As a friend of Governor Mark Sanford’s for 30 years, and having worked for him as his former chief of staff, I am both saddened and shocked by yesterday’s events. My thoughts and prayers are with the governor, his wife and their children during this difficult and heartbreaking time… Here are links to a few additional thoughts on yesterday’s events, Good Morning America and Larry King Live.
Tags: senator tom davis, tom davis
He’s a hypocrite. He ruined his family and his future by being a selfish,egotistical bum.
Tom, yes, this is very heart-breaking. I have been a supporter of Mark Sanford since he first ran for governor. And after speaking with you in the hallway at the recent Republican State Convention, I then spoke with Governor Sanford and said to him that, considering the incredible spending going on in Washington these days, I thought he would be a very popular candidate for president in four years because of his well-known viewpoint about paying down rather than increasing government debt.
My prayers are with Mark and his family, and I hope you will do everything possible to help them resolve this terrible problem. I know you have been a close friend of the the Sanfords for a very long time.
Hope to see you next Thursday (July 2) at the monthly meeting of the Greater Island Council. If you want to say a few words about this issue at the meeting, you might give Jack Alderman a call.
Bruce
Tom:
Thank you for taking time to email your response to the governor’s situation.
You handled yourself very well on the Good Morning America interview.
Roy Carpenter
Tom,
I was shocked and saddened by Mark’s actions. He was hero to me and someone I felt had the capability to become a factor in national politics and help change the direction of our country plus build on the change in Columbia. I’m still in shock and trying to cope with what this will do to him and his family. Some of Jenny’s comments were published in today’s “Greenville News” and were incredibly insightful.I felt that the combination of Mark’s previous work and your election could keep the momentum for change in Columbia but I am very concerned that this will be a real setback. But I know you will keep up the fight. Regards, Al
Senator Davis,
Although this is a truly tragic moment for the Governor and his family. I believe him to be a good person, sincerely caring about the people of South Carolina. Although I do not condone his activity, I can certainly understand and forgive him. Hopefully his wife and family will do as well. With your help, you must convince him to move forward with his duties as Governor and bring the legislature and Governor’s office into agreement on how to improve life for South Carolinians. My thoughts and prayers are with you both.
Governor Sanford DISAPPEARED for several days, left the country, and left no word with his lieutenant, his office, or his family. AND he did this for a “booty call”!!!!!
This is the person we want in our state’s highest office? Are you kidding me?
IMPEACH THIS UNRELIABLE MAN IMMEDIATELY.
If Governor Sanford was a Democrat, I guarantee that the wheels would already be in motion. But for some reason, the little (R) next to this person’s name gives him a pass?
Making excuses for this erratic behavior reflects poorly on you, Senator Davis, too.
And you have to worry about re-election.
Tom:
I am sadden by the events and I pray that the family can recover from this. We all fall short and when you confess and ask for forgiveness it can be granted. If there is one of us who have not sinned, I have a stone for you to cast.
Governor Stanford has worked very hard for the citizens of SC. He loves his state and the citizens of SC and I believe he loves his family.
Mary-Hilton Head Island
Tom:
My heart aches for everyone involved, the Governor, his wife and children, his friends and everyone close to him including the women in Argentina. It does not appear to me that this is or was a casual affair. This man is deeply in love and tormented, others may forgive but will he forgive himself?
Our Governor has also let down the people of South Carolina who deserve in these uncertain times a man who can lead them out of this terrible economic crisis. We are suffering record unemployment in this state and we need a man in charge who will attract new industry and create jobs for it’s people. My concern is will he be able to meet the challenge given the emotional state he and his family are in?
Thank you for your straight forward approach as always,I know this has not been easy for you.
Marcia Hunter
If Gov. Sanford is subject to impeachment, then why did Pres. Clinton get a pass? Is there a double standard here, or did Pres. Clinton simply have more experience with this sort of thing? It does give pause for thought.
Bill Clinton did not get a pass. He was impeached, but was not removed from office. The record to date would seem to indicate, however,that Clinton did appear to have more than one affair and indeed “more experience at this sort of thing.”
The governor, in my opinion, should resign and leave it to others to try to put SC back together again.
In response to Steven Morello’s reply, it’s human nature to make mistakes. It is also human nature to ask for forgiveness and forgive. These types of erratic behaviors don’t have a R or D in front of their name as both are equally culpable in the their faults less we forget about Teddy Kennedy and countless others both Democrat and Republican.
I think the true test will be if Gov. Sanford can get through this. It will do my heart good to see a man of his stature fall from grace, pick him self up, and finish his term a better man.
My thoughts and prayers are with the Governor, his family, and the citizens of this great state.
Mary A. said it correctly. If there is one among you who hasn’t done something wrong, let him cast the first stone. Forgiveness is what the human race is all about, and I honestly feel that Governor Sanford wasn’t trying to do the wrong thing and certainly do not feel he was deceitful to the people of South Carolina.
