Patterico's Pontifications

6/24/2009

SC Governor Mark Sanford Apologizes for Affair

Filed under: Politics — DRJ @ 1:35 pm



[Guest post by DRJ]

In a press conference today, South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford explained his recent week-long disappearance. He admitted that instead of hiking the Appalachian Trail (as his staff said) or getting away from his kids to write (as his wife said), he was actually visiting his mistress in Argentina. Sanford apologized to his wife and staff and took the blame for their inaccurate statements. He also resigned as chairman of the Republican Governor’s Association.

Sanford’s admission of infidelity follows a similar confession by Nevada Senator John Ensign a few days ago and his resignation as chairman of the Republican Policy Committee.

I hope Sanford and Ensign can repair their broken families and refocus their personal lives, but I’m glad they resigned their Party leadership positions. They both appear to have exercised poor judgment and engaged in reckless behavior, and those are qualities the GOP can do without.

— DRJ

81 Responses to “SC Governor Mark Sanford Apologizes for Affair”

  1. He told reporters he spent “the last five days of my life crying in Argentina” and the affair is now over.

    Don’t cry for me, Argentina.

    Someone had to say it.:-)

    Times Disliker (c99b0e)

  2. I kind of figured this was the real reason. This was the only explaination that didn’t make him look like a complete and unbalanced flake.

    Sean P (e57269)

  3. Well, if they can’t give a damn about their own spouses and children, why the personal consequences alone wouldn’t enable these people to do a pretty simple thing – just keep their pants zipped up — is beyond baffling.

    no one you know (7a9144)

  4. no one you know, maybe Ensign and Sanford were just trying to emulate that icon of the Democratic Party, John Fitzgerald Kennedy?

    retire05 (4ce172)

  5. I remember hearing from the Clintonistas, years ago, that poor choices by the President “was just about sex.” What it is about, actually, is lying.

    More importantly, if a person will disrespect their family, what else will they disrespect?

    Of course, I may sound old fashioned. But I think personal honor and integrity reveal a great deal about the character of the politician.

    Both parties need to weed out the knuckleheads.

    Eric Blair (0b61b2)

  6. When is the GOP going to man up and give us some REAL men who can manage to stay faithful to their wives and hold public office at the same time? I’m really sick of this.

    NavyMom (f41848)

  7. I still question the timing. Everytime a Republican challenges the Obama Admin. lately, they get drug through the mud. I also find this to be a huge double standard when it comes to ethics. (I’m sure there are plenty of Democrats that have skeletons in their closet.)

    The MSM will have a field day with this story for the next few days and all of the really important issues will be overshadowed.

    texastickled (3d72bd)

  8. Sanford is a betrayer of the mother of his children and his emails to his girlfriend prove him to be a sappy fool, too.

    But I really don’t care about him.

    How sad for Iranians to see us lose focus.

    Juan (bd4b30)

  9. Better to clean out the deadwood ASAP, and get to work on the next generation of leadership.

    Dmac (f7884d)

  10. […] Patterico’s Pontifications-SC Governor Mark Sanford Apologizes for Affair […]

    Mark Sanford: Scumbag or Misguided? | Conservative Political Report (316491)

  11. “No matter how cynical you become, it’s never enough to keep up.” – Lily Tomlin

    Peccator Dubius (0a6237)

  12. This was the only explaination that didn’t make him look like a complete and unbalanced flake.

    Dude, going to Argentina for nookie is pretty flakey.

    You telling me Charleston don’t have some fine ….. ?

    HEY NOW!

    HeavenSent (1e97ff)

  13. The MSM will have a field day with this story for the next few days and all of the really important issues will be overshadowed.
    Comment by texastickled — 6/24/2009 @ 3:41 pm

    From your keyboard to political reality… I truly hope this totally eclipses the ABC/Obama love fest/infomercial tonight! My hope is that Adultery is lots more interesting to the masses than a total government coup of our health care system.

    marybel (1ea4a9)

  14. Maybe Sanford rented an old copy of “Blame it on Rio” and got the cities mixed up.

    It is really pathetic.

    Mike K (2cf494)

  15. “Sanford did not say whether he’ll stay on as governor.”

    Hopefully the voters will kick his ass out, if he doesn’t quit.

    Who would want a liar and a cheat as their governor? Might just as well have a Democrat in office as have this guy.

