The Moderate Voice - Latest Comments in Two Reasons Why Mark Sanford’s Political Career Is Now Dead

Re: Two Reasons Why Mark Sanford’s Political Career Is Now Dead

nycnc — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:34:04 -0000

sanford told livingston to resign over his affair ,he said that (livingston lied under a different oath ,an oath to his wife).....? With that comment and based on the situation sanford is in now ,I think he should also resign ,what make sanford so special that he doesnt have to live by his own word. Mr.Sanford also claimed that states stimulus money would be a waste of tax payers dollars,but not standing by his word when he spent tax payer&#39s dollars on that trip to cheat on his wife

Re: Two Reasons Why Mark Sanford’s Political Career Is Now Dead

nycnc — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 08:34:04 -0000

Re: Two Reasons Why Mark Sanford’s Political Career Is Now Dead

tarsc — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 05:24:15 -0000

I have read many post about the right to a private life. While I am a South Carolina resident, it is not simply an "affair to remember" that has even Republicans questioning his leadership capability.

1. Sanford left the state without informing anyone of his location. Who would have known what the chain of command would have been if there was an emergency? While I admit that the last big emergency was a hurricane named HUGO in 1989, you expect your leaders to communicate. Sanford&#39s Staff and last of all Sanford&#39s family really did not know where he was at this time. (Other than suffering crushing defeats by having the state legislature over turn his Veto on many different bills such as the stimulus, the State Ports Authority, etc.) If he had an affair, that is a personal life. To leave a state without anyone knowing the location of your state&#39s executive leader is begging to have a political career ended. (Rightfully so!)

2. Besides humiliating his family and those that live in the state of South Carolina, every move he has made is now under the closest eye of scrutiny. We have now found a reason that we can not or do not trust Sanford&#39s judgment. We question wether or not he used state funds inappropriately to fund part of the cost of the trips to see his mistress. The Democrats want a full investigation. The Republicans say the media is doing that job just fine. South Carolina now has an integrity issue with Sanford on the issue of public trust. (His wife is not the only one that does not trust him!) This trust can not be won back with in the year he has left on his term.

3. Sanford did bring attention to himself by being forced to take stimulus money by the state legislature. I do not feel that trying to refuse the stimulus is a "Reason" to be kicked out as the governor of a state; however, where are all those principles he stood by. He did make himself a target and then gave the public, media, and his adversaries reason to "Shoot!" I do not feel that the stimulus itself cause his demise anymore than his bible stories justify or explain his actions.

Sanford is a bible quoting lame duck. He has only one more year left; however, the Democrats, the Republicans, and those that do not know quite where they are will not allow him to make a decision based on our trust as a society. I realize that he does not want to step down. He wants to redeem his career. I think personally he needs to go home and take care of his family. His career here is over. No one will trust him. No one will have faith in his decisions no matter what his faith is in his religion. He will continue to be the punch line of jokes in my area.

I would say his popularity rating is really not existent anymore.

Re: Two Reasons Why Mark Sanford’s Political Career Is Now Dead

tarsc — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 00:24:15 -0000

1. Sanford left the state without informing anyone of his location. Who would have known what the chain of command would have been if there was an emergency? While I admit that the last big emergency was a hurricane named HUGO in 1989, you expect your leaders to communicate. Sanford's Staff and last of all Sanford's family really did not know where he was at this time. (Other than suffering crushing defeats by having the state legislature over turn his Veto on many different bills such as the stimulus, the State Ports Authority, etc.) If he had an affair, that is a personal life. To leave a state without anyone knowing the location of your state's executive leader is begging to have a political career ended. (Rightfully so!)

2. Besides humiliating his family and those that live in the state of South Carolina, every move he has made is now under the closest eye of scrutiny. We have now found a reason that we can not or do not trust Sanford's judgment. We question wether or not he used state funds inappropriately to fund part of the cost of the trips to see his mistress. The Democrats want a full investigation. The Republicans say the media is doing that job just fine. South Carolina now has an integrity issue with Sanford on the issue of public trust. (His wife is not the only one that does not trust him!) This trust can not be won back with in the year he has left on his term.

