THE ISSUE: Mark Sanford as governor

OUR OPINION: Governor’s preoccupation with personal problems leaves him unable to govern

It is painfully obvious that Gov. Mark Sanford is as preoccupied with his personal problems as the media and the public are with continuing to follow his story. After an initial news conference in which Sanford acknowledged an affair with a woman from Argentina, seemingly every day has brought a new statement from the governor and more revelations.

First, we learned that he deceived his staff about his whereabouts, then came news of a state-sponsored trip to Argentina during which he rendezvoused with the woman. The Commerce Department acknowledges the governor requested additional development meetings in the South American country.

Questions about use of government money surround the Sanford story, not only from the state trip but now from other meetings Sanford says he had with the woman. The State Law Enforcement Division is to investigate.

As much as we’d like to believe a politician of Sanford’s conservative ilk indeed, as he says, did not use taxpayer money for such personal matters, there are questions to be answered.

All the while, Sanford continues to focus on his personal issues, apologizing in such forums as Twitter and Facebook. Also, in an interview with The Associated Press, the governor added new twists, acknowledging the additional meetings with the woman from Argentina, then going so far as to say she is his “soul mate,” that he is not in love with his wife and that he has “crossed the lines” with other woman. What the latter assessment means is unclear, as he said there have been no other sexual liaisons.

Enough. We said it more than a week ago, and we repeat: This governor has a wealth of personal problems that are dominating his time and attention and well they should. He cannot possibly focus on leading the state while trying to rebuild his personal life – and in the intense scrutiny of the public eye.

Gov. Sanford should resign and focus on his life.

A number of lawmakers have stopped short of saying the governor should go, though increasing numbers are joining the chorus. And there is the matter of the impact on the 2010 governor’s race, where candidates are being forced to walk a tightrope on how to deal with the Sanford matter. Most notable is Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, who has gone so far as to say he will exit as a candidate in 2010 if Sanford resigns and hands over the Governor’s Mansion to him for 18 months. He says that is the only way to get the state out of this crisis and moving ahead on pressing governmental issues.

A group of seven Republican state senators agrees, issuing a statement on Tuesday calling on Sanford to quit. Among them are Senate Majority Leader Harvey Peeler and Senate Finance Chairman Hugh Leatherman.

They make salient points on why the governor should step down:

“Gov. Sanford has imposed a crisis upon our state. As members of the Senate, we have a duty to the people of South Carolina to do what is in their best interests. We therefore have concluded that Gov. Mark Sanford must resign his office. He has lost the trust of the people and the Legislature to lead our state through historically difficult times. …

“We must have strong leadership from a governor who is focused and trusted. Gov. Sanford is neither.

“We did not reach this conclusion in haste and we did not base it on his personal failings, but events since his news conference have forced us to act.

“… Disclosures indicate a pattern of abuse of office. Most disturbing is our belief that the governor only admitted to these transgressions after he was caught.

“The governor’s family crisis is private and tragic. But the crisis the governor imposed by his abuse of office is the people’s business and must come to an end. …”

“The bottom line is that the governor’s private matters should remain private, but his deception and negligence make it impossible for us to trust him, and for him to govern in the future.”

On Wednesday, powerful Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell weighed in, saying the governor “has lost the support of the people that is needed to govern.” He stopped short of outright saying Sanford should resign, opting to make his call in terms we echo here:

“I would beseech the governor to do the right thing for himself, his family and our state. I believe he knows what the right thing to do is.”

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