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American politics can offer some unusual career trajectories, but by any measure, South Carolina Republican Mark Sanford is unique.
After serving three unremarkable terms in Congress, Sanford was elected governor twice, and in 2008, was widely considered a top contender for his party's vice presidential nomination. By early 2009, the governor appeared to be laying the groundwork for a likely presidential campaign.
Those plans were scrapped by June 2009, when Sanford, a "family-values conservative," confessed to having an extra-marital affair with an Argentinian woman. The governor had lied about his activities, misused public funds, violated state ethics guidelines, and was censured by state lawmakers from his own party.
That was then; this is now.
A disgraced ex-governor and the sister of a popular comedian came out victorious on Tuesday in South Carolina's special congressional primary, possibly setting the stage for an uncommonly tight race for what is normally a Republican safe seat.
Republicans in South Carolina's 1st congressional district showed forgiveness by supporting Mark Sanford after a campaign focused as much on the former governor's personal transgressions as his record. Sanford came out on top of the crowded 16-candidate Republican primary, according to the Associated Press.
Sanford won a plurality of Republican votes, and will now compete in an April 2 primary runoff, though it's still not clear who his opponent will be. If the former governor prevails, as now seems likely, he'll face Elizabeth Colbert Busch, who cruised to an easy win in the Democratic race, in the May 7 general special election.
The seat, formerly held by Tim Scott before his appointment to the U.S. Senate, is generally considered a safe one for Republicans -- President Obama lost this district by 18 points last year -- but Colbert Busch has proven to be a strong candidate and Sanford's scandal-plagued past has made the contest more competitive than expected.
Sanford will, however, enjoy a considerable financial advantage, thanks to the generous support of wealthy far-right benefactors like David Koch and Foster Friess.
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Golly looks like I am going to vote for a Bus(c)h!
"The governor had lied about his activities, misused public funds, violated state ethics guidelines, and was censured by state lawmakers from his own party."
So, basically a standard, run-of-the-mill republican resume.
And they know a good gig when they see one , always wanting to return to the public tough to suck up some slop. A lesser man might have had shame and resigned himself to the private sector. I suspect that there are no altruistic motives propelling Mr. sanford.
If only Democrats could pray to baby Jesus (lying in His manger) and beg forgiveness, then they could pull off these kinds of shenanigans too; and get re-elected!
Yet again, IOKIYAR.
Those hillbillies love a repentant sinner.
Trouble is, he's not sorry he did it, he's just sorry he got caught. I used to live in the first district. I kind of wish I still did. I would LOVE to vote for Elizabeth Colbert-Busch!
I suspect a lot of those 'hillbillies' are thinking, 'damn! I wish I could hike the Appalachian trail with some hot babe from Argentina!'
i confidently predict that given a choice between this proven liar and adulterer and a democrat, the local fundies will endorse him without so much as a hiccup. amazing! i used to take religion seriously. it wasn't hitchens or harris who convinced me that it was b.s.
"God" must love sinners, since he made so many of them.
The thing to understand about Republican "Family Values" is that it's not really about family or values, it's about hating on a short list of targets:
That's it. Adultery, rape, aggravated assault, murder, embezzlement ... if Jesus can forgive them, then so will the electorate. Which is why it's so important to get freaking convictions against pols who abuse the office. Letting them off with censure or pleading a lesser charge just means that they can come back.
This was so funny it had me in tears.
Traditional Marriage
Don't cry for me Argentina.
No shame.
I guess politics is all he knows. He doesn't have any ability outside public office, or any interest outside the pubic orifice.
Funny enough , I went the the wiki and he used to be a real estate guy , and still has a company , so he had other things he could do , but hey he likes "The Spotlight"
I did'nt know the Appalacian trail ran all the way to Argentina. That Sanford guy must be in some shape.
I can't believe there is any Republican who thinks Sanford ought to have his political career resurrected.
Similarly, I can't understand the Democrats continued deification of the Clinton's.
Both Clinton's? Really? I think there are chunks of baby in your bathwater.
Assuming you're just talking about President Clinton in the same context of disgrace that this post talks about Mark Sanford, then I understand the association.
As for an answer to why people still love Bill Clinton, I think it has something to do with what a great job he did as President, particularly in light of what his successor did with that office afterwards.
Perspective is a historical bitch.
In comparing to Mark Sanford, I should stick with Bill. But Dems rallied around Bill Clinton even before Bush stepped into office. Don't forget the heaping scorn directed at independent counsel Ken Starr for having the temerity to expose BC's lies and dalliances.
After thinking about it, I believe it has something to doing with protecting political power. Recognizing the Clinton's had marketable star power, Democrats couldn't afford to let it ebb away. It had to be propped up within Democrat circles, and it is propped up and utilized in cases such as B. Clinton's Democratic convention speech.
This coincides with my thoughts on a recent event in the Texas Legislature. Just a week ago a Democratic lawmaker from El Paso (Rep. Naomi Gonzales) rear-ended another vehicle with her car, causing the other vehicle to strike a person on a bicycle. Her blood-alcohol level was twice the legal limit. Fortunately, no one was seriously hurt. But when she returned to the House floor she gave an apology to her colleagues -- to which her Democratic allies responded with A STANDING OVATION! Now why would they give a standing ovation to someone in such a situation? To protect her, as much as possible, from the POLITICAL fallout -- to make it OK for others to stick with her.
With Mark Sanford, he has no political capital to be preserved, and he merits no sympathy from voters. I fail to see why he is getting any traction at all from Republicans.
The difference between Dems and Republicans is the admission of guilt. You don't hear Dems claiming "family values" as a campaign issue. Republicans, and the holy roller ministers, like to pontificate until they get caught in a salacious scandal.
If you support a politician to begin with, "his private life is irrelevant." If you oppose a politician to begin with, "it's a question of character."
While ultimately I hope the Dem candidate wins the seat, it would be hilarious if Sanford was sent to Congress. It would be exactly what the South Carolina GOP electorate deserves!
So David Koch and Foster Friess are putting big bucks behind their support of adultery? Why am I not surprised.
The party that supported Newt Gingrich will support anybody, regardless of their record. Can you imagine a Democrat running with Stanford's record? The hypocrisy of the Republicans has no bounds.