THE ISSUE: Gov. Sanford’s future

OUR OPINION: Governor’s actions show he cannot be effective leader

The tone of the conversation about Gov. Mark Sanford changed markedly from Monday’s revelation that he was out of the state and out of touch to Wednesday’s news that he was in Argentina and his public admission to an extramarital affair.

Initially, there was criticism of the governor for leaving the state on a “vacation,” said to be a hiking adventure on the Appalachian Trail. Following came the news that he had been to Argentina. The outcry about irresponsibility grew. Then came Sanford’s bizarre news conference, during which he admitted to an affair with an Argentinian woman that led to a separation from his wife and children. Reaction shifted from outrage to sympathy, with friend and foe alike calling for prayers for the governor and his family as they try to reconcile the situation and reshape their lives together.

We join in hoping the Sanfords are able to work through their problems, acknowledging they need the privacy so many are urging the media to give them.

That is but one reason Sanford should resign as governor of South Carolina.

Sanford is the state’s chief executive. He can no more expect unique privacy in this situation than he can be out of the state and out of touch with the government. The CEO of a private company disappearing for nearly a week, unreachable and not in command, would be fired. No doubt.

The governor cannot run the state effectively as he deals with the personal issues that led him to irresponsible and irrational behavior.

He says he will work to regain the trust of South Carolinians during his final year and a half in office. A governor on a personal repair mission is not what South Carolina needs at this critical juncture. We agree with his critics making that point.

We do not agree with those calling for or hinting at impeachment of the governor. Leaving the state without a chief executive in charge was reckless, but the action does not warrant impeachment — though there are bound to be questions and inquiries as to any use of state funds in regard to Sanford’s Argentina trips and connections.

As to those who would remove the governor on moral grounds: An extramarital affair is a personal, not governmental, matter.

Sanford should exit not because of his personal problems but because in dealing with those problems, he has shown clearly that he cannot be an effective leader. The entire episode vividly illustrates irresponsibility and poor judgment. He could not have handled the situation worse.

Sanford decided Wednesday to step aside as leader of the Republican Governors Association. If he cannot be an effective leader of that organization, how can he expect to be effective as the state’s chief executive?

Sanford indicated Wednesday he will remain in office. He should not.

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