'Hiking' SC Gov Returns From Buenos Aires

Fallen conservative rock star considers the next chapter

(NEWSER) - Mark Sanford leaves the South Carolina governor's mansion next week a 50-year-old divorcee whose adultery ground his race toward political rock stardom to a screeching, sobbing halt. But though he's free to head out on the Appalachian trail for real this time, the AP notes in an exit interview that Sanford also leaves a valuable legacy: He successfully weathered calls for his resignation, chosen successor Nikki Haley will take the governor's oath, and the Tea Party has firmly latched onto his preachings of fiscal responsibility. His mid-life crisis, say friends, is mercifully over. So what's next? More»

Nothing but 'disgusting politics,' she says

(AP) - Here we go again: A South Carolina lobbyist resigned from a rival political campaign yesterday and then became the second man to claim he had a tryst with Nikki Haley . Lobbyist Larry Marchant says he and Haley, who's running for governor, had a "one night indiscretion" in a Salt Lake City hotel room in June 2008, but admitted he had no proof to back up his allegation. "You can't have any evidence on a one night affair," he says. More»

He admits Florida rendezvous after it goes public

(NEWSER) - Mark Sanford's life may have officially become a reality show today. The South Carolina governor announced during an unrelated news conference that he spent the weekend with the Argentine lover who cost him his marriage and nearly his job, reports the State . "The purpose was obviously to see if something could be restarted on that front given the rather enormous geographic gulf between us. And time will tell. I don't know if it will or won't." More»

AG calls on SC to 'move on' from governor's ethics woes

(NEWSER) - Mark Sanford, already bombarded with ethics charges and legislative censure, will not face criminal charges related to his international extramarital shenanigans, the State reports. A criminal case against the governor can't be proven "beyond a reasonable doubt," South Carolina AG Henry McMaster said today, adding, "The time has come for our state to put this controversy behind us and move on." More»

SC first lady dishes on confessional press conference: 'way too long'

(NEWSER) - Jenny Sanford continues to offer tantalizing glimpses into her relationship with South Carolina governor and soon-to-be ex-husband Mark Sanford and the fallout of his affair. Sanford sat down with Good Morning America and provided NPR with an excerpt of her new book, Staying True. Some quips and revelations:

• The confessional press conference: Sanford continues to make short work of questions about why she didn't appear with her husband when he announced his affair. "I don't know what I would have stood by him about," she tells NPR.