(CNN) – The communications director for Gov. Mark Sanford said Friday he will step down from his post, weeks after the South Carolina Republican disappeared for five days and later admitted to an extramarital affair with a woman in Argentina.
Joel Sawyer - who, like the rest of Sanford's staff, did not know where the governor had gone but was tasked with explaining his whereabouts to the press - said in a statement he will leave the governor's office in August to pursue opportunities in the private sector. He also said his decision was not related to the ongoing controversy surrounding Sanford.
"I want to be crystal clear that my departure is purely about what's best for me and my family on a personal and financial level," he said. "I wish Mark and the rest of my talented and dedicated colleagues the best."
In a separate statement, Sanford praised Sawyer as "a wonderfully devoted and skillful member of our team."
From CNN Politics
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
Gov. Sanford should follow his lead.
I guess Joel has gotten tired of lying for Sanford! Good for you, Joel. I only wish you would take the bum Sanford with you!!!!
He may be distancing himself from all things "C-Street".
For some reason, CNN is unwilling to give in-depth details of the "Family" (or sometimes called the "Fellowship") that has a very secretive creed and many politicians are involved in.
What's the problem CNN? No journalists?
I don't know what they are waiting for – Impeach the Player.
lame duck?? isnt that why palin is stepping down. no one believes in them anymore??
Well, if I worked for Sanford, I wouldn't want to be near him or be associated with him in any way. But the one who should go is not you, it is your Govenor.
Sure, Joel, nothing to do with your decision........
Sure, "personal reasons". Like being associated with a lying, unreliable and discredited Governor, given to flights of gonad fantasies, would be a resume-enhancing experience.
Good try Joel, but no cigar.
At least we can give you more credit for good sensibility than the rest of Sanford's team.
Sanford should resign. I don't care about this affairs but he is a crook who stole $$$$ from the taxpayers.
Mr. Communications Director obviously cannot take the heat so he is getting out of the kitchen. How can someone in charge of communications be in wonderland when the Head Honcho of the State is MIA and his whereabouts cannot be ascertained? Or is it that he is geographically challenged as regards the difference between the Andes Mountain and the Appalachians? Alas, communication does not seem to be his forté; he definitely needs to try something else.
time to bail on the sinking ship, eh??? lmao!!!!!
GI Joe July 17th, 2009 3:12 pm ET
He may be distancing himself from all things "C-Street".
Yeah CNN, be a News organization, not not the TABLOID you have become a 24 hours TABLOID network, but so have MSNBC and FOX.
be different do your job inform us, not entertain us.
This is real NEWS go get it, or do what seems like you new normal talk about news after the fact.
Drip, Drop, Drip, Drop... & It Begin's...
Why can't this guy just say he's leaving because he doesn't want to be associated with this embarrassing mess? Why the song and dance about "personal reasons" and "what's best for my family"? Do they send politicos to some special school to learn double-talk and mumbo jumbo? Do they really think we're all stupid??? Anybody with half a brain should bail out of this anyway...
He wants to "spend more time with family" which are code words for "I'm about to be indicted as well". Ha, Republican family values on display – don't you just love it!
Sanford is only making it easy for the Democrats to make significant inroads into SC.
What is going on in the C-Street cult, of which Sanford is a member, that a large portion of these men have had many extra-marital affairs? Why would Sanford and these other wealthy politicians go to live in this townhouse 'dormitory style' in DC, when they have apartments there as well? What is going on there?
Hey Sanford ... how it is going with the wife?? ...... does she feel like she is your real ' soul mate ' ?? .... have you compare your 'love to a tragic story' .... have you made comments about her body and mind and etc etc .... oh yeah and cried??
not a thing to du ewith the Gov and you said that with astraight face
Hope that more jump ship– Who wants to be associated with a liar and a person of no principles at all.
The guy was embarrassed by his boss, so he's leaving. It's that simple.
bored now....bye bye!
It is ridiculous to watch republicans try to qualify Sanford's poor judgment as something that is only occurring in the personal aspects of his life. Bad judgment is bad judgment is bad judgment. Another fundamentalist in denial.