South Carolina Governor Disappears for Days, Was in Argentina

South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford's staff apparently lied to reporters and to fellow politicians about the governor's whereabouts - and the resulting firestorm may just be getting started. "Why all the big cover-up?" was the question asked by State Senator Jake Knotts. And that seems to sum up the position of everyone that has heard the story.

Originally, after Sanford was known to be inexplicably absent and unreachable, both his wife and his staff explained that he was hiking the Appalachian Trail - alone and without means of contact. That, in and of itself, would be extraordinarily odd for a leading politician in today's day and age. But now the fact that Sanford was actually in Argentina during the time of his "disappearance" is even more odd.

The story is now being amended to say that Sanford was originally planning on hiking the Appalachian Trail, but changed his mind at the last minute to look for a more "exotic" location. His wife was not with him and apparently didn't know where he was. She also didn't seem overly concerned about his whereabouts and explained that the governor was often spent after legislative sessions and liked to get away to clear his mind.

Details are still emerging as to what Sanford may have been doing in Argentina - or who he may have been with. Right now, the story is that he was alone and was simply driving the coast and doing some writing. Sounds pleasant, but it's unlikely that the South Carolina press or his political colleagues are going to let the story end there.