A Facebook group “Impeach Mark Sanford,” created by a Democratic Party activist, is organizing a rally at the Statehouse Thursday evening.
The group has 5,857 members and 41 have signed up to attend the rally at 5:30 p.m. on the North side of the Statehouse.
The group’s administrator is Marilyn Hemingway, who fell short of being elected as the first vice chairwoman of the state Democratic Party in an April election.
According to the Facebook page, the group for four months has pushed for Sanford to be impeached and now wants to see him resign on the basis that he was not available to his staff or other elected officials while in Argentina last month with his mistress.
At this time, there does not seem to be any will among legislators to impeach the governor. In my interviews with Charleston-area legislators, I’ve not heard from any that would be supportive of impeachment hearings.
I’ve also talked to some readers who are sick of the story and want to see the state’s attention refocused on issues such as unemployment and economic development.
Sanford, of course, has said he’s not going to resign. And the calls from GOP legislators for the governor to step down have been dropping off recently. The resignation calls have been replaced by reactions similar to those of Rep. Murrell Smith, R-Sumter.
Smith said his comments were influenced by the State Law Enforcement Division review that found Sanford did not misuse public money on his affair.
In a statement Tuesday, Smith wrote: “I spent the holiday weekend contemplating my position on Governor Sanford remaining in office. While all of us share disappointment and moral outrage in the details shared by Governor Sanford last week, I think it is important to separate what is public and what is private.
“Just last Thursday, SLED concluded that none of the trips the Governor took were funded at taxpayers’ expense and found no criminal actions. With that assurance, we should give the Governor an opportunity to rebuild his relationship with Jenny and their four boys out of the public eye. I was encouraged the First Lady sent out a statement last week focusing on forgiveness and moving forward. If she can find it in her heart to take that step, I think we should do the same.
“I have urged the Governor to discontinue further discussions on this most personal matter. Rather than listen to any more embarrassing personal details, I hope we can resume the work the people expect us to do, governing. The best course of action for my constituents and this state is for Governor Sanford to continue the job he was elected by the people of South Carolina to perform. As long as he stays focused on his office, I am confident he can discharge those duties over the next eighteen months. These are difficult times we are
experiencing, and we need to remain focused on the citizens of this
State by encouraging economic growth.
“To experience an upheaval in our Governor’s office would not benefit South Carolina or our economic recovery. My prayers are with Governor Sanford and his family. I would ask all South Carolinians to join me.”
“The best course of action for my constituents and this state is for Governor Sanford to continue the job he was elected by the people of South Carolina to perform,” Smith said.
Post and Courier
July 8, 2009
