AIKEN, SC. - As we learn about another sexual affair involving a high profile politician, do we and should we hold our political leaders at a higher standard than we do ourselves?

The question of whether Governor Mark Sanford should resign has been on the minds of many.

The latest results of our web poll show voters are split.

Fifty-five percent say he should stay.

Forty-five percent say he should go.

"I don't think he should resign right now," voter Veronica Beckum said.

"He needs to complete his job, what he's been voted into and next year don't run for office,” said another voter Pamela Hall said.

"I know its okay for men to cry, but he's so emotional, I just don't think he's fit to govern right now,” voter Jo Morrison said.

The question of whether Sanford should resign or not is one of both morality and if he’s doing his job, said Political Science professor from USC Aiken, Steve Millies said.

"In the post-Clinton era, we're more willing to forgive the dalliances of politicians," Millies said.

In our lifetime, political science professor Millies says the moral standards for politicians have changed.

"It's not just Mark Sanford or John Benson or Larry Craig or the list I supposed even could go on,” Milles said.

What Millies says it's going to come down to, is not whether Governor Sanford was unfaithful or not; it's why he didn't appoint someone to fill his shoes when he was out of the picture."

"Why did you disappear for five days? Why did you leave the state without an executive leader for five days? People of South Carolina will want an answer to that question,” Millies said.

In Wednesday’s press conference Sanford, considered one of the Bible Belt's most conservative leaders, said our moral lives are complicated and now his future hangs on his public.

"It's ultimately going to be up to the voters, it's going to be up to public opinion and how all this plays out and Sanford handles himself," Millies said.

"It has nothing to do with the women, more so the disappearing," voter, Jo Morrison said.

"He didn't think it through and at that time, he was probably thinking abou this own stress and his own things that were going on in his life," voter, Pamela Hall said.

Professor Millies says this incident may end Sanford's political future and make room for other Republican leaders like Mitt Romney, Bobby Jindal and Tim Pawlenty to step up.

NBC Augusta 26 News brings you straight to the point news, weather, and sports from Augusta and the CSRA. Meet our NBC Augusta 26 News staff!