    Dave Surls (f9c455)

  16. I know this story. Not me, but somebody close. He fell in love with another woman, while married, tried to fight it, and could not. His wife would have still kept him — she was not the problem — but he just could not go back.

    This is nothing like Clinton, Spitzer or Edwards, in my opinion.

    nk (d78a32)

  17. Mrs. Sanford shows class, strength, and dignity. I vote for her.

    I believe wholeheartedly in the sanctity, dignity and importance of the institution of marriage. I believe that has been consistently reflected in my actions. When I found out about my husband’s infidelity I worked immediately to first seek reconciliation through forgiveness, and then to work diligently to repair our marriage. We reached a point where I felt it was important to look my sons in the eyes and maintain my dignity, self-respect, and my basic sense of right and wrong. I therefore asked my husband to leave two weeks ago.

    Dana (8d88ef)

  18. Dana, thank you for that link. I may not have a sophisticated, nuanced view of the world. But I know a cad when I see one. And I know a wife and mother who has genuine class and ethics when I see one, too.

    I know that, in my own marriage, my wife is a better human being than I am. Her example and encouragement make me want to be better than my basic nature. It sounds like the first part is true regarding the Sanford marriage. The second remains to be seen, but is not encouraging.

    Eric Blair (0b61b2)

  19. “I therefore asked my husband to leave two weeks ago.”

    And, the voters ought to do the same. Anyone who would cheat on their wife, would certainly cheat on people they don’t even know (like the ciitzens of South Carolina, for example), as long as they thought they could get away with it.

    If he was the governor of my state, I’d demand his resignation, even if it meant letting a Democrat take over the governor’s seat.

    This guy is a scumbag. Can’t be trusted.

    Dave Surls (f9c455)

  20. This is nothing like Clinton, Spitzer or Edwards, in my opinion.

    Comment by nk — 6/24/2009 @ 4:30 pm

    nk,

    Do you mean because Sanford appears to care about this woman while the other three you mention did not? If so, not sure whether or not you’re meaning to say that this excuses the infidelity to his wife.

    no one you know (1ebbb1)

  21. The real scandal’s gonna be when it turns out his “Mistress” is Larry Craig…

    Frank Drackman (c2d1a4)

  22. But, DJR, your are excluding people from the “BIG Tent” of the Republican Party. /sarcasm aimed at all the wieners who keep telling us we need to be a “big tent” party.

    I agree that we don’t need bottom feeders who can’t even honor their wedding vows representing us. The problem that we run into is that the Republicans resign their positions of authority and the party loses the seniority positions while the Democrats never resign, are never ostracized by their constituents and never give up the positions of authority.

    Can anyone remind me, what positions of authority and seniority did John Edwards give up other than loosing the Presidential election (that he was never going to win anyway)? As far as I can remember, he is still on all of the committees, retains his seniority and is still a despicable example of a bottom feeding, swamp dwelling, lawyer. While the Republicans who have affairs all resigned. This does not leave us with a level playing field.

    Jay Curtis (8f6541)

  23. I agree it can be difficult, Jay Curtis, but it’s the right thing to do. We’ll just have to try harder and I think that extra effort will pay off in the long run.

    DRJ (cdbef5)

  24. He needs to resign more than just his post to the Republican Policy Committee. Not just because he had an affair, and hurt his wife and kids, but because his surrounding behavior has been bizarre, circus-like, and unstable. He doesn’t currently seem mentally fit to govern his state.

    Nels (a474bc)

  25. Let’s face it. There are two types of men: The polygamist and the monogamist. Some guys are not just cut out for marriage. There should be a different law for them. Infidelity is not a party defect neither is it synonymous with any particular group or race. It is a human problem that requires practical solutions. If not, we will continue to hear of more of this.
    My two cents.

    The Emperor (1b037c)

  26. nk,
    Do you mean because Sanford appears to care about this woman while the other three you mention did not? If so, not sure whether or not you’re meaning to say that this excuses the infidelity to his wife.

    Comment by no one you know — 6/24/2009 @ 4:44 pm

    I don’t know that “excuses” is the right word — I would not say that. But it is a different dynamic. Say heart or say glands, what goes on between a man and a woman has little to do with a fancy engraved paper or some words mumbled by a priest.

