WASHINGTON - WITH a tearful admission and groveling apologies, South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford on Wednesday became the latest member of a fast-growing club of US politicians - the penitent sexual wanderers.

Political hypocrites NEW Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey admitted under threat of a lawsuit that he had a homosexual affair with a man he appointed as an adviser and resigned his office in 2004. Louisiana Senator David Vitter is considered a strong candidate for re-election next year despite admitting he had been a customer of a Washington D.C. prostitution ring. ... more

During a televised news conference on his return from a secret Argentina getaway, Mr Sanford admitted to an extramarital affair with a 'dear, dear friend' and apologised profusely to his wife, family, friends, constituents and seemingly everyone else he could think of.

'I hurt a lot of different folks, and all I can say is that I apologise,' he said, fighting back tears repeatedly.

Mr Sanford's admission capped days of uncertainty about the whereabouts of the conservative governor and former congressman, considered in some quarters a potential Republican presidential candidate in 2012.

It also made him the latest US politician to face the awkward task of salvaging a career after an illicit sexual affair blew up into public humiliation.

For many US politicians, sex scandals have been a one-way ticket to the political wilderness. A few have weathered the storm, usually after a contrite apology and months of staying out of the public eye.

In today's 24-hour news cycle, the mea culpas are broadcast live and on television, and the fallout comes fast.

Bill Clinton survived an affair with an intern and a months-long impeachment battle in Congress and finished his presidential term still beloved by many in his party. But Eliot Spitzer's dalliances with prostitutes led to a quick resignation as New York governor. Now he is returning slowly to the public eye as a pundit.

Former senator and presidential candidate John Edwards had an affair that only became public after his White House campaign was over.

He too is making tentative attempts to re-emerge in public and recently gave his first detailed interview. But many of his former supporters remain deeply disenchanted about a man who cheated on his wife while she was battling cancer. -- REUTERS