Sanford impeachment proceedings ready to start.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

AP NewsBreak: SC lawmakers to take up impeachment

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina lawmakers plan to formally consider impeaching Gov. Mark Sanford for the first time next week, the chairman of the committee beginning that work said Friday.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Harrison told The Associated Press he is appointing an ad-hoc committee of four Republicans and three Democrats who will begin meeting Tuesday. He said he expects to have a resolution to impeach ready before Christmas for the full Judiciary Committee to consider.

Sanford spokesman Ben Fox declined to comment and his lawyers did not immediately respond to questions.

Sanford, a Republican, left the state for five days in June to rendezvous with his Argentine lover. Since he returned and tearfully confessed the affair, he has faced questions about his travel and whether he should be removed from office for misconduct. He has resisted calls to resign.

The meeting is to take up the issue at the heart of an impeachment resolution that four Republicans filed this week. It says Sanford left no one in charge of the state, a dereliction of duty, while he "directed members of his staff in a manner that caused them to deceive and mislead the public officials" about where he was. His staff told reporters he was hiking the Applachian Trail.

Harrison, R-Columbia, announced his plans two days after the State Ethics Commission said it would move forward with charges against the two-term governor. The commission spent three months investigating Sanford's use of state planes for personal and political purposes, unreported trips on donors' and friends' planes, pricey commercial travel despite a state low-cost travel rule and personal reimbursements from his campaign account.

The Ethics Commission could release details of those charges as soon as Monday. But Harrison said the ad hoc panel would begin work without that information.

"We don't need the ethics report for that," he said.

Harrison will chair the panel, which will include state Rep. Walt McLeod, a Prosperity Democrat who irked others in his party by moving to block an impeachment resolution last month.

McLeod said he was only doing so because the resolution wasn't appropriate in a special session to deal with unemployment benefits and economic development incentives.

Harrison said a majority vote of the 25-member judiciary committee is needed to get the impeachment resolution to the House floor in January for debate. To pass there, it would require a two-thirds vote, which would result in Sanford's suspension.

The Senate, acting as jury, then would decide whether Sanford would be removed from office, which would also require a two-thirds vote.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Good that they're willing to take out the trash.......

[Scam of God]

Why bother? Let the man quit of his own accord. If he used public funds to transport himself to South America, let him repay that from his own pocket. I see little more than Lewinsky Redux here, and it's a shame you're going along with it.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Why bother? Let the man quit of his own accord. If he used public funds to transport himself to South America, let him repay that from his own pocket. I see little more than Lewinsky Redux here, and it's a shame you're going along with it.

He won't quit, Einzige....and I haven't seen him write any checks.....so we give him a pass?  C'mon even you wouldn't go for that.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Why bother? Let the man quit of his own accord. If he used public funds to transport himself to South America, let him repay that from his own pocket. I see little more than Lewinsky Redux here, and it's a shame you're going along with it.

Flat out untrue....the REPUBLICANS have been pressing him to resign.....the dems stood by Clinton.  And there was no allegation of inappropriate use of public funds with Clinton that I recall.....

[Scam of God]

Why bother? Let the man quit of his own accord. If he used public funds to transport himself to South America, let him repay that from his own pocket. I see little more than Lewinsky Redux here, and it's a shame you're going along with it.

He won't quit, Einzige....and I haven't seen him write any checks.....so we give him a pass?  C'mon even you wouldn't go for that.

Of course he would. If he won't do it of himself, he'll do it after the people of Carolina make a big enough fuss. And if you haven't seen him write any checks, then you haven't seen him do anything impeachable, either.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Why bother? Let the man quit of his own accord. If he used public funds to transport himself to South America, let him repay that from his own pocket. I see little more than Lewinsky Redux here, and it's a shame you're going along with it.

He won't quit, Einzige....and I haven't seen him write any checks.....so we give him a pass?  C'mon even you wouldn't go for that.

Of course he would. If he won't do it of himself, he'll do it after the people of Carolina make a big enough fuss. And if you haven't seen him write any checks, then you haven't seen him do anything impeachable, either.

Bet ya lunch he never resigns......

[Scam of God]

Why bother? Let the man quit of his own accord. If he used public funds to transport himself to South America, let him repay that from his own pocket. I see little more than Lewinsky Redux here, and it's a shame you're going along with it.

Flat out untrue....the REPUBLICANS have been pressing him to resign.....the dems stood by Clinton.  And there was no allegation of inappropriate use of public funds with Clinton that I recall.....