    It might also explain Mrs. Sanford’s attitude. Hillary, Elizabeth and Mrs. Spitzer knew that they had won — that they were their husbands’ main squeeze and the other women were temporary sperm spitoons. Mrs. Sanford has lost her husband to his new love, I think.

    nk (d78a32)

  27. “Can anyone remind me, what positions of authority and seniority did John Edwards give up other than loosing the Presidential election (that he was never going to win anyway)? As far as I can remember, he is still on all of the committees, retains his seniority and is still a despicable example of a bottom feeding, swamp dwelling, lawyer.”

    It sounds like you still think he’s in the senate.

    imdw (490521)

  28. nk, you’re right. it’s way different.

    When you consider the politics, well obviously this guy is a loser (his emails that were leaked make that even more clear).

    But as a human being, I have to respect Sanford more than someone like Bill Clinton, who screwed with a teenaged intern and then lied about it, having his thugs call her a deranged stalker. All women are to Clinton is something to use.

    Sanford’s affair is still a huge betrayal of his family, and he really let his party and state down, but at least he didn’t do it merely for base pleasure. At least this woman was not slimed by Sanford like Lewinsky was by Clinton.

    that he actually fell in love with someone just makes it a totally different situation. He’s still an irresponsible asshole, though.

    Juan (bd4b30)

  29. Another Republican governor scratched from the list.

    Amphipolis (42043b)

  30. I keep telling you Pawlenty’s your boy, Amphipolis. He’s the conservative governor of a pretty blue state- I think he’s got the best chance at crossover appeal, especially once people start getting pissed off about fiscal stuff.

    Leviticus (b2057b)

  31. Can Pawlenty overcome Palin? Given Obama’s fraud against Clinton, which almost feels exacerbated by Hillary’s submission of service to his administration, and Obama’s awful treatment of Palin, exacerbated by media ugliness, a lot of people are rallying behind Palin just because they are mad at the people who oppose her so viciously.

    In a primary, that well could be enough for Palin to be unstoppable.

    Which I admit I find a bit disappointing. I love Palin’s leadership ability… her record in Alaska is awesome, but she’s really had enough time to show us she’s a serious student of foreign policy and other issues. She should have had a Gingrich-esque book out by now. She should be articulating policies. Instead, she’s expressing outrage at outrageous comments. That’s just not very impressive.

    Obama’s shown us that when the Us President is not up for the job, innocent people die. I don’t want an incompetent like Obama, even if that person is conservative.

    Juan (bd4b30)

  32. Heh.

    DRJ (cdbef5)

  33. Sanford-Palin in 2012

    Belief You Can Change In

    It’s the right thing.

    Larry Reilly (45e7a4)

  34. Perez Hilton-Larry Reilly in 2009

    Vinegar and water for everyone.

    It’s the freak thing.

    Stashiu3 (ed6467)

  35. They [Ensign and Sanford] both appear to have exercised poor judgment and engaged in reckless behavior, and those are qualities the GOP can do without.

    Especially when that GOP holds itself up as the party of ‘Family Values.’ At last, a point we can agree on 100%.

    DCSCA (9d1bb3)

  36. Frankly, this whole “Party of Family Values” thing is nonsense IMHO and certainly not a core of Conservatism.

    If our ethos is “Keeping Government Out of Our Lives” then I can’t see how “Party of Family Values” mixes with it.

    But I have never been very comfortable with the Bible-ists in this Tent.

    HeavenSent (1e97ff)

  37. That’s fine, HeavenSent, but evidently DCSCA is proud to be a member of the party that celebrates adultery, promiscuity and corruption.

    SPQR (26be8b)

  38. Comment by SPQR — 6/24/2009 @ 7:54 pm

    …which begs the question #22 touched upon: why, when Republicans fall from grace they resign – and it’s expected; yet when Dems fall, they fight tooth and nail to retain their position, very rarely resign of their own free will, and bristle at any suggestion otherwise (see: Clinton) – and this seems to be expected as well?

    Hm….

    Dana (8d88ef)

  39. This guy is a scumbag. Can’t be trusted.

    And a climate change believer.

    That usually goes along with the “can’t be trusted” thing.

    Someone should check his investment portfolio.

    papertiger (8349ff)

  40. SPQR,

    While I am uncomfortable with the “Family Values Crowd,” I agree 100% that being a degenerate is a core value to being a liberal.

    Nevertheless, I just don’t see how being a true Conservative mixes with many of the “standards of conduct” that many Conservatives demand.

    Frankly, I could care less if McGreevey is a MO or Sanford like Argentinian poon. I also could care less he screwed up his family and lied to his wife. Really, I just don’t buy this makes him/them a bad public servant because if you are a Conservative your response should be “none of my business.”

