Sanford impeachment resolution likely next week
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/09/03/art.sanford.0903.gi.jpg
caption="Mark Sanford, a Republican, has refused to resign in the face of criticism from his own party."](CNN) - A resolution of impeachment against Gov. Mark Sanford is likely to be introduced next week during a special session of the South Carolina legislature, but lawmakers said the governor's job is safe for the time being.
Republican state Rep. Greg Delleney told CNN his resolution lists three charges against Sanford: dereliction of duty for leaving the state to visit his mistress in Argentina in June; attempting to cover-up the scandal; and bringing "disgrace and shame and ridicule" on the state.
"If that is not serious misconduct in office, I don't know what is," Delleney said of Sanford's actions.
The one-day special session was not called to address the Sanford scandal, a point stressed by GOP leadership in both chambers. Instead, lawmakers are meeting to tweak a state law that will extend unemployment benefits for thousands of South Carolinians who began losing those payments over the weekend. The state has an unemployment rate of 11.5 percent.
But most Republicans in the legislature want the governor to resign and several are ready to begin the impeachment process, even as the results of a state Ethics Commission investigation into the governor's travel expenses are still pending.
Delleney said his goal is "to get the ball rolling" on impeachment in a committee before the legislative session officially begins in January, when he hopes the resolution can be quickly brought to the floor for a vote.
House Majority Leader Kenny Bingham, a fellow Republican, said Delleney's resolution will likely be read on the floor Tuesday and sent to a committee - probably Judiciary - for consideration until the lawmakers have a chance to convene again. He said a floor vote on impeachment technically cannot occur because the session was called to deal with unemployment benefits.
"We could not impeach the governor on Tuesday unless it's put on the agenda," Bingham said.
Besides, he said, most GOP lawmakers are awaiting the results of the ethics investigation before deciding how to proceed. "We don't anticipate that changing by next week," he said.
A few words-This scumbag should be made to bite the dust, also for bein' a defiant and dastardly dude.
Just another WIMP, White Ignorant Male in POWER. Just like that fool justice in LA and Sherrify type vigilante in Arizona. These WIMPs are out there and have been abusing power and humanity with their ignorant ways FOR YEARS, decades, lifetimes. And their male cheerleaders, The Rushbeckettes (also WIMPs) most like coming to their defense. Just stating the obvious. Know any WIMPs in your neighborhood????
Arrogant little man.
He railed about Clinton and screamed for his resignation but truly feels he should be allowed to fulfill his term in a similar situation.
And that's just the thing I despise about this arrogant little man. Not that he had a "mistress", not that he left the state without alerting his staff or anyone else.
I carfe nothing about either.
What bothers me about this little man is he truly ~feels~ he should be excused. It's not politics. You can see it in his face and hear it in his words. He feels he is somehow above the rest, somehow better.
He is an arrogant little man.
Please leave this guy in office as a constant reminder of what kind of politicians gop-ers are
Let me get this straight. Spitzer was cast out and ashamed. McGreevey was shunned. And yet, both Sanford AND Ensign AND Vitter are still holding on strong? Do you see a pattern?
Please, impeach!
I bet Lindsay Graham is behind this
This is something that Dems & Republicans can BOTH agree on:IMPEACH SANFORD NOW!
It is about time!!!!!
Governor Sanford is am embarrassment to the people of South Carolina. If he doesn't have the courtesy to resign, I sure hope they impeach him.
He needs to be replaced.
This is just more Republican hypocrisy. They don't have the guts to take Sanford down and he is continuing to thumb his nose at his many critics. Typical Republican behavior, all talk, no action. Definitely the party of no and no future.
It is about time the legislature do something about the disgraced governor that has embarrased and produced one of the largest unemployment in the state. Next, can someone do something so his stranded wife does not capitalize with her memoirs and sell it for 7 figures.
After what the Republicans did to President Clinton in the 1990's, it is only right that they impeach Mark Sanford. Refusing to do so would demonstrate the WORST kind of hypocrisy and double-standards.
What goes around comes around, Mark Sanford! You did this very same thing to Bill Clinton when he was the president.
like south carolina needs any help shaming and defaming its own reputation. Go gamecocks
Why not impeach all Republicans? They're nothing but insurgents and traitors.
hmmm...it's about time, but i suppose that things like impeachments take time to implement, and there's no doubt that sanford will soon be on his way to long days without his government paycheck, pondering all the many adulterous acts he committed against his wife. i do not feel sorry for this man.
Yeah right i suppose the only reason they want him out is because it shines a spotlight on them, the Republicans. its not because of what he did.
He fell in love. Let him be.
Gosh, At least one party holds some standard of behavior for it's politicians. Of course, freezer cash, sweetheart loans, extremist rhetoric, bribery charges, and such are all OK if you have a 'D' by your name.
None too soon, if you ask me.
The Republicans feel they are the best ones to define "family values" and all that goes with it? How many more have been sleeping around who haven't been discovered by the media yet? My guess? Lots.
About time the right starts pretending not to be a bunch of hypocrites!
Don't cry for me Argentina!
This guy is a self-indulgent, slobbering baby. He is an embarrassment to the Party. He should leave of his own accord, but won't because he is too self-centered for that. He should become a Democrat, because he acts like one.
"...bringing "disgrace and shame and ridicule" on the state..."
That's like blaming the last one to drink the juice of drinking it all. South Carolinians have disgraced their state enough by allowing these mouth breathers to continue in office. Rep Wilson and Gov Sanford... I'm sure there are more but there is a pattern in that state that continues to select the most incompetent of people to fill the most essential of positions. Either the the people continue their proud tradition of humiliating themselves through their elective representatives, or actually decide to change this unfortunate pattern of negligence.