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Sanford for President
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The South Carolina governor isn’t an irresponsible lunatic for wandering off the reservation—he just made himself a better bet for president in 2012.
Mark Sanford unplugged. Literally. He decided to take a hike. And he told his security detail to take a hike as well.
Guy wanted some alone time in the woods to clear his head.
Here we have a guy in politics who actually likes to get OUT of the spotlight. How exceedingly normal.
But oh, no. Not normal at all. A man in his position has to be “troubled” or “hiding something” for taking a walk.
Judging from the thunderous sound of the reaction and squealing coverage you would think that Sanford went for a walk in Anbar Province, Iraq, and left the nuclear football in a mall somewhere in Pakistan.
Declare a state of emergency. Lock your doors. Hide your children. Find Al Haig and put him charge. Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer has let it be known that he cannot take this situation “lightly.”
Bauer called Sanford’s office and demanded an “immediate phone conversation with the governor,” and was shocked, shocked, to discover his chief of staff didn’t know where he was.
Well, apparently, Sanford has been out hiking the Appalachian Trail: A great place, according to the author and novice hiker Bill Bryson, for a walk in the woods. This is the sign of a healthy, sane individual. So, of course, when someone in politics does something normal, political partisans and the media elite think he’s crazy.
Mark Sanford literally likes to go his own way. Why do politicians have to be on a leash? Really, is South Carolina such a highly prized strategic asset that everyone has to freak out if the governor takes a hike for a few days? What’s the worst that could happen? The South Carolina libraries flood?
Of course there are “mysteries” to be solved, report the hyperventilating press. His cellphone was last picked up in Atlanta. I think the mystery will be solved when Sanford admits that he committed the crime of turning off his cellphone because he didn’t want to be bothered.
And it appears he has a very healthy marriage, because his wife said, “He was writing something and wanted some space to get away from the kids.” Sounds like Dad got his Father’s Day wish. And he told his staff that he’d be difficult to reach for a few days and that he regularly goes off the tether without his security detail.
For this act alone, we’re going to move Sanford up at least a notch on our Top 10 GOP contenders for 2012.
Everyone’s gone hysterical over this “incident” and calling him crazy. We say, yeah, crazy like a fox.
Or, we could be completely wrong. Maybe the panic was in order. Perhaps we’ll discover he was having a Mazola party with a band of midget gypsies in a cave somewhere on the Appalachian Trail. And after tying up the governor, they extracted all the secrets of the South Carolina National Guard.
Revised Top 10 List: The Next Republican President
1. Mitt Romney
2. Tim Pawlenty
3. John Thune
4. Mark Sanford (up a notch after his “disappearing” act)
5. Mike Huckabee
6. Bobby Jindal
7. Sarah Palin
8. Newt Gingrich
9. Haley Barbour (enters the list after “meetings” with consultants in D.C. this week)
10. Mitch Daniels (enters despite saying “no way”—too many drafters saying “yes”)
Longshot: Hunstman returns from China
Read McKinnon’s Original Picks For 2012.
As vice chairman of Public Strategies and president of Maverick Media, Mark McKinnon has helped meet strategic challenges for candidates, causes, and individuals, including George W. Bush, John McCain, Governor Ann Richards, Charlie Wilson, Lance Armstrong, and Bono. McKinnon is co-chair of Arts & Labs, a collaboration between technology and creative communities that have embraced today’s rich Internet environment to deliver innovative and creative digital products to consumers.
How Rich People Smoke Pot
Paul Schrodt is a writer living in New York City. He has contributed to New York magazine, Radar, and Esquire.com.
Stars Celebrate the Super Bowl
The Daily Beast is dedicated to news and commentary, culture, and entertainment. We carefully curate the web’s most essential stories and bring you original must-reads from our talented contributors.
Justice Clinton?
As vice chairman of Public Strategies and president of Maverick Media, Mark McKinnon has helped meet strategic challenges for candidates, corporations and causes, including George W. Bush, John McCain, Governor Ann Richards, Charlie Wilson, Lance Armstrong, and Bono. McKinnon is co-chair of Arts & Labs, a collaboration between technology and creative communities that have embraced today's rich Internet environment to deliver innovative and creative digital products to consumers.
Myra Adams is a media producer, writer and political observer. Her media clients have included national associations, political interest groups and corporations. She was on the creative team with Mark McKinnon that created the now infamous John Kerry "Windsurfing" ad for the Bush 2004 presidential campaign and served on the McCain Ad Council during the 2008 McCain campaign. Myra's web site www.TheJesusStore.com contributes all profits to Christian charity.
Grill Him Again!