    HeavenSent (1e97ff)

  41. Especially when that GOP holds itself up as the party of ‘Family Values.’ At last, a point we can agree on 100%.

    And the Democratic Party holds itself up as the party of ten-minute trysts in the bathroom of the gay bar. Another point we can agree 100% on.

    nk (d78a32)

  42. Non-sequitor alert on #40. Two thoughts, not linked in last sentence. Sorry.

    HeavenSent (1e97ff)

  43. “And the Democratic Party holds itself up as the party of ten-minute trysts in the bathroom of the gay bar. Another point we can agree 100% on.”

    – nk

    At least we have stamina.

    Leviticus (b2057b)

  44. HeavenSent,

    I don’t think philandering or adultery are GOP disqualifiers by themselves, but the dishonesty and cover ups that often accompany them suggest questionable character issues. Still, no one is perfect and (for me) being right on fiscal issues and national security is more important.

    DRJ (cdbef5)

  45. Something tells me nk’s been party to a fair amount of those 10-minute trysts and is resentful that they didn’t blossom into meaningful relationships.

    Brolic Johnson (280b11)

  46. DRJ,

    I had the pleasure as a young professional to work with some amazing professionals who I would entrust my company to but not one minute with my family.

    Some people can, and do, keep destructive personal lives outside of the professional sphere. For this reason, I have a hard time accepting this cross over nonsense that somehow a degenerate in the home is one at work.

    I have seen too many nice guys be complete and utter morons when it comes to professional tasks. So while I trust them with my family, I don’t with my business.

    So…. I don’t know much about SC Politics but looked to me Sanford was doing a good job as a Politician who is conservative.

    HeavenSent (1e97ff)

  47. Michael Jordan, trust him with the ball at the end of the game.

    Michael Jordan, trust him with my wife and kid. Hell no.

    Being good at one thing does not make you good at others.

    HeavenSent (1e97ff)

  48. Heaven Sent, when a person is elected to public office and at the level of governor, there is an expectation that he will be executing his duties with full focus and a level of integrity that would not jeopardize that position. Having an affair is such an egregious breach of trust, it’s difficult to believe that such a gross lack of judgement and self-control would not manifest itself in most areas of one’s life, in some way or another. It’s difficult at best to live a double life and that’s what Sanford was doing. No one is indispensable and I think politicians of all people, are the ones who fail to realize this most of all. Perhaps if they really did, more of them would keep their pants zipped up.

    Dana (8d88ef)

  49. #7- I still question the timing. Are you implying his mistress in Argentina was a Democratic plant who infiltrated his family last year, forced him into the affair (when the emails were leaked to the press and held in secret) and waited until Father’s Day weekend to lure him out of the U.S. to another continent then expose him?

    Just accept the fact the GOP has soem serious housecleaning to do.

    DCSCA (9d1bb3)

  50. I don’t think philandering or adultery are GOP disqualifiers by themselves… That’s an astonishing POV for a conservative minded soul nested in the Family Values party. Sounds like some morals hold more value than others now that so many have been cheapened by GOP transgressions. It seems the GOP deserves the leeway to be granted a ‘license to thrill.’

    DCSCA (9d1bb3)

  51. Dana,

    Having an affair may be lots of things but ” a breach of public trust” it is not.

    Does it put one possibly in a bad spot where enemies of the State could leverage this knowledge?

    Maybe but no worse than enemies of the State lobbying Politicians with money and trips and freebie loans for homes.

    On the list of qualities, fidelity in marriage is right between “never kicked my dog” and “works at homeless shelters.”

    But screwing around on your spouse as some horrid things which makes you less a politician?? Sorry, don’t buy it and never will. People screw around for many reasons and it is not always the “one caught” who is to blame.

    HeavenSent (1e97ff)

  52. DCSA if the GOP has housecleaning to do, you need a Pogrom in the Democratic Party.

    Anyone ever wonder why Charlie “Good Times” Rangel had so many rent stabilized apartments in New York???

    But more importantly, pay your taxes Charlie b/f you give me lectures on me paying more. I really don’t care about your apartments that no one in the media said “Um, Charlie, we get the abuse of Rent Stabilization Laws, but why exactly do you need all these apartments for?????”

    ROTFLAMO! Really GFY.

    Democrats are the party of degeneracy. If you are a degenerate or criminal — you likely vote Democrat. If you live on the public dole — you likely vote democrat. It goes on and on.

