In gauging his effectiveness or suitability for office, it really would make no difference if Gov. Sanford chose to have sex with goats. However, this particular case has demonstrated that Mark Sanford, who voted to impeach Bill Clinton because that president had "lost the moral authority to lead," is in fact a hypocrite. If he is a hypocrite on this issue, can he be trusted to act consistently when faced with other issues? If he will violate, in pursuit of his own pleasure, a solemn oath made to Jenny Sanford, can he be relied to keep his oath to the people of the State of South Carolina? If he uses state monies in his own pursuit of "sexual happiness," can the people continue to entrust him with their money, even if he repays that portion which he was caught misspending? Can they be sure that he will not misspend again, given an opportunity to conceal his misdeeds? Finally, Gov. Sanford was elected as the effective leader of a particular political party; if he ceases to be able to lead that party, can he actually fulfill the role to which the people elected him, and to which they might reasonably feel entitled?

Frankly, Gov. Sanford has simply compounded one bad decision with a series of additional bad decisions. Can the people of his state be confident, in any way, that further bad decisions will not negatively impact their state, their communities, their own prospects and those of their children? Sanford has dug himself a very deep hole. I do not think that he can effectively fill the role of Chief Executive for his state any longer.