Reason Writers Around Town: Amanda Carey in The State on Why Mark Sanford Shouldn't Resign

Republicans and Democrats alike have been calling for South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford's resignation since he admitted to an affair last month. Writing in the Columbia, South Carolina-based newspaper The State, Amanda Carey argues that forcing Sanford to resign is neither necessary or best for the state of South Carolina.

Read the whole thing here. 

Comments

[ck]

I gotta love seeing a reason staffer is getting published in a newspaper known colloquially as La Socialista.

Progress!

[Pro Libertate]

I don't think he should resign, but he has made himself look a little wacky and not a little dishonest. Which likely kills his national office hopes.

[Isaac Bartram]

The fact that Mark Sanford had an affair bothers me not one whit.

But if I were a South Carolinian the question of whether he had the state pay some of his personal travel expenses would.

I sometimes find it strange what will destroy a pols career.

[Steve Mcnair]

If he has to resign, should not every politicion who cheated on his wife also resign?

[ChicagoTom]

The fact that Mark Sanford had an affair bothers me not one whit.

But if I were a South Carolinian the question of whether he had the state pay some of his personal travel expenses would.

Same here...

I don't care who he's fucking, but the fact that he pushed to add destinations to taxpayer funded trips in order to be with his lover is why he should resign.

The violation of the public trust and treating public monies as if it were his own is why he should resign, not the infidelity.

[Michael M.]

She keeps talking of "forcing" Sanford's resignation, without specifying how he would be forced. I can see arguing that he should resign, I can see arguing that he shouldn't, but ultimately it is his decision and how one feels about whether he should or shouldn't will affect how one feels about him. It seems she is using the "force" term to imply some sort of coercion that I am not grasping.

Here in Portland, OR, there is an effort underway to force a recall of our Mayor, who lied about an affair he had with a young state capitol intern prior to his election. Personally, I'd have been happy if Mayor Adams had resigned, but he didn't. At the same time, I don't support and won't vote for recall, which seems an extraordinary step for what amounts to bad judgement. In other words, IMO voluntary resignation - good; forced removal/resignation - bad. I think Ms. Carey is being disingenuous in trying to blur the distinction.

[engineer]

I don't care who he's fucking, but the fact that he pushed to add destinations to taxpayer funded trips in order to be with his lover is why he should resign.

As my old boss used to say "travel is a perk".

[John C. Randolph]

I've got to say on general principles, I'm in favor of governors having all kinds of scandals to distract them. I wish Arnold would get caught banging an intern or something.

-jcr

[Douglas Gray]

If I lived in his State, I wouldn't necessarily want him to resign. All I would ask is that he reimburse the State for all of his Argentinian mistress-related expenses, and that henceforth he get paid the minimum wage,and then only for hours actually worked.

[zoltan]

I wouldn't want him to resign for political reasons. But morally, I'd really only believe he was sorry if he took himself out of the situation which gave him the power, influence, and taxpayer money to do this. I'll take his tearful apology as crocodile tears for being caught until he does so. (Not that this is a good political reason for him to resign, unless he wants to look sorry to the more discerning of the populace).

[Robby]

"If he has to resign, should not every politicion who cheated on his wife also resign?"

Not a bad idea. That would mean every legislator loses their job tomorrow. And then we would have no congress.