    HeavenSent (1e97ff)

  53. So, the GOP is the family values party. That means there’s something extra wrong with any individual not living up to every family value.

    Why?

    Standing up for values, even if it’s not possible to be perfect, is not a bad thing. It’s just noting what’s right and what’s wrong.

    Beyond that, Obama claimed to be a gay rights champion. He, via his administration, compared gay marriage to incest marriage in a recent legal brief. Is this not a much more obvious and paramount hypocrisy than Sanford’s?

    But democrats aren’t serious about hypocrisy… they just know that Republicans will cast him out on their own and want to pretend they had some kind of brilliant attack that helped this along. No, the GOP is proving its values right here and now when they condemn a man for betraying the public trust (which he obviously did in various ways, not least of which was claiming to his state that he’s hiking when he’s in Argentina). The GOP just has standards the democrats don’t. Life’s not fair, but that’s OK…

    Juan (bd4b30)

  54. Women are like Martinis, one is not enough, three is way too much.

    HeavenSent (1e97ff)

  55. Is DCSCA admitting that the Dems are the no values party? Seriously? That’s what he’s selling tonight.

    Holy shit!

    Obama wants to teach sex ed to kindergartners and believes in abortion as a form of birth control, so he’s got that going for him, which is nice. Barney Frank allows a gay prostitution op to be run out of his apartment – nicely done mumbles. I could go on all night if ASPCA wants to go down that road.

    daleyrocks (718861)

  56. “But democrats aren’t serious about hypocrisy”

    Juan – I disagree. They are very serious about hypocrisy. If they don’t have any values there is no way they can be hypocrites. It’s a tough standard to maintain and still get elected.

    daleyrocks (718861)

  57. Sanford broke “Public Trust?”

    Again, I don’t get it. He went on poonie road trip. At best, his only error was not “calling in sick” so as to turn over control to Lt. Gov — but frankly a Blackberry works in Argentina.

    With respect to the Mountain Climbing NONSENSE, that was an aide who said that and likely to protect their boss.

    HeavenSent (1e97ff)

  58. On the list of qualities, fidelity in marriage is right between “never kicked my dog” and “works at homeless shelters.”

    A tad cynical, eh?

    But screwing around on your spouse as some horrid things which makes you less a politician?? Sorry, don’t buy it and never will.

    Oh please. You screw around on your spouse, you’ve broken trust, hence you’ve proven to be untrustworthy. If you’re an elected official this lack of integrity, which whether you think is no bigee or not generally is to the American public, makes you a prime target for accusations of hypocrisy from the other side, and let’s face it: R’s always have this worse. So that breach of trust is another level of the game where the law of unintended consequences comes into play – you tarnish the party, you distract from the issues, you become a walking train wreck.

    People screw around for many reasons and it is not always the “one caught” who is to blame.

    Except I was not assigning blame. However, Miss Argentina was not elected by the citizens of the state. Sanford was. He pays the bigger price for that. Stupid is as stupid does.

    It’s heartbreaking all around but he knew better.

    Dana (8d88ef)

  59. “and it is not always the “one caught” who is to blame.”

    HeavenSent, this is a no-brainer. Both parties always share the blame. But the one living in the glass house pays the bigger price, comes with the territory.

    Dana (8d88ef)

  60. “On the list of qualities, fidelity in marriage is right between “never kicked my dog” and “works at homeless shelters.””

    Dana – It doesn’t sound like this commenter, who also believes women are like martinis, has ever been in a serious relationship.

    daleyrocks (718861)

  61. #58, the only reasons why this “tarnishes the Party” and makes “us targets” to be called “hypocrites” is because Republicans decided at some crazy point to make fidelity an important Public Policy issue / important Public Policy Litmus test.

    I simply don’t consider it important because the most successful professional and entrepreneurs I know have family issues like these. To think good Politicians should be any different is …. naive or wishful.

    People with great ambitions have great appetites which we hope don’t consume them when they are needed to perform.

    And to me, a real betrayal starts with things like err, switching parties after an election, taking money for access, etc etc etc. The things many pious, faithful scum bags do in Washington which are infinitely worse than getting side nookie.

    With respect to #60, this is the typical infantile response by a faux intellectual who as usual goes ad hominem because he is devoid on anything meaningful and thinks his crude comments are somehow funny.

