Sanford: Now I know what Palin felt like
(CNN) - South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford says that the state Ethics Commission probe into his travel expenses reminds him of the flood of ethics complaints filed against Sarah Palin before she resigned the Alaska governorship.
"I think I now know what Sarah may have been feeling," Sanford told The Washington Times in an interview published Wednesday.
Sanford called the complaints filed against Palin baseless, and indeed, most of the allegations against the onetime vice presidential candidate were dismissed by the Alaska Personnel Board.
But the Ethics Commission investigation into Sanford, which officially began last week, differs in substance and circumstance from the slew of ethics allegations that badgered Palin for much of the first half of 2009.
In Alaska, any individual citizen can file an ethics complaint against the governor – a scenario that allowed political critics in the state to deluge the governor's office with accusations. But in South Carolina, the state Ethics Commission probe was called for by multiple high-ranking elected officials in Sanford's own party, and the governor has agreed to make the proceedings of the probe open to the public.
When Palin resigned in July, she cited the burden of the legal fees as one reason for stepping down. Sanford has refused to resign – even with the possibility of impeachment on the horizon – and has gone on the offensive against the media and his critics over the last week.
Sanford's travel came under scrutiny after he revealed in June that he left the country to visit his mistress in Argentina. Subsequent investigations by political critics and media organizations into his travel records revealed that during his tenure, the governor may have mis-used state resources and failed to report flights provided to him by political allies.
The state's Attorney General and Republican leadership in the state house have asked the Ethics Commission to make the final determination about whether Sanford broke any laws.
Sanford also told the Times that he is committed to staying in office to fight for his conservative, small-government beliefs because it's what God put him on earth to do. The embattled governor has long sparred with Republicans in the legislature on matters of government spending.
"I feel absolutely committed to the cause, to what God wanted me to do with my life," he said. "I have got this blessing of being engaged in a fight for liberty, which is constantly being threatened."
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It appears God also put Gov. Sanford on earth to commit adultery. Small government values but no family values? For shame.
I bet he would like to identfy with Palin even more. Someone should check the travel records of the state planes he's been using to see how many trips it took to Alaska. Maybe Palin's another "soulmate" of his.
Sanford is defintely as goofy as Sarah Palin, and they are both unfit for any public office.
You know what is really the funniest part of this entire debacle with Mr. Sanford? In two or three years, when the dust settles, CNN will run a small story about Sanford marrying his Argentinian "soulmate" anyway.
Hey,,,,,Maybe you & Sarah could disappear together... permanently.
All this low-life is doing is angling for the number two spot on Palin's 2012 presidential ticket.
Mark Sanford will always be a #2 in my book.
He's right, they are alike. Both are republicans. Both are hypocrites.
Sanford is smarter than Palin though, and doesn't actually believe the earth is only 6000 years old etc. but instead cynically uses people like that. This is the traditional republican tactic.
Palin is different in that she is actually one of the "base". She actually drinks the kool-aid herself and believes in the nonsense that republicans spew.
Why does Mark Sanford want to feel identified with Sarah Palin? For one, he is not ignorant and fact-challenged. He has done something admirable, when he admitted his faults in public, something I would never expect Sarah Palin to do. Is he going to be so identified with Palin, that he will quit the governorship too?
It sounds like Sanford's next "walk on the Appalachian Trail" will be through Alaska. Apparently the soon-to-be former Governor is Geographically, as well as Morally challenged.
you gotta be kidding me!!!!!!
Sanford/Palin 2012! These are the real leaders of the Republican Party.
Pathetic!
Why am I not shocked that Republicans think they are above the law!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If this was a Democrat they would be all over it.
Oh please Governor. Drape yourself in "..what God wanted me to do with my life."??? Does this also mean that God wanted you to commit adultery? As I recall God speaks of this specific matter in the Ten Commandments and adultery is not looked upon favorably by God. Maybe you should read these sometime since you and the rest of the GOP reach for God so easily to excuse your poor behavior. You are delusional and should resign. You know this. Go away.
"I think I now know what Sarah may have been feeling". Could a connection be developing? Could he have found himself another soulmate? Will the Argentina Soulmate become jealous? This story has unlimited possibilities!!! Could we see a Sanford-Palin ticket in 2012? This guy is crazy enough to keep us entertained for years.
AAAAAHHHH, poor baby! So, don't cheat on your wife and kids. And, don't lie to the people!
Mark, when are you on the Springer-show?
thats where you belong
Did God also want him to break his commandment and commit adultery?? I guest that God does work in mysterious ways.
It is probably a bad idea to for Sanford to associate with a controversial figure like Palin. I for one believe he made a mistake and it should be forgotten. I really do not think it is in the general republican mindset to forgive though.
It's funny how the republicans always put forth "small government" and all that when in fact many of the far right wing actually portray a hidden kind of "exclusion" mentality. There is only one religion, one way to govern, one kind of American, one nation on earth etc.. this too me smacks of fascism
Um when you do something wrong you will get caught and then there are consequences...Remember Personal Accountability doesn't only apply to Democrats.
Palin appointed most of of not all members of the alaska personnel board. I am not surprised almost all of her complaints were swept under the rug. Next
Palin has enough problems of her own. For Sanford to attempt to pull her down to him is despicable.
What we really have here is CNN daily throwing of Sarah Palin red meat to liberal posters.
"the state Ethics Commission probe was called for by multiple high-ranking elected officials in Sanford's own party, and the governor has agreed to make the proceedings of the probe open to the public"
Sanford, shut up
No Sir,
Now you know how Bill Clinton felt
My oh my I'm SOOOOO sorry for poor Gov. Sanford. Being picked on by the media and dems. Does he deserve it? Yes. He horribly let down wife, his sons, his state, his party. Go cry your tears somewhere else. Better yet, be a man, resign your ofice, mend what you can.