3. Sanford did bring attention to himself by being forced to take stimulus money by the state legislature. I do not feel that trying to refuse the stimulus is a "Reason" to be kicked out as the governor of a state; however, where are all those principles he stood by. He did make himself a target and then gave the public, media, and his adversaries reason to "Shoot!" I do not feel that the stimulus itself cause his demise anymore than his bible stories justify or explain his actions.

Sanford is a bible quoting lame duck. He has only one more year left; however, the Democrats, the Republicans, and those that do not know quite where they are will not allow him to make a decision based on our trust as a society. I realize that he does not want to step down. He wants to redeem his career. I think personally he needs to go home and take care of his family. His career here is over. No one will trust him. No one will have faith in his decisions no matter what his faith is in his religion. He will continue to be the punch line of jokes in my area.

I would say his popularity rating is really not existent anymore.

Re: Two Reasons Why Mark Sanford’s Political Career Is Now Dead

Leonidas — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:11:48 -0000

PolyTicks21,

I have to agree with you when you say that:

"The difference with the democrats is that they don&#39t vehemently play the values card... so it&#39s a bit easier to forgive someone who&#39s not pretending to have moral high ground when they get caught being human..."

Unfortunately democrats find other areas to be hypocritical about. Just look as FISA wiretapping and the way they have conducted Congressional business under the Tom Delay method since taking over power for a good examples.

Re: Two Reasons Why Mark Sanford’s Political Career Is Now Dead

Leonidas — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:59:54 -0000

AustinRoth,

You asked:

" leo - so, even if he broke the law, you will still support him? "

then you accuse:

" Now THAT is partisanship at its very worst, and why democratic governments become corrupt over time."

but you didn&#39t read what I wrote apparently when I said:

" I don&#39t care what happens in other people&#39s bedrooms as long as no laws are broken".

Reading is fundamental

Re: Two Reasons Why Mark Sanford’s Political Career Is Now Dead

PolyTicks21 — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:53:45 -0000

The reason guys like Sanford get raked over the coals when they get busted cheating on their wives is becuase they run their campaigns on "GOOD CHRISTIAN VALUES" and completely pan anyone who isn&#39t as "pure as them" ... Sanford is a hypocrite and needs to resign.

The difference with the democrats is that they don&#39t vehemently play the values card... so it&#39s a bit easier to forgive someone who&#39s not pretending to have moral high ground when they get caught being human... get it?

Re: Two Reasons Why Mark Sanford’s Political Career Is Now Dead

Leonidas — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:11:48 -0000

PolyTicks21,

I have to agree with you when you say that:

"The difference with the democrats is that they don't vehemently play the values card... so it's a bit easier to forgive someone who's not pretending to have moral high ground when they get caught being human..."

Unfortunately democrats find other areas to be hypocritical about. Just look as FISA wiretapping and the way they have conducted Congressional business under the Tom Delay method since taking over power for a good examples.

Re: Two Reasons Why Mark Sanford’s Political Career Is Now Dead

Leonidas — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:59:54 -0000

AustinRoth,
You asked:
" leo - so, even if he broke the law, you will still support him? "

then you accuse:
" Now THAT is partisanship at its very worst, and why democratic governments become corrupt over time."

but you apparently didn't read what I wrote apparently when I said:
" I've defended Clinton's affair on forums myself and Elliot spitzer's as well. I don't care what happens in other people's bedrooms as long as no laws are broken."

Reading is fundamental, try it if you can escape your own bias and or partisahip.

You can also apologize for your misplaced accusation if you care to.

Re: Two Reasons Why Mark Sanford’s Political Career Is Now Dead

PolyTicks21 — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:53:45 -0000

The difference with the democrats is that they don't vehemently play the values card... so it's a bit easier to forgive someone who's not pretending to have moral high ground when they get caught being human... get it?

Re: Two Reasons Why Mark Sanford’s Political Career Is Now Dead

AustinRoth — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 04:55:49 -0000

leo - so, even if he broke the law, you will still support him?

Now THAT is partisanship at its very worst, and why democratic governments become corrupt over time.

Re: Two Reasons Why Mark Sanford’s Political Career Is Now Dead

Leonidas — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 03:23:27 -0000

I answered the above post on one of the other threads, but I&#39ll reply in short form here.

