South Carolina Governor to Return After Four Days Of No Contact
Sanford, who had been hiking the Appalachian Trail, called his chief of staff, Scott English, yesterday to check in, Sawyer said. Up to then, calls to his mobile phone had gone into voicemail.
Sanford left June 18 because he “needed to clear his head” after fighting to refuse stimulus funds, a battle that went to the State Supreme Court, Sawyer said. Sanford wanted to use the funds to pay down the states debt, a purpose the courts ruled the legislation doesnt allow.
“We knew he would be checking in during the week,” Sawyer said yesterday, adding that it isnt unusual for Sanford to go off on a trip without being reachable. “The office wasnt concerned, it was just political opponents trying to make hay.”
“We tried to reach him yesterday when the news started breaking,” Sawyer said.
The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that South Carolina Law Enforcement Division Chief Reggie Lloyd had raised alarms over the weekend about Sanfords absence.
Sanford, 49, didnt transfer power to Lieutenant Governor Andre Bauer, a fellow Republican, whose office expressed concern over that decision.
Lot on His Plate
Sanford “had a lot on his plate,” said State Senator John Knotts, a Republican. “Hes lost every battle hes ever fought with the general assembly and now with the courts. If he needed to clear his head, thats fine.”
Sanford should have transferred power to Bauer, Knotts said.
“This could have all been avoided if he had the best interest in mind of the citizens of South Carolina,” he said.
Knotts said he was told by Lloyd that Sanford told his security detail to stand down on June 18, leaving the governor to drive alone in a state car.
This is “bizarre behavior for a governor,” though it is within Sanfords power as the states chief executive, Knotts said.
Sawyer declined to comment on Sanfords means of transportation.
While Sanford has been mentioned as a possible presidential candidate in 2012, his office said yesterday he isnt considering running.
Sanfords behavior could hurt his chances should he run for president, said Julian Zelizer, professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University.
“Its never good, a story like this,” he said. “Anything about quirkiness or odd behavior sticks.”