EDITORIAL: Gov. Sanford's actions have been damaging

Gov. Mark Sanford decided to fight for his job rather than resign. Now the lame-duck Republican faces possible impeachment over allegations he left the state unattended during a fling with his Argentinean mistress and charges he broke state law 37 times in his airplane travel and use of campaign funds.

The State Ethics Commission released its report on Sanford’s use of state aircraft and purchase of airplane tickets Monday. It accused Sanford of buying first- or business-class tickets in violation of state law 18 times. The law requires state officials use the lowest-cost tickets during trips.

Sanford also improperly used state aircraft for personal or political travel nine times and improperly reimbursed himself with campaign cash 10 times, the commission said.

Sanford’s lawyers were quick to say the violations were minor, but they’re enough to merit impeachment hearings in January, in our opinion, and should force the governor to do more soul searching about turning in his resignation.

Sanford told the Morning News he came close to resigning when the scandal broke about his martial infidelity, but he decided to fight for his job.

The ethics commission spent more than three months looking into Sanford’s activities. At a minimum, it has raised enough concern to merit a full airing in the House as soon as possible. The governor faces as much as $74,000 in fines — $2,000 per infraction — and possible criminal charges from State Attorney General Henry McMaster as a result of the investigation.

Sanford has maintained he did nothing wrong in his travel. But his contention that previous governors did the same thing is no defense. They are violations of the law and serious lapses of judgment.

“We look forward to working with the House as we move forward with this process, and we believe that once all the facts have been considered, it will once again confirm that Gov. Sanford and his administration have been good stewards for the taxpayers of South Carolina,” Sanford attorney Butch Bowers said in a written statement.

The allegations of improper travel and misuse of campaign cash weren’t a factor in a separate impeachment resolution facing Sanford this week. A House subcommittee met for the first time Tuesday afternoon to consider a resolution of impeachment based on “dereliction of duty.” Sanford told his staff he was hiking on the Appalachian Trail when he really was in Argentina visiting his lover.

Sanford on Tuesday hired an impeachment lawyer at $150 an hour, further indication of his desire to fight the charges. Ross Garber, a partner in the firm of Shipman & Goodwin of Hartford, Conn., and the former chief counsel to two Connecticut governors, is the lead attorney.

They will argue that leaving the state does not rise to the level of an impeachable offense. And because no South Carolina governor has been impeached, it would be a bad precedent, they will say, to start with the governor’s tryst.

“The Constitution of South Carolina sets a high standard for impeachment of a governor,” the lawyers wrote. “To make sure only the most egregious cases would lead to impeachment, and not merely personal moral failings, neglect of duty or a temporary absence from the state.“

Only two U.S. governors have been impeached in the last 80 years. Both were facing felony charges. It’s unclear if Sanford’s actions will result in a felony charge.

Reimbursing himself $3,000 out of campaign funds does not rise to the level of charges that were facing former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, for example. Blagojevich was accused of trying to sell the U.S. Senate seat Barack Obama resigned when he became president.

Still, Sanford’s actions have damaged his ability to serve the Palmetto State as its governor irreparably. He played a role in bringing Boeing to South Carolina, and for that, he’s to be applauded.

Sanford’s contrition since admitting his affair has been painful to watch, though admirable. He refers to himself as a tragic figure as he attempts to sway South Carolinians to give him another chance.

Sanford’s opponents seem to be savoring the prospect of an impeachment hearing. In their thirst for justice, they forget about how quickly impeachment will turn into a spectacle.

The state does not need a protracted circus. It needs to move forward with other serious business more than it needs to deal with the governor.

But with 37 counts against him, the governor deserves a chance to clear his name, and legislators deserve a chance to look into the charges more deeply.

Even if Sanford he escapes impeachment, it will be hard for him to regain his reputation in the court of public opinion.

— Unsigned editorials represent the views of this newspaper. Editorial Board members are Mark Laskowski (regional publisher), James Bennett (regional editor), Sam Bundy (sports editor), Kimberly Ginfrida (news editor), David Johnson (regional circulation director), Charles Tomlinson (Lake City News & Post editor) and Jackie Torok (metro editor).