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

By the Associated Press

Posted Aug 26, 2009 6:25 PM CDT

(AP) – South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford rebuffed his lieutenant governor's call to resign today, two months after he admitted an affair, saying he will not be "railroaded" out of office and plans to finish his term. At a news conference hours after Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer called for him to step down, Sanford said the people of South Carolina want to move past the scandals.

"I'm not going to be railroaded out of this office by political opponents or folks who were never fans of mine in the first place," the Republican said. "A lot of what is going on now is pure politics, plain and simple." Heeding Bauer's call to resign would be like "heaven on earth," Sanford added, because it would get him out of the public eye, but it would not be right. "Me hanging up the spurs 16 months out, as comfortable as that would be, as much as I might like to do that on a personal basis, it is wrong," he said.

South Carolina Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer said embattled Gov. Mark Sanford needs to resign rather than risking impeachment during a news conference in Columbia today. (AP Photo)

Gov. Mark Sanford announces that he will not resign at a news conference in Columbia, SC, today. (AP Photo)

South Carolina Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer said embattled Gov. Mark Sanford needs to resign rather than risking impeachment during a news conference in Columbia today. (AP Photo)

Gov. Mark Sanford announces that he will not resign at a news conference in Columbia, SC, today. (AP Photo)

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

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

South Carolina • Argentina • governor • lieutenant governor • Mark Sanford • extramarital affair • Andre Bauer • Republican governor

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

Christie Still Not in, but Doesn't Kill Hopes

New Jersey governor points to his earlier denials when asked

Sanford Leaves Office Saying, 'Never Say Never'

Fallen conservative rock star considers the next chapter

Blogger Swears to Nikki Haley Affair in Affidavit

Alleged lobbyist lover says he'll follow suit; Haley denies everything

GOP Likely to Control 30 Governors' Seats

National wind could boost Republicans' chances locally

Democrats' Real Problem: Chris Christie

New Jersey governor is 'going to break in a big way'

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

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