and big biz............

adultery is against the law in S.C. and its punishable and more sever then even a second prostitution offense.

thats because the behavior they so hypocritically oppose does not apply to the rush limbaugh party when they get caught.

Impeach him!? Why? So Andre "I Can't Drive 55" Bauer can be governor. Bauer is no Sean Parnell.

Umm, CNN? It's not an election year.

Omiley and Rep King should slam this guy as apposed to Michael Jackson: However I hope they keep talking about Mike, it should do them a lot of good with not only the Black Vote, but the Minority vote. Maybe another Republican will palute the white House in about 2060

If having an affair were impeachable, why did the liberals let Clinton off the hook? Coiuld it be two standards?

Moral To The Story: Bill Clinton should have been a South Carolina Republican instead of a Democrat from Arkansas.

Immoral To The Story: Being a Republican means that you can be a hypocrite and be proud of it.

Impeachment for extramarital affair seems silly to me.

"Don't cry for me, Argentina..." The governor fell in love and made a fool of himself. His bright future, including a possible residence in the White House, has exploded in his face. He is now reduced to a life of crawling from group to group begging for forgiveness.

Personally, I don't think that adultery is an offense for which someone should lose his or her job. If my employer started firing coworkers based on how good a husband and father they are, they would fire everyone. I work in a high-pressure industry, and we all work long hours and travel a lot, neglecting our families in order to keep the paycheck coming. Good parents get fired where I work. They are always missing work because of sick kids and anniversaries. We have no time for that.

Very sad that the people of South Carolina are satisfied to have this person occupy the highest elected office in the State. Is their any truth to the rumor that he no longer wears pants on official business?

Is this the same Mark Sanford that so strongly wanted to impeach Clinton because of his frolic with Monica? What a joke, what is good for the goose is good for the gander, he should step down. He lied, cheated on his wife,several times and has misused the trust people put in him. When you stand on a soapbox and proclaim what a good person you are, you better live up to it.

[...] South Carolina leglisature will not impeach Governor-for-Life Mark Sanford because they don't consider his skipping out on the [...]

And this was the guy who stood for family values? First Blagojevich won't resign and now Sanford. A very sad state of affairs in politics...

Disappearing from work for five days is not impeachable? Geez.

Who cares???

Another shining example of following ideology rather than doing what is Right ! Sanford stood before TV cameras and said, he would accept no money for the state from the stimilus plan, yet went to visit his Woman on State Time ! How can anyone support a person of this character ?

Sanford is a distraction from the GOP's real problems. He's just being used as a scapegoat to mask the fact that republicans have no plan and no ideas. Their 'alternate' budget plan was a 16 page outline with NO numbers! NO NUMBERS, in a BUDGET? Their 'alternate' health care 'plan' was a 3 page outline with no cost estimates, 80% of which were stolen near-verbatim from Obama's plan. If they can't come up with real ideas of their own, they don't deserve to be listened to!

That's the GOP for you. Morals, ethics and honesty. Yep that's for everyone else, not for GOOPERS. I can't reason why anyone would vote for these two faced twits.

That's the GOP for you. Morals, ethics and honesty. Yep that's for everyone else. Not for GOOPERS.

Politicians take note! The following behaviors are now acceptable according to the Republican Party: dereliction of duty, dishonesty, and using taxpayer-funded travel resources to sleep with your girlfriend. All brought to you by the Party of Family Values.

Too bad. I understand he paid several thousand dollars back,after he was caught. Why would he pay this back if he was not guilty of using taxpayer money illegal?

BUT, is Palin one of the women that he crossed the line with???
Come on CNN...tell us what you know.

Of course not. Did anyone expect otherwise. Sanford, Ensign, Newt and Craig, all cheats, had no problem slamming President Clinton.

Hypocrites!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No kidding. I would think that was obvious by now because Republicans are never willing to prosecute their own no matter how bad the things were that their fellow Republicans did. A member could torture and murder someone in cold blood and the Republicans STILL wouldn't want to prosecute.

Ok i am a dem, just thought is should identify myslef first. I think that his affair is NONE of our business. This man is obviously going through some challenges. Yes cheating is bad, but he seems like he is really struggling. He is in love with another women but made a commitment to his wife and made vows that means something to him. Leaving the country without putting someone else is charge is an issue.
Now the thing that gets me is, that this man was one of the loudest cheerleaders for Clinton to resign. The hippocracy is ridiculous. But i never thought we should have WASTED all that time and money on impeaching Clinton for things we had no business sticking our noses in. Sanford did come out with all this on his own. But still, no impeachment. I would never vote for him though.

