Indeed, the government should stay out of people’s personal lives unless there is impact on others.

However, Sanford’s downfall is not falling in love.  It is hypocracy.  If he had been a propoent of staying out of people’s lives (supporting gay marriage, de-emphasising or de-criminalising drug offences, not criticising other public figures for their personal lives) then he wouldn’t have a problem.

As it is ... he ought to go.

In the world of politics, Gov. Mark Sanford, stood alone in his quest for conservative values and would not buckle under the weight of the legislature of South Carolina.
When it was found that he was having an affair with the woman from South America, he lost everything that he had worked so hard for, his integrity and his reputation in the world of political power. But he stands alone also, in the world of romantic relationships, even though married he still recognized the fact that he was in love, something that few people truly find.
For this reason, he should not step down from the governorship of South Carolina. He was madly in love, yes it was not his wife, but someone else, yet still madly in love.
I am all for him remaining at his elected post. I’m liberal, yet can see the value of love and the attraction of a man to a woman, or any combination of gender. To find love in this day and age, is truly
a thing to behold and to hold onto.