As vice chairman of Public Strategies and president of Maverick Media, Mark McKinnon has helped meet strategic challenges for candidates, corporations and causes, including George W. Bush, John McCain, Governor Ann Richards, Charlie Wilson, Lance Armstrong, and Bono. McKinnon is co-chair of Arts & Labs, a collaboration between technology and creative communities that have embraced today's rich Internet environment to deliver innovative and creative digital products to consumers.
Not a Game-Changer
As vice chairman of Public Strategies and president of Maverick Media, Mark McKinnon has helped meet strategic challenges for candidates, corporations and causes, including George W. Bush, John McCain, Governor Ann Richards, Charlie Wilson, Lance Armstrong, and Bono. McKinnon is co-chair of Arts & Labs, a collaboration between technology and creative communities that have embraced today's rich Internet environment to deliver innovative and creative digital products to consumers.
AlwaysOptimistic
Nice try...putting a positive "spin" on the Governor's disappearance act. However, if he was being so "crazy like a fox", I don't think he would have picked the annual "Hike Naked Day" weekend to take a "powder". Sorry, but that is not so clever, and boy oh boy, is he giving the late night comedians some real ammunition on that one!
mike22
This story is absolutely baffling to normal human beings and readers of blogs and newspapers. We have a man, a governor of a minor southern state, who goes on a five day vacation without a cell phone, and people are freaking out. If I knew anything about him I too would probably despise him but, dislike of Republicans aside, how on earth do people find scandal in 5 day vacation without a cell phone. I think this story reveals something sick about our political culture... no surprise there... but unfortunately it also shows "my side", progressives, liberals, as rather unhinged. Folks, get a life. This guy seems to have one.
AlwaysOptimistic
Whether right or wrong, politics is a game of perception. And if Governor Sanford's goal is the national stage, this "disappearance" act just looks wrong on so many levels. He is going to be perceived as "flaky" and "irresponsible", because of this "stunt". This is not about a guy just getting away for a few days without a cell phone. This is about whether or not Sanford has what it takes to run for President of the United States. And right now it looks like he doesn't have "it".
citivas
Sorry, but the average Joe doesn't take a 5-day vacation without telling his wife and would be rightfully looked at oddly if he did. And the Governor is not an average Joe, he has explcit athority for activities in his state. It's one thing for him to tell people where he is going out how to reach him in an emergency but that's not what he did. If Obama slipped his secret service detail and disappeared for 5 days with no warning or notice to anyone, including the Service or his immediate family, people would be calling him all kinds of bad names.
bigwurzz
Yeah, naked day? I heard his hiking buddy was Larry Craig.
Not trying to start rumors but that is just what I heard.
Bulldoglover100
Actually this writer is behind the news, Sanford boarded a plane as reported by a Federal Agent who saw him do so at the airport 80 miles from the "trail" he was suppose to be hiking.....
spinozareader
So this is another example of
Republicans behaving maverick-y.
Spare me.
spinozareader
And did I mention...
Designating someone as being "crazy like a fox" is rather a compliment; it implies that his outward behavior conceals a certain degree of, perhaps brilliant, cunning.
While not a Republican, I did have high hopes for what I might learn from this piece, given your playful title.
And what did I learn?...That you seem to prefer to view every bat-sh*t crazy act on the part of Republican senators or congressmen as being guided by some Machiavellian genius.
"Guy wanted some alone time in the woods to clear his head," you wrote. (As if that would absolve the "Governor guy" of any duty to keep his constituents-much less his immediate family-informed of his whereabouts.) That is utter nonsense. And methinks thou dost "protect" too much, Mr. McKinnon.
Bulldoglover100
Heard he was hunting with Cheney....more details after Checey sobers up
sippewissett
This is wrong-headed analysis. Sanford is looking bad for not informing his staff, not turning over state leadership to his Lt. Governor, not telling his wife (!) and disappearing over Father's Day even though he's the father of four sons.
Yes, he's entitled to time off and to unplug...responsibly. The press and online comments have been uniformly negative about this stunt. Sanford is not ready for the 3 a.m. call because the crisis call can't go to his cell phone in the Appalachians.
This was a dumb, irresponsible stunt that will backfire in his future.
Ritarita
So your prediction is
Not only will he survive the headlines
But his AWOL caper improves his chances
Of a Presidential bid.
Whose paid advisor were you?
blueroseoftexas
Uh. Who would pay for such a lame, disingenuous cover?
Wallysmom
This is absolutely ridiculous. Sanford takes off and we are to assume that this is perfectly "normal" behavior? Doesn't tell his wife (my husband doesn't go to the bathroom without telling me he'll be out of the room for awhile), McKinnon is trying to hitch a wish to a Republican star. Watch it, Mark, the star looks like it's burning out.
flyoverland
I can think of quite a number of politicians who I wouldn't mind seeing wandering off.
