COLUMBIA -- Two high-profile South Carolina Democrats say Gov. Mark Sanford’s unfolding scandal embarrasses the state and hurts its economic prospects.
“I don’t understand how any company would move to South Carolina with this cloud of controversy,” said Rep. Bakari Sellers, who represents Barnwell County.
“We’re tired of being embarrassed across the country.”
Earlier today Sanford told the Associated Press that he had seen his Argentine mistress more times that he had admitted in last week’s press conference.
S.C. Sen. Vincent Sheheen, a Camden Democrat who is running for governor, said today that Sanford, who has 18 months left in his term, should resign. The governor has repeatedly said he will not.
But both Sheheen and Sellers stress that the governor’s deceptions and breach of public trust - not his marital infidelity - have rendered him unfit.
“At the moment when we most need South Carolina to be a serious contender for new jobs and business development, we are a laughingstock,” said Sheheen in a statement.
“Leading the state through this economic crisis will require the full energy and attention of a vigorous governor and administration and the full confidence of our people.”
Sellers said Sanford’s claims should be investigated, including his insistence that he didn’t use public funds for this liaisons.
“It’s the dereliction of duty, it’s leaving your job for five days, it’s the questions surrounding state dollars, it’s the continuous deception,” said Sellers.
While Sellers and Sheheen argue the state will suffer further economic hardship if Sanford stays in office, the governor’s allies say he should stay in office so that he can help the state recover.
“While the governor has clearly made a serious and costly error, the focus of what comes next should not be on how it affects Mark Sanford but instead on how it affects the people of our state,” said Rep. Nikki Haley, R-Lexington, who is also running for governor.
“My concern is for the people of South Carolina and for our ability to continue the movement toward government reform, fiscal accountability, smaller government, and protecting the value of a dollar,” she said in a statement.
South Carolina, which has a 12.1 percent jobless rate, ranks third-worst nationally. This week state officials grappled with how replenish the unemployment-benefits trust fund and said the Palmetto State will have accumulated $1 billion in debt to the federal government by the spring.
Sarita Chourey can be reached at (803) 727-4257 or sarita.chourey@morris.com.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010. All Rights Reserved.
I would put money on a bet that these DIMs weren't demanding B J Cliton step down though impeached for lying in court. On the other hand, if Sanford misued state funds to see his honey, he should have to repay every cent.
I am going against the Dems in this instance. I am all for Sanford staying in Columbia -- it will help the Dems in 2010. The Dems must not want an advantage if they are calling for Sanford's head.
He did use taxpayer money to see Chapur.
How wonderful -- "jack" says: "My criminal is better than your criminal." The Luv Guv is a narcissistic scoundrel -- and not a very bright one at that. I received an E-mail letter from him yesterday addressed to "Dear Friends." (I didn't know I was his "friend.") The letter was filled with self-pity and ramblings about how god had told him to stay in office since that would help make the Luv Guv a better person. All this talk of his spiritual advisers, and bible boot camp, and god whispering sweet wisdom in his ear is indicative of a really sick puppy, desperate to feed his own ego. He cares nothing for the citizens of South Carolina, and never has. His real god is his political dogma, political office, and financial wealth. O course, the Luv Gov is just one of a large crop of really bad politicians in South Carolina, who deserve to tarred and feathered, and sent out of town on a rail car. And yet these criminals still have the support of a lot of mindless citizens (like "jack"), who cheer on their favorite scum-bag, as if they were the star running back at a high school football game. The only thing that will save us is a clean sweep out of office of these bums.
Hey, that includes the presidential office!! I'm all for that! Sweep away!