I guess the republicans have reached a deal with the sanctity of marriage God and will be able to keep Sanford in government.

Call republicans what they are: HYPOCRITES!

Just youthful indescretion

Nothing to see here – just move along

We have much bigger issues than this. Move on...

Who cares about this any more. All I know is that the Stock Market is headed back up, making everybody money. I'm so happy about this. The market took a little bit of a pullback, after being in a clear up-trend, and is headed up. The futures were up at the market's open. There will be EASY earnings comparisons to beat this Quarter. It is a great time to start investing in America again...and, to start MAKING MONEY!!!

Get rid of this puke. I'm a republican and even I want to see this disgusting pig out. It makes me sick to see him as a leader of a state. We need good republicans like Bobby J of LA and my governor John Hoven, great man by the way. People need to realize what a disgusting person Sanford is and get him out now. Good thing I have a great governor in Hoven, google him you'll see how great he is.

and the media witch hunt continues,,,,,,,,i hope know one cks on all the media folks back ground who cover these feeding frenzie,,, they might find a few affairs going on there too

What a suprise. Not. Good old Rethuglicans....Clinton must go, he needs to resign, blah, blah, blah....until it's one of their own or 2 or 3 of their own then it's well we must forgive and move on. What freakin hypocrits these losers are. I'm all for forgiving but if you're gonna knock Pres Clinton for doing it then you should do the same for your own Rethugs.

We had a president of the United States having sex in the capitol and we couldn't impeach him. Why Sanford.

Stay strong Gov. Sanford! Looking forward to seeing you and Sarah in the 2012 presidential primaries. Palin/Sanford 2012!

any other state employee would be unemployed

If this man is serious about "falling in love AGAIN with my wife" and restoring his marriage, as well as being a good father to his four young sons, he would simply resign as governor. He would be able to devote the proper time to reconnect with his wife and his children.

Politics is first in this man's life.

Funny, they were wanting to impeach Clinton, ad he NEVER abandoned his job.

I think Republicans should leave Sanford in his position so that he can be kicked around by the Democrats in the next election. Do they realize what the South Carolina voters will do in the next election?

In the eyes of the Republicans they can do wrong and not be held accountable for their actions. Just like the former President Bush who left this country in a mess it is all swept under the rug. Mark Sanford is no different. South Carolina unemployment rate is ridiculous as well as the job market and all our governor is concerned about is power and control. He should be removed from office and not be allowed to continue bringing this state down. A slap on the wrist is not enough. Sarah Palin should give Sanford a call and encourage him to follow her lead and step down. She would be doing me a huge favor.

Even in Honduras when their politicians break the law they are ousted. What's the matter with the USA? Why do we tolerate so-called "leaders" that are nothing but criminals and trash?
THROW THE BUM OUT!

He has done nothing that clinton, the kennedys and a hundred other politicians have not already done.

As a Democrat, I say let him finish his term. He is term limited after all.

He made a mistake, so did Clinton, and he finished his term. Adultery is not as bad as Bush commiting war crimes.

2010 will be here before we know it.

I believe he should be impeached . He should take a dose of his own medicine . In other words, he voted for President Clinton to be impeach . What goes around come around, now is his time to be judge by other members of his party. I find Mark Sanford to be a hypocrite , he criticized Bill Clinton for his affair with Monica Lewinsky yet what he has done is worse. He can’t fool the public with the sorry face. You know he will do it again. If he didn’t have any respect for his wife and kids , why should we think he cares about the public .

So I'd like to know if all the Obama-haters who are complaining about his daughters getting to spend some time with him on his current foreign policy trip overseas applaud the fact that this idiot, who chose to spend Father's Day with his mistress instead of his own children, gets to stay in office as a shining example of a republican politician.

Family values indeed.

After reading the comments posted here-I am very worried about the level of education and intelligence in the USA.

[...] the luckiest man in the world?  South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford, that's who.  Think about it.  He gets busted for deserting his post and slinking off to [...]

...yet they considered it an impeachable offense when clinton did it??? more hypocrisy from the "social conservatives."

