Gov. Mark Sanford, conducting his final Cabinet meeting of the year, was focused on business Thursday.
Sanford talked about the need for the state's congressional delegation to defeat federal health-care reform, saying it would cost the state almost $700 million. He also expressed hope the Obama administration would give the state another waiver on complying with federal rules on driver's licenses.
When he faced reporters, Sanford talked briefly about his personal life - how good it was to be at work without the threat of impeachment hanging over his head and how he hopes to repair his marriage, strained by a five-day trip to Argentina in June to carry on an extramarital affair.
Less than a day removed from news that lawmakers in the S.C. House lawmakers essentially had rejected a bid to remove him from office - for that trip and a 2008 taxpayer-funded trip to Argentina where he also saw his lover - Sanford said he was pleased by the lawmakers' decision.
"Yesterday was a very important hurdle day," Sanford said, referring to Wednesday's 6-1 vote against a resolution that sought to remove him on grounds he abandoned his duties. The panel weighing impeachment instead unanimously approved a censure resolution, formally expressing the General Assembly's disapproval of Sanford's actions.
Sanford admitted putting people "in a difficult spot" - from his estranged wife Jenny to S.C. citizens, who took sides on whether he should stay or go.
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