# So the governor of South Carolina is MISSING? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 22, 2009, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655 "2009-06-22T22:30:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 14
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2009, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/261 "2009-07-01T15:42:14Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > ISTR that Lt. Gov. Bauer had offered to serve as governor upon Sanford’s resignation but forego a run for the post himself, essentially serving as a caretaker governor, so as take the focus off politics. Did he withdraw that offer? Is it still on the table, or has it changed the dynamic of the situation at all? I think it’s just that nobody believes him as far as they can throw him. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/262 "2009-07-02T18:52:17Z")
Well, it seems the governor has made it clear to his friends in the system that they will have to drag his body out of the chair in the office if they want him out. In otherwords, he ain’t gonna resign, no how, no way. Meanwhile, virtually everyone who is anyone in the Republican Party in the state of South Carolina is asking him to resign. At least, he’s started shutting up, now. The question: will we have to tell him to [shut up shuttin’ up](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJhh5k6hhF0) (2:10 in)?? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/263 "2009-07-02T19:51:32Z")
FWIW, the inimitable Bill Bennett has also called upon Sanford to shut up and get out: [http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/](http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/). Maybe he could take him on a trip to Vegas just to get his mind off things…? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/264 "2009-07-02T19:52:07Z")
Seriously, nobody hates Sanford enough to want Bauer in office. And a lot of people really hate Sanford. I think it’s just gotten to the “eye-rolling” point, as far as the people I know are concerned. “Jesus Christ, the front page _again_?” ETA - We have a lieutenant governor who got elected when he was incredibly unpopular after trying to use his position to weasel out of speeding tickets and almost getting his ass shot by a cop, because he then got himself in a plane crash and did not die. I personally know _more than one person_ who thinks God saved him and therefore voted for him. I am not making this up. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/265 "2009-07-02T22:00:01Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > Now I can see arguments for and against him continuing in his current position, but the idea that the issue the public should care about in determining one way or another is Sanford’s continued relationship with his wife is really bizarre. Isn’t this whole business predicated on the idea that that this is exactly the sort of thing that is vitally important to his consituents? I’m pretty sure that Canadian politicos screw around as regularly as their American counterparts, but who gives a rat’s ass? (I mean, even among _Canadians._) Our political scandals _generally_ have something to do with politics; sex scandals are relatively rare. Don’t concerns over politicians’ little peccadillos properly belong to the sort of time and place where people used to use words like “peccadillos” without any irony? ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2009, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/266 "2009-07-03T00:15:30Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > Seriously, nobody hates Sanford enough to want Bauer in office. And a lot of people really hate Sanford. > > I think it’s just gotten to the “eye-rolling” point, as far as the people I know are concerned. “Jesus Christ, the front page _again_?” > > ETA - We have a lieutenant governor who got elected when he was incredibly unpopular after trying to use his position to weasel out of speeding tickets and almost getting his ass shot by a cop, because he then got himself in a plane crash and did not die. I personally know _more than one person_ who thinks God saved him and therefore voted for him. I am not making this up. That would very definitely NOT surprise me. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2009, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/267 "2009-07-21T22:57:05Z")
now that the govenor has been found and made the absolutly idiotic statement about giving up his soulmate and trying to fall back in love with his wife… his wedding ring has turned up missing! his press conference today got a bit distracted when he arrived not wearing a wedding ring. perhaps his wife told him not to bother “trying”. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/268 "2009-07-22T06:30:07Z")
> [@Larry\_Mudd](#): > > I’m pretty sure that Canadian politicos screw around as regularly as their American counterparts, but who gives a rat’s ass? (I mean, even among _Canadians._) Our political scandals _generally_ have something to do with politics; sex scandals are relatively rare. Indeed. There was an article in the Vancouver Sun last month making this point: [In Canada, Infidelity Isn’t in the Public Domain](http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/Canada+infidelity+public+domain/1734392/story.html). A social conservative Cabinet Minister splitting with his wife and fathering a child with a staffer doesn’t get much mention in the news up here; certainly doesn’t affect his electoral prospects, it appears. > [@](#): > > And last year, then-Justice Minister Vic Toews split with his wife of 33 years after having fathered a child with a political staffer. A Winnipeg newspaper called it “messy personal stuff.” > > Toews since has been re-elected and appointed Treasury Board president. His website features nothing personal beyond “Vic enjoys roller blading and jogging. He resides in Steinbach.” > > Referring to Toews’ case, journalist Tom Korski wrote last fall in The Hill Times: “Most reporters I’ve known will not write about a politician’s marriage since divorce reveals nothing about an MP’s ability to serve, and facts would only embarrass the blameless.” > > Canadian politicians probably cheat as frequently as politicos in other countries. But it’s viewed differently by the Canadian media. It’s not considered big news because social and religious values play a far less intrusive role in Canadian politics. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/269 "2009-07-22T13:05:53Z")
It is similar here (Dominican Rep.), the press completely ignores politicians’ private lives and peccadilloes. It is not relevant to their ability to [del]screw[/del] serve the republic. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/270 "2009-07-22T14:18:47Z")
:: shakes head :: I honestly think Sanford’s going to serve out the balance of his term. Amazing. I thought he was toast. I guess having a crappy lieutenant governor is better job insurance than I thought. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2009, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/271 "2009-11-23T20:25:08Z")
The postscript to our Romeo and Juliet story: [Sanford is being hit with 37 ethics violation charges](http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/24/us/24carolina.html?_r=1&hp). An impeachment resolution has also been filed and will be discussed in committee tomorrow. Some of these look relatively trifling, but when you add up what he has already been through I think it will probably be enough to force him to resign or just remove him. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2009, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/272 "2009-11-23T22:11:53Z")
I just saw that. It’s fascinating how, suddenly, they care about all of that little stuff. I’m also interested to see that there are plenty of things that a politician could reasonably be expected to do, that they aren’t allowed to use campaign money to do… for instance the article I read said that he had improperly used campaign funds to attend Obama’s inauguration speech. !!! ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2009, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/273 "2009-11-24T01:32:29Z")
> [@Sattua](#): > > I just saw that. It’s fascinating how, suddenly, they care about all of that little stuff. I’m also interested to see that there are plenty of things that a politician could reasonably be expected to do, that they aren’t allowed to use campaign money to do… for instance the article I read said that he had improperly used campaign funds to attend Obama’s inauguration speech. !!! Why do you find that surprising? he wasn’t campaigning by going to Washington. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655.md?page=13)