"Public opinion is pretty loud on Sanford, but that is not enough to overturn an election."

Interesting Palinesque logic. The people who voted him in want him to resign, but it isn't enough for the good ole boys to impeach him. Good going SC, now with Palin out your state take over the state government joke award.

Now we know the truth, 7 out of 10 Republicans have an IQ of ZERO, You betchya.

Repugnants only impeach members of the opposition party! Such a typical double standard for the party of NO honour, NO truth, and No morals. Put simply...let's just call it what it is...the party of H-Y-P-O-C-R-I-S-Y!

CNN, please tell me why you choose to refer to the woman that Sanford cheated on his wife with as the "mistress" an their relationship as an "affair", wheras, you choose to refer to the woman that McNair cheated on his wife with as the "girlfriend" and you choose to use the term "dated". Neither of the wives should have to pick up a paper a read such clean and pure terms like "girlfriend" and "dated".

He is still a half-witted and evil man. I do not want him impeached. I would rather see him ruin his party.

So did Sanford use State Monies for his affair or not? Is there not reason to investigate the possible criminal conduct? Put Sanford under oath and ask the hard questions.

He is a republican, the champion of family values, religeous values, morality. He will get away like other men of God like BJ Jimmy Swaggart.

Sanford remains the 2012 frontronner. He has dealt with difficult problems and has experience in international relations.
If Sanford were to resign, he could add "resigned as Governor" to his list of accomplishments, like Palin has brilliantly done to boost her own 2012 chances.
America loves quitters.

He does not have 10% of the political talent that Eliot Spitzer has.

If it's OK for this Republican fool to remain in office, then bring Spitzer back to NY!

Sanford should also be impeached for always appearing disoriented with a speech disorder.

That's really ironic, especially how they treat Democrats who are unfaithful. What a bunch of self-righteous hypocrites.

With egocentric / narcistic leaders (both GOP and Dem) at all levels of government it is a wonder this country is in the shape it is in.

Typical Democrats: Can't win the election (see Al Franken) so lets find another way to get into office. Sanford did not do anything illegal or impeachable. Unlike Clnton who lied under oath several times was barred from practicing law.

That being said, I think Sanford should step down. No matter the party, having an affair shows poor leadership skills, bad judgement, poor character, and no self discipline.

North Korea aiming bombs and missles at us, Iran developing nukes to destroy Israel, the stimulus package is not working, Hussein has another package going through that will possibly double our energy bills and one to have the liberal dictate our health care and the Obama daughters are romping through Russian and not one liberal comedian has had the guts to make some sexist comment about it, Nancy Pelosi lied about the CIA and nothing has happened, Charlie Rangel has been under investigation for cheating on his taxes for 8 months now and no results, Joe the Gaffer Biden says Hussein underestimated the economy. Barney Frank and Chris Dodd have not had their role in the housing meltdown investigated. Then look what is at the top of CNN's political ticker.

This is such an amazing story; I'm a Dem and perhpas I could try to judge the man, but it is not in me... he had an affair that is a personal tragedy. However he misused state resources for his personal advantage and to mislead the public; perhaps not entirely criminal but unethical... I'm not sure what he is going to be able to accomplish in the remaining time he has in office, if he is able to change his life around and get back with his wife and lead a straight life it would be a decent story; but we all are human and I don't believe he is giving himself the best opportunity to change; defiance might not be the answer in the end if he really means to change. the sad thing is that we wil all have a front seat at this one... the Governor will make sure to keep the circus going.

Seems to me Bill Clintons sins were far less than Sanford's. Why a double standard? Is it because conservative Republicans think they can do no wrong?

Duh

Moving on...

He shouldn't be impeached–he hasn't done anything illegal that we know of–but he should resign. St. Sanford the Defender of Marriage and Family Values has embarrassed himself and his office with his hypocrisy.

And before GOP loyalists (all five of you) criticize me for being a hypocritical liberal...at the time of his cigar-smoking, I argued that Clinton should resign.

This guy should practice what he preaches.

Everything with Republicans comes down to what is best for their party. Party trumps country every time.

What did he do that was so bad he had to resign from the Republican Governors group that was not bad enough to resign from being the governor? Cleary not hurting the party was more important than not hurting the state.

I would hope that he would leave on his own. At this point, I don't see grounds for impeachment since there was no disaster during his absence. Centure should be good enough for now.