You know, as much as you like to pretend otherwise, you really are a stupid, partisan whore to the GOP.

I don't care what Party is prosecuting him, dumbass; I care that the same stupid and moralistic impulses are behind this, and ought to be banished from our politics utterly. But you knew that, and threw that gist away nevertheless to make a stupid partisan point.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Why bother? Let the man quit of his own accord. If he used public funds to transport himself to South America, let him repay that from his own pocket. I see little more than Lewinsky Redux here, and it's a shame you're going along with it.

Flat out untrue....the REPUBLICANS have been pressing him to resign.....the dems stood by Clinton.  And there was no allegation of inappropriate use of public funds with Clinton that I recall.....

You know, as much as you like to pretend otherwise, you really are a stupid, partisan whore to the GOP.

I don't care what Party is prosecuting him, dumbass; I care that the same stupid and moralistic impulses are behind this, and ought to be banished from our politics utterly. But you knew that, and threw that gist away nevertheless to make a stupid partisan point.

If you think moralistic impulses are all that drives this,  you're blind.

[Scam of God]

Why bother? Let the man quit of his own accord. If he used public funds to transport himself to South America, let him repay that from his own pocket. I see little more than Lewinsky Redux here, and it's a shame you're going along with it.

Flat out untrue....the REPUBLICANS have been pressing him to resign.....the dems stood by Clinton.  And there was no allegation of inappropriate use of public funds with Clinton that I recall.....

You know, as much as you like to pretend otherwise, you really are a stupid, partisan whore to the GOP.

I don't care what Party is prosecuting him, dumbass; I care that the same stupid and moralistic impulses are behind this, and ought to be banished from our politics utterly. But you knew that, and threw that gist away nevertheless to make a stupid partisan point.

If you think moralistic impulses are all that drives this,  you're blind.

Of course it's all that drives this. How many billions of dollars does the State of South Carolina take in in taxes, again? If it can afford to bilk its citizenry of that much, can't it spare a few thousand on plane tickets?

[Mechaman]

Why bother? Let the man quit of his own accord. If he used public funds to transport himself to South America, let him repay that from his own pocket. I see little more than Lewinsky Redux here, and it's a shame you're going along with it.

Flat out untrue....the REPUBLICANS have been pressing him to resign.....the dems stood by Clinton.  And there was no allegation of inappropriate use of public funds with Clinton that I recall.....

You know, as much as you like to pretend otherwise, you really are a stupid, partisan whore to the GOP.

I don't care what Party is prosecuting him, dumbass; I care that the same stupid and moralistic impulses are behind this, and ought to be banished from our politics utterly. But you knew that, and threw that gist away nevertheless to make a stupid partisan point.

If you think moralistic impulses are all that drives this,  you're blind.

Of course it's all that drives this. How many billions of dollars does the State of South Carolina take in in taxes, again? If it can afford to bilk its citizenry of that much, can't it spare a few thousand on plane tickets?

At the very least the citizens of South Carolina should receive a tax refund for the amount of money that Sanford spent on his trip.......just saying.

[Scam of God]

Why bother? Let the man quit of his own accord. If he used public funds to transport himself to South America, let him repay that from his own pocket. I see little more than Lewinsky Redux here, and it's a shame you're going along with it.

Flat out untrue....the REPUBLICANS have been pressing him to resign.....the dems stood by Clinton.  And there was no allegation of inappropriate use of public funds with Clinton that I recall.....

You know, as much as you like to pretend otherwise, you really are a stupid, partisan whore to the GOP.

I don't care what Party is prosecuting him, dumbass; I care that the same stupid and moralistic impulses are behind this, and ought to be banished from our politics utterly. But you knew that, and threw that gist away nevertheless to make a stupid partisan point.

If you think moralistic impulses are all that drives this,  you're blind.

Of course it's all that drives this. How many billions of dollars does the State of South Carolina take in in taxes, again? If it can afford to bilk its citizenry of that much, can't it spare a few thousand on plane tickets?

At the very least the citizens of South Carolina should receive tax refunds for the amount of money that Sanford spent on his trip.......just saying.

And lo, he's already agreed to it.

[Mechaman]

Why bother? Let the man quit of his own accord. If he used public funds to transport himself to South America, let him repay that from his own pocket. I see little more than Lewinsky Redux here, and it's a shame you're going along with it.

Flat out untrue....the REPUBLICANS have been pressing him to resign.....the dems stood by Clinton.  And there was no allegation of inappropriate use of public funds with Clinton that I recall.....

