Gov. Mark Sanford's office has begun providing media with a weekly outline of the South Carolina chief executive's schedule, something that was not done prior to disclosures about his trip to Argentina and an extramarital affair. Providing such a schedule is more the norm than an exception for governmental leaders such as governors. We'll call the new practice progress toward the governor's pledge to be accountable and regain the trust of South Carolinians. ...

Many South Carolinians said the governor was "too public" in his statements about the trip to Argentina and the affair. Why continue to speak publicly for days, dragging out the matter? Hard to disagree, but Sanford will have to reappear as a working governor, addressing issues before press and public. Working behind closed doors as governor is important, as is making trips to see his family on Sullivans Island, but the state's chief executive cannot avoid public appearances, even if they produce further questions about matters he'd like to put aside. ...

While the e-mails and phone records do not shed great new light on the governor's admitted activities, they do illustrate Sanford was not attending to his duties. Failure to push economic development personally is no impeachable offense, but the records do make the case that this governor, if he is to remain in office for the final 18 months of his term, will have to push and push hard to convince South Carolinians he's committed to the call of duty.

The (Orangeburg) Times and Democrat