RAGGED THOTS

Labels: infidelity, Jenny Sanford, Mark Sanford

# posted by Robert A. George @ 8:54 AM

Who needs either reality television or soap operas when the actual lives of America's politicians have more intrigue, lies and deception than anything appearing on the boob tube?

This week's location is North Carolina, not South, which has pre-occupied observers of romantic liaisons for most of the summer: John Edwards -- former senator and former presidential candidate (did that really happen -- or was that on an alternate Earth) -- submitted to a DNA test and is indeed the father of his mistress Rielle Hunter's baby. And, now it seems that Edwards is planning on bringing Hunter and child a bit closer to home.

At one time, the fact that this information came out in The National Enquirer would have meant that it should be ignored as silly, salacious gossip. Problem is, the Enquirer has been accurate about every aspect of the John Edwards story from Day One. They had the affair, the name of the woman, the details on Edwards' cover story. Edwards has been proven not just a cheat and a liar, but a serial liar at that.

Even the "Nightline" interview he gave last year which was designed to "clear the air" has now turned out to be a pack of lies.

But this poses the question: What does Elizabeth Edwards do? The Enquirer says that she's packing her bags and moving out. That would be hardly surprising given how she has been repeatedly publicly humiliated (some would say that she allowed herself to be). If she does, she would become the second Southern political wife in less than a month to walk out on her unfaithful coulda-been-a-contender husband. Jenny Sanford finally packed up and moved out of the governor's mansion two weeks ago, leaving angst-ridden Mark to figure out whether he wanted to connect more fully with his "soulmate" -- possibly in the mansion.

If Elizabeth does follow Jenny, this would be a rather shocking cultural moment in American politics. While divorces occur among politicians, it's rather rare for them to occur with public admissions and denunciations of infidelity. The Rudy Giuliani-Donna Hanover break-up nearly a decade ago was the exception that proved the rule. If cheating is discovered, the wife will more often than not stick it out with the husband (18 months after one of the most embarrassing public admissions ever, Eliot and Silda Spitzer are still together).

Perhaps political wives have reached a point when they realize being partners in a relationship means that they can walk away. Elizabeth Edwards was an impressive lawyer in her own right. Jenny Sanford was an investment banker -- and came from serious means as well. Even with four boys, she doesn't have to worry financially about a future without Mark Sanford by her side. For Elizabeth her incurable cancer makes the decision more difficult because of her two young children. But, after a while, she must be thinking what sort of lesson is she teaching those same children if she sends the signal that there is no consequence for the sort of behavior that their father has perpetrated on the family.

That's the point Jenny Sanford made in her statement after her husband announced his affair. Maybe Elizabeth should read that statement -- as she heads to the door.

Labels: Elizabeth Edwards, Jenny Sanford, John Edwards, Mark Sanford

# posted by Robert A. George @ 8:28 PM

Labels: Mark Sanford, Steve McNair

# posted by Robert A. George @ 10:32 AM

The aftermath of a sex scandal involving a married elected official can play out in different ways depending on the circumstances.

In some cases, like former President Bill Clinton and Sen. David Vitter (R-LA), the philanderer manages to save both his office and his marriage (for whatever reason the wronged spouse chooses to stay).

In other cases, like former Gov. Eliot Spitzer (D-NY), the politician can lose the job but not the marriage.

And then, there's the worst of all possible worlds: Like former Gov. Jim McGreevey (D-NJ), the politician can lose his office and his spouse. Admittedly, the McGreevey affair was somewhat unusual because of his admission that he was a "gay American." Given that Dina McGreevey was female, the writing on that wall was pretty much a foreordained conclusion. The divorce four years later was especially ugly.

South Carolina Republican Gov. Mark Sanford, however, seems hell-bent on joining McGreevey by simultaneously destroying career and marriage.

As awful as last week's press conference was admitting to his affair, Sanford went one better (i.e. worse) this week. Last time around, Sanford managed to garner some sympathy by stepping in front of the cameras and delivering a solo cri de coeur, sharing his anguish with thousands of viewers in his state and across the country. While no one could approve of what he had done, he at least seemed so honest that that one would have to be completely heartless not to feel some compassion for the man.

His wife, Jenny's statement, stern as it was -- and admitting that she had kicked him out of the house two weeks before -- also seemed filled with fair amounts of Christian charity. She made it clear that she was hoping for a reconciliation.

This week's Sanford outpouring will make that rapprochement much harder -- if not impossible.

In an interview with the AP at his Statehouse office, Sanford admitted to "crossing lines" with other women (though evidently not sleeping with them). He also admitted to at least two love getaways to New York (the Big Apple) and the Hamptons over the last year -- contradicting his assertion last week that he only met Maria Belen Chapur a handful of times in her native Argentina.

