Mark Sanford: Disappointing Conservatives with his Indiscretion
Earlier today, I tried working on a post on Obama, gay bloggers and DADT. But, for some reason, I couldn’t think to string words together to make a coherent and thoughtful sentence, so I decided to take the afternoon off from blogging. (I do hope to get that up before I go to bed tonight, but we’ll see.)
As I’m working on two pieces (which pay) for other websites, I may not be able to devote as much attention to this blog as I’d like until later in the afternoon Thursday, early evening GayPatriot blog time. I had intended to blog on writing and compassion–how today’s difficulty writing filled me with compassion for others. It seems sometimes that when we do show kindness to others, it is not so much our own nobility as our own consciousness of the difficulties we face.
Those of you who have read George Eliot may suspect that I’ve been reading some of her books lately as the above idea is akin to much that she has said. And you’d be right; as yesterday’s post suggests, I’ve been re-reading Scenes of Clerical Life.
When, after taking my break and finding the words for that post, I was checking the web and learned about South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford’s latest travails, I wondered at how news breaks on days when I’m not following it. And yes, I do have some sympathy for the Governor, understanding the pressures he’s faced in standing up for principle, against a spendthrift legislature controlled by his own party and against a tenacious White House, trying to force him to take “stimulus” cash.
All that said, he should have known better. He was wrong to violate his marital vows. And he should have realized that when you’re a public figure, particularly in the age of a multi-source news media, people are going to find out.
It’s particularly disappointing to see such a principled conservative suffer such a public embarrassment. Unlike Senator Ensign, he was truly someone Republicans could turn to as a plausible presidential candidate. It was so nice to have a Governor we could point to who had held the line of spending and could articulate the conservative message with reasonable fluency.
But, now we can no longer turn to him. He acted badly and apologized accordingly. He remains a good Governor, but his latest indiscretion may tarnish (hopefully only momentarily) conservatism.
His trip to Argentina cost him more than the good will of citizens of the Palmetto State, fiscal conservatives and rank-and-file Republicans. It deprived me of a position of leadership in the GOP as he seeks to restore the principles which have guided his Administration. He is no longer a credible candidate for President of the United States nor can he even imagine being tapped as the next nominee’s running mate.
Actions have consequences. And Governor Sanford will surely suffer for his indiscretions. As will conservatives who considered turning to him as a future leader of our party.
ADDENDUM on writing. Earlier today, I struggled to write a single sentence. But, tonight, the words for this post just flowed from my fingers. I guess the lesson is sometimes we just need to take a break and not think about politics. And writing.
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I think that if Gov. Sanford does the right thing, resign, work on healing with his wife and family, he has a chance to be rehabilitated. And maybe able to be a public servant once again. There many second acts in politics and I hope that Gov. Sanford gets that second chance.
Comment by Mark J. Goluskin — June 25, 2009 @ 12:12 am - June 25, 2009
What I find very funny is that both Ensign and Sanford are perfect examples of “do as I say, not as I do”. Both allegedly have conservative family values and both are outspoken opponents of equal marriage rights under the law for same sex couples. (not to mention both of them calling for Clinton’s head on a platter / resignation when his relationship with Lewinsky was revealed).
Perhaps they can find a way to blame gays for causing their affairs? That’d be good to show some proof of destroying their marriages. I’ll be keeping tabs as well on their plans to resign from elected office.
I have to give one thing to both of them….the big embarrassment we’ve seen in the past are not the philanderers being exposed, but the dutiful wives we’ve seen standing next to these louses. At least we didnt’ have to endure that from these 2 hypocrites in the last week.
Comment by Kevin — June 25, 2009 @ 12:58 am - June 25, 2009
And what we find very funny, Kevin, is that gay leftists like yourself fully endorse and support people who oppose gay marriage, like Obama, who support state constitutional amendments, like John Kerry, and who support the FMA, like Harold Ford, while whining about Ensign and Sanford opposing it.
In short, you’re a hypocrite. Why don’t you fix that problem first before criticizing them?
