Sumterites react to governor's affair

Shockwaves spread through Sumter delegation

By JOE PERRY
Item Staff Writer
jperry@theitem.com

Gov. Mark Sanford's Wednesday afternoon admission of infidelity prompted a variety of responses from Sumterites.

Sumter GOP chairman Braden Bunch, who worked on Sanford's staff, talked about his former boss' difficulties and decisions that put him in the national spotlight.

"It's always a difficult situation when the private life of a public official comes out and we learn once again that they're all too human," Bunch said. "It was saddening when I heard the news."

Charlie Moore, an 86-year-old retired insurance agent who has lived here most of his life, calls himself "a Republican, maybe."

"I think he should have been more discreet about it if he wanted to do that," Moore said. "I think he'll have to resign. He used some poor judgment in sneaking off with a girlfriend."

Moore said when he heard earlier reports, that the governor was enjoying some time away on the Appalachian Trail, his initial reaction was that Sanford wanted to lose his security detail and perhaps go hiking with a friend for some peace and quiet.

"But then it turned out to be something entirely different," he added.

Sharon Albrooks, 37, was also at Sumter Mall on Wednesday, fiddling around on Facebook while waiting for her husband to get off work. Albrooks was born and raised in Sumter, works at Lucky Corner and considers herself a Republican.

"I feel like when you're in the public eye, you're going to be criticized a lot more than if you're just common people like we are, so to speak," she said. "I feel like God has mercy on everybody and that there's always forgiveness there."

And just because someone is in the public eye, she said, does not mean they deserve to be treated more harshly.

"I think it would be beneficial if he was to step down for a while and take some time off and reflect on what's happened and focus his attention on the marriage and the family, if that's what he wants," she said. "I think it would be hard to still do the job that he has to do — as difficult as it is — and work through this issue at the same time."

Sanford should work things out with his wife and let Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer take the reins, she said, but "not forever." She also said she was "a little bit surprised" by the news, but not entirely.

"You see so much of that go on now that a lot of us have become numb to it. Even in the pulpit, unfortunately, it's happening. We should be saddened and more shocked than what we are, but because it's happening so much now, it's kind of like, well, nothing seems to surprise me anymore."

James Arthur is a 60-year-old semi-retired educator with 24 years in the Air Force under his belt and considers himself a Democrat. His reaction to Sanford's affair was straightforward.

"Well, I really don't think it's kosher; I don't think it's kosher," he said, for the leader of the state and rumored candidate for the presidency in 2012 to be involved in an extramarital affair.

"So I don't see how he can get himself in that position," he said, calling a Sanford presidency "a longshot."

Should Sanford resign?

"Well, that's personal and it's — it's not really against the law, I don't think ... that would be left up to his peers, what standards they uphold on him."

Dr. Cecil Hopper, a retired dentist, practiced in Sumter for nearly 40 years and considers himself a Republican.

"I didn't think he was very smart," the 72-year-old said. "He ought to have enough sense not to do something like that."

Sanford has "zero" political future, Hopper said. He also reflected on the governors of New York and New Jersey who had to step down in recent years for infidelity. His perception of politicians, he said, is that they're human and become famous and often attract young women who work for them.

"And it makes it easy for them and they fall prey to some of these things and don't use better judgment," he said. "And if you remember our president (Bill Clinton), in the Oval Office, did the same thing, but he never admitted it until way later on. Governor Sanford has admitted it, and he stood up for what he did and is willing to take the consequences."

Hopper sees some parallels between Sanford and Clinton.

"I think they probably thought it was fun while it happened and when they got caught they say, 'Oh God, what did I get myself into?' In a nutshell, I think he should resign and step down immediately," he said.



Contact Staff Writer Joe Perry at jperry@theitem.com or (803) 774-1272.