Politics with Marc Ambinder

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Jun 22 2009, 3:36 pm by Marc Ambinder

Where Is Gov. Mark Sanford?

Not on a particular question of policy... but, as in, where is he, physically? South Carolina's press corps is in a meltdown today because it appears as if the governor skedaddled out of town in a black SUV on Thursday and hasn't been seen since. His cell phone was traced to a tower in Atlanta. His wife says she's not worried. His staff says he's taking some R and R but won't say where. There appears to be some confusion as to whether Sanford's state police security detail knows -- or is looking for him. And why wouldn't he tell his wife? I've heard stories of his personal libertarianism, but that's a little much.

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Comments (12)

thefoulness

this kind of innuendo seems better fit for the Inquirer than The Atlantic...yuck...you need to be better than that, Ambinder

Deborah (Replying to: thefoulness)

Because when the governor of a state goes missing, it's not news. I guess? Can we report if Democratic governors run off and no one can find them and the official story is that they didn't want to spend Father's Day with their children?

Perhaps he has gone galt. And like the fictional Galt didn't first announce it and hope to be dissuaded.

eric k (Replying to: thefoulness)

What are you talking about?

A Governor is out of contact for 4 days and his wife and staff let alone other government officals don't know who to get in contact with him. That is a pretty big deal

Buzz Feedback

Alternatively, who cares?

cat

Hopefully he will disappear permanently some day (safely of course). Perhaps he would enjoy Paulau. He has been the worst gov. we have ever had. His fellow Repub don't even care for him. The stimulus battle was nothing compared to some of the pranks he has pulled. It was very enjoyable to watch him whine and whine because he lost. He is probably racking his brain for a way not to use the funds. Not the first time he has disappeared.

rodflintstone

Here's what I don't understand. What kind of standing do you have, Marc, that gives you the standing to offer your opinion on this?

Tell me about your professional background. If you had standing in politics, a long history in politics, serious academic credentials in politics, perhaps I would listen. But what is it about you that would make anyone think, you know he's got a point.

What is it?

Deborah (Replying to: rodflintstone)

If you can comment here, you have access to both google and Wikipedia. Which would answer your question.

Exactly what political background is needed to observe that the Governor of South Carolina has run away from home? Are all right-thinking journalists supposed to keep quiet?

DB Cooper (Replying to: rodflintstone)

How in the world does that matter? Does one need special credentials to notice the absence of a high government official? What the hell are "serious academic credentials in politics," anyway?


eric k (Replying to: rodflintstone)

Huh?

There is no analysis here. Just stating the obvious, it is pretty unprecedented for a Governor to hide from his security and not tell anyone where he is for 4 days.

What if there had been a natural disaster over the weekend.

slag

I wonder what your bosses would do if you just bailed for a few days without telling them. It seems like the folks of South Carolina need to decide whether this kind of employee behavior is acceptable to them and then respond accordingly.

CJB (Replying to: slag)

As if this was the first example of Mark Sanford's erratic behaviour and decision making "skills..." such as trying not to accept the stimulus money...

sean

He's probably with his "other" family. Why else slip your security detail and head out by yourself unless you're looking to hit up some strange? It's not likely he checked into a Days Inn was eating KFC out of the bucket in his boxers being a slob to relax...he was tappin the secret wife.