Already enveloped by controversy over his personal life and use of state funds, South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford just can't seem to catch a break.
The latest: His car was pulled over for speeding by a South Carolina state trooper who asked his driver, "You got a good reason for running 85?"
The driver allowed as how he was driving the governor, which didn't seem to faze the trooper, who responded, "Not a really good reason to be speeding."
"Tell him that," responded the driver.
After shaking hands with the back-seat passenger, the trooper decided to let the governor's driver off with no ticket.
But after later review by higher-ups, that decision was reversed, and the governor's driver will be cited.
Reminds me of a joke President Ronald Reagan was fond of telling, the subject of which could alternate, depending on his audience:
The Pope has scheduled a visit to America. In anticipation, church officials supervising the visit contact a local limo rental company and make arrangements for their best driver to pick him up in their best car.
That afternoon, the driver is excited to greet the Pope. "Your Holiness," he gushes, "I'm so honored to be your driver today. We've got a few hours before your meetings begin. It would be my pleasure to take you on a tour, anything you like. I'm at your disposal."
Responds the Pope, "Actually, what I'd really love to do is get behind the wheel of this car. Since I've become Pope, they won't let me drive myself anywhere. May I?"
The driver doesn't bat an eye. "Of course, Your Holiness, of course!" And he hands the Pope the keys to the car, and climbs in the back seat.
It's been a while since the Pope has driven, and it turns out he's got a heavy foot. Before long, the driver is begging the Pope from the back seat to slow down, lest they get pulled over.
But it's too late -- a state trooper begins the chase.
But the Pope can't find the brake, and continues his high-speed rampage down the highway, gathering more and more police cars in pursuit, until finally he finds the brake and pulls the car to a stop.
The nearest officer approaches the driver's side window and raps on it with his night stick.
Slowly, the window is rolled down from inside.
The officer looks inside, does a double-take, and returns to the others.
"Who'd we get, Jimmy? Must be a pretty important guy, with that car and all," says one of his fellow officers.
"Well," the officer responds, "I'm not sure exactly who the guy in the back seat is. But the Pope's his chauffeur..."
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