Mark Sanford Stays In Office. Lindsey Graham Supports?

News today that Mark Sanford was staying put despite his run in with an Argentinian cougar on the Appalachian trail was interesting enough, but the plot thickens as at least one South Carolina Republican heavy hitter stands by his man.

From Politico:

“I support Governor Sanford’s decision to ‘refocus on the work at hand’ and his efforts to ‘rebuild the trust’ committed to him over the last 18 months of his term,” said Graham in a statement, quoting directly from a statement the governor himself just issued.

Graham, who is the state’s senior senator and a godfather to the Sanfords’ youngest boys, urged Sanford to reconcile with both the Legislature and his family.

While calling Sanford’s actions “inappropriate and deeply hurtful,” Graham urged forgiveness.

“Second chances in life are not guaranteed or required. But if they are afforded, they can be a real blessing.”

Strategically, I think it’s a mistake for Republicans to back Sanford on this, and not because he was unfaithful. No, they should call for his ouster because he used state funds to finance his affair while South Carolina saw double digit unemployment and massive budget shortfalls.

In fact, Sanford was thrust into the national spotlight in recent months because he challenged Obama’s stimulus money and said he wanted to use it to pay down the state’s debt. That tactic eventually failed, but not before he was being trumpeted by fiscal conservatives as one to watch in 2012.

Godfather or not, the hypocrisy of spending borrowed taxpayer dollars on dangerous liaisons shouldn’t be lost on high profile conservatives like Graham. Because this is about politics, not friendship.

Here’s the question: Do you think Sanford should step down?

(Photo: Getty via Daylife)