POLITICS DIGEST

ETHICS

In S.C., Sanford faces 37 charges

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford (R) faces 37 ethics charges alleging that he broke state laws on campaign money and the official use of airplanes.

The details were released Monday by the State Ethics Commission, five days after the panel charged the governor without offering any specifics.

Sanford's attorneys have said the charges involve minor and technical aspects of the law.

The charges followed an investigation into whether Sanford used state aircraft for personal and political trips, used pricey airline seats despite low-cost travel requirements and reimbursed himself with campaign cash.

Sanford has been under scrutiny since he vanished for five days over the summer, reappearing to tearfully admit to an extramarital affair with a woman he later called his "soul mate."

-- Associated Press

FORT BRAGG

Palin holds event at N.C. base

Sarah Palin brought her book-signing tour to North Carolina's Fort Bragg on Monday, and hundreds greeted the 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate in a campaign-like gathering.

Palin's appearance tested Defense Department regulations, which prohibit politicians from using military installations as a platform. Palin didn't give a speech and individually thanked soldiers, and a base spokesman said she was not campaigning. But the bus parked nearby encouraged donations to her political action committee, and supporters made it clear they think she should run for president.