Sanford should resign

At this point, given this past week’s additions to his previous week’s revelations of an affair, our Governor, Mark Sanford, needs to resign.

It’s quite possible Sanford is taking the state’s citizens and voters with him through some sort of breakdown. Whether Sanford is suffering from a delayed stress syndrome or simply entertaining a very public midlife crisis, he needs to step back, step down, take a breath, and resign.

Let the chips fall where they may, he said. It’s time for South Carolina to move forward. Initially some said Sanford should resign. Others said unless there is criminal wrongdoing, he can still lead. Sen. Dick Elliott said it best when he said Sanford’s matter of infidelity is between him and his wife and his family.

His actions as they relate to his ability to lead, however, are a matter of concern for us, the citizens. Sanford, with the help of an Associated Press reporter, helped to show the world how unfit he is to lead.

Elliott said the Governor’s ability to sit down with industry leaders in an effort to bring new jobs to the state is a matter for concern. Sanford appears unable to concentrate, stay on task and hold a complete line of thought without making a biblical reference.

“I’m sure Gov. Sanford understands the seriousness of our state needing jobs and as a man who loves his state, I feel he’ll do the right thing in deciding to resign or complete his tenure in office.“ Sen. Elliott stopped short of telling the Governor what the right thing to do is: He offered him the option of resigning or of manning-up and leading. Since his initial confession to infidelity, Sanford has continued
to break trust with this state’s people by showing how unable to lead he is.

If anything, during his recent cabinet meeting conducted in full view of the media lights, he showed that state government can continue just fine, for a while, with no one person at the head of the state.
Yes, having the Lt. Governor become Governor will change things. But this is still South Carolina and the Senators with seniority still govern through their legislation, often, if not always and more so, than the governor.

It’s time, Governor. Resign. South Carolinians, including your mother, wife, children, other family members and friends, don’t need any more public revelations or affirmations of your inability to lead.
There is forgiveness. There is remorse. There is praise for being forthright and honest. There is also too much information. Given the strain of fighting and concealing, it is time the Governor gets the rest he needs.

There is the appearance of lack of self-discipline and restraint. There is a limit to what needs to be said about an affair. Gov. Sanford needs to do the honorable thing, the right thing, and step aside so politics in South Carolina can resume its usual rhythm of “I’ll help you pass your bill if you’ll help me pass mine.”

No more talk of restructuring. No more talk of being fiscally responsible. No more talk about right and wrong, just the ebb and flow of those elected to their positions by the people of this state doing what they do: Engaging in politics, the art and science concerned with winning and holding control of a government, in order to guide or influence policies.

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