Sanford broke no laws. See the NPR piece here:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?st...

On the Clinton impeachment, Sanford was concerned about the lying under oath part, ie breaking a law:

“The issue of lying is probably the biggest harm, if you will, to the system of Democratic government, representatives government, because it undermines trust. And if you undermine trust in our system, you undermine everything.” [Sanford on Clinton, CNN, 2/16/99]

I think drewrichards should rething his own cognition.

Re: Two Reasons Why Mark Sanford’s Political Career Is Now Dead

drewrichards — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 02:34:51 -0000

First and foremost,

Governor Sanford BROKE the "Chain of Command" in my state (SC) leaving us with NO immediate response capability in the event of an emergency. For this action and this action ALONE he should be impeached! I don&#39t care that his wife didn&#39t know where he was or not. I don&#39t care he had an affair. I do care that his staff either covered for him or did not know how to reach him and he had not released power of authorization to the Lt. Governor as ANY Governor would have if they were going incommunicado.

Spin the rest of the story anyway you want but dereliction of duty makes him a dangerous liability to our state.

Now should he be attacked publicly?

For 15 years Gov. Sanford presented himself as a rabid family values candidate and has now been caught in dereliction of duty due to his INFIDELITY!

Are we not to point out the hypocrisy of this man&#39s actions and beliefs?

Remember this man publicly demanded Clinton resign for his "infidelity" with Lewinsky.
At least Clinton never disappeared and left us with no chain of command.

I believe you should rethink your post because it smells of Republican hand wringing more than a true cognitive thought on the proper response to this issue.

Re: Two Reasons Why Mark Sanford’s Political Career Is Now Dead

Leonidas — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 01:14:54 -0000

If it turns out he spent State money for trips to visit Argentina to see his mistress I would condemn the act, I&#39d probably still support him though as a couple thousand dollars does not outweigh the benefit of having a fiscal conservative in the Governor&#39s office who can try to protect us from millions of dollars of more government spending.

Now if it turns out that he went for legitimate reasons on the tax payer dollar and saw his mistress when his schedule was not filled with official business, *shrug* Thats his personal business and not mine.

Re: Two Reasons Why Mark Sanford’s Political Career Is Now Dead

AustinRoth — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 23:55:49 -0000

leo - so, even if he broke the law, you will still support him?

Now THAT is partisanship at its very worst, and why democratic governments become corrupt over time.

Re: Two Reasons Why Mark Sanford’s Political Career Is Now Dead

Leonidas — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 22:23:27 -0000

I answered the above post on one of the other threads, but I'll reply in short form here.

Sanford broke no laws. See the NPR piece here:

http://www.npr.org/template...

On the Clinton impeachment, Sanford was concerned about the lying under oath part, ie breaking a law:

“The issue of lying is probably the biggest harm, if you will, to the system of Democratic government, representatives government, because it undermines trust. And if you undermine trust in our system, you undermine everything.” [Sanford on Clinton, CNN, 2/16/99]

I've defended Clinton's affair on forums myself and Elliot spitzer's as well. I don't care what happens in other people's bedrooms as long as no laws are broken. I think Clinton should have had his salary docked for using the Oval office for sex, but other than that I don't really care that much. I'd vote Larry Flint for president id he could balance the budget even if he had hookers and pornstars in the Lincoln bedroom every night. I really don't care about the sex lives of politicians, just their abiding by the law and getting results.

I think drewrichards should rething his own cognition.

Re: Two Reasons Why Mark Sanford’s Political Career Is Now Dead

drewrichards — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 21:34:51 -0000

First and foremost,

Governor Sanford BROKE the "Chain of Command" in my state (SC) leaving us with NO immediate response capability in the event of an emergency. For this action and this action ALONE he should be impeached! I don't care that his wife didn't know where he was or not. I don't care he had an affair. I do care that his staff either covered for him or did not know how to reach him and he had not released power of authorization to the Lt. Governor as ANY Governor would have if they were going incommunicado.

Spin the rest of the story anyway you want but dereliction of duty makes him a dangerous liability to our state.

Now should he be attacked publicly?

