Statement from Tom Davis July 1, 2009
Posted on July 1, 2009
FOR RELEASE ON JULY 1, 2009
Statement by Tom Davis re: Governor Mark Sanford
I came to Columbia today because I have a responsibility to the taxpayers of Beaufort County and the people of South Carolina. Obviously I have tremendous concern for my friends, Mark and Jenny Sanford and their family, but I also have a job to do as an elected official.
Before any important decision I make comes due diligence, and I owe it to my constituents to perform that due diligence before taking a public position on an issue as important as whether to call for the resignation of a duly-elected statewide official.
Accordingly, I have met today with the governor and members of his staff; I have had telephone conversations with my friend, Jenny Sanford; I have talked with the governor’s legislative supporters and opponents; and I have talked with key reform leaders who have been fighting for the issues I believe in – fiscal responsibility, limited government, market principles and individual liberty.
I am also planning on speaking today with Attorney General Henry McMaster and SLED Chief Reggie Lloyd, and am I particularly interested in learning the outcome of SLED’s review as to whether the governor has ever illegally used any state funds. I am told that review will be completed by tomorrow.
Again, this is a critical decision for the State of South Carolina and I want to rely on firsthand conversations, not media reports, rumors, political pressure or speculation.
Based on these conversations, I expect to form my official position very shortly. But 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.
In the meantime, I would encourage all South Carolinians to keep the Sanfords in their thoughts and prayers.
MEDIA CONTACT
Sherri Zedd
843.252.8583
sherri@senatortomdavis.com
Dear Senator Davis,
Governor Sanford has already admitted to using state funds for the last trip. In “The State” newspaper (out of Columbia), on June 30th, reported the following :
“He delivered a personal check late Tuesday for nearly $3,000 to reimburse the state for a 2008 state-funded trip to Argentina where he visited Chapur”
AND
“He has said he will reimburse the state an undetermined amount of the more-than $8,000 in taxpayer money spent on the trip, and he insists no public money was used for any other meetings with her.”
I also find it suspicious that the one time he got caught just happened to be the one time he spent state funds.
What more do you need, Senator Davis? One such completely inappropriate trip on OUR dime, which the Governor has already confessed to, is more than enough to call for a resignation. Your duty as state Senator is very clear.
Sincerely,
Steven Morello
P.S. Here’s a link to the story in The State for reference : http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090630/ap_on_re_us/us_sc_governor
[...] loyal guy like Tom Davis would even be talking about thinking about it. But he is, as evidenced by this statement he has posted: Statement from Tom Davis July 1, 2009 Posted on July 1, 2009 FOR RELEASE ON JULY 1, [...]
Tom, I do not understand the continued public venting, it appears to me that Mark is trying to exorcise demons by public confession. I know you have a tough decision to make, at the end of the day I guess you just let your own moral compass guide you, if you decide that you can not support him as Governor does not mean that you will not support him as a dear friend.
Steve
[...] Statement from Tom Davis July 1, 2009 [...]
Tom,
Please extend my best wishes for the future to both the Governor and his wife.
Ask the Gov. to stop laying his whole personal life out before the frenzied media and get on with important things like his job and his reconcilliation efforts, if he is truly determined to reconcile. Lacking the ability to pursue these efforts, ask him to resign and give this battered state a break.
Bernie….PS: Jane Frederick is a POOP!
Dear Senator Davis,
NO ONE cares about Governor Sanford’s sordid affair. That is NOT the issue of concern for the millions of residents in South Carolina or the country for that matters. The ISSUE with Governor Sanford was the FACT that he abandoned his duties AS Governor of South Carolina for 5 Straight days without any “emergency contingency” plans in place. He did not make arrangements with the Lt. Governor or anyone else in his office. AND to add insult to injury, Governor Sanford DID USE TAX PAYER money to meet with his mistress.
When you BASE Governor Sanford’s judgement and Leadership solely on the FACTS and not the media news or the rumors, the Governor himself was seriously NEGLIGENT and should RESIGN immediately.
Senator Davis, if this had been any average South Carolina citizen who abandoned their job for 5 days AND used their employer’s expense account for personal use, this employee would have been FIRED two weeks ago.
WHY is there NO accountability when it comes to Governor Sanford’s accountability? Where is YOUR leadership in protecting the residents of South Carolina by setting a fair and equal example. WHY do politicians think and behave like they are always ABOVE THE LAW or that the laws don’t apply to them?
When does this political cycle end Senator Davis? When? As a Senator, don’t you owe your loyalty to the RESIDENTS of South Carolina first and foremost? After all, they DID vote you into the office you now hold.
Jenny Sanford is irrelevant in this equation. Whether she forgives her husband is NOT our concern. That is between the Sanford’s to deal with privately.
But please don’t insult us by claiming this is all about “rumor and media gossip” because it’s NOT. This is about a Governor who neglected his duties for 5 straight days and use tax-payer money during his trip to NY. THOSE ARE THE FACTS, not hearsay, or rumors or the media’s fault.
I’m outrage at the fact that Republicans consistently rationalize, marginalize and make excuse for their inexcusable conduct and yet hold every one else to a higher standard. I’m outraged by the fact that Governor Sanford and his wife consistently use the “Lord’s” name and their Christian values as a political gimmick to gain sympathy from the GOP and the country. It’s shameful and disgraceful.
Personally, if Governor Sanford was truly remorseful for his sordid personal affair, he should have NEVER shared the sordid details in front of the media or held repeated Press Conferences. It speaks to his credibility and integrity. He should have privately asked for forgiveness in CHURCH and from his GOD and family. The mere fact that Governor Sanford combined his “Christian morales” with his sordid affair in a political manner appears to be less than sincere and genuine.
As a resident of South Carolina, I hope that Governor Sanford resigns, it’s what’s BEST of the state and we as residents deserve BETTER. We deserve a Governor with morale integrity, competence and credibility. Governor Sanford has lost all credibility, no one trusts his judgement or leadership as Governor.
Mrs. Carter