Sanford May Survive Scandal

People already getting bored with Argentinian love triangle

By SARA K. SMITH

Updated 11:55 PM EDT, Thu, Jul 9, 2009

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South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, if he has any sense at all, is dancing a jig of rhapsody right at this very minute. Between Michael Jackson's death and Sarah Palin's resignation, it's been several whole days since Sanford appeared in any major headlines.

And what little news has trickled out of South Carolina has actually been good for the governor. The state GOP voted to censure him, but they didn't call for his resignation. And a state investigation concluded that he didn't misuse funds when he visited his lady friend on official trips to Argentina and New York City.

[State Law Enforcement Division chief Reggie Lloyd] said his investigation showed that the New York and Argentina trips, including the 2008 Buenos Aires leg, were for legitimate state business or paid for on Mr. Sanford's personal credit card. State officials, including the governor, are entitled to free time even on state-sponsored trips, Mr. Lloyd said.

Of course, Sanford's political opponents might still have a chance to make mischief for him:

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Cheating Politicians

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The state's top Democrats have largely held their tongues up to now, letting Republicans attack the governor for two weeks. But some Democrats say they are increasingly likely to request a separate grand jury investigation or the naming of a special prosecutor to ensure impartiality and placate constituents.

But for the moment the storm appears to have blown over. A couple of Sanford pals have finally come forward and said that everybody needs to quit fixating on the governor's love life and get back to governing. And speaking of fixations, the man himself seems to have weaned himself off further cringe-inducing interviews and has kept his head down.

He just needs one more good break -- one huge and newsworthy catastrophe to make his own personal nightmare look comparatively boring -- and he might be able to serve out his term after all. Is it hurricane season yet?

Certified tango instructor Sara K. Smith writes for NBC and Wonkette.