1 Boring Old Man

SC panel says governor should face ethics charges
The Associated Press
By JIM DAVENPORT
November 18, 2009

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford will face charges he violated state laws, according to an ethics panel ruling Wednesday that came after its three-month investigation into his use of state, commercial and private airplanes and his campaign finance practices. The State Ethics Commission did not provide details of its decision or the specific charges the governor would face during a hearing of the panel early next year. Sanford’s lawyer, however, predicted the governor would be cleared and said none of charges are criminal but "limited to minor, technical matters."

The commission said details – which should include whether the accusations involve civil or criminal allegations – will be released next week. Questions about Sanford’s use of state, private and commercial planes arose after he disappeared from the state in June and admitted he had been in Argentina visiting his mistress…

The outcome of the commission’s work is pivotal for the once-popular conservative governor. Many lawmakers were waiting for it to decide if they will join an effort to impeach Sanford when the Legislature reconvenes in January. The governor repeatedly has rebuffed calls from fellow Republicans to resign before his second term ends in January 2011. State law prevents him from seeking a third…

Panel finds probable cause for charges against Sanford
The State
November 18, 2009

The S.C. Ethics Commission Wednesday said there are “probable causes” for several charges against Gov. Mark Sanford stemming from the commission’s probe into Sanford’s travel and campaign spending. The commission, however, declined to say after its marathon, closed-door meeting what Sanford may have done wrong. Nor did the commission say whether it thinks Sanford may have violated state ethics laws or more serious criminal laws.

S.C. lawmakers have been waiting on the conclusion of this investigation into Sanford’s travel to determine whether it will move forward with possibly removing Sanford from office. Tuesday, House lawmakers formally filed a bill seeking to impeach the governor…

I want Mark Sanford to be impeached. It’s not particularly rational for me to even care. I’m not even a South Carolinian. When I think about it, it comes down to several things. First, he is a reflex Conservative. He followed his Ayn Rand style economics to the detriment of the State of South Carolina – ideology over common sense. Second, his jaunt to Argentina was incredibly arrogant – he might as well have mooned his constituents. He’s an angry, self-centered guy, and it shows. He mistreated his wife and children without cause. But if I’m honest, my interest in seeing him removed from office has to do with a very anachronistic southern thing.  It’s the honorable thing to do. Funny how those things stay around – things like honor. I know I wouldn’t care so much if he were from New Jersey, or Montana. But he’s not – he’s the governor of South Carolina. And he left his battle station and went A.W.O.L. Rip off his epaulets and drum him out of the corps…