SC Democrats: GOP Censure Vote Gives Governor Sanford Cover

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - South Carolina Democratic leaders are criticizing a state GOP vote to publicly reprimand Gov. Mark Sanford, rather than ask him to resign, as a meaningless move that provides him cover to stay in office.

The state Republican Party’s executive committee voted late Monday to censure Sanford for failing to be a good Republican and for breaking the public’s trust. The censure’s wording did not specify how Sanford fell “below the standards expected of Republican elected officials.“

The vote came nearly two weeks after Sanford returned from a mysterious disappearance and admitted he had been in Argentina with his mistress. Sanford says he will not resign.

GOP officials say the vote ended the matter, and they’re moving on - a declaration Democratic leaders found amusing.