Sanford & ...Argentine Beauty?

Gov. Mark Sanford, who recently destroyed his marriage admitted to having an affair with a woman in Argentina... on state time... using state money, was censured yesterday after a vote within the the South Carolina Republican Party. Their vote fell short of asking him to resign, however. The vote was 22 to censure, 10 to resign, and 9 in support of the embattled governor.

Sanford's biggest problem, to me anyway, was the fact that he left the state,. and the country, without taking the appropriate steps to transfer power to the Lt. Governor first. And spending state funds during these trips. And while the state review shows Sanford did no wrong doing, we know he did use state money, since he wrote the state a $3,300 personal check. Yes, the affair was personally wrong, and it speaks to character if the elected leader of a state decides to go outside of his marriage, but an affair hurts the state and the people differently than misuse of state funds and failing to perform the duties of the office you're elected to. Those most hurt are your own family, while the state is dragged through the mud. Perhaps one of these offenses alone would be forgivable, as least as far as the general public is concerned, but with all of these things against him, a censure of the governor is getting off pretty well.

And for some personal advice for the governor: Lord knows you shouldn't ask me for relationship advice, but Gov. Sanford, if you are not in love with your life, and if this other woman is your "soul mate", get a divorce, move her up here, so you can stay near your kids, and live contently ever after (it's not happily ever after since he blew his chances of running in 2012.) Your kids will gain nothing by "staying together for the kids", which is likely what you are doing now. They're smarter than that, Sanford.

-Adam