Mark Sanford: ‘I’ve been unfaithful to my wife.’
After apologizing to nearly everyone — his sons, his wife, his staff, his supporters, residents of South Carolina — Gov. Mark Sanford just said this:
“I’ve been unfaithful to my wife. I developed a relationship which started with a dear, dear friend from Argentina.”
Gov. Mark Sanford arrives at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport this morning, from Argentina. Gina Smith/The State
A reporter asked if he was alone when he was in Buenos Aires. “Obviously not,” he said. The other woman wasn’t named, but the governor said the relationship “sparked” while he was offering advice on her failing marriage.
The affair was discovered — presumably by his wife — five months ago, but had lasted about a year. “I spent the last five days of my life crying in Argentina,” he said.
The press conference was the finish of a six-day saga in which Sanford dropped off the state’s radar, with his staff stumbling to make excuses for his absence. On Monday, his spokesman told reporters that he was incommunicado, hiking the Appalachian Trail.
Weirdly, the press conference began with a reverie by Sanford of his days — as a high schooler and college student — as an outdoorsman planning trips on the trail. He admitted he gave his staff a mistaken impression of his whereabouts, and the press conference took a more somber turn:
“I’m a bottom-line kind of guy. I’ll lay it out, it’s going to hurt, and we’ll let the chips fall as they may,” he said.
Gov. Mark Sanford wipes away tears during Wednesday news conference. Associated Press.
Sanford said he’s resigning as chairman of the Republican Governors Association, a platform that could have served him well in a 2012 presidential campaign. Haley Barbour, governor of Mississippi, will replace him.
“While this news is deeply disappointing, I also know it’s important to remain focused on the future and Governor Sanford’s resignation allows him and us to do just that,” Barbour said in a prepared statement.
Nick Ayers, executive director of the RGA and a protege of Gov. Sonny Perdue, added this: “My job allows me to share the joys of getting to know great leaders around the country and experiencing great pride when they succeed, but the other side of that is experiencing deep disappointment when they fall short. Today is undeniably a disappointing day.”
Sanford’s admission to adultery comes just a week after U.S. Sen. John Ensign of Nevada, a social conservative spoken of as presidential material, admitted to a months-long affair with an aide and resigned as chairman of the Republican Policy Committee, a top Senate leadership position.
Sanford asked the media for a zone of privacy — if not for himself, then for his sons and wife. But he was walking away from reporters and did not answer when asked if he would resign as South Carolina’s governor.
The press conference was broadcast live on TV in South Carolina, and over the Internet by C-SPAN.
Here’s a partial account of the news conference from The State, which snagged an interview with Sanford this morning as he walked off a plane that had just docked at Hartsfield-Jackson:
“It began very innocently as I expect many of these things do, just casual email back and forth,” Sanford said. “But here recently this last year developed into something much more.”
Asked if Sanford was separated from his wife, he said “I don’t know how you want to define that. I”m here and she’s there. I guess in a formal sense we are not.”
Sanford said his wife has known about the affair and they have been working through it for the past five months. “What I did was wrong, period. End of story,” he said.
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161 comments Add your comment
DebbieDoRight
June 24th, 2009
3:05 pm
2 funny!!!
I bet his wife will laugh all the way to the bank!!!!
Kate
June 24th, 2009
3:05 pm
“I spent the last five days of my life crying in Argentina,” ARE YA KIDDING ME!! Ohhhh pooooor baby!!! WHATEVER he’s just crying because he got CAUGHT! And life as he knew it has suddenly changed. What a joke! Way to lead by example for your boys!!
IDC
June 24th, 2009
3:05 pm
I thought it was a toss up between an affair or cheap plastic surgery. All politicians should be required to take salt peter through an IV every day.
notsurprised
June 24th, 2009
3:05 pm
Hey GT1… read my comment again. I said nothing at all about politcal parties. Are you being stupid?
The Real Politico
June 24th, 2009
3:06 pm
When people like DHD try to soft peddle this we see what the Republican party is all about. It will fall for anything.
Lower federal taxes? Okay, how is that working out for your state and local government budgets?
Service cutbacks?
Marriage Act? Okay, familiy values purported but Republicans can’t keep it in their pants.
Fiscal conservatism? Okay, but pass the highest budget deficit in U.S. history from 2000-2006.
It’s all about smoke and mirrors. Look for the denial and deflection on Fox as we speak. along with DHD.
