Gov. Sanford's distractions

While questions linger, Gov. Mark Sanford tries to tough it out.

When Gov. Mark Sanford scheduled a press appearance last week to talk about the federal Real ID program, the questioning predictably veered to another topic: His Argentina affair.

The photo-op and focus on the Real ID program were designed both to change the subject and to demonstrate that Sanford has moved on and is ready to get back to the job of being governor. The effort was only partially successful.

“Where is your wedding ring?” one man shouted, during the gathering at the S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles office in Greer. “Why aren't you wearing it?”

(In fact, past Sanford photos show that Sanford typically doesn't wear a wedding ring.)

Other questioners bluntly asked Sanford about his affair, whether he had reconciled with his wife and whether he might decide to resign. It was not exactly back to business as usual.

The governor also took some heat last week for canceling his schedule on July 16 to spend five days on an out-of-state trip with his wife. Among the meetings he missed was the National Governors Association confab in Biloxi, Miss., and a meeting with John Rainey, chairman of the Board of Economic Advisors, to discuss state revenue data.

Sanford's past travel costs also were scrutinized. The records showed that the governor likes to travel first class while his staff rides coach.

Sanford, who publicly prides himself on his frugality, charged the state more than $37,600 for one first-class and four business-class flights overseas since November 2005.

Some legislators say the pricey tickets might warrant an official state probe. It seems unlikely, however, that an investigation would turn up anything that would lead to serious charges or that would result in calls for Sanford's impeachment.

What is likely is that the continued questioning about his extramarital affair and the scrutiny of his every move will be a considerable distraction. Try as he might to put the whole affair to rest, the public might not let him do so.

No official probe of Sanford's travel expenses is necessary. It already is apparent that he is guilty of hypocrisy — on numerous levels. But barring serious new allegations, it doesn't appear that he committed offenses worthy of impeachment.

The real question is whether Sanford can handle the constant drip, drip, drip of interrogations about his affair, the state of relations with his wife and family, and his thoughts about the advisability of resigning. That is certain to wear on him and affect his ability to do his job.

Sanford now seems to think he can tough it out, wait for the public and the press to tire of talking about the affair. Eventually, he might enjoy something resembling a return to normalcy.

Then again, maybe the questioning won't let up, the issue won't go away and he will have to deal with it until the end of his term. Under those circumstances, he might throw up his hands and call it quits.

But, for now at least, it appears that the decision rests with him.