Two disappearing acts, one tabloid circus

By Michelle Malkin  •  June 24, 2009 10:59 AM

(See update on Sanford fiasco here…)

So, South Carolina GOP Gov. Mark Sanford disappeared and the story of where the hell he has been keeps changing.

Yes, it’s weird. Disturbingly weird that he would vanish on Father’s Day weekend and leave his wife and four sons in the dark. It’s weird and creepy and something’s not right.

But the wall-to-wall tabloid circus coverage of the story is ridiculous.

I am much more concerned about the forced disappearing act that the Obama administration has performed on all the inspectors general, aren’t you?

Where’s the wall-to-wall coverage of those unsolved mysteries?

***

Maybe if the IGs showed up in Argentina, the press would give their disappearances the attention they deserve.

***

The latest: 145 signatories have sent a letter to the Senate defending the integrity and competency of Gerald Walpin, former IG for the Corporation for National and Community Service. The signers include 4 former U.S. Attorneys, 3 former Federal Judges, 1 former Attorney General, 1 former Counsel to the President (Clinton), 1 former Special White House Counsel for Ethics, 1 former NYC Police Commissioner, 1 former law school dean, and 5 currrent and former Presidents of the Bar Association of lawyers in the Second Circuit and the President-elect.

Some notable signers include: former U.S. Attorneys (Otto Obermaier; John Martin; Zachary Carter; Andrew Maloney); Former Federal Judges (Michael Mukasey; Abraham Sofaer; John Martin); Former Attorney-General (Michael Mukasey); Former Counsel To President (Bernard Nussbaum); Former Special Counsel to President for Ethics (Richard Painter); Former NYC Police Commissioner (Robert McGuire); Former Law School Dean (Monroe Freedman; Former and current Presidents of Federal Bar Council and President-elect (Robert Giuffra, Stephen Edwards, Bernard Nussbaum, George Yankwitt, Mark Zauderer, Robert Anello).

I’ve uploaded the letter here.

Moe Lane looks at the latest on the IG scandal here.

Byron York keeps his eye on the ball.

Andy McCarthy: “Jerry Walpin is a superb lawyer, a terrific guy, a patriot, and a real public servant who performed with dedication and skill as inspector general. I understand, and am not surprised at all to hear, that he was highly regarded by his staff. I haven’t yet heard a good explanation for why there was not a prosecution in the case that caused him to cross swords with the Obama administration: At the U.S. Attorney’s Office I worked in, people who appeared to have committed fraud with public money were aggressively investigated and, if culpable, prosecuted — regardless of party affiliation. While we anxiously await a response on why the U.S. attorney in California dropped the investigation of an Obama-insider, what we’ve heard so far seems confused, disoriented, and indicative of an inability to answer questions.”

See what others have said

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Trackbacks

  1. Moe Lane » The latest on the latest IG situation.
  2. Mark Sanford Takes Off For a Few Days — SFW? « Teh Resistance Blog
  3. Mayor Kevin Johnson Says He Has No Connection to Pres. Obama - 2008 Video Says Otherwise « Frugal Café Blog Zone
  4. Fausta’s Blog » Blog Archive » Sanford’s back, but did he tango?
  5. When Republicans Don’t Take the High Road (updated) « Frugal Café Blog Zone
  6. I wish I could decide “at the last minute” to go to South America “to recharge.” « The TrogloPundit
  7. Yes, Sex Sells: Media Gives More Attention to Sanford’s Affair Than Illegal Firing of Inspector General Getting Too Close to Truth Behind Obama’s Cronies « Frugal Café Blog Zone
  8. When Will Mark Sanford’s Sorrowful Mid-life Crisis Press Coverage Come to an End? « Frugal Café Blog Zone
  9. ACORN Corruption: Report from House Oversight & Goverment Reform Committee Shows “Systemic Fraud” « Frugal Café Blog Zone

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Comments


  1. #727379
    On June 24th, 2009 at 11:03 am, spaceycakes said:

    Geez. Can’t a guy go fishing in peace? LOL

  2. #727385
    On June 24th, 2009 at 11:08 am, vickisoup said:

    Why do you believe that his wife and children were left in the dark? Because it was printed in the media frenzy of publication? Just because I don’t know where my loved ones are at the moment I’m asked doesn’t mean that I don’t know that they’re gone, with my knowledge and perhaps even my blessing. We read (or infer from what we’ve read) that he had made no arrangements for command in his absence, but have no true knowledge of that. He was obviously in touch with his staff, at least long enough to be summoned home as the media frenzy continued. Cut the guy a break.

  3. #727387
    On June 24th, 2009 at 11:12 am, usa_usa said:

    Come on. Let the Guv have his fun in private. I am OK with whatever he did as long as long as it did not involve a gay lover or prostitute.

