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Gov. Mark Sanford speaks with reporters following a State House panel’s decision against impeachment in Columbia, Dec. 9, 2009 (AP Photo)
102 MEMBERS VOTE FOR FORMAL REBUKE OF DISGRACED GOVERNOR
After less than 30 minutes of debate, the South Carolina House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday to censure Gov. Mark Sanford for misconduct in office.
A total of 102 of 113 present members voted to pass a resolution formally rebuking the governor for misusing state aircraft as well as for his 2008 and 2009 publicly-funded trips to Argentina to visit his mistress. Sanford reimbursed the state for both Argentina trips.
“We have lived this nightmare for seven months, it’s time to move on,” said Rep. Jim Harrison (R-Richland), who chairs the judiciary committee that first took up the resolution. “But before we do, let’s tell our governor that he has committed misconduct in office.”
The censure is the first of a governor in South Carolina history.
Last month, the judiciary committee voted against impeaching Sanford for his misdeeds. While the committee found his actions did not rise to level of impeachment, the members unanimously agreed they were sufficient for a formal rebuke.
Those voting against the censure resolution on Wednesday were Reps. Curtis Brantley, Boyd Brown, Grady Brown, Shannon Erickson, Wendell Gilliard, Bill Herbkersman, Patsy Knight, Jimmy Merrill, Murrell Smith, and David Umphlett.
A few members who were present reportedly did not sign in for the vote, which was the first order of business on Wednesday, and waited in the back of the room in order to abstain from having to vote on the resolution.
The censure resolution now heads to the State Senate for consideration. Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell (R-Charleston), however, has said the Senate may not take up the resolution.
I think that the censure was a good idea as a message to him and any other SC Governor who perpertuates the same kind of crap again without regard to the public. I wonder if this had been a democratic governor if they would not still be clamoring for his head and impeachment..I am willing to bet you that the senate is going to be hardpressed not to take up this resolution in order to appease the powers to be..says a lot about them and for those who voted no and those that HID LIKE IDIOTS so they would not have to vote and be put on the spot..WOW…
As much as I find the actions of Sanford disgusting, we have wasted enough valuable time,engery, ink and most importantly money on this fiasco. Granted that the LuvGov by his actions has left horrible stain on the office of Governor, we can all rest assured that by this time next year Sanford will be nothing more than a portrait of a former Governor of this state at the Governor’s Mansion…teg
ooooooo double secret probation, were that a common civl servant? he wuld have bben jailed for embezelment and we all know it, what a crock.
What about all the money he stole from the state in the form of air fare to South America? Does he have to reimburse the state?
Hypocrites.
It was interesting to watch a candidate for Congress (Duncan) walk to the back wall during the vote to censure… Glad to see a man with guts is running for Congress! (sarcasm)
[...] But he might also use the opportunity to speak directly to South Carolinia legislators about his impending censure and near [...]