It can seem at times like Illinois is the only state with embarrassing leaders.

But the news the last few days proves that's not the case.

Of course, we have one ex-governor in prison and another facing federal charges. In addition, former first lady Patti Blagojevich has spent the last several weeks on a ridiculous reality show playing the sympathetic victim of mean-spirited legislators and media in Illinois. There's also Roland Burris being named senator and what he did or did not tell the House committee looking into former governor Blagojevich's impeachment.

We've got plenty to be embarrassed about.

But if misery loves company, we've got some.

It was revealed earlier this week that Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., had an extramarital affair with a campaign staffer who was married to another staffer. That must have made for some interesting staff meetings.

Ensign's adventure pales in comparison to the mess created by South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford.

Sanford, until this week considered a possible candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, left his state for six days. No one seemed to know where he was.

His staff claimed he was hiking on the Appalachian Trail, in an attempt to clear his head after a difficult legislative session. His wife said she didn't know where he was - he was gone over Father's Day - but that she wasn't worried about him.

One TV station reported that he boarded a plane in Atlanta, but Sanford's press spokesman quickly claimed that report was wrong.

But Sanford wasn't hiking, or at least he wasn't on the Appalachian Trail. He wasn't even in the United States.

The State newspaper in Columbia, S.C., cracked the case by staking out the Atlanta airport. Sanford was found Wednesday morning getting off a plane that originated in Argentina. There weren't any stopovers in Appalachia.

The State reported early Wednesday that Sanford had said he wanted to go someplace "exotic," and that he's made such trips before.

On Wednesday afternoon, Sanford admitted the real reason for his trip to Argentina. He's been involved in an affair with a "dear friend" for the last several months. Of course, he was tearful during the news conference and expressed sorrow for the pain he's caused. Why don't these guys ever think about the pain before they make such stupid decisions?

As we've often said about Illinois leaders - truth is stranger than fiction.

It's unclear at this point whether Sanford's wife knew about his trip to Argentina and simply lied to the media or whether the trip was a surprise to her. Sanford's sons didn't comment on how they felt about Daddy missing Father's Day in order to be with his mistress.

To add to his poor decisions, Sanford either didn't tell his staff where he was headed or told them and they lied to the citizens of South Carolina. Several leading state officials in South Carolina claimed they didn't know the governor's whereabouts. One can only guess what would have happened if there had been an emergency, such as a natural disaster.

However the situation sorts itself out, Sanford's political career is pretty much over. He'll be lucky to remain as governor, let alone be considered for a presidential run.

But for Illinois, Sanford's misadventures offer a welcome break. It will give the late-night comics a new subject, at least for a while.

gsawyer@herald-review.com|421-6975