Posted on 06/23/2009 12:46:03 PM PDT by Chet 99
COLUMBIA, S.C. -- South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford called his chief of staff Tuesday morning to check in after an unexpected five-day absence, and was surprised to learn that his disappearance was garnering significant attention, his spokesman said.
"It would be fair to say the governor was somewhat taken aback by all of the interest this trip has gotten," spokesman Joel Sawyer said in a statement. "The governor communicated to us that he plans on returning to the office tomorrow."
Mystery surrounding Mr. Sanford's whereabouts prompted some elected officials on Monday to consider temporarily transferring power to another state official. The governor, fresh from a battle with Obama administration officials and opponents in his state over $700 million in federal stimulus funds that he tried to refuse, took off on Thursday in a sport-utility vehicle normally driven by a bodyguard, turned off his mobile phone, and stopped communicating with his office, family and close political allies. Several said they didn't know where he was. His wife said he had taken off for some peace and quiet to write.
After declining for hours to reveal his location, Mr. Sanford's governor's office disclosed late Monday night that he was hiking along the Appalachian Trail and was difficult to reach.
Mr. Sawyer said Monday his office knew how to reach the governor, if needed, though allies said their phone calls were going straight to voicemail. Mr. Sawyer said at the time that the governor was taking time to "recharge" and "to work on a couple of projects that have fallen by the wayside."
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
A man wanted to get away and take a hike, yes that is extremely “odd”. Not.
DOES THIS DOOM SANFORD’S PRESIDENTIAL HOPES?
That’s the ridiculous question being asked.
“A president cannot just leave suddenly, to go on a hiking trip,” said PoliGazette’s Michael van der Gallen”
All this attention for such a non-story.
Bill Bryson has a recent book called A Walk in the Woods about hiking the Appalachian Trail which is a great read. Maybe that inspired the governor.
That isn't the story, this story is about a Governor disappearing for four days from his office, his staff, his security and the Lt. Governor, cutting off all his communication and ability to react instantly to emergencies and by doing so even hindering the remaining government's ability to deal quickly with emergencies.
The story at this point is that he simply dropped out without weighing the consequences or his responsibilities.
Let's hope the story improves when he appears tomorrow.
Gov. Mark Sanford Ping! |
Personally, I'm shocked that he was surprised to find out about all the hoopla being made over his disappearance.
Disappointing.
The ‘Rat establishment must be scared of Sanford if they feel the need to make a Federal case over this.
And now we know what this whole story was.
A very cleverly disguised and vicious political attack by South Carolina RINOs.
WOW, eight threads of hype, drivel, supposition and hysteria, everyone must be exhausted. Get some rest, we can (hopefully) return to rationality tomorrow.
South Carolina Governor to Return to Office Wednesday
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2277760/posts
Sanford (coincidentally) disappears to hike Appalachian Trail on Naked Hiking Day
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2277683/posts
Case of walkabout South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford grips US
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2277599/posts
Missing Gov. sparks political fight (Sanford, SC)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2277404/posts
Spokesman: SC governor hiking Appalachian Trail
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2277278/posts
Sanford, missing since Thursday, reportedly located
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2277086/posts
SC: Gov. Sanford not heard from since Thursday (Updated)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2277017/posts
Whoa: Mark Sanford missing since Thursday?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2277042/posts
The threads on this story have done a gereat job revealing a few of the stealth dnc operatives, some n00bs, some several years old. It always amazes folks to learn that democrats lie because they see nothing wrong with lying to promote their agenda/cause/candidate, or attack their opposition.
Well, this little stunt wasn’t instigated by Democrats, unless we consider Democrats and RINOs in the same group. The South Carolina state senator who blew this way out of proportion was a Republican. Then again, the various South Carolina state legislators opposing Sanford on the stimulus and on more government spending were largely also Republican.
You had it right the first try ... RINOS.
The media and Hollywood will attempt to make any non-story about a Republican into sideshows - from Sanford’s hiking trip to Palin’s family drama. Before we even try to debate which candidate to support, perhaps we should be looking for ways to undermine Hollywood and the media’s influence.
If a dem did the same thing, what would you say.
My guess is that you would think it smells like a rat.
I’m a fan too, but they would have a hey day with this in th press, Fathers day, gone for several days with no staff and no way to find him? Please... I hold the repubs to the same standard I hold the dems. If this was Clinton, edwards, Kerry or Obama, you wouldn’t be defending them...
You know what, I might. I does smell fishy, I agree.
But, having been in some positions in my life where “getting away” was difficult due to my role in mergers, systems integrations, etc. I can empathize with the need to get away and be away from a whole ton of stressors.
While corporate issues could have been affected, I was not running a state.
I tend to fall on the side of waiting for his side of the story.
What I just heard on the TV makes me wonder if you are right and I am wrong.
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