Republicrat_Slave
June 24th, 2009
3:06 pm
No worries. Governor Mark has been approached by a very considerate Reverend who is somewhat of an expert in these situations – Rev. Jesse Jackson. Mark will come out of this with rainbows.
Besides, isn’t immorality supposed to QUALIFY you for public office?
Reaganite
June 24th, 2009
3:08 pm
Let’s see when GOP electeds get caught cheating they admit it and do not lie under oath.
What Sanford did was wrong. It is funny that gay activists point to cases like this and say see gay marriage would not hurt morals. Yes it would. Homosexuality is wrong and against nature. Since some states made gay marriage legel, you see headlines every week about gay couples splitting up.
I don’t recall the Bible mentioning a city being destroyed because of adultry. I do know that Sodom and Gommorah was destroyed because of homosexuality….
Steve W.
June 24th, 2009
3:10 pm
Two things…”Fed Up” , we are talking about the Gov. of SC and NOT the President. Secondly, he was in Argentina crying his eyes out…is that not the funniest thing that you’ve ever heard!
Reaganite
June 24th, 2009
3:11 pm
How about Barney Frank getting way with a gay prostituion ring running out of his apartment?
Dennis
June 24th, 2009
3:11 pm
It is painful to see the glee in some here that this happens to be a Republican. Immorality knows no political party and sin is abundant on both sides. Former Vice Presidential candidate Edwards not only had an affair, but also apparently father a child out of wedlock. The mayor Los Angeles (D) had an affair, The governor of New York (D) dallied with prostitutes. I think we can all admit that humans are frail and fall from grace regardless of their political affiliation. Let’s not be so gleeful about this but let us all be concerned for the children who will inappropriately pay most for this.
jarvis
June 24th, 2009
3:12 pm
Reaganite, you need to go back and read a little more about Ronald Reagan. You’re embarrassing him.
DogsBite
June 24th, 2009
3:12 pm
Easy, there GOP bashers…Elliot Spitzer, David Paterson, Bill Clinton, John Edwards, just to name a few. Don’t hand me this crap about the GOP being the party of family values. I’m a Republican & I NEVER said that.
Someone coined that phrase & Dems have jumped on it EVERY time this happens. And whats the alternative – calling yourself the party of anti-family values?? Of course it’s duplicitous or hypocritical to cheat on your wife, but ALL people are guilty of some duplicity/hypocrisy/lying sometime in their lives….however, not all men cheat – they have screwed up somewhere in their marriage, but not all have cheatyed. That is a notion born out of some bitterness or brokenness in a relationship, but it’s just not true.
Bulldawg
June 24th, 2009
3:12 pm
At least the affair was with another woman and not a young boy!
A
June 24th, 2009
3:12 pm
Yet another Republican hypocrite. They talk about “Family Values” yet they all seem to have affairs (gay or straight) or have kids out of wedlock (Bristol Palin). And why do the wives stick around? Mrs. Sanford needs to stand up for herself and take their 4 boys and leave. And the governor needs to resign and get into some therapy. The 2012 contenders are dropping like flies, which is fine by me since I look forward to 8 years of “No Drama” Obama!
Steve
June 24th, 2009
3:12 pm
Enter your comments here
Fed Up
June 24th, 2009
3:12 pm
I’ll talk about whatever the hell I damn well please.
Herd89
June 24th, 2009
3:13 pm
Appalachian – Argentina….really that is the best cover he could come up with? Not only is he a liar and a cheater, he is an idiot. I am SO tired of hearing about sad-sack politicians. Why can’t honest, dependable, honorable people serve in office?
HA HA HA HA HA
June 24th, 2009
3:13 pm
Privacy – thats rich! Clinton messed up and was caught. Any of you people who are bashing him because he didn’t resign ever stop to think that maybe he didn’t resign because he knew the people that were after him (cough cough, Newt) were just as guilty about being immoral? 2 wrongs definitely do not make a right, but if you preach it, practice it or STFU. And to everyone who still refuses to drop it about Clinton telling a lie under oath I ask you, where are all the WMD’s that have justified repeated killing of our brave men and women in the armed forces? If I had to choose between a leader who lies about dropping a load on a dress or a leader who sends off people to die in a war that should have never happened, I’ll pick the pervert!
