Opinion: Don’t rush to judgment on Sanford
Published June 26, 2009
Those who are clamoring for Mark Sanford’s resignation as governor should take a deep breath and look beyond the governor’s personal transgressions to decide what’s best for the state of South Carolina — instead of acting in the heat of the moment.
In the hour of our state’s worst economic peril in a generation, our leader has been paralyzed by a personal crisis that he allowed to affect his duty as governor. He admitted that he has been unfaithful to his wife. He angered the state’s political elite, and many voters, by flying off to Argentina to see the other woman without telling anyone in authority where he would be — and by lying about it beforehand and afterward. This left the state vulnerable.
This correctly calls into question the judgment of the chief executive of South Carolina and leaves many wondering how his decision-making might have been affected during the past year. Clearly, other motivations were guiding his actions than the well-being of his state and its citizenry.
The General Assembly likely will address clarification of the law as to who is in charge in the governor’s absence. Difficulties in Sanford’s marriage are his personal business, but a decision on a possible resignation based on his ability to govern beyond this moment forces consideration of Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer’s abilities sooner than anticipated. Despite his current distraction, Sanford could remain the better of the two to occupy the governor’s office for the next 18 months.
Although the lieutenant governor’s post affords fewer opportunities for demonstrated leadership than the governor’s mansion, Bauer has in his second term as lieutenant governor shown neither the demeanor nor the stature to lead the state. Even without the vetting of a gubernatorial election process, Bauer could have distinguished himself and made himself a clear choice for South Carolina. But he has not done so.
Bauer’s biggest headlines as lieutenant governor call into question his judgment. Lately, Bauer has been active only as a likely gubernatorial candidate, as an advocate for the aging and in his role presiding over the Senate.
Before anyone knew of Sanford’s indiscretions, the challenge of digging South Carolina out of perhaps the worst economic crisis in our lifetime was daunting. Today, we must consider whether that economic crisis is now more difficult with him in office.
Sanford has offended many people in his single-minded pursuit of a narrow ideological agenda of low or no taxes and little or no government regulation. He made undying enemies in the General Assembly when he entered their chamber with two small pigs, which promptly defecated on the expensive carpet in the Legislature.
He has likewise shown his contempt for working people in fighting additional funds to pay unemployment compensation, and for teachers and families in opposing federal stimulus funds aimed at softening the recession’s impact on schools.
Sanford needs to put his personal problems in their proper place — at home — and seek reconciliation with voters and the political oligarchy of the state. If his tattered reputation is to be reconstructed, he must spend the remainder of his term trying to help the people who elected him.
Job creation, education and public assistance for suffering, out-of-work South Carolinians should be his focus. His aspirations for national office have been dashed. His highest calling in the next 18 months is to do everything in his power to raise his state out of its economic slump and reverse the third-highest unemployment rate in the nation.
If Mark Sanford can do that, he might yet avoid a judgment in the history books as South Carolina’s least-effective governor ever.
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Comments:
Added:
26 Jun 2009
So you're saying that you'd be o.k. if someone took $881 dollars from your checking account to fly off to Argentina and then agreed to pay you a year later when you caught them stealing your cash?
Concerned Citizen
Added:
26 Jun 2009
Your editorial re Gov. Sanford's possible resignation is quite thoughtful and on target--we are faced with a painful Hobson's choice between the lamest of lame ducks and Ethelred the Unready. I'm afraid your scenario of resurrection in the next 18 months, though, is at best unlikely. Regrettably for all South Carolinians, the legacy is beyond polishing.
Bob Thompson
Added:
26 Jun 2009
Somehow, it appears unlikely that this story is going to have a happy ending, regardless of whether Governor Sanford remains in the State House, or decides to resign. True, this decision of forced resignation or even impeachment should be based on logic, not the heat of the moment, but Mark Sanford appears to be showing incredibly poor judgment in regards to his capacity as Governor, and, as such, has damaged a struggling state for months, if not years, to come.
Keith West
Added:
26 Jun 2009
I believe that Governor Sanford is out of touch with the typcial person in South Carolina. His refusal to accept money for those on unemployment who need help was heartless and shows disdain for peoples problems. He position on not accepting the stimulus money for school repair shows real huberous towards the needs of school kids. The affair while troubling shows again his putting his own self-interest first. The only thing that could be worse than our present govenor if for Andre Bauer to take over. He is another person who is out of touch with reality as shown by his irresponsible driving and behaviour. God help us with these two in charge of our state.
Jim Henderson
Added:
26 Jun 2009
I like the basic idea of this editorial, but the headline is totally misleading.
I was expecting to read a totally different story from the one that was actually written.
Just my 2 cents.
- Anton Ross
Anton Ross
Added:
26 Jun 2009
one of the most well-written and logical group of thoughts on the Sanford issue yet
bobby
Added:
26 Jun 2009
Blah! Blah! Blah! Is it any wonder the state of SC is in the shape it is? At the top of all the bad lists and the bottom of the good lists. If Sanford knew this woman for the past 8 years, then his head has been in the wrong place for ALL of his term, not just the last year.
He obvioiusly does not care about the people of SC so what is going to be different in the next 18 months? Is there NO accountability for anything anymore? He was negligent and all we want to do his slap him on the wrist, tell him to go home and make nice with his family and welcome him back as Governor?
Who is going to pay any attention to him now? If he stays, one can only know that NOTHING will happen positive in the state of SC until he is gone. Hello SC! Can we really afford that?
Diane Beck
Added:
27 Jun 2009
Mark Sanford had the support of many for his stand on smaller government and lower taxes. He was a rallying point for us and his fall from grace leaves a void not easily filled.
John Robinson
Added:
29 Jun 2009
I might have been able to look the other way and let Mark Sanford work it out privately with his wife but he is the one who set the moral high road when he ran for office. This is the main reason that I voted for him and he is the one who said Bill Clinton would be a poor leader and should resign. Now that the shoe is on the other foot his convictions take a back seat. I agree with his conservative ideal but he has been on the wrong side of most issues. To my knowledge he has spent very little time in a school classroom but he is willing to ruin the system with his ideal. Clearly the last 18 month of his term in office has been wasted and we are looking at loosing 18 months more. I HOPE NOT! Mark stand up and be the man you are and leave the office now and let the state heal from your misdirection, flawed morals and ethics.
Registered republican but no longer proud.
Tommy Morell
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