South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford was on the list of many conservatives - especially here in the South - as a potential presidential candidate in 2012... Well, we can scratch his name off after last week's bombshell. A number of the politicians involved in extramarital affairs have been among the loudest champions of "family values." A week before, it was Nevada Senator John Ensign's turn.

In 2007, Louisiana Senator David Vitter apologized for using an escort service in Washington, D.C. and the now thrice married Newt Gingrich acknowledged he was having an extramarital affair even as he led the charge against President Clinton over the Monica Lewinsky affair.

Another “family values” stalwart guy is our own teetotaling Governor Sonny Perdue. He's opposed to allowing local governments to call elections to let voters decide if they want to allow Sunday sales of alcoholic beverages at grocery, convenience and liquor stores.*

The governor's “family values” thwarts having the will of the people being heard on this issue, imposing his “values” on Georgia voters. I don't subscribe to that kind of governance, especially from one who calls himself a conservative.

Sanford, Ensign, Vitter and Gingrich are - at best - hypocrites but Perdue is no better. Last year, former Virginia Congressman Tom Davis, famously said about the Republican brand, “If we were a dog food, they would take us off the shelf.” “Family values” Republicans aren't helping sales.

* For more on Sunday alcohol sales, see my commentary “2009Georgia Legislature: They’re back! Part IV: Sunday Alcohol Sales DOA Again,” March 6.