I repeat, there's no law against a governor bolting the state and hiding out in a foreign country with no extradition treaty for a week without telling anyone, and also no law against him raising feral baby raccoons in the governor's mansion, wearing a diaper on his head, or coming to work in women's clothing, because we never thought we'd need those laws. It's not illegal for a governor to wear a mascot costume, or anoint himself with garlic butter, or carry a boombox with blaring rap songs drowning out conversations. There's no law saying he can't put salmon mousse in his hair, or hire a stripper named Consuela to carry his briefcase, or get a parrot to sit on his shoulder and say "Pieces of Eight."

Let's get these laws passed at the federal level, and quickly.

If Clinton was impeached for lying about his sex-capades, then why shouldn't Sanford be impeached for lying about his sex-capades? Is this a GOP double-standard?????????? Besides, a Governor is always on duty 24/7 like the President unless relieved of duty. Accountability in S.C. is being swept under the carpet for GOP political purposes if they hold true to their moral claim for impeaching Clinton.

Foget the creep's affair. He should be ousted for the simple fact he left the state and lied about why and did not put someone in charge while he was down in Argentina using his other "head". If people of South Carolina aren't outraged by his lack of judgement and lack of leadership, they deserve what they get. Of course, most of these folks are probably part of the 7 in 10 that think Palin should be President.
Pathetic.

Why should it require impeachment to get this derilict to resign. Why , because he is evidently mentally incompetent which is why he should be impeached.
How long are "we the people" going to put put up with this political cronyism. How do people like Lindsy Graham who whole heartedly supports this moron continue to be elected? Even supposed leaders from other states like Haley Barber think this derilict behavior is acceptabel "under the right circumstances". No wonder the Republicans lost .Now we learn a combined 7 of 10 Repubs. would vote for that moron Palin. Maybe this idiot and Palin could become a team and have an ongoing "sparkly" affair just to relieve the stress while they are in office. This does prove one thing. Idiots don't only come from the South but the real majority of them are Republicans! South Carolinina, Aalskans, and Republicans are just plain nuts.

At least the SC legislature is going about it in the correct manner. THEY are the only ones who can take action.

He's already paid a heavy price. Kiss presidential aspirations goodbye, and I would venture to say chances for a gubenetorial reelection are slim.

But... being guilty of something in the court of public opinion does not make one guilty in the court of law (see Michael Jackson, O.J. Simpson, et al).

From what we've already heard, it sounds exactly like Sanford abused his power by secretly leaving the state. But, of course, he's a Republican and we all know that when they do this type of thing, it's a different story. Hell, if he was a Democrat, the holier-than-thou Republican hypocrites would have impeached him already.

what a crock.... if the man will lie to his wife, with whom he made the vows of marriage, then he will lie to anyone, including the people of south carolina...

but on another note, now that we know that the republicans and people of south carolina do not value the sanctity of marriage, i guess south carolina will become the next state to allow gay marriage. i mean, if they allow an adulterer to remain governor.......or are they just more hypocrits

hypocrite thy name is sanford.

What a scrumbag.

I get it, do as I say, not as I do. Republicans are such hypocrites!!

He should be ashamed of imself and resign.

Anyone who ever cast a vote for this clown should now realize that he's in politics for one reason and one reason only - his personal advancement and enhancement. He cares not a whit for any other living soul as much as himself, and that includes his children. What a zombie.

Where's the balance in coverage?

Here's CNN's strategy in promoting their liberal agenda...

Simple: KEEP THE GOP IN THE SPOTLIGHT AND NEVER LET UP.

Scum bags always stick together, right SC legislature? The ones I truly feel sorry for are the people of SC. And Sanfords wife? She is a money sucking old bag! The only reason she is willing to forgive old Mark, is so she don't lose her free ride and all the bennys that go with it. Personally, I am sick of Republicans!!

I thought that I had read earlier that he had reimbursed (after the affair was discovered) the gov't $6-8,000 for one or more trips where he had met his "friend". If that is true, then, can we steal cars and, when we see police in our rear mirror, return the cars to where we found them–are we not guilty of stealing cars? IF he spent gov't money for personal use, he stole and should be criminally prosecuted, ousted from office and be made to feel shame.
Actually, I feel sorry for the guy (and much more sorry for his family). However, this is a lesson we all should learn–when we feel the least bit tempted to do something wrong we should run the other way.
How long are we going to put up with this terrible and illegal behavior?