Wallysmom
...in her Uggs and parka Sarah was seen walking into the frozen wasteland and onto an ice flow, heading out into the Bering Sea....
spinozareader
It's practically a Jack London novel--minus the heroism! ;-)
I'm weeping (from laughter).
JonesRE
I became a Mark Sanford fan, and began following his story beginning with his *shocking* display of backbone and state patriotism over the enslavement...er...stimulus money.
He is probably one of the few people on your list who has actually read his State Constitution, and understands that it supersedes the voluntary federal compact known as the US Constitution.
He is also one of the few on that list who understand the context in which the US Constitution should be read...as a limiting document. Chains to bind the federal government whose powers (few and defined) were delegated to it for the purpose of serving the states.
golfer152212
Isn't that cute? State's rights may be paramount for you and Gov. Sanford, but if I remember correctly, didn't South Carolina try that "voluntary federal compact" gambit once before?
How'd that work out for you?
There's absolutely nothing wrong with the top executive of a state, even one as "minor" as South Carolina, taking a few days off. There is something wrong with not making sure everyone who needed to know, like the Lieutenant Governor, was aware of him being incommunicado. Basically, the state was fortunate that nothing important occurred requiring gubernatorial action, a fire, plane crash, anything.
I'm all for getting to do what a father wants to do on Father's Day (can you guess what I did?) but methinks Mr. McKinnon doth (not) protest too much.
Fail
island945
JonesRE, I believe it was the very first republican pres. who ended all that "voluntary" stuff!
dave78981
Please Mark. If this were a Democrat, would you be singing the same song? Doubtful.
The fact is the man is the Governor of a state. When you get elected to public office, you give up some of the perks of being a normal citizen, like being able to up and go whenever you want. Anyway you spin this, it's extremely flaky, out of the ordinary behavior, especially for a politician. It'll be interesting to learn exactly what's going on here.
marticampbell
I was just starting to think that McKinnon's brain was cooking on all four, but no, for him to make excuses for Gov. Sandford in this manner is a little bit crazy. For Sanford to be acting as a responsible governor, he might have told his staff he was taking a trip, told them where he was going AND told them who would be in charge, in case of emergency (Lt. Gov.?). Then he would have advised the Lt. Gov of his plans. He would have told his wife where he was going and how he could be reached (what about a contingency for a family emergency?). Assuming he took these steps, or most of them, he should have had an intelligent plan for what his wife and his communications people would tell the media, should questions inevitably arise. As it is, he looks to be an irresponsible and uncaring husband and father, he appears to have an inept communications strategy and very bad judgment as governor. As such, he appears to not be fit to serve his state.
Winthrop06
Sanford is just crazy...
This trip doesn't make him look young and youthful or a 'cool' for ditching his security detail. Just makes him look like a joke, and that is what he has been for the past eight years.
lmktacwa
There is something creepy about a guy who dumps his 4 sons on Father's Day. The party of Family Values? HAH! I can understand needing to decompress, we all need a vacation on occasion. However, his timing was stupid, and frankly, quite selfish. Of course, stupid and selfish are not out of the realm for (R)'s. Its a prerequisite.
Scientific
Sorry, Mark. This doesn't make him look normal, or even like a guy who likes to go his own way. It makes him look eccentric and careless. The key question folks will ask: will he have the urge to wander away from the White House for a week, without telling anyone? Hell, if he thinks being governor of SC is reason enough to take these sudden vacations, imagine what the pressure of the White House would do.
I respect you greatly, but your logic is whacked.
lmktacwa
P.S. if the dude can't take the heat as Governor, then he's WAY ill suited for Prez.
nycwerewolf
Is this article meant as a joke or is meant to be taken seriously? I think its hilarious if McKinnon is trying to be darkly comic and sarcastic about all this. But the tone of the piece seems to leave all kidding aside. Wow! That's pretty out there then.
spinozareader
Precisely.
Ironic? Or earnest? That is the question.
And,tragically, I think he's being earnest.
(Insert squirming discomfort and disrespect here.)
Knaupster
Nice. I'm not a Republican. (I feel I have to say that in order to validate what I write next.)
You're totally right. Everyone wants to get away for a while. Clear the head in clear air. The guy is a human, and you acknowledge that.
Most of us can turn the tv off, put the newspapers down, and turn away from the computer to shut off the clacking voices of the press, and nonstop contacts by friends & colleagues. Unfortunately, it's not that easy for politicians.
Thank you.
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