Shanna Moody couldn't care less if the governor of South Carolina took a few days off and didn't tell people.
"We've got other things to worry about besides the governor missing," said Ms. Moody, who works at Moody's Barber Shop in Aiken. "The media makes a big fuss over everything. People have their own lives to live."
Though some weren't buying into the drama, political reporters and bloggers seized on reports that the Republican had been gone without explanation since last week. National pundits speculated about the effects on a possible presidential bid.
"I didn't even know he was missing," said Dimetrius Wilson, a University of South Carolina Aiken senior majoring in exercise science.
The politically savvy had stronger sentiments.
"It was blown out of proportion," said David Toole, the head of the North Augusta Republican Party. "They're trying to make it seem like he was having some sort of mental crash after his battle with the legislative branch over the stimulus funds."
Sen. Greg Ryberg, R-Aiken, described the furor as "nothing more than an intraparty political fight driven by the political enemies of Gov. Sanford."
But Logan Sharpe, a senior at USC Aiken majoring in political science, said he was dismayed to read a newspaper headline that said Mr. Sanford was missing.
"I think people have the right to be concerned," he said.
He said the state had serious problems that called for state leaders' attention.
Asked whether he was a Democrat or a Republican, Mr. Sharpe said, "I'm in between."
Some Aiken County officials saw it as another example of strange behavior by the governor.
"It is extremely odd," said Aiken County Councilwoman Kathy Rawls, but added, "He is peculiar to begin with."
Aiken County Councilman Willar Hightower agreed.
"To me it just sort of fits the erratic behavior that we have experienced the last eight years," he said.
South Carolina Bureau Chief Preston Sparks contributed to this article.
Reach Sarita Chourey at (803) 727-4257, or sarita.chourey@morris.com.
GOVERNORS BEHAVING ODDLY
EARL LONG: Louisiana governor, 1939-40, 1948-52, 1956-60: In 1959, Long got into arguments with legislators at the State House and his wife at the mansion. He was committed to the State Hospital for the Insane but released after using his authority as governor. He removed the hospital director and replaced him with a doctor who was his ally.
JIMMIE DAVIS: Louisiana governor, 1944-48 and 1960-64: Well known as the "Singing Governor", Davis gained international fame with his version of the song You Are My Sunshine. Even while serving as governor, he kept his hand in show business and set a record for absenteeism during his first term with trips to Hollywood to make Western "horse operas."
LESTER MADDOX: Georgia governor, 1967-71: Maddox was known for quaint sayings, such as calling constituents "little people," and outrageous gestures such as riding a bicycle backward.
JESSE VENTURA: Minnesota governor, 1999-2003: Mr. Ventura traded his pinstriped suits for referee stripes when he took part in a WWE "SummerSlam" event in Minneapolis. Later in his term, he moonlighted as a football commentator for the failed XFL. He also tried to make Capitol reporters wear press credentials dubbing them "Jackals."
-- Associated Press
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