SC governor's whereabouts unknown, even to wife

[caybee 21]

Associated Press

SC governor's whereabouts unknown, even to wife

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Where is South Carolina's governor?

The lieutenant governor doesn't know, and neither does a state senator who's a close confidante. Even Gov. Mark Sanford's wife is in the dark.

Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer said he's been told the governor's staff is in contact with the second-term Republican, but Sanford's wife said she hasn't heard from him in several days, including Father's Day.

"He was writing something and wanted some space to get away from the kids," Jenny Sanford told The Associated Press while vacationing with the couple's four sons at their Sullivans Island beach house. She said she didn't know where he was, but wasn't concerned.

Sanford, who's also chairman of the Republican Governors Association, earned a reputation as the nation's most vocal anti-bailout governor by refusing $700 million in federal stimulus money for schools until he lost a court battle earlier this month.

His spokesman Joel Sawyer released a statement saying the governor was taking a break after losing the fight.

"Gov. Sanford is taking some time away from the office this week to recharge after the stimulus battle and the legislative session and to work on a couple of projects that have fallen by the wayside," Sawyer said.

Sawyer wouldn't say where the Sanford was, but said in another release the governor let his staff know where he was going before he left last week and said he would check in.

A post-session wind-down isn't uncommon and he goes "out of pocket for a few days at a time to clear his head," Sawyer said. "Obviously, that's going to be somewhat out of the question this time given the attention this particular absence has gotten."

Sawyer didn't immediately respond to further questions. Law enforcement officials who handle his security also declined to comment.

Sanford typically is open about his whereabouts, and his office makes no secret of time spent on vacation or out of state.

But politicians, including the lieutenant governor, said they did not know Sanford was taking time away from his office.

State Sen. Tom Davis, a Beaufort Republican, Sanford confidante and former chief of staff, said his calls to Sanford were going straight to voice mail. Calls from The Associated Press to the governor's cell phone also went to voice mail.

Bauer said he didn't know where Sanford was but said he had not been put in charge. Bauer spokesman Frank Adams said he had been told Sanford chief of staff Scott English was in touch with the governor.

English did not immediately respond to a message left seeking comment.

Sen. Jake Knotts, a Lexington Republican and a persistent Sanford critic, said the state needs to know where its governor is.

"The way things are in the world today and homeland security, we need the governor to be fingertips away," Knotts said. "Somebody's got to be in charge."

Associated Press Writer Bruce Smith in Sullivans Island contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

[The_Dude 1,142]

Seeing how the trend of Republican scandals are going, I'll bet he's holed up in a hunting cabin with a 17 year old male intern who worked for him

[Ban Hammer 13,337]

Seeing how the trend of Republican scandals are going, I'll bet he's holed up in a hunting cabin with a 17 year old male intern who worked for him

maybe he's taking foot tapping lessons.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Sanford has apparently evaded his security and made similar disappearances in the past, although this is the longest of such disappearances.^[26] After media speculation grew, Sanford's office on June 22 stated that he told them where he was going before he left and that he would be "difficult to reach."^[27]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Sanford

[caybee 21]

Now it's being said that he's out hiking the Appalachian Trail, so it makes a little more sense that he's difficult to reach. It doesn't bother me so much that he went off without telling the media where he would be, or even his wife because that's none of my business. I don't need to know where the man is or what he's doing. But apparently, he's been essentially unreachable for the last five days by those who might have a legitimate need to contact him, and nobody has been left in charge in his place; the lieutenant governor didn't even know he was away for the first few days. I'm not fond of either him or the lieutenant governor, but this is someone who is talking about a presidential bid in 2012, and regardless of what I think of his politics, I just think this disappearing act without letting the NECESSARY people know what's going on and without making any provisions for someone to cover his duties while he's gone is irresponsible. We're just little, old South Carolina, but it's hurricane season, for example; it's unlikely, but something could happen that would require a quick response from the executive, and it doesn't appear that any provision has been made for that.

[almaty 19]

interesting...maybe, he is a rugged individual ..and wants some space....and time away from all..including his family....

[mendeleev 68]

Sure he didn't take the stimulus money and run to Rio?

[pedroh 21]

he at myrtle beach lol having some crawfish y'all

[almaty 19]

and hooked up with a voodoo lady with a 3 legged monkey on her shoulder..

[pedroh 21]

he's going to Charleston next probably, and end up in hilton head, and maybe keep the party across the state and jump to Savannah!

hell. that's an awesome plan! we should join Hermano

[caybee 21]

Yeah, Charleston/Isle of Palms sounds goooood right now, and I'm stuck at work.

[ddartt1 2]

interesting...maybe, he is a rugged individual ..and wants some space....and time away from all..including his family....

On fathers' day weekend?

[almaty 19]

he's going to Charleston next probably, and end up in hilton head, and maybe keep the party across the state and jump to Savannah!

hell. that's an awesome plan! we should join Hermano

of course, i am bringing Bosco ...and a monkey paw necklace

[EstebanTrabajos 7]

he had an appointment with the secretary (male or female whatever rocks his boat )

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Seeing how the trend of Republican scandals are going, I'll bet he's holed up in a hunting cabin with a 17 year old male intern who worked for him

maybe he's taking foot tapping lessons.

I thought it said pole dancing lessons