    But, same old mediocrity from bozo the clown in spite of the fact no one was addressing him. Just like the nearly retarded, spoiled child in the room making all sorts of noise and interjecting jibberish in discussions without adult permission.

    Simply sad but I am sure he will congratulate himself in his response somehow.

    HeavenSent (1e97ff)

  62. Let’s face it. There are two types of men: The polygamist and the monogamist. Some guys are not just cut out for marriage.

    And that concept is becoming more and more AOK — or certainly less unacceptable — as each year goes by. Ramped up by the constant prodding and promotion of things like same-sex marriage and the increasingly common specter of revolving-door marriages and serial-divorce rates—of dumbed-down standards and expectations in general.

    And so I would guess that far more people today than ever before have become quite desensitized, jaded, and cynical about cultural-social norms, about the scandals of today.

    An example of this? The 1995 movie “The American President,” in which one of its female characters says something along the lines of “the American public would never accept their president having a girlfriend.” Or words to that effect. Only 14 years later — post Monica and Bill — and this bit of fluff from Hollywood already seems quaint, innocent and old-fashioned.

    BTW, one reason why corruption — in various forms — is more likely to flourish among the left than the right is illustrated by the Mark Sanford story. I’m referring to the example of the greater disapproval expressed by Republicans/rightists towards, and the punishment they’ve meted out to, SC’s governor, compared with all the laughable rationalizations and accomodations that Democrats/”lefties” display towards the flakes and frauds on their side of the political aisle.

    Mark (411533)

  63. Here’s how Sanford mishandled it.

    1) He should have given strict instructions to his staff: “I am going to be gone for a week, to attend to some extremely personal matters. Where I will be and what I will be doing is nobody’s business. Call me or email me on my Blackberry only for something important and urgent. If anybody asks, tell them just this.”

    2) He should not have given the press conference. His only statement should have been, “This is strictly between me, my wife, and my children. You (the media) may publish what you like, but you will get no help from me.”

    nk (d78a32)

  64. “With respect to #60, this is the typical infantile response by a faux intellectual who as usual goes ad hominem because he is devoid on anything meaningful and thinks his crude comments are somehow funny.”

    Heavensent – I think you have the roles mixed up on this topic and I have never claimed to be an intellectual. Reread your comments and check for infantilism. I’m here all week.

    daleyrocks (718861)

  65. “If a man is going to be a player, then he needs to study the game well and not end up caught, with his dick in his hands.” Anonymous.

    The Emperor (0c8c2c)

  66. Comment by nk — 6/25/2009 @ 5:04 am

    I agree, nk, but he handled it so poorly, from the disappearing act to the spill-all press conference. It seems doubtful he can regain his stature at this point. I wonder if he didn’t feel compelled by guilt to spill all, like a cleansing confession – why else the detail? He certainly appeared heartbroken, erratic and unstable. What a terribly sad mess.

    Dana (8d88ef)

  67. BTW, Sanford is termed out as Governor.
    Whether or not he resigns is another matter.

    AD - RtR/OS! (438904)

  68. Was she worth it Mark? I hear she dumped him, so perhaps there is something to the wise Latino argument after all.

    Joe (dcebbd)

  69. Comment by Joe — 6/25/2009 @ 12:00 pm

    If the picture on your link is anything to go by she ain’t worth it, Joe. An old, tired divorcee?

    The Emperor (1b037c)

  70. Daley you wrote in #60:

    Dana – It doesn’t sound like this commenter, who also believes women are like martinis, has ever been in a serious relationship.

    Let me count the infantilisms ..

    1. I was not speaking to you, nor where you speaking to me. You simply decided to make a snide comment about me to a third party.

    2. You have no facts on how serious or not a relationship I may be in. It was a gratuitous slap. Married and faithful with 1.5 children thank you very much.

    3. A comment about Martinis and Women might be sexist but it is not ad hominem as your comment is. It is also quite the Cocktail Republican joke — I figured it would be appreciated as light humor in this forest.

    4. My point that Infidelity neither qualifies, nor disqualifies, you from being a great CONSERVATIVE Policitician still stands. Plenty of great Politicians and Conservatives are horn dogs and horrible family men. Example, how soon we forget Reagan and his family issues. Teddy was a horn dog too.

    5. It is an opinion of Dana and others that somehow Infidelity speaks to the quality of the man (not politician) an my point is there is so much more to be a family man than fidelity.

    But we are entitled. I have seen nothing for Sanford to lead me to believe I wouldn’t vote for him.

