DeMint: Uncommitted on the Fate of Sanford

As Dave pointed out last week, some conservatives aren’t mincing words about their desire to see disgraced South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford (R) step away from the national stage following revelations of an extramarital affair. Others, though, are treading much more carefully around the issue, favoring a strategy of wait-and-see.

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), for example, told Fox News this morning that he’s “disappointed” in Sanford, but he’s not ready to ask to governor to resign, arguing that his capacity to govern hinges largely on the health of his marriage.

I’m not sure where he is in his personal life with his wife. And that does have a lot to do whether or not he should continue. South Carolina needs some strong leadership right now, so if he’s not together … We need to do what’s best for our state, and we are looking at that right now.

DeMint, of course, had urged former Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho) to step down after his arrest for lewd conduct in an airport men’s room. Heterosexual flings, it seems, don’t threaten family values quite so much.