Sanford: I've been unfaithful to my wife

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By NBC Augusta Staff

Story Published: Jun 24, 2009 at 1:50 PM EST

Story Updated: Jun 25, 2009 at 10:00 AM EST

COLUMBIA, S.C.- South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford says an extramarital affair is behind his unexplained disappearance.

At a news conference Wednesday afternoon, he admitted he's been unfaithful to his wife with a friend from Argentina.

Sanford says he and his family have been working through the affair for about the last five months.

He apologized to his wife, kids and staff after his mystery trip to Argentina.

He says, "I've let down a lot of people."

Sanford also resigned as chairman of the Republican Governors Association, but when asked if he'd resign as governor of South Carolina, he did not respond.

Originally, it was believed Sanford took a hike on the Appalachian Trail.

But Wednesday morning, CNN reported that Sanford told a reporter with the State newspaper at the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta that he was returning from a seven day visit to Buenos Aires, Argentina.

 


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Thursday, Jun 25 at 10:50 AM wordman wrote ...

to Honestabe: the aftermath of Bill and Monica was impeachment, so why should Sanford be any different,Bill didnt leave his family on father's day

24948159 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Thursday, Jun 25 at 6:47 AM Take a bow Mark Sanford! wrote ...

You look so DUMB right now, standing outside my house. Trying to apologize, your so UGLY WHEN YOU CRY, please, just cut it out. And don't say that your SORRY CAUSE YOUR NOT, when you know you only sorry YOU GOT CAUGHT. You put on quite a show, very entertaining, NOW IT'S TIME TO GO, CURTAINS FINALLY CLOSING, that was quite a SHOW VERY ENTERTAINING, BUT IT'S OVER NOW, GO ON AND TAKE A BOW. The award for BEST LIAR GOES TO YOU MARK SANFORD! Let's hear your SPEECH NOW!

24932699 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Thursday, Jun 25 at 6:42 AM The perfect commercial wrote ...

20 years of marriage X 4 very young kids - an UNFAITHFUL UNTRUSTWORTHY COWARD GOVERNOR = ALIMONY to the wife, CHILD SUPPORT TO THE KIDS, CAR AND HOME THAT IS PAID FOR! All at the expense of a CHEATING HUSBAND. I hope she take him for everything he has. RESIGN MARK AND GO TO ARGENTINA, where now, the MISTRESS PROBABLY DON'T WON'T YOU ANYMORE BECAUSE YOUR MARRIAGE IS NO MORE. You made a BAD CHOICE and if you lie about this, you will lie about ANYTHING! This is becoming a TREND in Government.

24932534 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Wednesday, Jun 24 at 10:56 PM AWOL wrote ...

I would argue that his offense as governor is dereliction of duty. The state was effectively without a chief executive for the entire time he was gone. Had he turned on his phone been available in case of emergency there would have been no official grounds for complaint, rather we could only be disappointed by his behavior. It is obvious that his personal problems have become an obstacle that may be seriously affecting his judgement and ability to effectively lead the state of South Carolina!

24925166 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Wednesday, Jun 24 at 10:15 PM Jackie wrote ...

I feel that he should resign for the fact that he deceived his constituents. He ran on moral values! Who was in charge while he was off galivanting around? Why all the lies to us from our Governor? He's an embarrassment to the people of SC. He abandoned his young boys on Father's Day, he abandoned his state, he lied to his state whom he is supposed to be taking care of. I could go on and on. It really seems like he has lost touch with reality. So much wrong here!

24923664 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Wednesday, Jun 24 at 9:19 PM JustCurious wrote ...

Why should he resign? He didn't do anything against his oath or office. I'm not saying I support him, what he did is VERY worng, but calling for his resignation is just ignorant. Being unfaithful has nothing to do with the way he does business. I'm not a resident of SC, but I'm just another opinion, and so far, most of these are extremely ignorant. Yes, he should suffer and he is horrible and an embarrasment, but he shouldn't be impeached. It isn't illegal.

24920906 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Wednesday, Jun 24 at 5:15 PM Anonymous wrote ...

He sounded very "arrogant" to me. No one seemed to pick up on the fact that he said he has been trying to "work through" the affair with his family for the last 5 months - well, if that's true, why the trip to Argentina? That is throwing it in their faces and not even having the DECENCY to give his marriage a chance - HE made the trip to the other woman, what a LOW life!

24910714 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Wednesday, Jun 24 at 5:08 PM anonymous wrote ...

If he has been living a lie, why would anyone believe he has only been with the woman 3x in 1yr. NO WAY! He is just showing his TRUE colors & if he will lie about this, he can't be trusted with the governor's office - RESIGN!

24910354 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Wednesday, Jun 24 at 4:48 PM evinrude3 wrote ...

RESIGN DO NOT PASS GO AND DO NOT COLLECT ANY OF THE PRESIDENTS MONEY YOU DID NOT WANT ANYHOW> BYE BYE FOR BOBBY IN SC

24909134 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Wednesday, Jun 24 at 3:55 PM HonestAbe wrote ...

Ok..Before the finger pointing begins can anyone remember Bill & Monica! I think the list could go on to even mention a few local names. "He who is without sin let him cast the first stone."

24905609 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Wednesday, Jun 24 at 3:51 PM GG wrote ...

Don't defend him. He's a LOSER, plain and simple.

24905379 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Wednesday, Jun 24 at 3:46 PM WHAT A LOSER AND A COWARD wrote ...

WOW! No wonder he disappeared like that, I bet the wife knew. She should take him for everything he has. IMPEACH HIM AND GET HIM OUT OF OFFICE!

24904936 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Wednesday, Jun 24 at 3:43 PM James wrote ...

Sanford had an affair with a woman. He knew this women for eight years. He only became romantic with her in the last year. What makes it sad is that he did this during Father's day weekend. I don't understand why people have affairs to be honest. If you have feelings for another person, tell your husband/wife so you don't destroy a commitment. His reputation is ruined, this must embarrass him. This is punishment enough. He should resign and leave office for good.

24904711 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Wednesday, Jun 24 at 3:02 PM Anonymous wrote ...

A friend ? Sounds like a same sex "friend" to me.

24901484 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Wednesday, Jun 24 at 2:23 PM bls wrote ...

now the republicans are back to family values at least there trying to stay with the other sex this time

24898481 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

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