For 15 years Gov. Sanford presented himself as a rabid family values candidate and has now been caught in dereliction of duty due to his INFIDELITY!

Are we not to point out the hypocrisy of this man's actions and beliefs?

Remember this man publicly demanded Clinton resign for his "infidelity" with Lewinsky.
At least Clinton never disappeared and left us with no chain of command.

I believe you should rethink your post because it smells of Republican hand wringing more than a true cognitive thought on the proper response to this issue.

Re: Two Reasons Why Mark Sanford’s Political Career Is Now Dead

Leonidas — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:14:54 -0000

If it turns out he spent State money for trips to visit Argentina to see his mistress I would condemn the act, I'd probably still support him though as a couple thousand dollars does not outweigh the benefit of having a fiscal conservative in the Governor's office who can try to protect us from millions of dollars of more government spending.

Now if it turns out that he went for legitimate reasons on the tax payer dollar and saw his mistress when his schedule was not filled with official business, *shrug* Thats his personal business and not mine. I don't like meddling in other people's bedrooms. I'm not a republican of the religious right mentality.

Re: Two Reasons Why Mark Sanford’s Political Career Is Now Dead

AustinRoth — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:30:03 -0000

Leo - if it turns out he spent State money for trips to visit Argentina to see his mistress (as seems at this moment more likely than not), will you still support him?

I wouldn&#39t. I would support criminal charges.

Re: Two Reasons Why Mark Sanford’s Political Career Is Now Dead

Leonidas — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:08:57 -0000

He got my vote for being a fiscal conservative, something he still has. He probably wont have the sipport needed to make a presidential or Vice Presidental run now, I agree, because too many people confuse being a good husband with being a good executive. The two don&#39t always go hand in hand. Clinton was a cheater, bu7t did a pretty good job, Carter was faithful and did a rotten one. I cast my vote for the good exectutive not the good husband. I&#39ll be casting it again for him if he runs for office, I like his fiscal conservatism. I feel sorry for his wife and kids, but thats better than feeling sorry for everyone&#39s kids if we continue to elect public officials that burden then with heaps of new debt.

Re: Two Reasons Why Mark Sanford’s Political Career Is Now Dead

Rambie — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 18:48:18 -0000

"...I never defended his actions, and said that he deserves to be toast. You all just can&#39t stand having the mirror held up to yourselves on the Left&#39s double standrds and own hypocrisy..."

I never said you did defend him.

What double-standards? This thread has nothing to do with this thread. This isn&#39t about any Democrat or any other Republican than Gov Sanford and his own personal actions. Let&#39s not go off on tangents but just to cover your examples:

- Clinton didn&#39t run on a family-values campaign. It wasn&#39t the BJs in the office it was the lying, not that any of us believed him for a second, that lost respect in my eyes at least.

- This thread isn&#39t about "unsavory ties to lobbyists" or "sweetheart deals" to friends. Both of which I do oppose BTW no matter the party affiliation.

On a personal note: AR, I&#39m glad to hear your daughter is recovering. I&#39m glad to hear it&#39s not getting her down, having a good mental outlook helps recovery.

Re: Two Reasons Why Mark Sanford’s Political Career Is Now Dead

hecheated — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 18:09:43 -0000

It&#39s the affair.

Re: Two Reasons Why Mark Sanford’s Political Career Is Now Dead

archangel — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 18:09:25 -0000

We will keep all of you on the prayer road; and that your girl&#39s attitude is in a great place... that is the penultimate best! No doubt apple doesnt fall far from the tree.

thank you AR,
dr.e

Re: Two Reasons Why Mark Sanford’s Political Career Is Now Dead

D. E.Rodriguez — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:20:02 -0000

Tony Perkins of "moral values/family values":

“I think there is somewhat of an identity crisis in the Republican Party. Are they going to be a party that attracts values voters, and are they going to be the party that lives by those values?”

I thought "they" already were

Re: Two Reasons Why Mark Sanford’s Political Career Is Now Dead

AustinRoth — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:30:03 -0000

Leo - if it turns out he spent State money for trips to visit Argentina to see his mistress (as seems at this moment more likely than not), will you still support him?

I wouldn't. I would support criminal charges.