Governor Mark Sanford
When I first began hearing about South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford, it was a pleasant surprise to hear about a politician who was a family man, who had conservative principles, and was not afraid to stand on those principles. He was being touted as a possible Presidential nominee for the Republican Party in 2012. The governor made headlines more than once with his stand on principle against the financial bailouts from Washington and the economic stimulus package pushed through Congress and signed very early into the Obama presidency.
As this week began, Sanford made news headlines when it was revealed he was out of state and no one seemed to know where he was. Speculation grew around his absence and many South Carolina politicians began to make political noises of condemnation against the good governor. As it turns out, he is making news again today for one notable reason; his year long affair with a woman from Argentina.
I must say, I am very disappointed in Governor Sanford. I mean in no way to belittle him or especially his family, but I expected much better than this from a possible Presidential nominee. He has broken his marriage vows to his wife and he has been lying to his family and the citizens of South Carolina. One thing for sure, the conservative movement across the country has suffered a setback.
While those citizens of South Carolina and conservatives across the country may feel the loss, in reality, the real loser in all of this is his family. They have been lied to and misled by someone who was very close to them and whom they trusted. I hope they can mend their family and use this to bring themselves closer together. The effort to mend this family must come before any political aspirations Governor Sanford might have.
UPDATE: Jamison linked to his post in the comment he made here, but I think the statement made by Jenny Sanford deserves to have more attention. This woman sounds like a jewel. I compliment her on her steadfastness and her courage. You can read her statement here.
I was incredibly disappointed as well – I expected better from Sanford, unlike most politicians. Losers like that are going to dynamite the GOP’s chances in 2010.
His wife, Jenny, issued a fantastic statement, though.
Maybe Congress should declare June “All Politicians Admit to Affairs Month” so all the remaining skeletons can come out of the closets and we can get on with the business of fixing the serious problems in this country. It’s just pathetic!
Yes, I read your Twitter on that statement, after I had published my own article. It is indeed a fantastic statement. She sounds like a woman who is very determined to salvage her marriage and save her children.
Here here, Mike. That sounds like a plan to me. Sometimes, it seems as if these kinds of scandals will never end. Will we ever see the end of politicians who portray themselves as outstanding men or women who have great family lives, only to find out just how rotten they really are?
I made this statement about John McCain, when he was running for President and I will say the same thing now. If a man can not be trusted to be faithful to his wife and his family, how can he be trusted to be a leader in our country?
Mike – there’s only 6 more days in June, sadly that may not be enough time. This is so sad on so many levels.
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Mike- good suggestion. June does seem to be Mea Culpa Month for politicians.
Two things struck me from Sanford’s press conference. One, he showed some class in not insisting his wife stand by his side during this uncomfortable time. And two, I don’t think I heard anything that would indicate that his Argentinian relationship is over.
The political fall out is TBD, of course, but perhaps the Governor should heed his own words regarding public officials, sex scandals and trust issues:
Gov. Sanford on Clinton during his impeachment, which then-Rep. Sanford voted for: “The issue of lying is probably the biggest harm, if you will, to the system of democratic government … because it undermines trust. And if you undermine trust in our system, you undermine everything.”
Jenny Sanford responded in biblical fashion to her husband which demonstrates God’s unfailing love to us. Certainly, there are consequences to the governor’s actions, but I’m encouraged to read that Mrs. Sanford is holding fast to what she believes instead of contributing to what will certainly become a three ring circus in due time.
I keep hearing the pundit heads on tv saying that a politicians private life is private and doesn’t reflect on their ability to get the job done. I think I disagree with that comment, however. Here Governor Sandford left the helm of his job without word while he stole away to see his mistress. Thus, his personal life did indeed affect his professional life. In addition, it could have had serious consequences if something major had happened within SC or the US.
Imagine is we were attacked again. He was outside of the US! What a mess that would have been.
I agree with you whole-heartedly about his wife. She seem to be very much the Proverbs woman.
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That attitude is the same one we heard when Bill Clinton was up to his antics in the Oval Office. While I sort of understand what they are saying, I didn’t agree with it then and I do not agree with it now. Governor Sanford clearly let his affair get in the way of his judgment. There is no way that can be denied.
I agree with the statement that a politicians private life is private with two exceptions: 1) if you’re the President of the United States you can and should be held to a higher standard, and 2) if elements of your private life interfere or conflict with the ability to govern. Moral considerations aside, I shouldn’t care that the Governor of NJ was a closet gay and cheated on his wife; but I care deeply that he made his completely unqualified lover the states director of homeland security. I shouldn’t care if Bill Clinton had an affair with Monica Lewinsky except he was the President and, rightly or wrongly, I hold him to the highest standards. I shouldn’t care about Elliot Spitzer’s indiscretions with prostitutes and I think he could have weathered the storm of controversy but he actually did the right thing and resigned. If Mark Sanford has been carrying on with this woman in downtown Columbia then I’d simply shake my head, lament another hypocrite who finds it easy to condemn others for weaknesses he himself shares, and then let him deal with the public humiliation if he chose to stay in office. But Sanford let his affair affect his ability to govern by absenting himself from the state without notice and that is inexcuseable. The man should resign immediately and Republicans, who tout their family values position as somehow superior to degenerate Democrats, should demand his immediate ouster or lose whatever moral high ground they claim.
I agree, Mike. Governor Sanford should resign. He clearly let his judgment become impaired and whatever moral high ground he might have had is completely gone.