A TOP South Carolina Republican leader says philandering South Carolina governor Mark Sanford should resign and practise the philosophy he’s preached of holding GOP leaders accountable.

The political future of a state governor who visited his mistress in Argentina after indicating he was off hiking in the US hung in the balance today.

SOUTH Carolina Governor Mark Sanford returned to the US yesterday from a secret private trip to Argentina, ending days of speculation over his whereabouts and raising questions about his judgment.

Former vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin urged the Republicans not to become the “negative party” of US politics today.