WMBFNews.com | Myrtle Beach/Florence, SC | News, Weather, SportsSanford: I will not be railroaded out of office

Sanford: I will not be railroaded out of office

COLUMBIA, SC (WMBF/WIS) - South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford has rejected Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer's offer to resign from office Wednesday, saying he believes South Carolinians are past the allegations and scandals surrounding the governor's office.

Sanford has come under much scrutiny by both lawmakers and residents of South Carolina in recent weeks, after admitting to an extra-marital affair with an Argentine woman.  The confession has sparked numerous investigations into the use of state funds by lawmakers for travel.

On Wednesday, controversy came to a head as Bauer said that the embattled governor needs to step down or the state legislature needs to move forward with removing him from office.

"The serious misconduct that's already been revealed, plus the lingering questions and continuing distractions," Bauer commented, "make it virtually impossible for our state to solve the critical problems we're facing without a change in leadership."

It was only a matter of hours before Sanford fired back at Bauer's request, declaring he was not going to be railroaded out of office by his political opponents.

"What we have going on here is politics - plain and simple," said the governor.

Sanford says while stepping out of office would come as a personal relief, two wrongs won't make a right.  He adds while many have become wrapped up in his extra-marital affair, attempting to rewrite the history of his administration is not the way to go.

"Let me be unequivocally clear.  While it would be easier to simply move on with life, and not contest the sensational charges against our administration's handling of public funds, it would be wrong," Sanford remarked in a written response to Bauer.  "I also believe that given the constitutionally weak state of the governorship in South Carolina, it would be wrong to simply go back to the farm and take refuge given the implications for future governors."

In the controversial aftermath of Sanford's actions, one question remains unanswered in the state capitol - what's next?

Sanford says the answer will come when the General Assembly reconvenes for the 2010 legislative session. 

He said Wednesday he feels the responsible thing to do is to lay out all of the facts in an attempt to defend himself against what he calls an "incomplete picture presented in media claims."

"Once the full set of facts is before the General Assembly, its members can make a judgment, and the public can make its own judgment about my actions and those of others in the political process," he commented.

However, could a bigger problem be at hand should Sanford stay in office? 

Bauer says he thinks there will be. He fears all attention will be geared towards Sanford's impeachment when legislators are back in session, rather than the issues at hand - the economy and unemployment. 

In an official letter to the governor Wednesday, the lieutenant governor suggested it's in the best interest for Sanford to resign to avoid using taxpayer money to move forward in the legal processes which are now being considered.

"I have given the governor my support in the best interest of the people of South Carolina," Bauer remarked.  "Throughout Governor Sanford's recent controversies, I have remained supportive in order to provide stability to our government."

Bauer has served alongside Sanford since both were elected into office in 2003, but says he and the governor have not "always agreed on every issue."

With his announcement Wednesday, Bauer became the most prominent Republican figure in current South Carolina politics to ask for Sanford's resignation.

"Now, however, things have changed," Bauer said.  "Regrettably, we have reached a point where we must all put the best interests of the people of South Carolina ahead of personal or political interests."

One by one, Sanford supporters have revealed in recent weeks they, too, have tried to convince the governor to resign.  The House GOP plans to talk impeachment when they meet in Myrtle Beach over the weekend.

"I think it would be best for the state, which is what the decision should be based on - what's best for our state," said Rep. Nathan Ballentine (R-Richland).  "On a personal level, I think it would be best for him, as well.  It's not an ending anybody would like, but I think it probably beats the alternative."

Ballentine says there's serious support among Republicans and Democrats alike for impeachment, and he says a lot of constituents want the governor to step down.

Should Sanford concede to the pressure of resignation during his last 16 months in office, Bauer says he's prepared to pick up South Carolina's damaged political reputation.

The lieutenant governor reinstated that should he take over for Sanford before the 2010 election, he will renew his offer to stay out of the gubernatorial race.

Sanford's stay in office is slated to end in January 2011.

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