October 22, 2009
Posted: October 22nd, 2009 04:37 PM ET

From
Mark Sanford had been considering a White House bid before his affair was revealed.
Mark Sanford had been considering a White House bid before his affair was revealed.

(CNN) – Before an extramarital affair came to light in June that effectively ended his future political ambitions, South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford said repeatedly that he was not thinking about running for president in 2012, despite clear indications that he was working to build a national profile among conservatives.

But he admitted Thursday that his once busy itinerary was distracting him from his official duties as governor.

"My life before had become stupidly busy with all of my responsibilities - fundraising, speaking engagements across the country, a book deal," Sanford said in an interview with the Florence Morning News editorial board. "I haven't been this focused on my job in a long time because I don't have all those responsibilities anymore."

"I have my family and whatever's going to happen there," he continued. "And I have my job and whatever's going to happen there. You can drive yourself crazy sitting around thinking about 'the might have beens' of life. I'm here, because I think I can still make a difference."

Filed under: Mark Sanford • South Carolina


jon Krieger   October 22nd, 2009 9:57 pm ET

Geez this guy has brass ones!Either that or he's a complete idiot!Yeah,let's go with that one.

Joe M   October 22nd, 2009 9:27 pm ET

He will have a lot more time on his hands very soon...Maybe he should take some of the time to get his zipper fixed..He is your basic Republican NUT JOB...HOLY ROLLER...BIBLE THUMPER...PASS THE PLATE..SCUM BAG.

anna   October 22nd, 2009 9:27 pm ET

He can't quit because it will hurt his book sales and his "friend" in Argentina won't remain quite so impressed with him when he's no longer a sitting American governor. It's always about you, isn't Mark?

Pierce   October 22nd, 2009 9:23 pm ET

No, Mark you were too busy traveling to Argentina and crying there.

You and Vitter and Ensign and all the other hipocrits deserve what you are getting.

me   October 22nd, 2009 9:09 pm ET

given his recent behavior, the irony is brutal.

in his case, its unfortunate that he actually DOES
qualify for government funded health care ..:=(

it isnt fair senators and congress have better care
than us.

Laverne   October 22nd, 2009 8:45 pm ET

You can always post your resume on-line Mr. Sanford, ask Sarah Palin for instructions!

CD in FL   October 22nd, 2009 8:39 pm ET

On which planet is this dimwit living?? Running for President?? He barely can hold his present position. Even the GOP wants to get rid of him but he insists to keep his position despite humiliation for him and his family. He has become a joke!!! He is the only one who hasn't realized that yet!!

Perusing-through   October 22nd, 2009 8:33 pm ET

DO GOV. SANFORD = FAMILY VALUES? NOT! :-(

Wasn't Republican Gov. Mark Sanford once the squeaky clean poster child for the Family Research Council and the Religious-Right Family Values radio star James Dobson?

candy girl   October 22nd, 2009 8:31 pm ET

Poor Mr. Sanford, He just cannot understand HOW he could be singled out as the ONE who has caused ANY PROBLEMS FOR SOUTH CAROLINA!!!! Perhaps he should consider becoming a citizen of the Country of Argentina!! Maybe he could be elected for office in that Country!! He could hold office and be a womanizer, all at one time without any DISTRACTIONS - like being the Governor of South Carolina!

Blue   October 22nd, 2009 8:29 pm ET

Did he think that he would not get caught? But at that point in life, he could only think about "Going Down to Rio."

I Can See Argentina from my Front Porch   October 22nd, 2009 8:23 pm ET

The only thing this man was "stupidly busy" with was getting his freak on in Argentina.
This man is getting what he deserves....now he needs to do the right Christian thing and resign.

Perusing-through   October 22nd, 2009 8:21 pm ET

THERE IS NOTHING COMPLICATED ABOUT THIS – - –
(1.) Gov. Sanford lied to his staff and S.C. state officials regarding his whereabouts. He was NOT on the Appalachian Trail. He was AWOL in Argentina.
(2.) Gov. Sanford lied to state budget officials about his use of travel funds. Sanford used taxpayer's funds to honey his mistress in South America more than once,
(3.) Gov. Sanford lied to his wife and children about his whereabouts on Father's Day,
(5.) Gov. Sanford lied when he said he would NOT accept federal stimulus funds. He not only accepted the stimulus package, he took credit for it.

m smith   October 22nd, 2009 8:05 pm ET

It would seam that the calaiber of republicans seeking a white house bid has not improved. Do they have no one left it their party who isn't either stupid emoral,a racist or just plane crazy?

