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Sanford Was in Argentina -- Not Appalachian Trail
June 24, 2009 10:44 AM
ABC News’ Rick Klein reports: The case of the missing governor has a new twist.
The State newspaper in South Carolina is reporting that Gov. Mark Sanford, R-S.C., has been located as of Wednesday morning -- in the Atlanta airport.
That’s after his whereabouts were unknown since last Thursday. And it turns out he was in Argentina for the past seven days -- not, as his staff had said, hiking the Appalachian Trail.
In a brief interview with The State, Sanford said he didn’t know why his staff said he was hiking in the United States when he was actually in Buenos Aires, but said that “in fairness to his staff,” he had told them he might go hiking on the Appalachian Trail.
Sanford added: “I don't know how this thing got blown out of proportion. ... It was a long [legislative] session and I needed a break.”
The revelation is likely to raise a new round of questions for Sanford, a potential 2012 presidential candidate -- including whether he misled his staff and family about his whereabouts; whether he was reachable during his time away from the state; and who was governing South Carolina during his absence.
South Carolina’s lieutenant governor, Andre Bauer, takes over gubernatorial duties when the governor leaves the state. But Bauer has said he wasn't aware of Sanford's plan.
"Our job is to serve if needed. We have talked to the governor's office, and they tell us they know where the governor is, and that they will call us if needed. They have told us if anything occurs, they will call us," a spokesperson for Bauer told ABC News earlier this week.
UPDATE: The plot grows thicker still.
ABC’s Joe Goldman reports that a US embassy official in Buenos Aires tells him that the embassy had “absolutely no idea” that Sanford was in Argentina. The embassy official added that this comes "from out of left field -- it would be extremely odd that a US governor would not check in with the embassy."
June 24, 2009 in Gov. Mark Sanford | Permalink | Share | User Comments (134)
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This just gets stranger by the day. It might not be such a big deal except for the fact that the governor, his staff, or both lied to the public concerning his whereabouts. As they say, the cover up is usually worse than the crime. This guy has a lot of explaining to do. Can't wait for him to face the media. As for 2012, forget it.
Posted by: Julie W. | Jun 24, 2009 9:16:32 AM
He left his wife, children, job, and State to do something "exotic?" What went on in Argentina stays in Argentina!
Posted by: 5unbelievable5 | Jun 24, 2009 9:18:02 AM
And this numb skull is a governor? Wish I could just abandon my duties and fly off to an "exotic" locale like Argentina. Maybe there was an Angelina in Argentina? Given all the Republican sex scandals lately I wouldn't be surprised.
Posted by: Etbrand9 | Jun 24, 2009 9:25:17 AM
We should start a new, online game called, "Where in the World is Mark Sanford?"
Posted by: Etbrand9 | Jun 24, 2009 9:27:00 AM
Hmmmm.....why lie???? I can only think of one reason.... Something is up, and I'm sure his wife is not supposed to know.
Posted by: SimplyAmazed | Jun 24, 2009 9:27:56 AM
This story gets more flaky by the minute. Considering he doesn't feel inclined to tell us why someone would leave his family, business associates, etc., without leaving them any way to contact him in an emergency. "Wish we could have reached you to tell you one of your children was hit by a truckk, etc., ", I guess we are free to speculate as to what he might have been doing.
My guess is that he was in a cheap motel someplace, drunk or doing drugs and there is a pile of photos of him in ladies underwear to go with it.
Posted by: J Johnson | Jun 24, 2009 9:28:43 AM
This guy is a potential Republican candidate for president in 2012? Guess there'll be 4 more years of Democrats if this guy is the best that party can do.
Posted by: Sissy | Jun 24, 2009 9:33:07 AM
What is it with these southern "Carolina" politicians? First, Edwards has an affair while polishing his "golden boy" image and now
Sanford's little stunt. Sure he wanted something "exotic" but it was no hiking trail.
Forget this clown in 2012.
Posted by: lane | Jun 24, 2009 9:41:34 AM
He can forget about 2012. Sounds like a nervous breakdown...
Posted by: magocall | Jun 24, 2009 9:49:28 AM
Rush, Shawn Hannity, cheating senators,
now this clown,,,,,,GOP may you rest in peace
Posted by: Disgusted Republican | Jun 24, 2009 9:49:32 AM
The GOP has more flakes than a Head and Shoulders commercial!
Posted by: hopesprings52 | Jun 24, 2009 9:52:21 AM
His wife never notified any authorities about her missing husband. This leads me to believe that they have an open marriage arrangement, which is their business. But leaving the state without notifying anyone is irresponsible, and indicates that he already holds an office higher than he should.
Posted by: EatRunDive | Jun 24, 2009 9:55:52 AM
who was with Sanford in Argentina - it does take two to tango, you know.
Posted by: bajacalla | Jun 24, 2009 10:00:24 AM
Curiouser and curiouser.
Posted by: Jaylah | Jun 24, 2009 10:02:01 AM
This is unbelievable. What are we going to do about this joker? When all is found out I fear it is going to be very embarrassing for South Carolina. It might be time for us to stand up about this guy....
Posted by: Tsali | Jun 24, 2009 10:16:03 AM
First, he doesn't care about the unemployed in his state. Now, he doesn't care about his family, his co-workers, his fellow politicians, or his constituents. Is that the new GOP spirit?
Posted by: teddymaniac | Jun 24, 2009 10:18:21 AM
Stick a fork in him. He's done....
Posted by: Lee | Jun 24, 2009 10:18:49 AM
Well, ya know, Argentina ... Appalachian Trail, it's so easy to get them confused. I mean, they both start with A.
It amazes me that this dude even thinks anybody's buying any of this.
Posted by: Jaylah | Jun 24, 2009 10:23:34 AM
Maybe he was abducted by aliens! No, just kidding. I can't wait to find out what happened. Maybe he went there to buy cheaper cigarettes.
Posted by: Sally L. | Jun 24, 2009 10:32:09 AM
Hey, hopesprings52: Leaving the state? He left the COUNTRY!
This is nuts. And yet would you believe Joe Scarborough actually said this morning, "That's OK. Everybody has a right to have some time off. I'm OK with it."
OMG, a supposedly straight-laced CONSERVATIVE--conservative!--leaves his CHILDREN to indulge in some "exotic" adventure under the radar? Come on! Can you imagine if the governor of New York or California did that?
Posted by: Philip2 | Jun 24, 2009 10:32:33 AM
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