My latest post is up at RightPundits, on Mark Sanford . Go read it, and please leave a comment.
Sanford’s girlfriend’s former date releases her emails
This is disgusting beyond words:
Argentine Man Is Said to Be Source of Sanford E-Mail
The mystery of who revealed Gov. Mark Sanford’s e-mail messages may finally be solved. A business associate of Mr. Sanford’s Argentine mistress said Friday that private messages between the two lovers had been sent anonymously to a South Carolina newspaper last December by an Argentine man the mistress had briefly dated.
The associate, who asked not to be identified, is a Buenos Aires television executive involved in hiring the woman, whom he identified asMaría Belén Chapur, a producer at the television network America from 2001 to 2002.
Last December, the executive said, Ms. Chapur was dating a young Argentine a few months after her affair with Mr. Sanford began. The man happened to see the e-mail messages being exchanged between the governor and Ms. Chapur, said the executive — who said he had direct knowledge of the situation — and hacked into her e-mail account to see the rest.
Infuriated, the man sent the messages to The State, the newspaper in South Carolina’s capital, Columbia.
When she found out, the executive said, Ms. Chapur immediately ended the relationship with the man, whose identity has not been disclosed.
I actually pity Sanford (yes, and his family, too) because the poor bastard seems to actually be in love with Chapur.
Look, I’m not trying to justify Sanford or Chapur. Sanford betrayed his wife and his family. He should have sought a separation from his wife and publicly announced it to his associates and constituents well before, rather than after, the Buenos Aires trip. Chapur should not be committing adultery with a married man. A lot of other people have been hurt by their behavior, starting with Sanford’s wife and children.
However, the release of personal emails by a jealous rival who ends up being the only one whose identity has not been disclosed is beyond vile.
Oh, and by the way, governor, you’re neither king, nor David. It’s more Marty Feldman than anything else.
UPDATE
Argentina Ponders Its Surprise Role in U.S. Political Scandal
Some Argentines thought the prying coverage into Mr. Sanford’s personal life by the media was perhaps as big of an offense as anything the governor did himself. “Poor guy. He’s thrown away his political career,” said Cristina Garre, a retired lawyer.
Not tango, adultery
Turns out Sanford wasn’t exactly practicing his milonguero skills:
In a stunning confession, South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford admitted Wednesday to being “unfaithful” to his wife during a press conference meant to account for his mysterious week-long absence.
“I’ve let down a lot of people. That’s the bottom line,” he said. “I’ve been unfaithful to my wife.”
Sanford, who just returned from Argentina, said he developed a “relationship with what started out as a dear, dear friend from Argentina.”
The governor “apologized” profusely to his family, his staff and the people of South Carolina.
That about ends his political career, at least for the time being.
And thank you to Mrs. Sanford for not standing by him like a Democrat wee wifey.
UPDATE
Washington Post
“I’ve let down a lot of people, that’s the bottom line,” Sanford said at a news conference. He said he’s known the woman about eight years, but their relationship turned into something more a year ago while he was on an economic development trip to Argentina.
Sanford, a 49-year-old father of four, choked up during remarks to reporters. He said his wife has known about the affair for the last five months.
Sanford’s back, but did he tango?
Not tango, adultery
No milonga for him!

Following up on the Sanford saga, now it turns out he was not hiking, instead, he was in Buenos Aires:
Sanford met in Atlanta after returning from South America
Governor says he never hiked Appalachian Trail; says he cruised along the coast of Buenos Aires to unwind after stressful legislative session
S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford arrived in the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport this morning, having wrapped up a seven-day visit to Buenos Aires, Argentina, he said. Sanford said he had not been hiking along the Appalachian Trail, as his staff said in a Tuesday statement to the media.
If he spent his time in Buenos Aires dancing the milonguero style, I’ll back him for POTUS.
And, governor, if you’re reading this and you tango, let’s meet at the milonga.
UPDATE
Michelle Malkin:
Maybe if the IGs showed up in Argentina, the press would give their disappearances the attention they deserve.
IGs = Inspectors General.
Sanford, missing and found
In one of the most inane stories, South Carolina governor Mark Sanford was missing since Thursday; nowSanford Returns! Apparently he was hiking on the Appalachian Trail.
While Sanford is safe and will return to the state tomorrow, the controversy surrounding his trip isn’t likely to fade immediately. Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer (R), in a statement last night, said that his staff had been misled into believing that Sanford’s staff had spoken to him and knew of his whereabouts. “I cannot take lightly that his staff has not had communication with [Sanford] for more than four days,” said Bauer.
Cassandra is underwhelmed. Dan, having lived in NJ, said,
I spent years in New Jersey wishing this or that governor would disappear, but they never did.
And Dan also predicts,
Andrew Sullivan will be returning to his medical practice to study the bags under Sanford’s eyes and any facial lines, no doubt.
In Latin America, and much to the relief of their constituents, Hugo Chavez is prone to occasionally disappearing for a day or two, but the missing-while-in-office record-holder (not including Fidel Castro or Francisco Franco) is Daniel Ortega, who disappeared for almost two weeks a year ago.