The Sanford Conspiracy

On Monday Senator Jake Knotts issued a press release regarding the fact that Governor Mark Sanford was nowhere to be found. Jake is described by The State as a ‘frequent critic’ of the Governor and ally to the Lt. Governor. Once the media caught the buzz it became apparent that the governor had forsaken any communications and nobody really knew where he was. His wife says she has not heard from him in days and has no idea where he is but is not concerned because he is supposedly ‘writing’.

On Tuesday the governor calls his staff to inform them he is in Argentina and coming back. The governor arrives on Wednesday and tells a reporter that he went to Argentina for something ‘exotic’ but denies anything extraordinary. Hours later senator Knotts claims governor Sanford is lying.  Later that day Governor Sanford holds a press conference and admits to an affair. During this press conference he claims that his wife had become aware of the affair and that they had been living apart two weeks preceeding his disappearance.

I would wager that the governor has political enemies who knew his whereabouts or at least the nature of his disappearance. Is it possible that a bitter Mrs. Sanford conspired with a known political adversary? Is it possible that the governor was forced by blackmail into his confession? Did Senator Knotts issue this press release, withholding knowledge, or with ulterior motives?  It’s worth noting that conspiracy and blackmail are criminal.