In first campaign ad, Mark Sanford acknowledges "mistakes"

Former two-term Gov. Mark Sanford, R-S.C., whose political legacy in the state is shrouded in scandal from a notorious 2009 extramarital affair, is out with the first television ad of his political comeback effort -- and he's asking the people of South Carolina for a second chance at politics.

Sanford, a onetime Republican rising star who made headlines in 2009 after lying to his staff about visiting his girlfriend in Argentina, is running for the seat vacated by Rep. Tim Scott, R-S.C., in South Carolina's 1st Congressional District - a seat Sanford held from 1995-2001. Scott was tapped to replace Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., who recently left the Senate to join a conservative think tank.

In the ad, called "Change Washington," Sanford acknowledges some "recent mistakes."

• Mark Sanford announces run for Congress
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"I've experienced how none of us go through life without mistakes," he said. "But in their wake we can learn a lot about grace, a God of second chances and be the better for it."

The 30-second spot hit the South Carolina airwaves today and will run on cable in his district, according to Joel Sawyer, a spokesman for his campaign. Sawyer said the campaign has reserved at least $160,000 worth of paid advertising in the lead-up to the March 19 primary.

Despite the damage done to his reputation as a result of the 2009 scandal, for which he was censured by the South Carolina legislature, Sanford says in the ad he is "humbly" stepping forward to ask for voters' help "in changing Washington."

Among the Democratic contenders with whom he will be competing for the seat is Elizabeth Colbert-Busch, a sister of the comedian Stephen Colbert.

[CB002]

I wouldn't trust this man to take out my garbage.

[infoworker]

This guys mistake is ego, ego, and EGO. The same ego that drove him to believe he could betray his wife, and be derilect in his duty to his state, allows him to vie for the job as a US Senator.

Until he learns humility and repentance he will continue to think he is above it all.

I heard him on a morning show today... "well I'm convinced that if you live long enough you're bound to make mistakes"... like it wasn't really his fault, just a byproduct of not dying yet.

More, when asked about the fines he paid in misuing SC state funds, he simply says that deal included no admission of guilt.

What a total slime ball.

[xrsmartlady]

You got this right - - and he just realized that he has lived more than long enough to confess that he made mistakes - - people will say anything they think others will believe when they want something.

[Lyric55]

A mistake suggests a misunderstanding. Did he not understand the commandment, "Thou shall not commit adultery." I have no tolerance for anyone who intentionally does something wrong and then asks for a second chance. This man has no integrity or credibility.

[dontknowitall]

The new Congressional Creed

MONEY,

POWER'

VIAGRA!

just don't let them behind you.

[ammo17]

i think if we can forgive president john f kennedy and president clinton for turning the whithouse into a ********** we can forgive one congressman.

[KPeters_from_UK]

Tell me did anyone of them run on a platform of Christian Family Values and damned anyone for not following the same set of Christian Family values?


IT IS THE PURE HYPOCRISY THAT MAKES MY SKIN CRAWL.

Remember how Newt wanted to investigate Clinton for an affair while Newt was cheating on his ill wife. What the F!!

[clydealan2]

That even a small group of people would treat this as anything but a sick joke is testimony to the sad state of politics in this country.

[KPeters_from_UK]

What about family values? What is up with people like this guy and Newt? On one hand they pledge their loyalty to the Party platform of Family Christian values and be damned everyone else that does not conform to their Family Christian lifestyle and then on the other hand BANG! And I do mean bang; they find it fit to bang any female that crosses their path. What the F!!

[lami987]

Did he marry his Argentinean girlfriend or he just got tired of her or her tired of an unfaithful husband? I hope people of SC wouldn't make the same mistake again.

[Cowmpound]

I trust him now!

[sandiegopete]

His girlfriend in Argentina must be interested to hear it was all a mistake.