Torn Over Sanford Affair

Almost immediately following Governor Sanford's (R-SC) mea culpa over his GWOL (gallivanting without leave) in Argentina, people started debating whether he should resign his position. Impeachment was mentioned as well, but so far there appears to be no legal grounds for taking that route. Although I was deeply disappointed by this revelation (I have been a Sanford supporter from the beginning), I was initially inclined to think that he should stick it out for the remainder of his term; I felt this way largely because I didn't feel that it would be good for the state to have the 2010 gubernatorial election all but decided before the campaign even begins. (Lt. Gov. Bauer, who has already indicated that he will likely run for the office next year, would be elevated to the governorship in Sanford's place, making him the de facto incumbent.) I felt that it was very important for SC voters to hear all of the candidates' positions and to make their selection, rather than have one person with such a massive edge coming out of the gate.

However, in the days that followed, Governor Sanford performed a very public meltdown, fessing up to not only his Argentinian affair, but to "crossing the line" with a number of other women in the past (although not "that" line apparently). He also further compounded the immediate situation by taking the "poor me" angle by painting himself as lovelorn for his denied lover, basically dealing his wife, who has shown substantial poise through this whole situation, a proverbial slap in the face. If Sanford showed abysmal judgment before, this behavior was a whole other level.

I am leaning toward thinking that he should resign at this point, and let the gubernatorial election fall as it may next year. I think right now, the embarrassment that he brings to the state (such embarrassments carry consequences when you're competing with other states for economic development) outweighs the consequences associated with his leaving the office. At least one consolation prize would be that Lt. Gov. Bauer's elevation to governor would require President Pro Tempore of the Senate McConnell to vacate his senate seat in order to take over as Lt. Governor, which would potentially open his seat to someone hopefully more conservative and reform-minded. One can hope.

All of this aside, I do hope we will all remember the human aspect of this situation. My sympathies go not just to Mrs. Sanford, but especially to their four sons. Let us pray for healing for each of them.

Jim DeMint on the Extra-Constitutionality of Obama's Administration

This op-ed by Senator DeMint (R-SC) does a great job of encapsulating what is wrong with Obama's ambitious agenda. One parallel I would draw (this will make sense after you've read the article) is with some of the more questionable provisions of the PATRIOT Act under the previous administration -- many conservatives had no problems giving those powers to President Bush, but ignored warnings from other conservatives and libertarians that Bush would not always be president.

'We the People' vs. 'I Won'