Thursday, August 27, 2009
Mr. Sanford…
South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford brushed off an appeal from Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer on Wednesday to step down, saying that as attractive as it sounds, it would be wrong.
“I’m not going to be railroaded out of this office by political opponents or folks who were never fans of mine in the first place,” he said at a news conference where he announced he was sending a letter to Bauer rejecting his appeal.
Earlier in the day, Bauer called for the embattled governor to step down, saying the state has been crippled by questions over the legality of the governor’s travel, which included trips to visit his mistress.
Sanford cast Bauer’s appeal as an offer that he very much appreciates but cannot accept.
“Me hanging up the spurs 16 months out—as comfortable as that would be, as much as I might like to do that on a personal basis—it is wrong,” he said, explaining that “as much as you might dislike somebody, it is not right to go out and try to rewrite history because we have an incredible record when it comes to watching out for the taxpayer.”
That’s just more selfish, self-justifying behavior from a man who doesn’t seem to understand how much his actions have hurt his family, his party, and his standing as a leader.
It’s at times like these where I remember my bartending days. Every so often, someone would come in and have too much to drink. Sometimes it would be someone I liked, but when they went a few drinks over the edge, they simply couldn’t understand why no one was laughing at their jokes, why no one wanted to have another round, why no one was having as good a time as they were having. They couldn’t quite grasp that the party really was over for them. I would say to them the same thing that I would like to say to Sanford: “Sir, it’s time to leave.”
Comments & Trackbacks
There is zero reason to give Bauer what he wants. Bauer fired on his own party by outing Sanford, and now wants to be able to benefit from it by becoming governor early and thus being able to run for reelection as an incumbent. Frankly, Bauer deserves to be run out of town more so than Sanford.
Rob, I have never seen you say anything so nonsensical before.
Why does it matter that Sanford leaving would give Bauer a chubby? Do you refrain from doing the right thing, just because some of those who want you to do it, want it for the wrong reasons?
Party loyalty has to count for something. And Bauer doesn’t have it. What Sanford did was personal, and not an abuse of office. He should finish out his term and then leave teh political scene. But for the long term health of the party, it’s vitally important not to reward people whop shoot other Republicans.