(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."
From CNN Politics
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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?
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!
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!
Despite all the naysayers, Gov. Sandord, I too think you can make a difference. Still praying for you. Don't waver!
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.
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.
What part of "resign" doesn't this dimwit understand?
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.
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.
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!
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!
Typical christian family values -- GOP liar and cheat
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.
RESIGN!
I hate to say that I was born in South Carolina. Sanford, Wilson, Graham et Al......uugh
He's about as clueless as Cheney! They both need to do the party a favor and go to Chilie and STAY! T
South Carolina GOPers are Nuts and Idiots.
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!
The battle cry of the Republicans... It's not MY fault!
North Carolina Republican are Jokesters and Laughable Stock.
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 .
ENOUGH with this ignorant clown. WE DON'T CARE!!!
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.
Your life has become "stupidly busy" due to all the stupid decisions you've made, gov'nor.
you get impeached idiot....
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".