The Other GOP Governor Stays Put

2 years ago

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Mary C. Curtis

National Correspondent

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This time last week, who would have thought that there would be a Republican governor resigning, and it wouldn't be Mark Sanford?

South Carolina Republicans have decided a censure is enough and have not asked him to resign. Barring any additional embarrassing discoveries -- the state's notorious governor will serve out his term.

After Argentina and Maria and the emotional press conferences that told the world more than it wanted to know about his private life, Sanford looked like a goner. (The words "Appalachian Trail" took on an entirely new meaning.) But then Michael Jackson knocked the Sanford Saga off Page 1 -- and Sarah Palin kept it off.

Sanford's party members weren't just being charitable. Many have their own reasons for keeping him in office. Politicians chasing the seat fear giving Republican Lt. Gov. R. Andre Bauer a head start in the 2010 race.

State Democrats called for Sanford's resignation but aren't making too much of a fuss about his decision to remain, perhaps realizing that his effectiveness is muted. Sanford once was best known for resisting federal stimulus funds. No more.

It seems ages -- not weeks -- ago that it was all Sanford, all the time. But celebrity deaths and a politician whose star burns brighter took care of that.

In a culture suffering from attention deficit disorder, wait long enough and you, too, will be yesterday's news.

Filed Under: Republicans, Sarah Palin, Woman Up

Tagged: mark sanford, MarkSanford

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