SC: Gov. Sanford not heard from since Thursday (Updated)

The State, Columbia, SC ^ | 2009-06-22 | John O'Connor & Clif Leblanc

[rabscuttle385]

UPDATE: The governor’s office issued a statement Monday afternoon: "Gov. Sanford is taking some time away from the office this week to recharge after the stimulus battle and the legislative session, and to work on a couple of projects that have fallen by the wayside. We are not going to discuss the specifics of his travel arrangements or his security arrangements."

The whereabouts of Gov. Mark Sanford have been unknown to state officials since Thursday, and some state leaders are questioning who is in charge of the executive office.

Neither the governor’s office nor the State Law Enforcement Division has been able to reach Sanford, who left the mansion in a black SLED Suburban SUV, said Sen. Jake Knotts and three others familiar with the situation who declined to be identified.

Sanford’s last known whereabouts were near Atlanta, where a mobile telephone tower picked up a signal from his phone, authorities said.

One official familiar with the situation said there is no indication that foul play is involved.

. . . . .

First lady Jenny Sanford told The Associated Press her husband has been gone for several days and she doesn't know where. She said she was not concerned. Jenny Sanford said the governor said he needed time away from their children to write something.

[drypowder]

Not to promote violence or to be insensitive in any way but one politician disappearing should just be the start of a nationwide movement.

[Non-Sequitur]

Besides thinking his absence is weird, I noticed that the government was able to quickly track the location of his cellphone.

Which they will do...if the police request it. Obviously there is more to this than meets the eye.

[skully]

Maybe he went to Gault Gulch for a vacation??

[Slings and Arrows]

---

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

I am cynical with regard to politicians. However, vice addiction does seem to be their forte’.

[Cboldt]

-- Could it be he is heading over to visit the troops and his itinerary is a secret? --

I don't think that's likely. He'd have handed power to the Lt. Gov. and disappeared with some pretext. This smells like either some sort of publicity stunt, or trouble.

[tatsinfla]

OR VINCE FOSTER...

[ASOC]

LOl

Guy goes out on a hunting/fishing/backpacking/whatever trip to down a few 6pacs with his buds - and it is a crisis?

Our Governor is gone all the time and with the Legislature out of session - it's common.

BTW the Kings are running big this year.

[freekitty]

Was he gone on Father’s Day?

[flowerplough]

He's with his girlfriend, unless Lindsey Graham is missing, too.

If Lindsey Graham's also missing, then Sanford is with McCain's girlfriend.

[classified]

Yes I love the way she says he needed time away from their children. Wow! Poor kids get blamed for being a hand full!

[Cboldt]

quickly track the location of his cellphone.
-- Which they will do...if the police request it --

Yep. Usually doesn't make the news though.

Anyway, more than one point there. Everybody with a cellphone is trackable; and somebody saw a need to track the governor using surveillance means that are supposed to be available only to detect or prevent crime/terrorism.

[peace with honor]

WTF????

[Chet 99]

either that or a rehab clinic.

[GeronL]

I hope their OK

[alarm rider]

Yeah, that was my first response also.

[peace with honor]

READY, WILLING AND ABLE, NEXT PLEASE

[rabscuttle385]

The story was updated after I posted:

"But Sanford’s office told the lieutenant governor’s office Monday afternoon that Sanford has been reached and he is fine, said Frank Adams, head of Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer’s office on aging."

[Jim Noble]

Cherchez la femme.

[Dog Gone]

He was visiting Judge Crater.