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Ally Urges Sanford to Step Down

Peter Hamby

CNN

posted: 3 HOURS 51 MINUTES AGO

comments: 517

filed under: National News, Political News

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(Aug. 26) -- Two Republican state lawmakers on Tuesday met with South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, under fire for an extramarital affair and questionable spending, and told him to resign -- but the governor rejected their advice.

Sanford ally Rep. Nathan Ballentine told CNN that he and Rep. Gerry Simrill had a private talk with the governor at the State House for about 40 minutes and warned him that unless he steps down, House Republicans would likely impeach him.

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The Governor's Secret

Two GOP state lawmakers on Tuesday urged South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford to resign, warning that he would likely be impeached over questions about spending that stemmed from his June admission that he had had an extramarital affair. "Barring some swing of momentum in his favor, I told him the writing is on the wall," said Rep. Nathan Ballentine, an ally of Sanford's.

Mary Ann Chastain, AP

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"Barring some swing of momentum in his favor, I told him the writing is on the wall," Ballentine told CNN. "I thought there could be a change in scenery and he could put an end to it all, but if he doesn't, members of the House will take things into their hands."

House Republicans are meeting this weekend in Myrtle Beach for their annual caucus retreat, and the possible impeachment matter is expected to dominate the agenda, according to those planning to attend.

Sanford has faced a new round of scrutiny after investigations into his travel expenses revealed that he spent thousands of dollars on business and first class airline tickets for overseas flights, and used state aircraft for personal and political travel. Those probes were prompted by Sanford's disclosure in June that he had an affair with an Argentine woman.

Members of the legislative House Judiciary Committee said there are enough votes on the committee to send an impeachment motion to the floor of the House when the legislative session begins in January.

"I would be surprised if impeachment articles weren't being drafted by someone," said Rep. Jim Harrison, the Republican chairman of the committee.

But Ballentine said the governor rejected the idea of resigning instead of facing impeachment -- even with the message coming from a friend.

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"I think he wants people to sit back take a deep breath and see what other information is out there," Ballentine said.

"I'm tired of the distraction, honestly," Ballentine continued. "We need to be focusing on stuff that's important to everyday folks, and unless there is a change in the situation, we are going to be distracted for the next 16 months and just focus."

But, Ballentine said of the governor: "He's a fighter. You got to admire that."

Sanford's office said the governor is ready to get back to work.

"We wouldn't presume to guess what political detractors or foes, or for that matter the House Judiciary Committee, may or may not decide to do this next year," said Sanford spokesman Ben Fox. "But we do know that there are real issues facing South Carolina tied to economic development, job creation, restructuring and spending -- and we're committed to working on these with the Legislature over the weeks and months ahead."

2009-08-26 09:14:45

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AP U.S. NewsBrief at 3:08 p.m. EDT
3 hours ago
SC lt. gov will ask embattled Sanford to resign
6 hours ago
SC AG lays out economic plans as gov candidate
8 hours ago
SC Gov. Sanford goes to Fla. for reserve duty
12 days ago
S.C. Gov. Sanford returns from family vacation
20 days ago

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DVRMDC

07:05 PMAug 26 2009

Obviously people like Toloro77 didn't lose enough in the economic meltdown to learn anything. Not to worry, there are three more bubbles poised to burst. A second mortgage bubble, a commercial real estate bubble, and the personal credit bubble. These should burst this year or by march of next year causing even more financial chaos. Add to that the fact that we haven't brough any of our jobs back to America and the consumer has no money to spend that should cause deflation causing the short term notes Bush signed for with China to skyrocket in value. If you think Obama is a socialist, just wait until you meet your new Red Chinese masters.

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Sdave7596

06:19 PMAug 26 2009

Why now? Why didn't the south Carolina Republicans hound him to resign when all of this stuff came out? Obviously the GOP doesn't want Sanford as an albatross around their necks for the Governor's office re-election next year!

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ILKEE

06:17 PMAug 26 2009

Blackjrg05:49 PMAug 26 2009BDH AUTO 05:39 PMAug 26 2009 Bill Clinton did not resign.///////////// Clinton didn't campaign on a "holier than thou" platform either. Democrats aren't stupid enough to campaign on private sexual issues/morality. You republicans are just too stupid to realize that the only people that you catch in your little morality snare is yourselves. It is really just too funny.***The Holier than thou platform is Obama's favorite.

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ILKEE

06:15 PMAug 26 2009

Shanfrina05:42 PMAug 26 2009... Gotta LUV those RePUGNANTcan "Family Values!?!" LOL!!!***No different than the dem's, Bill even did it in the Whitehouse!

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GDavis5214

05:53 PMAug 26 2009

Republicans....Republicans first...Americans last

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Blackjrg

05:49 PMAug 26 2009

BDH AUTO 05:39 PMAug 26 2009 Bill Clinton did not resign.///////////// Clinton didn't campaign on a "holier than thou" platform either. Democrats aren't stupid enough to campaign on private sexual issues/morality. You republicans are just too stupid to realize that the only people that you catch in your little morality snare is yourselves. It is really just too funny.

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Toloro77

05:49 PMAug 26 2009

please write your congress and tell them to repeal the presidency act so that bush/cheney can run for a thurd term

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Toloro77