I am sorry, but Governor Sanford should step down. I am sick and tired of the forked tongues of the GOP. You are no more conservative than the liberals you are constantly berating. You just use your "morals" as a scapegote.

Republicans appear to have little appetite for another embarrassing political mess"

Republicans do the right thing? Never going to happen.

That shows you who is voting for Republicans

Big surprise there! Even if this guy broke the law (still remains to be seen) by taking care of his sex life on the taxpayer's dime and breaching the public trust, republicans are such hypocrites that he wouldn't even be impeached then. When it comes to their "politicking" they are holier than thou, but completely unaccountable as far as their actions are concerned.

And its even less of a surprise because these guys know that their electorate will not hold them accountable. I mean, one poll says that 7 in 10 republicans would vote for Palin. I'm beginning to think that republican politicians are not messed up, but instead the people who elect them are whack-jobs.

Aim high!

This all goes to show what a dire mess this country is in right now. We cannot get decent human beings elected to offices that should portray good moralistic being, as so-called role models (and I HATE MODERN CLICHES like "role models"). We are on a course toward sure oblivion in this world. There is really no stopping it. The stone has been casted...

While this story is of interest to those of your viewers in SC, the rest of us are pretty fed up with it I think. This is just another case of a type-A personality unable to comform to the rigors of societies expectations. It is not uncommon, in fact it is probably more widespread than most would like to admit. When a man is treated with deferance and given nearly unlimited power in his given area of expertise, he will almost always overstep his bounds and act "out of character". This phenomenon is pervasive in politics because politicians are usually from influential and wealthy famalies and have been raised with the beliefe that the world owes them reverance and respect regardless of their actions. The only way to stop this sort of thing is to remove the privileged from positions of influence, which will obviously never happen. So until that far off time arrives we should not act so surprised when the ruling class does as they please ignoring those who are hurt by their insensitvity and callousness.

This is unbelieveable!!! The only reason this jerk is still governor is because the pitiful Republican party is afraid to give up the seat. Ig nore the fact that this adulterer left the state in limbo for 5 days after putting them through weeks of fighting the stimulus(purely for personal political gains he thought Ha Ha)that the people wanted. The sad part of this soap opera is Mrs. Sanford. Her husband said, in an interview, that his soul mate, and love of his life was in Argentina and he is going to try and fall in love with his wife and mother of 4 sons again, she actually wants him back. What a slap in the face!! Your husband doesn't love you anymore. Your husband has a lover in Argentina who he does love ands wants to be with and you stand there and say you forgive him and want to save your marriage. You are no better than those other wives who actually stood beside their cheating husbands on TV. Have more self respect than to take back a man who has so insulted you in front of the world!!!!!!! Your own children know(unless they live in a bubble) that he loves someone else, not you. Stand up and walk away!!!!!!!!!!!

Gov Sanford vs Ex-NY. I'm a voter, he's done!

Of course not. Republicans never impeach one of their own. Sandford richly deserves impeachment for violating his oath of office and betraying the People of SC. The People of SC are not happy and, once they see that the GOP will sweep the wrong-doing of yet another corrupt Republican governor under the rug, maybe they will abandon the party that has keep them near the bottom in nearly every important measure of prosperity.

GOP Hypocrits will never do anything about their own. They only know how to bad-mouth others and spread hate and fear.

May as well move on – they are useless. If SC doesn't care, why should we?

They would only want to impeach him if he were a democrat. Funny how sanford called for Clinton's impeachment, yet he did the exact same thing, lied about it and abandoned the state and he won't resign. Republicans=hypocrites.

Good, let this be the end of it...

yes, cnn continue to try and find some story any story to hide the fact the your messiah's poll numbers are dropping and his popularity in places like ohio and michigan contiue to plummet.

You trying to cover these non-issue stories to cover for bo is like me trying to cover an huge oil spill with a single rag. It is only a mater of time before everyone sees the truth

of course they won't impeach him and he won't step down. Repugnants, The Party Of Values in Name Only (POVINO), The Party of Hypocrisy (POH) doesn't care about the irresponsible behavior of their own. They only lay in wait to catch Obama taking his wife out on a date so they can make fun of it...wait to catch him saying we should actually have diplomatic relations with our enemies instead of sexual relations with Argentine women...this party is PATHETIC