You know, as much as you like to pretend otherwise, you really are a stupid, partisan whore to the GOP.

I don't care what Party is prosecuting him, dumbass; I care that the same stupid and moralistic impulses are behind this, and ought to be banished from our politics utterly. But you knew that, and threw that gist away nevertheless to make a stupid partisan point.

If you think moralistic impulses are all that drives this,  you're blind.

Of course it's all that drives this. How many billions of dollars does the State of South Carolina take in in taxes, again? If it can afford to bilk its citizenry of that much, can't it spare a few thousand on plane tickets?

At the very least the citizens of South Carolina should receive tax refunds for the amount of money that Sanford spent on his trip.......just saying.

And lo, he's already agreed to it.

Well okay then, no harm no foul.

Sanford is off da hook yo!

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Yeah, steal, get caught, give it back......no foul. 

Not to mention abandoning his duties without telling anyone including his own staff where he was....that' not worthy a charge either.

[Mechaman]

Yeah, steal, get caught, give it back......no foul.  

Not to mention abandoning his duties without telling anyone including his own staff where he was....that' not worthy a charge either.

Come on Gramps, have you ever had a spur of the moment kind of action? You know the kind that involves hitting the Appalachian Trail before deciding to do something "exotic"?
Besides, being the governor of moralf****t South Carolina and having an affair outside of marriage is probably the best thing he could do for those peopel.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Sanford deserved to be ridded off. Not because of having mistres, hell, it even makes me to like him a little.

But Governor who's leaving a state without anyone in charge, esspecially during a crisis, in unworthy of holding even dog catcher position.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Yeah, steal, get caught, give it back......no foul. 

Not to mention abandoning his duties without telling anyone including his own staff where he was....that' not worthy a charge either.

Come on Gramps, have you ever had a spur of the moment kind of action? You the kind that involves hitting the Appalachian Trail before deciding to do something "exotic"?
Besides, being the governor of moralf****t South Carolina and having an affair outside of marriage is probably the best thing he could do for those peopel.

Amen to your last sentence, Mech

[Mechaman]

Sanford deserved to be ridded off. Not because of having mistres, hell, it even makes me to like him a little.

But Governor who's leaving a state without anyone in charge, esspecially during a crisis, in unworthy of holding even dog catcher position.

Right..........

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Sanford deserved to be ridded off. Not because of having mistres, hell, it even makes me to like him a little.

But Governor who's leaving a state without anyone in charge, esspecially during a crisis, in unworthy of holding even dog catcher position.

Right..........

Dude, Bauer was not Acting Governor and no one the hell knew where's the Governor. Big difference.

[Mechaman]

Sanford deserved to be ridded off. Not because of having mistres, hell, it even makes me to like him a little.

But Governor who's leaving a state without anyone in charge, esspecially during a crisis, in unworthy of holding even dog catcher position.

Right..........

Dude, Bauer was not Acting Governor and no one the hell knew where's the Governor. Big difference.

But isn't the point of having a Lieutenant Governor is to take upon the governor's duties in his absence? Otherwise what is even the point of having a Lieutenant Governor? Instead of going days without a governor South Carolina should've just told Bauer to go to the Big Boy's Office until Sanford reappears instead of acting like a bunch of chickens running around with their heads cutoff going into "OMG! WE HAS NO GOVERNOR WE'RE ALL GOING TO F***ING DIE!!!" mode.

[pogo stick]

Sanford deserved to be ridded off. Not because of having mistres, hell, it even makes me to like him a little.

But Governor who's leaving a state without anyone in charge, esspecially during a crisis, in unworthy of holding even dog catcher position.

Right..........

Well.. er.. you ...seee... that Lt. Gov. André Bauer is a gay, so, naturally he was playing  with the sprinklers in Crist's pants, down in Florida.

Crist says VIVA VIAGRA!

South Carolina needs to pick better leaders.

Horndog, GOP Clinton / Easley mix  Governor and Gay Lt. Governor.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

If I didn't show up at my job for a week without giving any calls or notification, I would be fired. I believe most jobs have similar policies, the standard is more than three days constitutes job abandonment.

Theres no real Sanford shouldn't be held to the same standard.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

By JIM DAVENPORT, Associated Press Writer Jim Davenport, Associated Press Writer – 38 mins ago


COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford faces 37 ethics charges he broke state laws limiting official use of airplanes and involving campaign money.

