Gov. Mark Sanford Cheated on Wife in Argentina

A dramatic Gov. Mark Sanford (R-S.C.) hemmed and hawed about apologies and lies during a news conference Wednesday until finally admitting what was really going on: that he has cheated on his wife for more than a year with a woman in Argentina. Sanford, when he finally cut to the chase, said, "I have been unfaithful to my wife."

Appearing in his first floor office at the South Carolina statehouse, Sanford looked downright distraught as he finally answered the myriad questions and suspicions about his top-secret Magical Mystery Tour of Argentina.

While he resigned as head of the Republican Governor's Association, he did not give up the governor's mansion. He's in the second term and term-limited, so he will probably be able to withstand this storm and stay in office.

Sporting a George Hamilton tan, Sanford asked the press and public to respect his privacy and forgive him for his deception. It took almost 10 minutes to get to the point of actually confessing the sins for which he wanted forgiveness. Then, the chips all fell, and we got answers to most of the questions circulating around Washington that I posted earlier today.

1. Why did he go to Argentina, of all places?

He says he met the Other Woman (when do we get a photo?) eight years ago when he counseled her about her marriage. Sanford said that when he met the woman she was separated. "And we ended up in this incredibly serious conversation about why she ought to get back with her husband for the sake of her two boys; that not only was it part of God's law, but ultimately those two boys would be better off for it. And we had this incredibly earnest conversation and at the end of it, I said, 'Could I get your e-mail?'"

He said the relationship went from a friendship to a romance a year ago.

2. Did anyone recognize him when he went to the international counter at the airport?

Apparently not, though I would have expected the fabulous TMZ to have a picture of him at the airport international lounge. He said he has been with the girlfriend three times over the past year; does that mean she has been to South Carolina or is this his third trip out of the country?

3. Why did he tell his staff he was hiking the Appalachian Trail?

Sanford seemed oddly more apologetic about misleading his staff about hiking the AT than having an extramarital affair. During Sanford's weird preamble to admitting to the affair, he waxed poetic about childhood hikes on the trail and the outdoors. I was screaming at my TV: "SPIT IT OUT!!!"

4. Is his wife REALLY fine with his habit of disappearing?

Um, no, she is not. When asked if they are separated, Sanford gave a Clinton-esque response, saying that it depends on how you define separation, but that "she is there and I am here." You have GOT to be kidding me, buddy. She's "there" and you are "here" because you apparently have lied to her, humiliated your family and betrayed your marital vows.

Jenny Sanford issued a written statement after the press conference. In it she makes quite clear what her husband couldn't quite bring himself to admit. Mrs. Sanford stated that she "asked my husband to leave two weeks ago. This trial separation was agreed to with the goal of ultimately strengthening our marriage. During this short separation it was agreed that Mark would not contact us."

I think it's safe to assume that Jenny Sanford was, though, not expecting her husband to spend the trial separation in Argentina with his lover. In the beginning of the week, when the story seemed more oddball than sex scandal, Jenny told the AP that her husband was off "writing something and wanted some space away from the kids." Whether she was trying to cover for him, I don't know, but disappearing from his four sons on Father's Day weekend is just cold-hearted.

Sanford is in denial if he thinks his marriage is going anywhere but the divorce court.

5. What did he tell his state trooper security detail he was doing when he made his escape?

He didn't explain his impressive escape from Alcatraz -- aka South Carolina -- but I'm sure there are some burly, angry state troopers who are not pleased that he made them look like mall security guards.

6. Seriously, why Argentina?

The icky way that Sanford answers this question is a classic euphemism for sex. He says the reason for his affair with the woman was "the whole sparking thing." Gross.

He also said he spent the last five days crying in Argentina, which is embarrassing and pathetic. I know this is lame, but I can't help myself: Don't Cry for Me Argentina.

7. Did he fill out forms for vacation time from his job, as GOVERNOR?

He didn't mention any paperwork. I wonder how much vacation time a sitting governor gets a year? While he was out of the country and seemingly unreachable on cell or Blackberry, who was in charge of the state? South Carolina is in hurricane territory, so who had power to call in the National Guard or declare a state of emergency if a storm came in while the governor was playing hooky?

8. Did he bring back any souvenirs?

I'll answer this for him: Mark Sanford went to Argentina and all he brought back was this huge political scandal.

9. Argentina?

Again, because of the "sparking thing" with his "dear, dear friend from Argentina."

10. Did it ever occur to him that doing random weird things like taking Magical Mystery Tours to South America might negatively affect the already suffering Republican Party and pretty much put the kibosh on his 2012 presidential ambitions?

Sanford, in one of his more sympathetic moments, admitted that he put himself and his desires first -- before his wife, his girlfriend, the citizens, and his family. So, clearly, he did not seem to put a whole lotta thought into what would happen if he got caught going to Argentina to have an affair. Is it arrogance or denial that makes these public figures cheat on their wives with such little thought of getting caught?

As a Republican, I'm embarrassed by the Ensign and Sanford affairs and just wish we had leaders who have the character and integrity to give us even a chance at the White House in 2012.