To you Bible-heads, remember “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone”
And to you people who just couldn’t resist bashing the current administration in one way or another I ask you, weren’t you the same people who were guilty of “If you don’t support the president you’re free to leave”? I’m sure there are places you would rather live with what the local government and sponsored media feed you. You would be at home in Iran. Their state media looks a lot like Fox News – “Believe what we tell you!”
Gern Blanski
June 24th, 2009
3:13 pm
Sanford did not make a mistake. A mistake is one-time dalliance with some type of extenuating circumstances.
He willingly engaged in a pattern of behavior that he would gladly condemn in others for political expediency. He and his staffers perpetrated a fraud on the citizens of South Carolina by claiming that he was in private working on “writings” for important work after a tough legislative session. I wonder if “writings” were of a satisfying length and breadth for this private working session.
This is guy is an a-hole. He is a fraud. Rather than resigning from the Repub Governors Association, he should be resigning from all public service.
PrayingforSC
June 24th, 2009
3:14 pm
How disappointing are the comments on this blog? For once a politician has admitted his wrongs and asked for forgiveness. Maybe he did not do the politically correct thing by not telling everyone where he was traveling. I pray for the family and the State of SC. The governor has admitted sin and disappointed many. He lied, but he admitted it. Politicians are human and sinful no matter what party they support. I pray the media will allow this state and family to heal. I’m sure Mr. Sanford will make the best decision for his family when deciding whether or not to remain governor. Please remember this is a family and they need our prayers.
Jack M
June 24th, 2009
3:15 pm
Whats sex life got to do with a politicians performance????
I guess we should be looking into all the actions of all the
big shot bashers!
Dale
June 24th, 2009
3:16 pm
For every man (republican or democrat) that cheats, there is a woman cheating with him. So, while he is a reprehensible scum bag, so is she! Put the blame where it belongs – on both. She is no better.
Sounds Just Like Gov Ensign
June 24th, 2009
3:16 pm
I knew he was trying to do the Gov Ensign routine. Perhaps b 2012 voters will have forgotten if he put it out there early. NOT!
Reaganite
June 24th, 2009
3:16 pm
Gern would you apply that same standard to Democrats as well or is it just Republicans?
Also, you people that think Obama will be re-elected are living in a fantasy land.
Liberals are taxcheats, Repubs are sex freaks
June 24th, 2009
3:17 pm
I prefer the one’s on the right.
Better to cheat your partner than your country
AnnieR
June 24th, 2009
3:17 pm
Oh, like Democrats don’t cheat on their spouses? Get a grip, this isn’t about politics, it’s about an idiot governor of S Carolina. The really ironic part is that he was trying to counsel her on her failing marriage, now that’s RICH!!!
Maryellen
June 24th, 2009
3:18 pm
this isn’t about Republicans or Democrats it is about a cheating elected official that is a sneak and a liar.
Hellinahandbasket
June 24th, 2009
3:19 pm
Any politician (Dem or Rep) or man for that matter who cheats is a low life scum bag and can’t be trusted. Those of you who think Rep’s aren’t angry about this are morons, cheating is cheating and whats worse is when these idiots hold themselves up as moral bastions of society and all the while banging some woman in Argentina or Washington or whereever. Just like JOhn Edwards, Sanders is a moronic SOB who has hurt his wife and children irrevocably just for a little ’slap and tickle’.
Karen
June 24th, 2009
3:19 pm
Clinton had more than one wrong I guess everyone has forgotten Jennifer Flowers oh and what was the other one while he was Governor. I guess he kept hoping for practice makes perfect. Adultery has no boundaries period, including politics and religion. But I wouldn’t bash either over a few bad apples. Just quit voting the idiots into office.
Curly Girly-man
June 24th, 2009
3:19 pm
An Argentinian transvestite!
Kinky!
Be still my fat greasy oily GOP heart!
Hellinahandbasket
June 24th, 2009
3:20 pm
And I agree with Dale, the woman is as cupable. Here she is in a failing marriage talking to Sanders and then cheats with him! What a couple of losers.
Steve in Buford
June 24th, 2009
3:21 pm
I think this GOP Gov is closer to President Bill Clinton than he would like to be. But we know, Democrats never do anything like this… but if they do… what is it the liberals say? Oh yea… it is his pvt life. What does it have to do with governing?
BPJ
June 24th, 2009
3:21 pm
Here in Georgia, we have a disappearing governor as well. Don’t get me wrong – he’s a fine family man. But when the legislature is struggling with a divisive issue, such as transportation funding, Perdue might as well be wandering the Appalachian Trail, or crying in Argentina. Then, when the session ends with no resolution, Perdue pops up and expresses his disappointment. Governor “perdu”, in the French sense!