  4. #727391
    On June 24th, 2009 at 11:14 am, sonofdy said:

    Well initaly I was concerned about a kidnapping senerio, then after that I said really, who cares where he goes on vacation. BTW I heard Gov. Kane also went missing…

  5. #727395
    On June 24th, 2009 at 11:18 am, Socky said:

    The main reason the media is attacking Sanford is because he is a heretic who blasphemed against the Teleprompter Messiah by refusing Spendulus money.

  6. #727398
    On June 24th, 2009 at 11:23 am, vinny said:

    perhaps the governor was sent to some obamacare re-education center in Venezuella or North Korea?

  7. #727400
    On June 24th, 2009 at 11:25 am, Ron said:

    Most of this talk is centered around the assumption that he’d like to run for the presidency. He has never said that. In fact, the last time I saw him interviewed, last week on Glenn Beck, he made no such indication. He said he is more likely to go back into private life. So why should this guy expose himself to the media to run for higher office? Maybe we’d like him as a candidate, but he doesn’t care that much.

  8. #727401
    On June 24th, 2009 at 11:27 am, spaceycakes said:

    I’m sure they’ll keep digging long enough to surmise that he was taking groceries to Eric Rudolph’s love children.

  9. #727404
    On June 24th, 2009 at 11:30 am, DBNinKY said:

    While we anxiously await a response on why the U.S. attorney in California dropped the investigation of an Obama-insider, what we’ve heard so far seems confused, disoriented, and indicative of an inability to answer questions.”

    I’m thinking the wait will last as long as it takes to assemble some lame, half-baked excuse that passes the WH’s latest focus group.

  10. #727408
    On June 24th, 2009 at 11:35 am, vinny said:

    Looks like he has been found and he said that he was just out for a walk….hmmmmm
    very suspicious, and if he becomes a suporter of big government, acorn, obamacare,…we know that what I said earlier about the re-education camp is true. It’s like the movie about alien body snatchers. We just have to wait and see if his behavior is significantly changed. Maybe quaranteen him for a month and look for signs of extensive plastic surgery.

    Meanwhile…obamacare infomercial starts brainwashing the american populace.

    In all honesty, I think that the MSM newspapers are hyperventilating about Sanford to divert attention from real problems America is facing. Michelle is exactly right to point out the crazy media circus about a likely non-story while the political firing of an inspector general and rabid government infiltration of American society is played down. Absolutely disgusting press coverage. The purpose of propaganda is to distort information and deflect attention. This is exactly what is occuring here, and it is done by these supposedly free news organizations and orchestrated by the federal government. In sum: State Run Media.

  11. #727417
    On June 24th, 2009 at 11:43 am, ArizonaNeanderthal said:

    That is a relief: I thought he was abducted by aliens–saw such on TV–they put chips in your neck and turn you into a Liberal.Gov. Mark Sanford should invite some Obamanites to go fishing or to Argentina and leave them there.

    As far as this administration investigating corruption–Obama is from Chicago- it does not happen. Former IG Gerald Walpin may get investigated. After they bankrupt him they will state:

    Not much at all–that is what they do.

    The Politics of Destruction is a Democratic Party tradition. They might even get that clown judge in Spain to investigate him.

    God Bless America-except for the Blue States.

  12. #727418
    On June 24th, 2009 at 11:43 am, tarpon said:

    The IG firing story is compromising the integrity of the Republiuc. Sanford and his antics not so much so … So the State run media goes for the GOP story, every-time.

    Now how about that birth certificate ???

  13. #727421
    On June 24th, 2009 at 11:44 am, spaceycakes said:

    Michelle is exactly right to point out the crazy media circus about a likely non-story while the political firing of an inspector general and rabid government infiltration of American society is played down.

    Buh-but, you mean no one else wants to hear about the Gosselin’s divorce?!

  14. #727454
    On June 24th, 2009 at 12:28 pm, lgm said:

    It’s the lying. The Mayor of New York City disappears for a week saying more or less: “I’m going to an undisclosed location for a vacation. My staff knows how to find me in an emergency.”

    If Sanford had said that, no problem. Instead he and his staff told lie after lie. That doesn’t make him or the Republican party look good.

  15. #727455
    On June 24th, 2009 at 12:28 pm, iamsaved said:

    Just another liberal smear tactic – attack, attack, attack, any potential conservative who might be a candidate in the 2010 and/or 2012 elections. Place doubt in the voters minds at every turn.

    Gov Kaine of Virginia went missing too? Some think he’s spending Virginia government time performing his DNC duties. No panic and concern from the AP or MSM is there?

  16. #727459
    On June 24th, 2009 at 12:32 pm, b-cat said:

    Gov Kaine of Virginia went missing too?

    One can hope!