What does Gov. Sanfords actions have to do with his ability to govern SC or be a presidential candidate? This is a personal issue between him and his family and has NOTHING to do with him being a Governor. We do not elect Saints to public offices.
I used to work for two vice Presidents for a major Government firm in the DC area and both were married and had extramaridal affairs but they still performed an outstanding job for the company they worked for. I am European and look at those things from a totally different perspective. To me Governor Sanford is still doing an outstanding job for SC and that is what counts, nothing else.
Why are we so preoccupied with bringing Mark Sanford down in a sleazy way, when you get a bit of bad gossip. Who, is never above it all to never ever make a mistake? He has been a great leader and someone that we would want to lead us in the future. Lets think outside the gossipy box and think about what is really important and what he can do for us..Quiet this for his family NOW..
Our thoughts and prayrs are with his wife, his 4 sons and with the Governor.
The Governor has made a serious mistake in his life and has gravely offended his family. It is now up to him to make amends to them and seek their forgiveness and that of the Lord.
It is not up to the Peoeple of this great State and this great Nation to now judge and forgive him. They had absolutely no problem forgiving John and Ted Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, William Jefferson Clinton and the myriads of Hollywood celebrities who relish this behavior on a daily basis.
It is time to let him be and let him recover as a better man
Just weeks ago you were all about the good judgment of Sanford . How can anyone possibly not question his stance on every issue if this is the type of judgment he has . Family first ……….What a crock of hypocritical hype . Time after time the Republican Party has tried to say they have some sort of higher ground on morality . Spokespeople that are drug addicts , Vice presidential candidates with pregnant teens and now 2 top political figures with sex scandals . Maybe Sanford should have went to New York on a date with his wife , Instead of Argentina . Family first oh sure .
Where was all this forgiveness with Bill Clinton ? What hypocrites !!!! A bunch of gun toting , right to lifers , now that makes sense .
Senator Davis,
I am fortunate to have had the pleasure to talk to both you and Governor Sanford on a one on one basis. On those occasions I came away thinking that I was fortunate to have each of you represent me. The recent events have not changed my mind. My thoughts and prayers are with you both.
Casting Stones is not the point. Humans made of frail flesh should not take up the stone. I believe Mark and his family are Christians and can give personal things to the one who knows the repentant heart. That is not for the Public to be concerned about in the future.
Now for the, but. Duty comes first for those chosen to lead. If judgement is impaired to the point of not being honest with one’s staff or making plans for governing in your absence, that is a matter for the public. One thing about our Governor’s leadership style is that he took no quarter and gave no quarter. He was very short on compromise. My question for the Senator with a bright future: Is the Governor asking for a compromise now? Why would he expect his opponents to compromise? Are the things the Governor wants to accomplish in South Carolina less important than his time left in office as a Lame Duck?
Shelley’s poem comes powerfully to mind:
“Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.”
Tom,
I was very hurt finding out about this. As you know being a friend of Mark, I was shocked. I haven’t talked to Mark except through e-mail, but I told him we are human and the only one who was able to resist temtation was Jesus. We all fail but it is what we do afterwards is what maqkes us who we are. What Mark did is between him and his family and not the public. I also feel he is smart enough to learn from his mistake and go forward. I feel confident he will do the right thing because I know he is a christian. My thoughts and prayers are with him, Jen, and the boys. I am glad you and Mark are representing us.
Jamie
Sen. Davis, we are waiting for you to do the right thing and make good on your statement below.
“I can assure you that whatever official position I ultimately reach will be one that I truly believe to be in the best interests of the people of Beaufort County in particular and the state of South Carolina in general.”
As your constituent, it alarms me greatly to know such a “no-brainer” right decision still eludes you. You serve us first and foremost, not your friends or personal feelings or fears. Sorry your heart is troubled but a true leader does the right thing in spite of personal pain. A true friend would publicly encourage a dear one in need of emotional and psychological help to seek it even though it means forsaking power and prestige.
I dare you to describe exactly how Gov. Sanford is fit, appropriate, able and deserving of serving the great people of SC?
A Christian committed to serving others would take all measures to restore integrity, respect and reinstate actual servitude. While Gov. Sanford submerges us in his lovesick adulterous foolishness there are citizens truly suffering with serious problems. To ignore God’s peoples’ plight and renounce your fiduciary duty calls your character, motives, and judgments into serious question.
Dear Senator-
Please encourage our Governor to step aside and allow the state to regain some measure of respect. Recently while traveling out of state I have found Sanford to be an embarassment and a distraction to all the good SC has to offer. Not much to brag about except the shrimp I will be cooking for our holiday celebration. A sad situation indeed that may eventually end your ability to get the message out about those things listed on the header of your blog.
Bacho M
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