S.C. gov.'s affair is problem for Republicans

From Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal's cringe-inducing nationally televised response to Obama's first budget address to Texas Gov. Rick Perry's suggestion that his state might secede, Republican governors — including those said to be eyeing a potential 2012 presidential bid — haven't exactly looked like the political grown-ups many party strategists had promised.

And none has had a rockier go of it than the party's best-known governor, Alaska's Sarah Palin. The 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee has been dogged by ethics complaints and has engaged in public feuds with Levi Johnston, the former fiance of Palin's teenage daughter, Bristol, and the father of Bristol's infant son, and with late-night comic David Letterman.

Palin, whose vice presidential bid sparked a devoted grass-roots following across the country, has also angered Republican leaders in Washington for poor communication and for canceling appearances at party events and fundraisers.

But the latest high-profile fiasco involves Sanford, whose outspoken effort to refuse part of the federal stimulus money due his state had made him a darling of conservatives and fueled talk that he harbored presidential aspirations. But after disclosing the year-long affair at a news conference in Columbia, South Carolina, Sanford announced his resignation as chairman of the Republican Governors' Association.

Sanford, a father of four, disappeared last week, without telling his wife or staff where he was going. For two days after reporters starting asking questions, his office said he had gone hiking on the Appalachian Trial. He said Wednesday he had mentioned the possibility of a hiking trip to his staff before leaving. He confirmed Wednesday he had actually visited Argentina for several days.

So odd was the disappearance that Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, another Republican, publicly complained about Sanford's lack of communication.

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