South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford would have been a great candidate for POTUS in the 2012 election. Social Conservatives would have loved his stances on the two hot button issues of abortion and gay marriage. Economic Conservatives would have loved his move against the stimulus funds, which he then accepted but only after getting the legislative branch of South Carolina to agree to match those funds to pay down the state deficit. Neo-Conservatives would have loved his military service, even as he is currently in the Air Force. Sanford would have garnered Libertarian-Conservative support (granted Ron Paul does not run) due to his stance on education and his soft support from the Liberty Caucus. He would have indeed been a candidate for all the factions.
The last week or so has been truly bizarre. I recall first seeing about the governor being MIA. My first thought was that this was no big deal. Turns out I was wrong. Rumors were that he had said he had to go somewhere quiet to do some writing. Then, it was said that he was hiking the Appalachian Trail. I finally realized that he was doing all of this over the Father’s Day holiday, and the governor had two children. Then news came out that his vehicle had been found at an airport in or near Atlanta. When questioned, he stated he did not know why his staff said he was hiking, and that he had been driving the coast in Argentina. Something just wasn’t right, which was confirmed at his press conference in which he admitted to having an affair.
The news has definitely derailed any 2012 POTUS hopes, but is it an offense for which he should resign? Obviously, a person should not just resign from a job for an indescretion. For example, if a bank teller is having an affair with a construction worker, neither would need to resign if it is not effecting either’s work. If a pastor were having an affair, he should resign because it would have to effect his job, because others would not see him in the same light as before. A pastor would never be qualified to be a minister again because (the Bible forbids it in my opinion) that would be detrimental to any work that he would ever do. If a politician were having an affair, it gets a little trickier.
Rep. Mark Foley was caught having erotic conversations with male pages. This ruined any future in politics that he might have had. Resigning was the only option.
Senator Larry Craig was caught trying to solicite homosexual sex in an airport bathroom. This ruined his ability to be taken seriously and he should have resigned.
Barney Frank should never be taken seriously and should resign, but the left apparently owes him something as he is a power player.
The whole Lewinsky affair destroyed Clinton’s ability to do anything substantial as POTUS. He should have resigned.
John McCain and Newt Gingrich have been able to weather questionable behavior and have successful political careers that really have not had a major effect on their ability to serve as politicians.
These examples bring us to Mark Sanford. Can Mark Sanford continue as Governor of South Carolina? It is highly doubtful. Had there not been such media attention (as with John Ensign), Sanford may have been able to weather the storm. That has not been the case. I know every time I heard about Mark Sanford a month ago, I thought about an honorable man who stood up to the federal government. Now when I hear about Sanford, the text of those steamy e-mails come to mind. It is doubtful that he can be anything more than a lame duck, and he should resign. Maybe he would be able to come back years from now, but that is even highly doubtful at this point.