Liberal Way of Thinking
June 24th, 2009
3:21 pm
Using the leftist way of acting/political appointments
Since the man in charge of the IRS is a tax cheat then
Ensign and Sanford should be next in line to be the Pope!
Shut Up!
June 24th, 2009
3:22 pm
All you people on this blog are idiots! Shut the hell up and go back to work. Sorry, most of you probably don’t have jobs, so start working on a resume you bums. How is this country the leader of the free world, but filled with nothing but morons, from the poorest to the elites. Just a waste of oxygen. It’s not God bless America, but God d**n America.
Hellinahandbasket
June 24th, 2009
3:22 pm
hey steve the reason men cheat is because they make excuses for their bad behavior and justify their cheating by blaming someone else. the thing is a real man doesn’t cheat and the most important thing in the world is not whether your libido is ‘happy’, well maybe for a 13 yr old kid it is but most real men grow up and realize that although sex is important its not the most important thing.
comedyforreal
June 24th, 2009
3:23 pm
I can’t wait to hear Bill Maher’s take on this… lucky guy. He just has to sit back and wait each week for new material to fall into his lap.
Hellinahandbasket
June 24th, 2009
3:24 pm
therese persaud – if you think its just the gop that are liars and cheaters then you have proven just what a biased moron you are.
jarvis
June 24th, 2009
3:25 pm
Jack M…what does sex have to do with governing? Really? He left his state unannounced for 5 days and his staff lied to the Lt. Governor about his whereabouts….how exactly was doing the “governing”?
Kerry
June 24th, 2009
3:25 pm
Why is this even news outside of South Carolina? Who cares?
LMAO
June 24th, 2009
3:26 pm
The governor of SC likes that dark meat! Just like Strom Thurmond!
Really
June 24th, 2009
3:27 pm
At least he is (was) getting some.
Hellinahandbasket
June 24th, 2009
3:27 pm
Ironic that so many of you think its funny cause you get to see your arch nemisis’ fail…but it shows more about you than them…anyone who thinks it’s funny needs to grow up…there is a wife and kids that are going to suffer badly but then again i guess according to your bias they deserve it and you’ll be like those blood sucking vultures laughing while they hurt…oh, yeah the dem’s, the party of the inclusive, caring, compassionate…yeah right…hahahaha
tut tut
June 24th, 2009
3:28 pm
Hey Shut Up, what’s your excuse? …you just on a coffee break??? Whateva!
Nothing like enjoying....
June 24th, 2009
3:29 pm
the suffering of others. Makes me so proud of my fellow citizens.
The Voice of Optimistic Doubt!
June 24th, 2009
3:29 pm
Voice of Reason #1 – You are obviously a woman with your “reasoning”. Ever stop to think that for every man that cheats with a woman, a woman is cheating too – married or not. If one is cheating, both are cheating. Ms. Voice of Reason #1, you must have been stung in the past. Try and get over it.
For all you good liberals – if only we could all be so innocent and wonderful! Hah!
Fulton Resident
June 24th, 2009
3:29 pm
Well – so much for thinking the guy just needed a break and was truly taking a relaxing vacation – and so much for hoping for the best.
This is truly sad for his family to have to go through this.
Steve W. – that could be the funniest thing of the week. I was trying to support the guy but come on, “crying my eyes out in Argentina.”
Shut Up!
June 24th, 2009
3:29 pm
Not a coffee break, but yes, I am on a break. Thanks for asking!
Mactown Marvel
June 24th, 2009
3:30 pm
The truth about anyone character will always come to the light! Now, these so called (self righteous is more like it) individuals that are trying to put a play on words in the media in most cases about a person’s character and they steadily try to push these moral infidels into the political spotlight only for them to be exposed as the hypocritical frauds that they are! Old saying “Never point the finger at someone because you always have more pointing back at you!”
Jarvis is an idiot
June 24th, 2009
3:30 pm
Do you think there was anything that had to be done in those 5 days???
Are you that dense? Hell, every time I look, obama is doing interviews, giving
a speech or doing something irrelevant. I saw a study the other day that said
“based on obamas appearances – speeches and other non performance actions,
that counting on 5 hours of sleep, obama would only have about 2 hours of actual
work time.