Mark Sanford cannot navigate a deep and painful personal crisis and lead the state through its economic crisis at the same time. He should resign.
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As a father and a husband, Sanford is the only one who can work through this with his family, minimize the damage to his sons, make amends to his wife, and determine whether his family can be held together. He must be focused on those tasks.
He is not the only one who can lead this state through the current recession, and under the current circumstances, he cannot lead the state.
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South Carolinians cannot be sure that Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer has the capability to lead the state in this recession. They can only hope that he will be up to the task.
But circumstances have assured that Sanford cannot effectively continue in his job. He should resign.
Not too much of an endorsement there for Bauer.
But political scientist Scott Huffmon makes a point I've been thinking about in a news article in the Spartanburg paper. That is, worrying that Sanford can't be effective is almost a moot point, since he's been so ineffective or at least alienated from the legislature anyway.
"Truth be told, over the past few years, he has soured his relationship with the Legislature so much that he hasn't been particularly effective at getting an agenda through," said Scott Huffmon, political scientist at Winthrop University. "And with the stimulus fight, pushing it all the way to the state Supreme Court, that affirmed the governor's subordinate position in this state."
I guess that's not much of an endorsement, either, but it may be a realistic assessment.
The Washington Post talks to South Carolina lawmakers. It quotes on Democrat calling for resignation but Republicans, who are the majority, express dismay while stopping short of resignation talk.
The Greenville News rounds up thoughts on resignation from area politicians, finding mixed views.