Comment by North Dallas Thirty — June 25, 2009 @ 1:20 am - June 25, 2009
What I find very funny is that if Ensign and Sanford had Ds after their names, Kevin’s comment would contain the following essential phrases (in no particular order): “It’s all about sex!” “This has nothing to do with their ability to do their jobs!” “Everyone lies about sex!” “Their character is measured by their stand on the issues!” “Move on!” “This is a private issue!” “It’s none of our business!” “I feel better knowing that my representatives are getting laid!” “It’s the economy, stupid!” “Those women are nothing but money-grubbing trailer trash!” “Ensign for Senate 2012!” “Sanford for Governor 2010!”
Also, it’s worth noting that both men voluntarily resigned from their leadership positions, whereas Democrats busted in a scandal have to be stripped of such influence (i.e. William J. Jefferson (D-La.))
Comment by Sean A — June 25, 2009 @ 1:24 am - June 25, 2009
Politicians never “disappoint” me.
They are, almost always, cowards, cheats, and liars.
Government was invented to keep them all in one place.
Comment by Julie the Jarhead — June 25, 2009 @ 7:13 am - June 25, 2009
He was thinking with his loins, which makes him human. Unfortunately they were louder than his brain.
Honestly? I hope he resigns and is able to patch things up with his wife, though she seems way too good for him.
Comment by The_Livewire — June 25, 2009 @ 7:33 am - June 25, 2009
I’d hardly call him a principled conservative!
And, GayPatriotWest, I’m puzzled by your reference to the “pressures” Sanford was under dealing with his GOP-controlled legislature over spending and the Obama administration over stimulus money. For chrissakes, Dan, the woman in Argentina has been a “dear, dear” friend of Sanford’s for some time.
Yes, you’re disappointed in him but almost make excuses for his behavior — which involves much more than being unfaithful to his wife and a hypocrite on “family values” issues.
It’s possible he lied to his staff about his whereabouts. He did not provide for the Lt. Governor to be “acting Governor” while Sanford was out of the country. It’s still to be determined whether any state money was expended to accommodate his travels to be with his Argentina hottie.
Comment by Lee — June 25, 2009 @ 12:04 pm - June 25, 2009
GPW,
Of course you are disappointed in Gov. Sanford. He’s a well-known homophobe who opposes our community in every way possible and is now revealed to be a huge sack of steaming hypocrite. Oh I forgot, the Republicans are being falsely accused of promoting an anti-gay agenda which cannot possibly be true. Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll rationalize your way around to supporting him and his (Republican party) agenda of bias against gays once again.
Comment by NJLiberal — June 25, 2009 @ 2:16 pm - June 25, 2009
Oh, no! Sanford is a cheating homophobe.
(And the criteria for being a “homophobe” are:…………?)
Liberals are so frequently having to ignore the lies, frauds, affairs, duplicity and blatant hypocrisy of their Senators, Congressmen, Presidents and Media that they have to gather like flies on turds when a Republican gets snagged.
But, since liberals are fully invested in moral relativism, they get to overlook what they wish and go full bore Puritan when an opponent picks his nose.
Good riddance to Sanford. He does not need to be rehabilitated for the sake of the Republican Party. He needs to mend his family. Of course, if he were Kennedy or Kerry, he could get an annulment and press full steam ahead. After all, Catholic liberals pick and choose the elements of their belief systems. Ask Pelosi, Biden, Kerry, Kennedy, et. al. They are experts at hypocrisy. Experience is a wonderful tutor.
Comment by heliotrope — June 25, 2009 @ 2:56 pm - June 25, 2009
NJLiberal, you have yet to deal with the fact that you and your fellow gay leftists fully support and endorse as “pro-gay” and “gay-supportive” politicians like Obama, who opposes gay marriage, politicians like John Kerry, who supports state constitutional amendments banning it, politicians like Harold Ford, who supports the FMA, and politicians like Howard Dean, who fires people based on sexual orientation and for complaining about harassment.
What that makes abundantly clear is that you are a huge sack of steaming hypocrite yourself.
Comment by North Dallas Thirty — June 25, 2009 @ 3:18 pm - June 25, 2009
True, After all, defending DOMA as ‘entirely rational’ and declining “to obligate federal taxpayers in other states to subsidize a form of marriage their own states do not recognize.” is truely the mark of a bigot.
Or even going so far as to compare same sex ‘marriage’ to incest and underaged marriage is abhorent.
