Story of the day.....Have you seen this douchebag?

Well, apparently South Carolina governor Mark Sanford, last seen belligerently trying to refuse what part of the economic stimulus program doesn't please him, is on the lam. While the Lt. Governor's office claims that he's ok and that he's supposedly unwinding from a legislative session (that doesn't seem to be quite over, but I may be wrong), how seriously can we take a governor of a state disappearing since last Thursday without letting at least his own office know where he is. Of course his wife offers up the classic GOP non-explanation...

First lady Jenny Sanford told The Associated Press earlier Monday her husband has been gone for several days and she did not know where.

She said she was not concerned.

What the fuck is that? She doesn't know where he is and she's not concerned? Either she's lying to cover or lying scared of what he'll do. Either way is crazy-ass crazy.

The local SC Democratic Party leader in the Senate, John Land, issued a press statement that reads

We've been concerned by the Governor's erratic behavior for some time. We're praying for him and his family. I hope he is safe and that he contacts the First Lady and his family soon, said Land.

And as Josh Marshall at talkingpointsmemo.com points out, if this was a normal nothing to worry about event, why would there be a warrant issued to locate Sanford through his cell phone?

Neither the governor’s office nor the State Law Enforcement Division, which provides security for governors, had been able to reach Sanford after he left the mansion Thursday in a black SLED Suburban SUV, said Sen. Jake Knotts and three others familiar with the situation but declined to be identified.

Sanford’s last known whereabouts had been near Atlanta because a mobile telephone tower picked up a signal from his phone, authorities said. His office now knows where he is, Adams said.

Either he's in rehab, a mental ward, or at some hotel holed up threatening suicide or something. Geez.

And on Father's day weekend? I just don't buy a routine trip.

And Sanford is supposed to be one of the GOP's new shining lights for 2012? Wow.

Well, the gov's office claim he's OK, however do not specifically state they've had contact with him. Meanwhile the alright light is on supposedly because he is still Twittering, however with vague political statements that really wouldn't come from someone who knows everyone is looking for him. I'm not sure it's even him, but a staffer (what celebrity or politician really Twitters that much). Either way, it's interesting to note that the #tcot tag that the "teabaggers" use.

UPDATE: The current story now is that Sanford is "hiking in the Appalachian Trail". For four days? without bringing hiking/camping stuff with him? And what part of the Appalachian Trail is in Atlanta that's much more attractive than somewhere in his own state? I smell a rat.