GOP Leaders Go Easy on Sanford with Mild Censure

South Carolina Republicans have taken it upon themselves to end a "sad chapter" in state governance by voting NOT to ask Governor Mark Sanford to resign from his job over an adulterous affair and alleged misuse of public funds.  And it took them less than 240 minutes to reach their decision!  (Oh, to be a fly on that wall.)  From The State:  After nearly four hours of discussion Monday evening, leaders of the South Carolina Republican Party voted to censure Gov. Mark Sanford, reprimanding him for secretly leaving the state to visit his lover in Argentina.  While the vote reveals how the state’s GOP leadership feels about the scandal, it has no practical effect on whether the governor remains in office.  (Maybe not.  But I'm sure Sanford is glad to know his pals have his back.)  "The events of the past two weeks have been as divisive as they have been disappointing for Republicans,” S.C. Republican Party chairman Karen Floyd said late Monday in a prepared statement. "But today has brought a large measure of resolution to a sad chapter in our state party’s history."  (A large measure of resolution?  For whom?  Oh wait, I get it.  The incident is resolved as far as GOPers are concerned.)

It's interesting to note that only ten out of forty-one GOP lawmakers called for the governor's resignation, and nine Republicans refused even to vote for censure!  Monday night after the vote, Sanford spokesman Joel Sawyer reiterated that his boss has no intention of stepping down, regardless of what his constituents might want:  "The governor fully appreciates the party’s position and he intends to work diligently to earn back its trust."  (Iced tea sprayed on the keyboard again.  Damn.) 

South Carolina voters aren't particularly happy with the Republicans' decision to merely censure Sanford, as evidenced by these stinging comments from State readers:

"The senate doesn't want to call on Sanford to resign because half of them have or have had girlfriends and don't want the same standard they exact against Sanford exacted against them."

"Censure is just a slap on the wrist.  The real issue here isn't just Sanford's infidelity (at least N.Y. Gov. Eliot Spitzer and N.J. Gov. James McGreevey had the decency to quit when they were caught).  No, it's his DERELICION of DUTY and LYING about it that demonstrate his utter lack of character to hold the highest position of trust in South Carolina."

"Sickening and disgusting!  Their election to office didn't include going against the will of the people."

"The GOP has done all it intends to do, and they will not listen to citizens unless we all march on the Capitol, which people are too lazy to do."

"The mullahs and clerics have spoken.  They say this is the final word on the matter.  The people have no say, no rights, deserve no respect.  They control the media. South Carolina is being governed like Iran." 

(There are more comments in this vein, after the jump...)

"Mr. Sanford realized he was no longer fit to serve as director of the Republican Governors Association.  But, since Sanford thinks South Carolina is much less important than the Republican Governors Association, he will not step down from its top leadership position."

"Five trips to your mistress? One more time, Governor, and that's it.   You're out.  (What's that?  He did what?) Uhhh, Six trips to your mistress?  Really, one more time, Governor, and that's it.  We're not kidding this time.  (Excuse me.  What did you say?)  Seven trips to your mistress?  Ok, just one more time, Governor, and you're through.  We really really mean it... We are so appalled that we are on the verge of acting on principle."

"Maybe all state employees should not go to work the rest of the week. There is precedence for not losing your job."

"Censure means nothing to this power mad clown."

"Reminds me of the old acronym IOKIYAR, or 'It's OK if you're a Republican.'  If this was a Democrat, he would have been tarred, feathered, thrown on a trash barge, and sent out to sea."

"Insubordination and abuse of office by sanctimonious GOP leadership that is totally looked over solely for preservation of power."

"Wow, so we should just shake our fingers at him and say shame shame. Yep, that will teach him a lesson."

"Way to go, leadership. You collectively just condoned Sanford's actions AND reminded young women EVERYWHERE to play dirty."

"I would like to know who the nine fools are who supported him."

"What a farce by the GOP. Throwing the public a bone to appease while they carry on business as usual. They should all be voted out of office next term."

"Every poll indicates a desire by the people for Sanford's removal. Majority of the postings here indicates the same. I hope the people of this state can see that these politicians care absolutely nothing about their wishes."

 "They at least should have made him wear a GPS tracking bracelet in case he 'disappears' again."

"Congratulations to the 10 members who called for Sanford's resignation.  As for the rest of the band of losers, they are right up there with Sanford.  Grand ole Party of Hypocrites."

I couldn't have said it better myself.

Comments

[Billy]

I don't know much about South Carolica politics... but isn't there another way they could kick the bum out of office! (And I use that word BUM advisedly.) Jesus Marie, who would ever trust the man again? Sarah Palin is a clown car, that's established. But horny guv Sanford is like a drunk driver behind the wheel of very citizen in tht state, waiting for the next bad accident to happen. I bet the voters know it too, that's why they want his ass outta there.

[Amanda]

They prolly all know the same prostitutes.

[Aggie]

I was remarking to one of my friends back in D.C. that the Dems had been really silent on this. His reply was to the effect of Amanda's, above, that enough of them have skeletons in the closet that they're not going to comment.