Oh wait, that’s Obama enacted, Barney Frank approved.
Good thing that the President says he wants to repeal that law he just defended. In fact if only he was the president and had supermajorities in both houses… Oh, wait.
Once again NJ Bigot, you come in here slurring things you don’t understand. I’m sorry facts are such an alien concept to you.
Comment by The Livewire — June 25, 2009 @ 3:40 pm - June 25, 2009
#10
If you look at my previous posts I have already said that President Obama is on the wrong side of gay marriage and I’ll also add DADT and DOMA.
The difference is that progressives express disapproval when our leaders are wrong. Obama is wrong when it comes to these issues.
Comment by NJLiberal — June 25, 2009 @ 8:26 pm - June 25, 2009
#11 Again you make no sense. Why do you call me a bigot constantly? Are you even gay?
What is your opinion of people that think that ‘separate and equal’ was fine for black people? Did you think that that was wrong? It’s not correct to respect people that have the opinion that gays are second-class citizens and that we have no rights to get married. Don’t give me this garbage that I’m not respecting differences of opinion when the people I disagree with want to restrict my rights as a citizen of the US.
Comment by NJLiberal — June 25, 2009 @ 8:30 pm - June 25, 2009
#12: “The difference is that progressives express disapproval when our leaders are wrong.”
Yeah, NJ Liberal. Right before they close the curtains and vote for them.
Comment by Sean A — June 25, 2009 @ 8:43 pm - June 25, 2009
Because you want marriage for yourself but, by your own statements you’d deny it to incestous and polyandrous couples. “Those who would go out of their way to ensure that a group of Americans are prevented from being treated equally are bigots, plain and simple.” By your own words NJBigot, you’re a bigot.
Funny thing though. You can get married NJBigot. To any one person of the opposite sex, subject to the limits of the state of your residence (VT, NH, MA not included) you have the exact same “right” that I do.
And if Bruce and Dan will forgive the profanity, what the fuck does it matter which team I play for? Are you honestly saying I can’t speak on these matters unless I’m gay? Is this a “Chickenfag” arguement?
Gods, you get more and more pathetic with each post.
Comment by The_Livewire — June 25, 2009 @ 9:52 pm - June 25, 2009
filter, excuse the profanity gentlemen.
Comment by The_Livewire — June 25, 2009 @ 9:52 pm - June 25, 2009
#15
No, the people who would prevent people from their legal rights are bigots, livewire. I notice that nobody has jumped into the discussion to defend people who would prevent bi-racial marriage. And yes, just as people as Dick Cheney (no doubt one of your heroes) is a chickenhawk so are you. God, the hostility you express in your posts is really astounding. As a gay person I cannot be married in all 50 states and have that marriage recognized across the USA. That’s why it makes a difference, Livewire. Your points are all moot if you are straight. You know all the homophobic talking points, I’m surprised you didn’t bring up pedophilia and incest as well.
Comment by NJLiberal — June 26, 2009 @ 6:21 pm - June 26, 2009
I don’t have to NJ Bigot, your liberal friends do. In court briefs. See, You can accuse me of being homophobic all you want. I know the truth, as do my friends and family. The fact remains you accuse me of being homophobic but are just ‘disappointed’ with the people who actually and legally compare you. So not only are you a bigot, you’re a fool and a sad sad little man.
Oh I forgot. By your own clingng to the ‘chickenhawk’ arguement, you’ve just disqualified yourself from ever commenting on marriage. After all if you’ve never been a soldier you can’t comment on war, so if you’ve never been married, you can’t comment on being married.
Comment by The_Livewire — June 26, 2009 @ 7:11 pm - June 26, 2009
Oh, and you ignore, again, that you -can- get married, to any single woman you choose. Just like every other single man, subject to the residence rules of your state.
But then again, you’re not allowed to talk about marriage, since you’ve never been married.
Comment by The_Livewire — June 26, 2009 @ 7:14 pm - June 26, 2009
It’s not as if he had any chance as a presidential contender for 2012. He erred, he’ll suffer the consequences for his behavior. Unless you’re LGBT, that what happens when one lets Mr. Johnson win the debate. If one is LGBT, there is always abortion.
Comment by RJLigier — June 26, 2009 @ 7:53 pm - June 26, 2009