says he is trying to reconcile with his wife, though she moved out Friday

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.thestate.com/local/story/895405.html

News - Local / Metro
Monday, Aug. 10, 2009

Sanford's use of state plane questioned

By JIM DAVENPORT - Associated Press Writer

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford used state aircraft for personal and political trips, often bringing along his wife and children - contrary to state law regarding official use, an Associated Press investigation has found.

According to state budget law, "Any and all aircraft owned or operated by agencies of the State Government shall be used only for official business."

Records reviewed by the AP show that since he took office in 2003, the two-term Republican has taken trips on state aircraft to locations of his children's sporting events, hair and dentist appointments, political party gatherings and a birthday party for a campaign donor.

On March 10, 2006, a state plane was sent to pick up Sanford in Myrtle Beach and return him to Columbia, the state capital, at a cost of $1,265 - when his calendar showed his only appointment in Columbia was "personal time" at his favorite discount hair salon. He had flown to Myrtle Beach on a private plane and attended a county GOP event.

The trip home on the state aircraft took off at 1:50 p.m. and arrived in Columbia at 2:35, enabling the governor to keep his plans for a 3 p.m. haircut across town. There were no other appointments on his official schedule that afternoon; the trip back to Columbia would have taken about three hours by car.

Also, on five of the last six Thanksgiving weekends, Sanford used a state plane to fly himself, his wife and their four sons from the family's plantation in Beaufort County to Columbia for the state Christmas tree lighting. The cost for those flights alone: $5,536, including $2,869 for flying the plane empty to pick them up.

[customerserviceguy]

1. The nice thing is

we don't have to worry about this asshat ever becoming President some day.

[WillParkinson]

2. Oh? How so?

Republicans only care about Democrats doing the deed outside of marriage. It's perfect OK, and justifiable for them to do it.

[customerserviceguy]

6. They will not forgive him for treating his wife and kids

like a piece of dirt. This is one of the chief things they held against Rudy Giuliani, and soem still hold Newt in contempt for it.

[WillParkinson]

7. I won't hold my breath...

Republicans can justify anything, as long as they get their way.

[EFerrari]

11. They will forgive him for that. They won't forgive him for embarrassing

the Republicans, imho. Same with Rudi911.

[customerserviceguy]

13. He might not be politically dead

in a Northern or Western state, but in the Deep South, he's cooked.

[damntexdem]

9. I dunno -- maybe president of Argentina.

;-)

[valerief]

10. He prays to Jesus so he can do whatever he wants. nt

[damntexdem]

12. And he don't care if rains or freezes.

And that's important out on the Appalachian Trail.

[tanyev]

3. Absence makes the heart grow fonder?

[Gogi]

4. Ah, yes, but...

is she trying to reconcile with you?

[madrchsod]

5. "she`s gone and i......"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_nNrUHhnik

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tj9JUKqVG_k&eurl

[damntexdem]

8. Maybe it's like a rubber band: the farther it's pulled apart the stronger it snaps back together.

But I suspect that it's more like an inflated balloon that has a pin stuck into it.

[provis99]

14. I hope his wife sues the shit out of him for marital abandonment

Let her live in the governor's mansion, while he lives in a van down by the river.

[bkkyosemite]

15. The guy is still hung up on that Argentine woman and his wife needs to kick him out and get

what she can if there is anything for her and her boys....the cheatin creep.

[Moreland2008]

16. I love him!

I love Mark Sanford, Hes the rednecks Jackie Collins. His proffessions of love for an argentianian television anchor just tugs at my ample heartstrings. I have started a new PAC, its called Quarter Chubs for Sanford.

But seriously, fuck that womanizing shitbag.

[ejpoeta]

17. yeah, right. he professes his love of the argentina woman, but also wants to get back together with

his wife. the fact is, men regularly will tell someone they are cheating on their wife with that they love them and will leave their wife... but they keep it a secret for a reason... and they have no intention of leaving their wife either... they want it both ways... ahve their cake and eat it too. the only reason he said anything about it was because he got caught. and i could really care less about this whole bs about sanford and an affair because it is between him and his wife and the woman in argentina.... as for using state funds or scheduling work trips around meetings with the girlfriend... that is a different story. that matters.