Tuesday's admissions created an opening for the South Carolina's Democratic attorney general to request a review of all of Sanford's travel records (Sanford claims that his New York getaways were paid by himself and that he paid cash for his hotel stays). That provides more ammunition to the growing number of members of his own party calling for Sanford to resign.

But, as bad as that is, Sanford may have also put the final nail in his marital coffin too. The AP reports that he considers Chapur his "soul mate", but wants to try to fall back in love with his wife. Oh, geez! So, after saving his wife from the humiliation involved of having her at his side when he publicly admitted the affair, he now has to present it to her? How could any woman take back her husband after he's declared that the mother of his four children is not his soul mate -- but he'll try to fall back in love with her any way? How does he face her now? How does he face his sons?

Sanford thinks he "crossed lines" with other women? He's crossed the line on basic human decency this time. This interview will bring him and his state even more bad headlines. That will lead to him losing whatever political support he may have had left. And then he he will lose his family too.

By the time this sad saga his over, one wouldn't be surprised if he also finds that his supposed "soul mate" decides that she wants nothing to do with a man who has clearly lost his own soul.

Labels: Mark Sanford

# posted by Robert A. George @ 2:00 AM

Has a rising star ever flamed out so quickly?

It was just a few months ago, that many Republicans were looking to pin their fortunes to South Carolina's Gov. Mark Sanford. The fact that he was defiantly rejecting the federal stimulus money pegged him exactly as the bold, defiant individual that a beleaguered and dispirited party needed to counter the Obama phenomenon.

Yet, in barely a week, Sanford's future has evaporated. It began Monday with a bizarre, "Where's Gov. Waldo?" storyline that had everyone trying to figure out exactly where the governor had gone for the weekend -- and then culminating Wednesday in a stunning news conference where the governor admitted to having a long affair with a woman in Argentina.

Cue up the jokes: "Apparently, Sanford wasn't against all stimulus!"

Or: "South Carolinians are most upset not that Sanford strayed, but where: Apparently "mistress" is one more job the state is now outsourcing to South America! Damn that NAFTA!"

While in many ways it couldn't be considered a surprise (what is, these days?), as Sanford's press conference unfolded, it still came as a bit of a shock. Not quite up there with Eliot Spitzer-involved-with-prostitution-ring shock, but still something that came nearly out of the blue. That said, as such "I have sinned" announcements go, this could be considered one of the "better" ones. The Times called it a "rambling" performance, which it was. However, that fact humanized Sanford. This was no slick statement clearly written by committee. On the contrary, he sounded like a truly remorseful man -- as opposed to a "politician." He apologized to his wife, family as well as advisers and the public.

But, especially notable, Sanford stood there alone. Unlike, the Eliot Spitzer debacle, Jenny Sanford wasn't there by his side, enduring the humiliation of a husband admitting his infidelity in public. Who's idea that was is unclear. However, Mrs. Sanford's own released statement made one thing quite clear: She had kicked him out of the house two weeks ago, in what she referred to as a "trial separation."

Whether Sanford pays a larger price than merely stepping down as chairman of the Republican Governors Association remains to be seen. He may have attracted a certain sympathy factor based on the press conference. However, the release of e-mails between the governor and "Maria from Argentina" -- and whether state resources were used for his affair could cause him serious political complications for some time. And, don't forget, many South Carolina Republicans couldn't stand their governor before this. It's not like he has a lot of political goodwill upon which he can fall back.

As much as this is a personal tragedy for the governor, his wife and their four sons, the national Republican Party has to wonder if it's snakebit. Over the last two weeks, it would be fair to ask, what Republican politicians are NOT cheating on their wives (well, except for Sarah Palin)? Sanford's announcement came one day after Nevada Sen. John Ensign apologized to his GOP colleagues for the affair that he admitted to last week. Sanford followed Ensign also in resigning his GOP leadership position (Ensign was head of the Senate Republican Study Committee, the fourth-highest ranking member).

It's always difficult for a party out of power to compete with the megaphone of the White House. However, during a two-week period when Barack Obama is beginning to show some political bruises, sex scandals involving possible up-and-coming (no pun intended) party leaders are getting in the way of Republicans producing a clear-cut opposition message.

Pretty soon the party might start requiring chastity belts be worn by any other candidates considering throwing their hats in the ring.

Stay tuned.

Labels: Barack Obama, John Ensign, Mark Sanford

# posted by Robert A. George @ 10:16 AM

Has a rising star ever flamed out so quickly?

It was just a few months ago, that many Republicans were looking to pin their fortunes to South Carolina's Gov. Mark Sanford. The fact that he was defiantly rejecting the federal stimulus money pegged him as the exactly the bold, defiant individual that a beleaguered and dispirited party needed to counter the Obama phenomenon.

