Disgraced political figure Mark Sanford

Entirely bizarre is the "Appalachian Trail hike" of South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford.

Sanford, governor of his state since 2002, dropped out of sight suddenly in June 2009. Aides told the media that the governor had gone hiking to clear his mind.

Sanford, a staunch conservative, had just proclaimed that his state would not accept federal stimulus funds, but the high-placed Republican hiker was getting a stimulus package of his own in Argentina, not trudging the long, lonesome trail.

Busted, he admitted in a rambling press conference statement to having had an affair with an Argentinian woman, Maria Belen Chapur. Later, he admitted to other earlier indiscretions of the same general kind. The situation was especially ironic because after the Clinton-Lewinsky affair, Sanford had favored impeachment.

At one time, the handsome, normally articulate Sanford had been considered as a possible vice presidential candidate.

Political figures from both sides of the aisle have expressed the opinion that Sanford should resign, but at this writing in September 2009, he has not done so.