The State is out with a new e-mail dump, showing Mark Sanford went MIA during his state-funded trip to Argentina in June 2008.

Politically, however, the most interesting thing about the e-mails may be that they show that within Sanford's own office, there was considerable debate about how he should handle stimulus funds. Sanford's former chief of staff warned him against rejecting the stimulus funds, telling him that even his own supporters were growing impatient with Sanford's antics.

The e-mails also include strategizing among Sanford, staff members and allies about how to approach the stimulus and budget debates. "We are getting killed message-wise and even folks who support you are worried you have lost your mind," wrote former chief of staff Chad Walldorf on April 3. "Let’s discuss ... you are the man on thinking ... " Sanford responded. At another point, former communications director Chris Drummond advised against vetoing the entire state budget, as Sanford did in 2006. "You tried that and it got you nowhere," Drummond wrote on May 14 after Sanford asked if he should veto all or part of the budget. "Veto the offensive stuff and those items that are consistent with your executive budget."

The e-mails also reveal Sanford asked state employees for advice on lowering his taxes.