A man after our own hearts!

It's all about having the right set of priorities:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31501458/ns/politics-more_politics/?GT1=43001

I would have put this under "Trip Plans, Reports, and Inquiries," but it doesn't sound like there will be any.

I was just going to post a link to the same story in the Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/con...isrc=newsletter

My first reaction was that it was a good thing. Then I read the comments and was really surprised at the negative reactions. Apparently going off hiking is a very irresponsible thing to do. I think that we have a whole grope of irresponsible folks gathered here.

I was surprised by the reactions too. I guess no one remembers 15 years when it was not normal to pick up a phone that actually fit in your pocket and call someone immediately. I just laugh.

I guess my only serious comment about it all would be: how many of us would take off hiking without letting at least one person know generally where we would be hiking, and our expected date of return? I was always taught that part of your trip planning was to have someone back home who would know when to call out the search teams, and give them some idea of where to find you.

Other than that - way to go, Gov!

I think the problem was not that he went hiking, but that he took without notifying the proper people, arranging for delegation of authority, etc.--something that would get most of us fired from our jobs. Not any more for me (retirement is wonderful!), but if I'd done that while working, I'd have been jobless when I returned.

I was thinking of linking to the story, but it looks like many beat me to it. I am with OM, it is his job to run the state. If he wants to take off, tell someone. His wife didn't even know. I would not only be without a job, but wife as well, if I pulled the same thing.

Just saw this.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090624/ap_on_re_us/us_sc_governor_where

Gov was in Argentina. Talk about lost.

My original reaction about him being a fellow hiker now has gone to him being an irresponsible jerk. Getting away for a few days is one thing, going to another country without informing family or staff is something else.

I just heard that, too - sounds like he's not a man after our own hearts, just a man after our votes. I'd suggest that he just torpedoed his own presidential hopes, unless...he was on a secret mission for Obama???

The mystery deepens. Maybe I'll go hiking until things clear up. If I do, you can bet I'll tell my wife.

Yeah, he shot himself in the foot alright. Has four sons and disappears on Father's Day? That's strange all on it's own. Add to that the "Didn't tell the wife where I was, or contact her for days" and it gets stranger. Pile on there that he's a Governor, and disappeared without arrangements or means of contact, and you have to start wondering what the heck he was really doing down in South America.

I'd bet heavy he wasn't clearing his head with fresh clean forest air.

Bill

Glenn,
I am envious. He has got a better "gate keeper" than I have.

One of my friends is a politician. He carries two cell phones. His "work" phone records are public, but his personal phone records are NOT.

He's starting to make Jerry Brown ("Gov. Moonbeam") look pretty normal, isn't he?

Not only in Argentina, but with a girlfriend!
The rest of the story--so far.

Soooo... Turns out it wasn't our hearts he was after at all!



But with incredibly courage and fortitude he told those in Buenos Aries "Don't cry for me Argentina".
--

You know, it's stuff like this that really makes me glad I read the news

And it makes me feel better about myself too. I mean, I may not be a governor, but at least the "Daily Show's" team of writers aren't working on jokes about me right now and wondering why they get paid when it's so darn easy to do that job.

Bill

Wasn't it Will Rogers who said something like, "I don't tell jokes; I just read the paper and report on what the government's doing."?

I'm a little mad, though. A couple of months ago, I told my wife I was going to go hike a couple of days on the Appalachian Trail this fall. She has now explained to me that she's not so thrilled about my plans any more.

Tonight, she invited a couple we're friends with to come over for dinner. He's a divorce attorney.

Should I be worried? Or should I just run for office?

You might need some solitude to think on that one. Might want to catch a flight to Argentina and think it out...

That's pretty darn funny

I'd say you're qualified to do both!

It does explain why he did not tell his wife where he was going. I just hope my wife believes me the next time I go hiking.

The story has really changed. He is not the first politician to cheat on his wife and will not be the last.

However, being out of contact with his staff and using taxpayer money to visit your girlfriend is self-destructive behavior. Often self-destructive behavior is a cry for help, but it also means he should not be governor.

I hope he is able to deal with his personal crisis.

It is surprising how many politicians have been found cheating lately though. While the instance of cheating may be no higher than the general norm, there must be a personality trait connection between those that want political power and the desire to stray.

I have no desire for either, and these common traits may be the flip side of that coin.

The magnificent way is which he exposed this character "flaw", if you will, demonstrates, to me, that he also thrives on "Drama" and will go to great lengths to create it.

I tend to keep some distance between myself and those that thrive on drama. They can suck your life away, and will given the opportunity.

There is little room in higher level government positions for personal drama. The job requires too much attention for this to be a part of ones life and still be effective. This is why he must be told to resign his position.

Now... What I'm waiting for is the day the cheated on spouse comes to the microphone and says "Screw the bum. We all gave him our support and he blew it for all of us. After I divorce him I'll be running for his job in the next election so I can fulfill the promises I stood for in the last campaign and voted for in the election."

And I'll bet she gets elected too...

Bill

Remember the good old days, when the Democrats were the party of making war, loose morals, big government, deficit spending, and higher taxes?

Well...it almost happened. But, she didn't get elected. Sec State ain't bad though.