Rob in Charleston, SC   October 22nd, 2009 7:52 pm ET

Throw this bum in jail!!

DJ   October 22nd, 2009 7:37 pm ET

go away...back to Argentina to be with your soul mate.

cspurgeon   October 22nd, 2009 7:29 pm ET

Just another far right wacko. Does anyone care about what this idiot thinks.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ   October 22nd, 2009 7:28 pm ET

Well, it's funny how life works out. He was trying to get away for some R&R in the Appalachian Mountains....I mean Argentina, and now he's got all the time in the world to ponder where the limelight went.

Here's an idea, maybe Sanford, Ensign and Spritzer can take a real trip to the Appalachian Mountains and leave the rest of us alone.

Frank, Las Vegas   October 22nd, 2009 7:24 pm ET

Sanford, the only distraction is YOU. Resign now!

travis_bdboy   October 22nd, 2009 6:49 pm ET

Flight 1986 is leaving for Argentina....this is a pre-boarding announcement

Tommygunn   October 22nd, 2009 6:46 pm ET

Life balance.....sometimes it means falling down from your "high horse" and remembering what is really important.

REPUBLICANs and DEMOCRATs, it's all about appreciating each side, showing compassion, public compromises and not becoming hypocritical in the process.

I will be glad when AMERICAN POLITICs begin to operate with these values.

Good Luck Governor Sanford.....

KC   October 22nd, 2009 6:01 pm ET

WOW I really feel for the people of South Carolina, this guy they call their governor is truly out of touch with reality. If he cared one bit for the people of that state he would step down NOW

jgr   October 22nd, 2009 5:56 pm ET

Please Mr Cheney just go away and be glad that all the crap that you put your country in will be fixed by the current government. Never in my life time have I ever seen so much incompetence in an individual. Your persona is everything that is diminishing the American image from an American and foreign perspective. How can you call yourself a patriot when everything you do is against your country's interest and all about yours. Mr Cheney I have not met 1 individual that likes you ...don't go away mad just go away!...

www.firedoglake.com   October 22nd, 2009 5:56 pm ET

Sanford,

The only thing you're going to have to focus on before you're tossed out of office is the upcoming impeachment proceedings.

Face it, you're finished.

You should have resigned, you unprincipled fake, when you had the chance.

Dominican mama 4 Obama   October 22nd, 2009 5:53 pm ET

You don't know what's going to happen with your family, you don't know what's going to happen with your job, you don't know what's going to happen with your girlfriend..... you don't know jack squat . Someone with as little knowledge as you should NOT be in public office. Resign. At least that way YOU WILL KNOW that you won't have to show up to "work".

diridi   October 22nd, 2009 5:53 pm ET

you get impeached idiot....

Dominican mama 4 Obama   October 22nd, 2009 5:50 pm ET

Your life has become "stupidly busy" due to all the stupid decisions you've made, gov'nor.

once upon a horse   October 22nd, 2009 5:42 pm ET

wow at one time I wanted to visit Soth Carolina just to see how it was, but seeing the right wingnuts coming out of there I'm beginning to wonder if there is something in the drinking water. From Sanford to Wilson to the ones who just this week insulted Jewish people looks to me like they have some real issues in that state.

Ellie   October 22nd, 2009 5:38 pm ET

ENOUGH with this ignorant clown. WE DON'T CARE!!!

Bluskys   October 22nd, 2009 5:37 pm ET

Here is another from the party of NO fighting for his spot as poster boy .
Busy isn't the word he had to make up so many lies to wife he couldn't remember what he told wife in the kitchen when in the bedroom then keeping track of his broken zipper outings to S.America, secret calls ,e-mails for S.America it blew his mind and a few other things so badly he thought he was hiking on the Appalachion Trail.
There are so many in GOP can't decide take em all or pick just one for the top spot of poster boy .

Randy   October 22nd, 2009 5:29 pm ET

North Carolina Republican are Jokesters and Laughable Stock.

