"We all know that leaving the state without a governor for any period of time is not acceptable," said Attorney General Henry McMaster, a Republican

Henry McMaster is such a momma's boy it's unbelievable.

Lawn chair. Popcorn. Margaritas!

"Far more interesting than the private love letters is the question of who leaked the emails in the first place"

This should be obvious... These emails have have been around since last December and were recived from an "unknown source". their from his privete account.

The wife did it.....

More and more this story is becoming an "everybody knew" narrative, that was manipulated to look like a whodunnit plot. I suspect Sanford is just grateful he didn't compare himself to a tampon.

"We all know that leaving the state without a governor for any period of time is not acceptable," said Attorney General Henry McMaster

Henry's just politicking. Let's face it, even when Sanford's in the state, we're effectively without a governor.

He handed them everything they needed to bring him down when he rushed off without telling anyone or setting up the chain of command for while he was gone.

The guy's an emotional tinderbox. I almost felt sorry for him during the appalling show he put on yesterday until the third baseman reminded me that this is the same guy who wanted SC kids to go hungry so he could look like a badass to insane fringe Republican primary voters.

Sow, sow, reap.

In most cases, I would have been opposed to releasing these very personal emails. They are excruciating to read for a number of reasons. But this piece of crap has invaded and politicized the private lives of women and gays over choice and marriage equality, and he has damaged the lives of thousands of South Carolinians through his hard-hearted refusal to take the stimulus money. So anything that destroys his own life, both personal and political, is ok with me. No mercy. Not this time.

Given Sanford's incompetence, SC is best served with him in Argentina.

Now, Mark, those Palmettoites just love military uniforms - You should have brought one of their Falklands era General outfits - You know, the ones with miles and miles of medals and citations for getting their toes stepped on during their tango moments. Then, you could play Juan Peron to your new Evita. Evita could even shed a tear for those poor kids mentioned supra by Shortstop. Yeah, Mark, just start crooning, "Don't cry for me South Carolina.......I kept my promise, don't keep your distance".

I could easily blow over among Sanford's fans, considering the weird confession-forgiveness-dismissal narrative among the Right, based on their religious salvation model. In effect, actions don't really have consequences if you say you're sorry. What a wimpy liberal idea about wrongdoing!

BTW, any notable "independent" figures finally get around to picking on Faux's now clearly deliberate depiction of misbehaving Republicans as "D"? Of course MMFA, Kos, and we will complain, but we need a powerful, respected centrist to attack it.

Since Sanford is term-limited anyway past 2010, maybe he'll just do the right thing and resign. "Right thing" for all involved....

BTW, the wife did it.

(It), they don't care about me ;-)

BTW, the wife did it.

I've thought this myself, phoebes. If so, we should take up a collection and send her on an month long 5-star spa vacation - to anywhere but South America.

Today's news in song:

Lyle Lovett sings 'God Will' The difference 'tween God and me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drcHRSphSvk

Can hardly await the Lifetime movie. The Spanish beauty Penelope Cruz as his Evita? Of course, with his inept actions, Rob Schneider could play Mark. And, now, for a woman of steel to play his wife.

Steve writes "The governor's strategy, I suspect, is to hunker down and wait for the storm to blow over-

-or until the next Republican takes center stage with a live boy and/or a dead goat. . .

Didn't see the emails, but if they were sent and received through his work email account, then they would be public record. As someone who works in a governmental agency, trust me, we are hit over the head with "emails are public record" reminders.

Obviously a youthful indescretion. An expression from a member of the idle rich, which hopefully will result in either impeachment or resignation.
To save the tax payers money resignation would be the preferrred.

Sanford--depending on one's interpretation--sorta said that it would be cruel to his children to excoriate Sanford in public.

Sanford resigning would take care of this problem.

Along with the email question is "Why now?". People have been happy to cover up the governor's indiscretions including previous trips to Argentina. Did the wife finally decide that she did not have a chance to become First Lady? The governor's staff does not seem to have a problem with what he does. Was SC's budget crisis the perfect storm pitting Sanford's political ambitions and love interests against the will of the state and his wife?

I love the smell of napalmed Republicans in the morning!!

State Sen. Hugh Leatherman (R) -- who clashed repeatedly with Sanford over money issues, taking sharp criticism from him -- said Sanford "basically stopped being governor" while in Argentina.

Senator Bottom, Senator Bear, Senator Domme and Senator Switch also agreed with Senator Leatherman.

Let's face it -- Sanford wanted to get caught. Perhaps he didn't admit it to himself, but deep down, you don't disappear without explanation for five days from a very public position without subconsciously wanting retribution to rain down on your head. His guilt made him engineer his own downfall.

Dave in Austin: that was exactly my thought.

lowtechcyclist - I'm heading for your house!

MissMudd - Ms guv comes from a wealthy family - Skil power tools. I don't think she needs or would even appreciate a donation for a spa.

I've ran across a couple of websites that said one of his aides tipped off the media, with, " he's off f*** his mistress in Argentina."

This could be true.

There's another one that said, one of his aides said, "he went to get some Argentina Tail."

Then there's a couple of websites that post a myspace page, saying that this is the mistress. She is alleged to be married with kids as well.

What I don't understand is how these men get women that are so forgiving. Do the GOP manipulate their wives like they do the public at large? Are the wives afraid of them?

Mark Sanford is a former real estate developer....so he has money. Why feel sorry for this idiot.

Sanford is the only one to vote against Medicaid coverage for some breast and cervical cancer.

Sanford signed "Immigration Bill 4400," one of the toughest immigration bills in the country.

What a slap in the face, he votes against immigrants, yet, sleep with one?

What if, Mark Sanford ruled the world?????

I have never heard of a job where you can not show up or call for five days and retain your position.

I have never heard of a job where you can not show up or call for five days and retain your position.

You haven't met my contractor, then.

Mark Sanford once brought a pig to the statehouse to demonstrate a point about pork barrel spending.

Let's wait for the part 2...part 1 was the news conference yesterday.