The Party Of Morals And Values ?

A couple of weeks ago it looked like the Democrats might actually pull off a small miracle and win this seat in the House of Representatives. But Mark Sanford poured a lot of money into the campaign in those weeks, and on election day pulled off a big win. In fact, the special election wasn't even very close, as Sanford won by a 9 point margin (54% to 45%).

As much as Democrats wanted to win this seat, this result really shouldn't shock anyone. This congressional district has been won by Republicans for the last 30 years, and in the last presidential election the district voted for Romney by an 18 point margin. The district couldn't be any redder.

I think the result should also lay to rest any lingering thoughts about Republicans being "morals and values" voters. The man these Republicans voted into office has been shown to be completely devoid of morals and values. And to make matters worse, he doesn't have much respect for the law either (having repeatedly violated a court order to stay away from his ex-wife's home).

Sanford In Trouble Again

The furor over his disappearing to visit his girlfriend in Argentina hasn't even completely died down and it looks like South Carolina's Governor Sanford is already in trouble again. This time it's for violating state law regarding his travel.

South Carolina has a state law that prohibits state employees (including the governor) from flying anything but economy class on business trips. But the AP has reported that the governor has flown several times in business or first class, and charged the state for it

State Senator David Thomas (R-Fountain Inn) investigated the charges and reports they are true. In 2006, Sanford charged the state for his first class tickets to London, and in 2007, he charged them for his business class tickets to China. Together, the two trips cost the state $13,700 more than if he'd obeyed the law and flown economy class.

The AP has also reported that Sanford has used a state airplane for private and political trips -- another violation of state law. Senator Thomas says he will be looking into those charges also. On Monday, Sen. Thomas said, "It could be perceived, if it's significant enough and a case can be made of it, to constitute a case for possible impeachment."

He doesn't think the governor would be impeached just for the airline tickets, but possibly for a combined charge. Breaking the law with the airline tickets, misuse of the state airplane and the trip to Argentina all together could make a powerful case for impeachment.

This guy might as well just admit he's a low-rent jerk and resign. Even members of his own party are starting to talk of impeachment.

Time For Sanford To Resign

It looks like it is time for Governor Mark Sanford to resign. After his disappearance for several days to Argentina for a tete-a-tete with his mistress "Maria", the calls for his resignation are starting to grow louder. It looks like even his wife thinks his tenuous position is not worth defending.

Mrs. Sanford told reporters, "His career is not a concern of mine. He's going to have to worry about that. I'm worried about my family and the character of my children." I really can't blame her for feeling that way. He not only publically embarrassed her and their children, but he broke the solemn oath he made to her on their wedding day.

Almost as bad, were the hypocritical lies Sanford seemed comfortable telling the American people. He was in the forefront of the "family values" clique of right-wing Republicans and a big wheel in the Promise Keepers organization. As a representative of both, he was quick to tell Americans how they should live -- and all the while he was violating his own words for at least the last year. He is the very definition of a hypocrite.

But the most important reason he should resign is his violation of his oath of office to the people of the state of South Carolina. He disappeared for nearly a week without telling anyone where he was going, not even his own staff (and to cover their ignorance, they cooked up a story about him hiking the Appalachian Trail). South Carolina citizens had a right to expect their governor to always be where he can be reached in case of an emergency.

Sanford has violated the trust of too many people. It is time for him to resign his governorship.