    HeavenSent (1e97ff)

  71. But it’s not about the affair. It’s the way he acted during the press conference. He acted like he was on dope or something. Way off…maybe he was dehydrated.

    Arnie Talley (3a6ee9)

  72. Arnie, ever fly 12 hours somewhere and fly right back?

    Anyway, dude was mortified and it is pretty obvious he thinks he is “in love.”

    He looked like a goofy 16 year old moreso than “I did not have sex with that women!”

    HeavenSent (1e97ff)

  73. Mark Sanford, despite his mistakes and recent accounting of infidelity, is still a decent man, who I believe is more interested in reconciling his marriage than restoring his gubernatorial credibility or political future. Regardless of your/our position of his political welfare, remember that he came forward and publicly confessed his wrongdoing. It is easier to publically profess my faith than it is to confess my sins, I challenge any of the faithful to try it. Judge not, that ye be not judged. God deplores divorce but through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation can restore all and make them whole. I hope that we can give him an opportunity to restore his family.

    Jim (d09bb8)

  74. In every place I’ve worked, three days of no call/ no show was considered to be job abandonment. Governor Sanford basically abandoned his job. Even Eliot Spitzer and Jim McGreevey never just quit working while they messing around.

    Of course, it could be argued that Governor Sanford did more good for his state by leaving than Ed Rendell does for Pennsylvania by staying on the job.

    The cynical Dana (474dfc)

  75. Mrs Sanford said:

    I therefore asked my husband to leave two weeks ago.

    Uhhh, like it of not, it is Mr Sanford who is the Governor of South Carolina. Mrs Sanford can leave if she chooses, but I don’t see how she can kick him out of the Governor’s Mansion.

    The Dana who wonders how this works (474dfc)

  76. Conflating comments from two Danas:

    In every place I’ve worked, three days of no call/ no show was considered to be job abandonment.

    I don’t think it works that way for a Governor.

    Mrs Sanford can leave if she chooses, but I don’t see how she can kick him out of the Governor’s Mansion.

    Right. But if your wife asks you to leave and you want to work on fixing the things that have gone wrong in the relationship, you don’t stand on formalities.

    aphrael (4163e2)

  77. HeavenSent wrote:

    Women are like Martinis, one is not enough, three is way too much.

    Trouble is, Miss Argentina was shaken, which left Mrs Sanford stirred.

    The Dana ducking and running for cover (474dfc)

  78. Aphrael: It truly is unfortunate that Governor Sanford has no immediate supervisor who can say, sorry, nice knowing you, and don’t let the door hit you in te butt on the way out. The legislature could — and should — impeach him, but that takes time.

    Governor and Mrs Sanford had supposedly been in marital counseling for several months, but it was apparently not working.

    The Dana who understands the technicalities (474dfc)

  79. If the woman looks like Argentine tennis player Gisella Dulko, perhaps its understandable.

    That said, Sanford needs to resign from his governorship. You can’t just take off for five days chasing tail– or consoling it. He should be gone right now.

    hortense (aka horace) (8fda3a)

  80. Plenty of great Politicians and Conservatives are horn dogs and horrible family men.

    Sanford apparently allowed his genitals (and libido) to run roughshod over his sense of responsibility. That type of behavior is more surprising when it emanates from a person who seems otherwise rather sane and philosophically down-to-earth.

    I wonder if the behavior of such people in private means they’re also the type to be a bit more squishy in public life, referring to those occasions when such individuals will far too easily forgo their publicly stated opinions and, for example, support a program or policy that is really foolish or overly compromised?

    Maybe, maybe not. But in Sanford’s case, I’m too lazy to do some sleuthing on his background, to see if he in the past has revealed hints of ambiguity and ambivalence about various basic issues and controversies—eg, pulling a George Bush Sr and expressing far too much satisfaction with someone like a Justice David Souter.

    As for sexual shenanigans and ensuing scandals, they do date back to the beginning of history. But I can’t help but think today’s culture sets up far more people to consider such a facet of human existence as tougher to avoid, and as naturally more tempting and acceptable.

    Mark (411533)

  81. “…remember that he came forward and publicly confessed his wrongdoing.”

    His confession and contriteness kinda reminds me of…

    “You’re like the thief who isn’t the least bit sorry he stole but is terribly terribly sorry he’s going to jail.”–Rhett Butler

    The governor is terribly sorry…that he got caught.

    Dave Surls (b2c10d)


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