Gov. Mark Sanford reacts after finishing his interview with WVOC radio personality Keven Cohen and taking questions for the public during Cohen's radio show on Tuesday, in Columbia, S.C.
(Mary Ann Chastain / AP)Photos (1 of 1)
Sanford rebuffs SC speaker’s call to resign
Sanford went on the radio Tuesday to defend himself as part of an image-rebuilding tour. House Speaker Bobby Harrell had called for his resignation earlier in the day.
By Patrik Jonsson | Staff writer/ September 8, 2009 edition
Atlanta
With top South Carolina political powers turning against him, a relaxed Gov. Mark Sanford took to the Columbia airwaves Tuesday night, offering unique insights into what makes the embattled governor tick.
As part of a image-rebuilding tour through the South Carolina heartland, Governor Sanford sought to put his Argentine affair behind him, throw doubt on his growing list of political enemies, and talk about “where we go from here” during an hour talk with WVOC (Voice of Columbia) radio.
On Tuesday, Republican House Speaker Bobby Harrell – arguably South Carolina’s most powerful elected politician – called for Sanford’s resignation, reversing his previous view that the general assembly should wait for the results of an Ethics Committee investigation before taking action.
Keven Cohen, the radio host, showed early on where his sympathies lay, calling the calls for his resignation and impeachment “a witch hunt.” And only one caller threw a hardball – about the governor’s decision to add Buenos Aires – the hometown of his ex-mistress – to a Brazil trade trip.
Sanford invoked again his belief that God chooses imperfect people to do his work on earth, noting “If God’s going to make lemons out of lemonade, you’ve got to stay around for the second part of the show.”
He also said he wants to reform government “not with a shotgun, but a rifle” – presumably a variation on the scalpel versus cudgel analogy of budgetary surgery.
Sanford invoked his libertarian roots when he talked about his big project: Restructuring the only state government where the general assembly completely controls the budget purse strings.
Sanford’s gambit to change the flow of “gold” in Columbia, the governor has contended, is behind much of the political animosity now aimed his way. “It’s a totally weird system, and a lot of the controversy is about changing the system, involving a lot of people who profit from or agree with the system,” Sanford said.
But his decision to turn some of the blame for the government standstill on his political enemies also gave fuel to those who call him out of touch and a barrier to what Rep. Harrell called “the restoration of public trust.”
The question on most listeners’ minds, according to Mr. Cohen: Would you do it all over again if you could?
“We all wish we could do do-overs, but that’s not where I am,” Sanford said. He said he’s looking at “the opportunities that we have before us with regard to changing the government of South Carolina.”
Of course, the other big question for Sanford is whether he can build enough political capital to survive a possible impeachment proceeding when the state general assembly meets again in January. That will be far from easy.
Which leads us to the best soundbite. Cue Cohen: “If you pick a fight with Mark Sanford, is he going to fight back? It sounds like you’re ready to fight.”
“I’m not looking for a fight,” Sanford said. “I’m looking for the truth.”
Comments
2. David M. Elswick | 09.08.09
Sanford is a whitewashed tomb, and it’s not hard to see what’s behind his thin veneer. He’s the worst kind of hypocrite, and a disgrace to true Christianity. Everything is about him and what he wants for himself. To heck with South Carolina, its business, its people, and the Republican party. He wants to stay on as governor, even if everything of value is destroyed in the process. What sickens me most, though, is how he appears to give himself God’s stamp of approval. Sanford needs to be run out of State as quickly as the powers-that-be can get rid of him.
3. Susie | 09.09.09
I believe he should resign.Not because he had an affair,(that was bad enough) but because he left his state for five days without informing anyone he was out of the country.Thank goodness no emergency happened at that time.Plus he has been an embarrassment to the state of South Carolina regarding his affair.His emotional state is fragile and not strong enough to run a state at this time or anything for that matter.He needs to resign for the good of South Carolina and go live where his heart is,in Argentina with his “soulmate”
4. John | 09.09.09
Many people, when married, have in their vows “to love, honor and obey” their spouse. One wonders if Sanford publically treated his long time wife and companion plus the mother of his children, in the immoral manner he admitted to, how does he treat and perceive his South Carolinian constituents, most of whom he doesn’t know? Sanford’s crude comment “If God’s going to make lemonade out of lemons, you’ve got to stick around for the second part of the show” is meaningless , simplistic media prattle. God doesn’t “make lemonade,” humans do plus Sanfords not involved in a “show” he publically betrayed the trust of his wife, family and the voters of South Carolina by lying. Hopefully the Sanford’s can privately work out their problems. In the meantime South Carolinians deserve concentrated, professional leadership dedicated to them.
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1. Pam Echerer | 09.08.09
His affair should be between him and his family. I am sure if the rest of the Officials were investigated we would find similar skeletons in their closets. Quit wasting our tax dollars trying to impeach Sanford. Put your personal views of him aside and do what you all were elected/chosen to do and that is to do your jobs along side of our Governor to better South Carolina.