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S.C. lawmakers start impeachment debate
Thursday, November 26, 2009 | No comments posted.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Gov. Mark Sanford’s tearful confession that he quietly disappeared from the state for five days to rendezvous with his lover in Argentina has shattered his marriage and dimmed his once-bright political future.
A small group of lawmakers on Tuesday started the debate whether his decision to vanish last summer without telling his staff his whereabouts or leave anyone in charge rises to the “serious crimes or serious misconduct in office” standard necessary to impeach him.
Two proponents of a measure to remove Sanford likened his absence to a soldier leaving his post. Others on the seven-member legislative panel questioned whether the two-term Republican’s actions rose to a high enough level to warrant removal — something usually reserved for officeholders who break the law.
“He left his post, he left his state. He left his country without notifying anyone in authority,” said the resolution’s chief sponsor state Rep. Greg Delleney, R-Chester.
“He was AWOL as commander in chief of the organized and unorganized militia of this state.”
Sanford’s attorney contends the impeachment standard is set intentionally high.
A small group of lawmakers on Tuesday started the debate whether his decision to vanish last summer without telling his staff his whereabouts or leave anyone in charge rises to the “serious crimes or serious misconduct in office” standard necessary to impeach him.
Two proponents of a measure to remove Sanford likened his absence to a soldier leaving his post. Others on the seven-member legislative panel questioned whether the two-term Republican’s actions rose to a high enough level to warrant removal — something usually reserved for officeholders who break the law.
“He left his post, he left his state. He left his country without notifying anyone in authority,” said the resolution’s chief sponsor state Rep. Greg Delleney, R-Chester.
“He was AWOL as commander in chief of the organized and unorganized militia of this state.”
Sanford’s attorney contends the impeachment standard is set intentionally high.
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