Yet, in barely a week, Sanford's future has seemingly evaporated. It began earlier this week with a bizarre, "Where's Gov. Waldo?" storyline that had everyone trying to figure out exactly where the governor had gone for weekend -- and then culminating today in a stunning news conference where the governor admitted to having a long affair with a woman in Argentina.

Cue up the jokes: "Apparently, Sanford wasn't against all stimulus!"

"South Carolinians most upset not that Sanford strayed, but where: Apparently "mistress" is one more job the state is now outsourcing to South America! Damn that NAFTA!"

While in many ways, it couldn't be considered a surprise (what is, these days), as Sanford's press conference unfolded, it still came as a bit of a shock. Not quite up there with Eliot Spitzer-involved-with-prostitution-ring shock, but still something that came nearly out of the blue. That said, as these "I have sinned" announcements go, this could be considered one of the "better" ones. The New York Times called it a "rambling" performance, which it was. However, that fact humanized Sanford. This was no slick statement clearly written by committee. On the contrary, he sounded like a truly remorseful man -- as opposed to "politician." He apologized to his wife, family as well as advisers and the public.

But, especially notable, Sanford stood there alone. Unlike, the Eliot Spitzer debacle, Jenny Sanford wasn't there by his side, enduring the humiliation of a husband admitting his infidelity in public. Who's idea that was is unclear. However, Mrs. Sanford's own released statement made one thing quite clear: She had kicked him out of the house two weeks ago, in what she referred to as a "trial separation."

Whether Sanford pays a larger price than merely stepping down as chairman of the Republican Governors Association remains to be seen. He may have attracted a certain sympathy factor based on the press conference. However, the release of e-mails between the governor and "Maria from Argentina" -- and whether state resources were used for his affair could cause him serious political complications for some time. And, don't forget that a lot of South Carolina Republicans couldn't stand the governor before this. It's not like he has a lot of political goodwill upon which he can fall back.

As much as this is a personal tragedy for the governor, his wife and their four sons, the national Republican Party has to wonder if it's snakebit. Over the last two weeks, it would be fair to ask, what Republican politicians are NOT cheating on their wives (well, except for Sarah Palin)? Sanford's announcement came one day after Nevada Sen. John Ensign apologized to his GOP colleagues for the affair that he admitted to last week. Sanford followed Ensign also in resigning his GOP leadership position (Ensign was head of the Senate Republican Study Committee, the fourth-highest ranking member).

It's always difficult for a party out of power to compete with the megaphone of the White House. However, during a two-week period when Barack Obama is beginning to show some political bruises, sex scandals involving possible up-and-coming party leaders are getting in the way of Republicans producing a clear-cut opposition message.

Pretty soon the party might start requiring chastity belts be worn by any other candidates considering throwng their hats in the ring.

Stay tuned.

Labels: Mark Sanford

# posted by Robert A. George @ 7:23 PM

Labels: 2012 GOP nomination., Mark Sanford

# posted by Robert A. George @ 9:10 AM

If South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford plans on running for president in 2012, he's already shown how he will distinguish himself from Barack Obama.

In contrast to Obama who is in danger of getting a wee bit overexposed with all sorts of television specials on NBC, ABC and CBS, Sanford is apparently in favor of taking the occasional "time out" where no one knows exactly where he is -- including his wife.

But she's not too worried. She knows he's off "writing something and wanted some space to get away from the kids." On Father's Day weekend. Right.

Sanford did give his staff a heads-up to let them know where he was, but that he wouldn't be easily found. Oh, and his police detail wasn't with him.

Ooookay.

Now, it's usually a little bit difficult for elected officials to just step out for a few days -- away even from your family members. It opens up room for, shall we say, speculation that the politician is doing more than just, ahem, fishing.

That's especially true when another Republican looking at 2012 has recently been caught admitting to engaging in certain activities with a woman not his wife.

That's also especially true when you are the governor of a state with a former governor/senator well-known for having a wandering eye.

Let's be clear: No one is saying that Sanford is doing anything either morally or ethically wrong. It's just somewhat, well, unusual, for a politician to just up and disappear.

Furthermore, Sanford's former House colleague, Steve Largent (R-OK) might give some advice about not disappearing without letting staff know where to find you: Largent went hunting for a few days in September 2001. His staff couldn't locate him and he didn't learn about the 9/11 attacks until a couple of days later. Oops.

Oh, well, perhaps Sanford decided to take a page out of the book of this guy from Oregon:

A man reported missing by his wife last week was located Saturday. But he says he wasn't missing -- just following his wife's wishes to go away.

William Peterson told police he and his wife had an argument and she told him to get out. So, Peterson spent the week fishing and camping in Bend.

As things go, that's a slightly better explanation.

Not by much, but it is up there.

Labels: 2012 GOP nomination., Mark Sanford

# posted by Robert A. George @ 8:00 PM