Comments on: The Strange, Troubling Saga of Mark Sanford, AWOL

By: casualobserver

casualobserver — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 19:43:03 +0000

Amen to that, tidbits. I have the same reaction to Gandelman constantly handicapping the late 2012 election based on early 2009 radio show lines by Rush Limbaugh.

Small quibble on the Clinton comparison though. As I recall, the Arkansas state troopers sat outside the motel room and drove the “campaign volunteers” home while administering the usual threats to remain silent.

By: tidbits

tidbits — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 19:04:40 +0000

Can't agree with that assessment, Kathy. As you saw in the comments to your piece, he has some pretty staunch supporters. He has great cred with fiscal and social conservatives. Two and a half years is a long time before we get to primary season for 2012. And, a lot depends on whether he can come up with a plausible, i.e. non-laughable and non-suspicious, explanation.

He could be done, but I wouldn't schedule the memorial sevice just yet. Remember, Clinton was elected in spite of his, albeit shorter, disappearances into various motel rooms on his way to the Presidency.

By: kathykattenburg

kathykattenburg — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:26:41 +0000

I think whatever crack he had at the 2012 Republican nomination is pretty well shattered.

By: jchem

jchem — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:30:06 +0000

I mentioned on the other thread how troubling this is, especially since I live in South Carolina. This is certainly the hot topic down here. The more I think about this though, the more I wonder…how on Earth did we not know about this until last night? He left last Thursday and no one seemed to notice until last night? Seriously? Interestingly, it has been business as usual while he has been away. He will certainly have a lot of explaining to do when he gets back.

By: tidbits

tidbits — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:14:47 +0000

Sanford needs to get back, if for no other reason than to get the story straight. Whenever you hear multiple, contradictory explanations it raises suspicions, and often turns out to be an attempt to mask what is really going on.

Let's see: last know whereabouts, Atlanta…hiking the Appalachian Trail. Wanted space to get away from the kids…his “kids” are grown. Writing a book…while hiking the Appalachian Trail. Work on a couple of projects that have fallen by the wayside…while hiking. His staff knew his whereabouts…but his office and security didn't…distinction please.

The more I hear, the less this adds up.

BTW, the gratuitous comments about screwing the people of SC weren't necessary and detracted from the piece.