  17. #727470
    On June 24th, 2009 at 12:39 pm, love2rumba said:

    …If Sanford had said that, no problem. Instead he and his staff told lie after lie. That doesn’t make him or the Republican party look good.

    LGM, no is going to care..calm down.

  18. #727474
    On June 24th, 2009 at 12:46 pm, Socky said:

    lgm and the other Obamacrat boot-lickers are pretty desperately trying to distract attention from their party’s corruption and irresponsibility by attacking a governor (from a state they don’t give a rar’s ass about) going on vacation.

  19. #727476
    On June 24th, 2009 at 12:48 pm, Rogue Cheddar said:

    what we’ve heard so far seems confused, disoriented, and indicative of an inability to answer questions.”

    Obama: “no need to, I won!

  20. #727485
    On June 24th, 2009 at 12:59 pm, Big Hammer and Anvil said:

    On June 24th, 2009 at 12:28 pm, lgm said:
    It’s the lying. …

    Instead he Obama and his staff told lie after lie. That doesn’t make him or the Republican Democrat Socialist party look good.

    Fixed it for you

  21. #727487
    On June 24th, 2009 at 1:00 pm, Rogue Cheddar said:

    On June 24th, 2009 at 12:28 pm, lgm said:
    It’s the lying.

    Oh, now you care about lying?
    I’m going to channel lgm here for a moment. (shudder)

    Where were you when Clinton said the following?
    “I did not have sexual relationship with that woman!”

    End of lgm channeling. (heads to shower)

  22. #727499
    On June 24th, 2009 at 1:08 pm, Big Hammer and Anvil said:

    Cheddar – Be sure to use the steel brillo pad

  23. #727522
    On June 24th, 2009 at 1:25 pm, MarcoPolo said:

    Wow. A politician who believes that his constituents can survive without him for a few days sounds like somebody who is truly conservative.

    He obviously doesn’t stand a chance.

  24. #727536
    On June 24th, 2009 at 1:35 pm, Paul Revere said:

    Barry’s birth certificate, college transcripts, and medical records are still missing.

  25. #727571
    On June 24th, 2009 at 2:09 pm, vickisoup said:

    Instead he and his staff told lie after lie.

    What lie did Sanford tell, and how do you know it was a lie?

  26. #727573
    On June 24th, 2009 at 2:10 pm, vinny said:

    As LGM demonstrates, it is not that Sanford went on a trip that is important. It is important because we can complain about it and call it improper so that Americans will not pay attention to the improprieties of the liberals. LGM, while your head is stuck far up hussein’s ass, it bewilders the people here: you think you’re painting a rosy picture of the world, but in reality you’re covered in excrement.

  27. #727578
    On June 24th, 2009 at 2:12 pm, vinny said:

    i should have said it is important that “liberals” can complain.

  28. #727587
    On June 24th, 2009 at 2:19 pm, DBNinKY said:

    I am so glad Democrats never lie. And if and when they must do so, it’s done only out of altruistic concern for the preservation of the nation against those dastardly Republicans!

    /Sarc

  29. #727588
    On June 24th, 2009 at 2:20 pm, iamsaved said:

    Wow – liberals pouncing on what they suspect might be a lie. Obama, the son of the father of lies, has been telling whoppers since he’s been in the public spotlight. Where’s the crys of outrage from the self-righteous libs if lying is so offensive to them?

  30. #727590
    On June 24th, 2009 at 2:24 pm, love2rumba said:

    RE: post #17 …No one is going to care. my bad.

  31. #727597
    On June 24th, 2009 at 2:30 pm, DBNinKY said:

    You gotta hand it to Gov Sanford: if he’s planning a national run, this is fantastic self-generated publicity.

  32. #727615
    On June 24th, 2009 at 2:39 pm, corona said:

    Um, it wasn’t a disappearing act – it was something much more tawdry.

  33. #727619
    On June 24th, 2009 at 2:41 pm, moonshot said:

    He was boning his mistress on Father’s Day.

  34. #727620
    On June 24th, 2009 at 2:42 pm, sonofdy said:

    Um, it wasn’t a disappearing act – it was something much more tawdry.

    Given the clinton precendent. So what?

  35. #727625
    On June 24th, 2009 at 2:44 pm, usa_usa said:

    At least his affair was with a woman ( as opposed to a man). Not a big deal.

  36. #727626
    On June 24th, 2009 at 2:45 pm, happyscrapper said:

    That man is toast. What a doofus. And to think I was so taken with him that I thought he was a contender for POTUS. If he is stupid enough to just take off without telling anyone, how many other dumb things will he do?? Why didn’t he at least schedule a few days off?? If he had done that, no one would have been questioning him. Sorry, but he is done.

  37. #727627
    On June 24th, 2009 at 2:45 pm, sonofdy said:

    moonshot said:
    He was boning his mistress on Father’s Day.

    and?

