Some politicians take their privacy more seriously than others, and are reticent about disclosing details of their personal lives. But it’s still very rare to see a sitting governor just up and go missing for days, leaving his office, his state’s law[] enforcement — even his wife — without any clue as to his whereabouts.
That’s what South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford has been doing since Thursday, when he reportedly left the governor’s mansion in a black SUV owned by the State Law Enforcement Division, which handles his security detail. His phones have been turned off, and he hasn’t responded to phone or text messages, a local paper, The State, reports. The last clue as to his location came when a cell tower near Atlanta picked up a signal from his phone. His wife, First Lady Jenny Sanford, has told the Associated Press that she doesn’t know where he is — but she says she’s not concerned.
There have been conflicting explanations for the governor’s absence. Jenny Sanford told the AP that her husband needed some time away from their children in order to write something. But a statement from his office says he’s “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.” It adds that the office will not discuss any specifics regarding his trip.
This is really nuts. And ditching the family on Father’s Day weekend, no less.
UPDATE: More:
“We’ve been concerned by the Governor’s erratic behavior for some time,” said South Carolina Senate Leader John C. Land III. “We’re praying for him and his family. I hope he is safe and that he contacts the First Lady and his family soon.”
RaceTracker: SC-Gov
needed to replace the battery?
I guess that’s not funny. ..
I hope he is okay. From a political perspective, though, this may be his George Romney. Someone with Pres. aspirations but found to be mentally incapable of handling the job. I just hope he does not have such problems, though. And if he does I hope he gets the proper help. Once again, all the best to him.
This might just confirm that…
but knowing Sanford, he’s probably out wandering around or something like that.
I hope he runs for president, it would be hilarious.
Stanford’s popularity in the state was heading south.
And with this, his Presidential ambitions are probably over.
So Ensign and Sanford. Presidential list is already getting culled?!
…but I hope he’s alright. Very distressing for someone of his profile to just disappear like that.
Add Sanford to the “GOP Family Values” Ad.
said something interesting. What happens if something, God forbid, happened to Sandford, and he didn’t do an official transfer of powers to the Lt. Gov. or someone else?
As if SC had enough problems with underfunded schools and crumbling roads and high unemployment.
CNN is reporting that Sanford will return to work tomorrow, says Sanford’s spokesperson.
http://politicalticker.blogs.c…
The spokeman’s statement is classic, stating “Governor Sanford called to check in with his Chief of Staff this morning. It would be fair to say the governor was somewhat taken aback by all of the interest this trip has gotten.” Well, I guess Sanford is either (a) clueless, or (b) is using his disappearance as a publicity stunt. He should be careful that he’s not stealing Palin’s thunder.