Gov. Mark Sanford's Affair
Extra-Marital Affairs are seen often in the lives of elected public officials. From the old, Thomas Jefferson’s numerous affairs with enslaved women, to the new, the recently uncovered affairs of Senator John Ensign and Governor Mark Sanford, such affairs can have varying effects on the political career of the official. Former President Clinton’s affair with Monica Lewinsky eventually lead to his impeachment, while others have successfully campaigned for re-election after his or her affair being publicized. Of course, all of the affairs happened in different circumstances, and certain circumstances (like those during Governor Sanford’s affair) should lead to the official being removed from office. Sanford should be removed from office not because of his affair, but because he used public time and money and manipulated public opinion in order to participate in his affair.
From June nineteenth to June twenty-fourth, Governor Mark Sanford was not in his home state of South Carolina and his location was unknown to his constituents, his family, and his staff. The only thing known about his location was that he had ‘wanted to get away’ and was possibly hiking the Appellation Trail. When he returned on June twenty-fourth, Sanford gave a press conference where he announced that he had been in Argentina with his mistress. “The bottom line is this- I have been unfaithful to my wife… I have spent the last five days of my life crying down in Argentina,” Sanford announced at his press conference. Now, other than the actual affair, there are three facts in this case that should end or at least severely shorten his political career. First, Sanford was gone during three business days without alerting his staff where he was going. He was gone during three days where he was supposed to be running the state of South Carolina. This is irresponsible. Second, Sanford campaigned many times, both for the governorship and for the US Congress, on the idea that he is a ‘family man.’ He has used both his children and his wife as means to connect to his constituents and as a vessel to campaign for votes. By now having an affair, he has gone against what he has campaigned for in the past. Third, Sanford used public funds to visit his mistress in Buenos Ares and several times in New York City. He did resign as Chairman of the Republican Governor’s Association but not as Governor of South Carolina, even though, days after the affair an un-scientific poll reported that 65% of South Carolinian participated felt as though he ought to.
Should Sanford resign? Probably. He won't. Most elected officials won't give up power unless forced to, and it is now nearly seven months since the affair went public. He could still be impeached by the South Carolina legislature, but, once again, it's been a while. As Americans, we need to come to a consensus about where the line is draw between public and private for elected officials.
Read more »
From June nineteenth to June twenty-fourth, Governor Mark Sanford was not in his home state of South Carolina and his location was unknown to his constituents, his family, and his staff. The only thing known about his location was that he had ‘wanted to get away’ and was possibly hiking the Appellation Trail. When he returned on June twenty-fourth, Sanford gave a press conference where he announced that he had been in Argentina with his mistress. “The bottom line is this- I have been unfaithful to my wife… I have spent the last five days of my life crying down in Argentina,” Sanford announced at his press conference. Now, other than the actual affair, there are three facts in this case that should end or at least severely shorten his political career. First, Sanford was gone during three business days without alerting his staff where he was going. He was gone during three days where he was supposed to be running the state of South Carolina. This is irresponsible. Second, Sanford campaigned many times, both for the governorship and for the US Congress, on the idea that he is a ‘family man.’ He has used both his children and his wife as means to connect to his constituents and as a vessel to campaign for votes. By now having an affair, he has gone against what he has campaigned for in the past. Third, Sanford used public funds to visit his mistress in Buenos Ares and several times in New York City. He did resign as Chairman of the Republican Governor’s Association but not as Governor of South Carolina, even though, days after the affair an un-scientific poll reported that 65% of South Carolinian participated felt as though he ought to.
Should Sanford resign? Probably. He won't. Most elected officials won't give up power unless forced to, and it is now nearly seven months since the affair went public. He could still be impeached by the South Carolina legislature, but, once again, it's been a while. As Americans, we need to come to a consensus about where the line is draw between public and private for elected officials.
Posts
