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Sanford Staff Had No Clue How to Reach Him

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 14, 2009 6:15 AM CDT

(Newser) – Mark Sanford's embattled staffers really didn't know where he was when he bolted to Argentina to visit his lover last month, the State reports. Emails and phone records show that Sanford's chief of staff called the governor's cell phones 15 times during the trip without getting an answer. His communications director, meanwhile, told curious media that Sanford was hiking the Appalachian Trail, as Sanford had indicated to his staff.

"The governor is hiking along the Appalachian Trail,” the chief of staff wrote after Sanford had been missing for several days. “I apologize for taking so long to send this update, and was waiting" for a "more definitive idea of what part of the Trail he was on." Email records also reveal that Sanford declined a dinner invitation from a company seeking to expand into South Carolina because it conflicted with his trip to Argentina.

A protester holds a sign as she joins a rally calling for Mark Sanford's resignation at the Statehouse in Columbia, SC, last week.
A protester holds a sign as she joins a rally calling for Mark Sanford's resignation at the Statehouse in Columbia, SC, last week.   (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain)
South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford pauses during a news conference in Columbia, SC, last month  where he admitted to having an affair.
South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford pauses during a news conference in Columbia, SC, last month where he admitted to having an affair.   (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain)
Sanford concealed his visit to his lover, Argentine Maria Belen Chapur, by misleading staffers into thinking he was hiking the Appalachian Trial.
Sanford concealed his visit to his lover, Argentine Maria Belen Chapur, by misleading staffers into thinking he was hiking the Appalachian Trial.   (AP Photo/C5N TV)
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It confirms what we had believed to be the case that no one knew or had any idea how to get a hold of him. At the end of the day, there’s no excuse for that.
- State Sen. Larry Martin (R-Pickens)

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 7 comments
ghhugh
Jul 14, 2009 12:54 PM CDT
What is with him?.He needs to stand aside and do the right thing. GET OUT OF DODGE!!!!
Observer
Jul 14, 2009 12:35 PM CDT
Sanford is an emotional nutcase, irresponsible and an egomaniac that has had his perfect world shattered - he needs to resign and get himself back together. Loser!
kokuaguy
Jul 14, 2009 11:46 AM CDT
So he brushed off lobbyists who wanted to curry favor by wining and dining him-- that's the first positive news about Silly Sanford that we've had in a while.

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Mistress' Other Man Sent Sanford E-mails to Paper

Sanford Cops to Affair With Argentine Woman

Mark Sanford Back With Mistress

Sanford: I Won't Be 'Railroaded' Out of Office


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