Tim from Tampa   October 22nd, 2009 5:28 pm ET

The battle cry of the Republicans... It's not MY fault!

David Doney   October 22nd, 2009 5:24 pm ET

He should make a difference by resigning and showing that leaders must have impeccable integrity and be a beacon to the rest of us. He has failed miserably and should resign ASAP. Amazing the hubris that keeps these guys in office!

Bill   October 22nd, 2009 5:23 pm ET

South Carolina GOPers are Nuts and Idiots.

Garland   October 22nd, 2009 5:22 pm ET

He's about as clueless as Cheney! They both need to do the party a favor and go to Chilie and STAY! T

Nate, Oly WA   October 22nd, 2009 5:21 pm ET

RESIGN!
I hate to say that I was born in South Carolina. Sanford, Wilson, Graham et Al......uugh

AJ   October 22nd, 2009 5:20 pm ET

No, his life before had become stupidly busy chasing tail and figuring out how to hide it. ANYONE who cheats on their spouse (and admit it, most of us think about it at one time or another) is basically dishonest. Kick him out, don't kick him out, I don't care but let's at least be honest about what he is.

GI Joe   October 22nd, 2009 5:19 pm ET

Typical christian family values -- GOP liar and cheat

Florida Resident   October 22nd, 2009 5:18 pm ET

Sanford said his life had become stupidly busy with " responsibilities – fundraising, speaking engagements across the country, a book deal".

Hey add the travelling and energy required to maintain his Argentinean mistress, charging the SC taxpayers for his travel, finagling his travel plans to make as many as possible allow for meeting up with his mistress and in general being as hypocritical as possible. Hey Mark – you are a liar, you lied to your wife, your kids, the citizens of your state, and are a true member of the GOP!

Bob, S.C.   October 22nd, 2009 5:18 pm ET

Get rid of this jerk! Hope they finaaly imeach him. He is one of the reasons that South Carolina lags the rest of the nation in education and is one of the leaders in unemployment, highway deaths and health problems like COPD, diabetes and obesity. Dump Sanford. Send him to Argentina!

Luke Brown   October 22nd, 2009 5:14 pm ET

OMG what is with the guy?

Let's see he wasn't running for national office, and that was keeping him from his duties as governor... However, he was having an affair in Argentina, and that wasn't keeping him from his duties as Governor.

Larry   October 22nd, 2009 5:11 pm ET

He forgot to mention that he has freed up a lot of time as he doesn't get to boink his mistress or his wife anymore.

JonDie   October 22nd, 2009 5:02 pm ET

What part of "resign" doesn't this dimwit understand?

C. Farrell, Houston, Tx   October 22nd, 2009 4:58 pm ET

This guy needs to get lost and I mean real fast. He's cooked, done and over with and the only thing left is either reconcile with his family if he can or go back to his mistress, which I don't believe he plans on quitting.

Lisa in Shelton   October 22nd, 2009 4:51 pm ET

how do speaking engagements and writing a book help the people of his state or mean he is giving his full attention to the work of being GOVERNOR? Jeez – let alone the familial rifts he needs time for and his long-distance soulmate too.

S Callahan   October 22nd, 2009 4:51 pm ET

Despite all the naysayers, Gov. Sandord, I too think you can make a difference. Still praying for you. Don't waver!

Active Duty Marine   October 22nd, 2009 4:50 pm ET

Ahhh......lookie there, it's the GOP's poster child for family values.

Don't fool yourselves, every republican is as corrupt and immoral as Sanford. The only difference, they haven't all been caught yet. It's part of the fabric that makes up the DNA of a republican: Immoral, Unaptriotic (like dodging the draft), and incompetent. History has proven these facts beyond a shadow of a doubt!

kman821   October 22nd, 2009 4:48 pm ET

A book deal? Yeah, that ought to sell a lot of copies ... what an absolutely deluded egotist he must be for him to think of himself as someone the least bit interesting to people who can read!

Stacie   October 22nd, 2009 4:41 pm ET

He can focus on his job now because he doesn't have to devote all that time and energy to keeping the little mistress happy while lying to his wife! Cheating is very time consuming, isn't it Mr. Sanford?

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