  38. #727628
    On June 24th, 2009 at 2:46 pm, sonofdy said:

    Sorry, but he is done.

    Lets face it, if he were a dem, this would IMPROVE his chances.

  39. #727629
    On June 24th, 2009 at 2:47 pm, moonshot said:

    It’s my pathetic Governor…I can judge someone I help put in office.

  40. #727631
    On June 24th, 2009 at 2:48 pm, happyscrapper said:

    On June 24th, 2009 at 2:45 pm, sonofdy said:
    moonshot said:
    He was boning his mistress on Father’s Day.
    and?

    I hope you are all joking. Because if you think what he did is o.k., then I am very disappointed. It was NOT o.k.

  41. #727632
    On June 24th, 2009 at 2:53 pm, pianoman said:

    And I voted for the man twice. Damnit. What an idiot. And he’s not that popular in SC, either…I wouldn’t be suprised if he’s impeached.

  42. #727633
    On June 24th, 2009 at 2:54 pm, vinny said:

    While having an affair is a definitively stupid act and might get him thrown out of office, the point of Michelle’s post is the indifference obamabots display towards their own impropriety and cry bloody murder to deflect attention from themselves and their leaders. Sanford having an affair is a problem for his family, and the people of South Carolina. Dirty politics in Washington and thug tactics they used against IG, is a problem for every American. The only reason all the attention is diverted at Sanford is to distract people from Obama.

  43. #727634
    On June 24th, 2009 at 2:54 pm, sonofdy said:

    happyscrapper:

    Nothing I have seen in poltics lately makes me think that is is an issue that will hurt you unless you are a republican. Oh wait…

  44. #727636
    On June 24th, 2009 at 2:55 pm, sonofdy said:

    The only reason all the attention is diverted at Sanford is to distract people from Obama.

    Also is anyone here foolish enough to think that would even be an issue if he were a dem???

  45. #727643
    On June 24th, 2009 at 2:58 pm, bjc said:

    *Sanford is toast; At least he has come clean and hopefully can get his life back on track; I had high hopes for him as President of the Southern States when we secede; Oh well. ;)
    *I guess it’ll be Palin/Jindal in 2012.

  46. #727658
    On June 24th, 2009 at 3:00 pm, happyscrapper said:

    On June 24th, 2009 at 2:54 pm, sonofdy said:
    happyscrapper:

    Nothing I have seen in poltics lately makes me think that is is an issue that will hurt you unless you are a republican. Oh wait…

    I’m not talking about his having an affair (although that is bad enough), but his complete lack of judgement, good sense, responsibility. He just took off without telling anyone. Doesn’t that strike you as having bad judgement? He is a governor. He didn’t even tell his staff or his family he was going. So, the affair…he might have survived. But his lack of common sense…never.

  47. #727661
    On June 24th, 2009 at 3:01 pm, happyscrapper said:

    And on Father’s Day. He is scum.

  48. #727669
    On June 24th, 2009 at 3:04 pm, vinny said:

    happyscrapper, I completely agree with you. He has bad judgement, and now he is toast with the republicans. He may now have to join the democrats.

  49. #727671
    On June 24th, 2009 at 3:04 pm, happyscrapper said:

    Gary Hart comes to mind. Remember him? He was dumb enough to let someone take his picture with a “bimbo”. Sanford was dumb enough to take off and disappear without telling anyone. He didn’t even have the sense to realize someone might worry, or find that strange. There is a screw loose there…pardon the pun!

  50. #727682
    On June 24th, 2009 at 3:05 pm, vinny said:

    To be fair, we should all insist that the main historical reference to JFK be about his extra-marital activities.

  51. #727690
    On June 24th, 2009 at 3:08 pm, happyscrapper said:

    He may now have to join the democrats.

    Ha!!! Good one, Vinny. I think they would like him. He fits right in with their idea of morality and good judgement. They can have him. I am just so angry with him. He had a lot of potential. The libs are dancing in the streets right now.

  52. #727710
    On June 24th, 2009 at 3:15 pm, thegreatbeast said:

    I’m not knowledgeable about the way things work at this level of gov’t but isn’t it reasonable to assume that there are requirements for issuing written notices of complaint to the employee before a termination is enacted? There should have been letters of reprimand or censure before giving Walpin the axe.
    The media focus on this story has, from the beginning, been centered on Kevin Johnson’s misuse of funds in Sacramento. Perhaps this is true and Obama & Johnson are best bros forever.
    My thought is that the IG report on CUNY and its president and former senator & presidental candidate Bob Kerrey and $80m is a much more likely impetus for the persecution of IG Walpin. But that’s me.

  53. #727840
    On June 24th, 2009 at 4:03 pm, Living in the PSRK said:

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