If America goes
to war against Iraq, Gov. Mark Sanford would be needed on the
homefront more than on the battlefront with his fellow Air Force
Reservists. Unfortunately, the governor sees it the other way
around.
Sanford, 42, formally announced his candidacy for governor in
March 2001 and, about 10 months later, gained his commission as a
first lieutenant in the 315th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron. At
the time, critics accused him of using military service for
political gain. We'll leave it to the residents of South Carolina to
decide what they think about that.
Now, however, with war looming, the possibility exists that
Sanford's squadron will be called up to serve in the Middle East.
When Sanford wavered earlier this week about what he would do if
that happened, he was criticized from another front, this time from
those who said he was obligated to serve.
Then, on Tuesday, the governor announced that he would honor his
military commitment and ship out with his Reserve unit if it is
deployed. If he were to do so, Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer would serve in
his place until he returned.
We think he needs to reassess where his obligations lie. Clearly,
his duties as the state's chief executive are more compelling than
those of one member of a Reserve unit. And, practically speaking,
Sanford is not a high-ranking member of the unit and has not
received enough training to be of much real use.
Instead of sidestepping an embarrassing issue by saying he
regrets that he might have to resign from the Reserves because of
more pressing duties, he instead offers a treatise on duty that
amounts to another vapid public relations gimmick, like his
threadbare coat, his wife's shopping at Wal-Mart and, more recently,
his decision to forgo the complimentary BMW the automaker has made
available to the governor.
"Although this car has been used by former first families, I
didn't feel comfortable personally accepting it. We've got a Chevy
Suburban that'll work just fine for our personal needs," the
governor said in a press release.
But the issue of whether Sanford takes time off from being
governor to serve with the Reserves is a much bigger concern than
his wardrobe or family transportation. It is one that affects the
entire state.
Indeed, working to ensure that the state of South Carolina is
fiscally sound and meeting the needs of its citizens is a patriotic
calling. It shouldn't take much imagination to see that.
Sanford's first obligation is to the job the voters of South
Carolina elected him to do. He should eschew the self-righteous
posturing and get to work.
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In summary
The governor can do more for his country by running state
than by going to war.
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