Cheating SC Gov Says God Will Make Him Better

He's known for slamming fellow Republicans who control state government — once by carrying two piglets to the door of the House chamber to protest spending. More recently, a court order forced Sanford to seek federal stimulus money he refused to accept because of his libertarian principles, despite warnings from education officials of massive teacher layoffs.

Legislators said the governor's previous pledges to work together always quickly disintegrated.

"We've heard it every year," said House Labor Commerce and Industry Chairman Bill Sandifer, R-Seneca. He said he told the governor, "You have gone out of your way to make enemies. You've done absolutely nothing to make friends, and now you want us all to be your friends? That's a pretty tough pill to swallow."

Sanford, who has long fought to give the governor's office more control in the legislatively strong state, wrote that he would continue to push his agenda. And although he said his approach needed to be "less strident," critics said Sanford's contrition came 6 1/2 years too late.

"His love letters show he's a helluva writer," said Sen. Jake Knotts, R-West Columbia, a frequent adversary who made public that Sanford was missing. Sanford worked to get him ousted in the last election. "He's a helluva writer and a promise maker, but he doesn't keep promises to the state of South Carolina like he doesn't keep promises to his wife."

Senate Minority Leader John Land, also frequently at odds with Sanford, doubts the governor can change or knows how to compromise.

"If he didn't get his way, he'd take his balls and go home, so he left a lot of things on the table," the Manning Democrat said.

"You don't all of a sudden have a mid-life crisis and suddenly get along with people."

But Rep. Kris Crawford, a Sanford ally, said legislators should be willing to believe Sanford will change his tactics, though he added Sanford must "match his words with actions."