Although South Carolina’s embattled chief executive skipped this year’s National Governors Association conference in Biloxi to take his family on a trip, Mark Sanford continues to make headlines with his latest mea culpa.

In an op-ed published in this morning’s edition of The State newspaper, Sanford apologizes to constituents for his extra-marital affair, but gives no indication of any plans to resign. In fact, Sanford suggests his public humiliation will make him a more effective governor during the remainder of his term. Sanford writes:

“In this regard I think all that has transpired will be particularly relevant in the way I deal with the legislative body and other state leaders going forward. Micah 6:8 asks us to do justice, love mercy, and to walk humbly, and as I begin these steps into the last 18 months of this administration, it will indeed be with a more contrite and humble spirit.”

The chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party calls the Republican governor’s apology “half-hearted.” Carol Fowler issued this written statement:

“Mark Sanford’s vague apology in Sunday’s papers is fine as far as it goes, but he doesn’t say what he’s apologizing for. Turning his back on the people of SC? Abandoning his family? Dumping his responsibilities for weeks? Or 6 1/2 years of ignoring our public schools and the children in them? When my children were small and had to say they were sorry I always made them specify what the apology was for, to be sure they knew. Does Governor Sanford know?”