The details were released Monday by the State Ethics Commission. They came five days after the panel charged the governor without offering any specifics.

Sanford's lawyers have claimed the charges involve minor and technical aspects of the law.

The charges followed a probe into whether Sanford used state aircraft for personal and political trips, used pricey airline seats despite low-cost travel requirements and reimbursed himself with campaign cash.

Sanford has been under scrutiny since he vanished for five days over the summer, reappearing to tearfully admit to an extramarital affair with a woman he later called his "soul mate."

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

SC legislators begin Sanford impeachment hearings
By JIM DAVENPORT, Associated Press Writer Jim Davenport, Associated Press Writer
17 mins ago
 
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Legislators irked for months over Gov. Mark Sanford's summertime vanishing act and his tearful revelation that he was in Argentina for a rendezvous with his lover plan to start debating a measure Tuesday that ultimately would remove him from office.

The Republican does face new ethics charges about his travel and campaign finances. But the seven lawmakers who comprise a panel of the House Judiciary Committee that will debate impeachment are focused solely this week on his five-day absence in June and failure to put someone in charge of the state while he was gone.

The four Republicans who co-sponsored the measure contend he was derelict in his duty and wrong to mislead staffers into thinking he was hiking the Appalachian Trail.

The measure says in part that Sanford's "conduct under these circumstances has brought extreme dishonor and shame to the Office of the Governor of South Carolina and to the reputation of the State of South Carolina." It continues that it has caused the office and state "to suffer ridicule resulting in extreme shame and disgrace."

The panel of three Democrats and four Republicans includes Chairman Jim Harrison. The Columbia Republican said Monday that later meetings will consider the 37 civil charges Sanford is facing following a three-month State Ethics Commission probe. Among other violations, Sanford is accused of using taxpayer money for high-priced airplane tickets that took him around the world and to Argentina.

Lawyers representing Sanford said in a legal briefing delivered Monday that the governor hasn't done anything that rises to the standard of impeachment.

"Impeaching a sitting governor is a seldom used and serious legal action that many have termed 'the political equivalent to capital punishment.' It is reserved for situations in which no lesser response or reprimand will do," said the document from the attorneys.

The lawyers include Ross Garber, who represented former Connecticut Gov. John G. Rowland in 2004 when that politican's ouster was considered. Rowland ultimately resigned, pleaded guilty to a corruption charge and went to prison.

Sanford's attorney said the governor looks forward to answering the "technical questions" regarding his travel and finances at a commission hearing early next year. The civil charges carry a maximum $74,000 in fines. The state attorney general is deciding whether Sanford would face any criminal charges.

Sanford has been under scrutiny and pressure to step down since admitting to an extramarital affair with the woman he has called his "soul mate." He has never revealed the identity of a so-called "back channel" senior administration official the governor contends could have reached him in an emergency. Sanford's state e-mail and phone records show he was not in touch with his office while abroad.

If the impeachment measure passes the panel, it would head to the full Judiciary Committee. From there it would need a majority vote of the 25 members to get it to the House floor in January for debate. A two-thirds vote in favor would result in Sanford's suspension.

The Senate, acting as jury, then would decide whether Sanford would be removed from office, which would also require a two-thirds vote. His second and final term ends in January 2011.

The ethics probe came after a series of Associated Press investigations showed the governor had for years used state airplanes for political and personal trips, flown in pricey commercial airline seats despite a low-cost travel requirement and failed to disclose trips on planes owned by friends and donors. The State newspaper in Columbia also questioned whether Sanford properly reimbursed himself from his campaign cash.

"We are confident that we will be able to address each of these questions, none of which constitutes findings of guilt and none of which we believe rise anywhere near to the traditional standard of impeachment," Sanford attorney Butch Bowers said Monday.

Even some lawmakers who have called for Sanford to quit questioned whether the charges are weighty enough to cut short the governor's tenure.

"If it's relatively minor ethics violations, I don't believe there will be sentiment there to remove the governor," said House Majority Leader Kenny Bingham, R-Cayce.

But state Sen. Larry Martin said the charges shouldn't be downplayed. He derided the notation from Sanford's lawyers that the charges came from a small percentage of the total flights and records examined by the commission.

"Most bank robbers have been in and out of banks hundreds of times but only rob it once," said Martin, R-Pickens,

The first lady and the couple's four sons moved out of the governor's mansion. While the Sanfords have said they were trying to reconcile, Jenny Sanford more recently has described the two as separated.

[RIP Robert H Bork]

About time.