Cheat Sheet
The Best In Brief
Mrs. Sanford: I Will Survive
Can they make her the governor now? Jenny Sanford, the wife of South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford who gained a national following when she refused to stand by his side after he admitted an affair, talked to reporters on Friday about her husband, her first interview since his Wednesday news conference. She told the Associated Press that she discovered the governor's infidelity when she came across a letter he had written and demanded he break off the affair. When he asked to see his mistress in Argentina, she refused, telling her interviewer: “It’s one thing to forgive adultery. It’s another to condone it.” She said the governor told her he was on a writing trip last week and that she was devastated to find out he was in Argentina. According to The New York Times, when asked by a reporter whether she was OK she replied: "I have great faith and I have great friends and great family. We have a good Lord in this world, and I know I’m going to be fine. Not only will I survive, I’ll thrive.” Once again refusing to carry water for her estranged husband, Sanford told reporters that the governor's political future was "not a concern" to her. "He’s going to have to worry about that. I’m worried about my family and the character of my children," she said.
This user is no longer registered.
n--Y--charles116Hawnzz
Good God! You're on a roll!
drmarkklein
From the NYT story appears Jenny's a real hard nut. Explains why the governor fell for a warm hearted, romantic, shapely middle aged Latina.
seakiev
Actually Jenny is the only sane one in the bunch. Her husband is a wimp and his mistress lacks moral scruples.
Ritarita
seakiev-
You don't know any of that
To be true-
Those are your moralistic assumptions
And everybody's had a nose full
Of those.
piktor
I guess a lady with backbone can be called a hard nut. Mrs. Sanford has intelligence, principles and the wherewithal to hold on to her principles.
Ms. Maria sounds in her emails warm and kindly, a romantic in our times.
The luv guv is, as expected, a spineless chump that can't keep a secret affair a secret. We all know the details, the sneaky manipulation, the "true" Eastern Airlines moxie of the erstwhile student adventure-guy. The $100 emergency money was really cute. When asked if he was separated he answers "well, I'm here and she'e over there", "not formally". Later that same day Mrs. Sanford tells the world she asked him two weeks prior to leave the family premises. The luv guv has been living alone in the guvna's official mansion while Mrs. Sanford and sons have been living in the family home at Lady's Island.
Jenny Sanford is a hard nut that will stand firm on her principles. The luv guv is a spineless, manipulative, philandering moron.
floratash
Who do you call latina? What is that definition?
Be aware of how much you know about Buenos Aires... Have a trip and find out about a very cosmopolitan city, you can be very surprised the cultural fusion it exists there.., very different from the rest of Latin American countries.
Society and its hierarchy there are very well alive... You can't bunch the definition of Latina.... that word may not apply for who she is.. Now, about him poor thing, he could not keep his affair below the radar...
This user is no longer registered.
n--Y--weedySeadragonhdj8501
LOL. charles116 I think that is the funniest comment I have ever read on a blog!
AlwaysOptimistic
Good for Jenny Sanford! Her lying, cheating husband put her in the lime light and I for one am glad she is not "standing by her man".
squiggy
Good for her for sure. She doesn't have a partner, she has a spouse. They are not the same thing and she is looking at things the right way.
AiriqS
She'll make a bazzillion $$$$ with her book deal, ask Mrs. Edwards.
This user is no longer registered.
n--Y--charles116TrueRed
Ms. Sanford seems to have some sense. I doubt if she will write a book.
xlntcat
She came with a bazzillion $$$, an ivey league education, was a VP on Wall Street and was the one with the connection and apparently the political acumen. Just a guess, but I'd bet she is just making sure that he leaves with no more than he came with. This is one homely man! Without the money and the power, I feel like Mrs. Argentina's warmth will quickly chill. Would you want to roll over every morning and be faced with the liver spots, the eye bags, the receding hairline and the "pleated" forehead. Mark Sanford is hardly eye candy.
Joanne38
She should take her husbands position as governor and he should fly off to Argentina and stay there. As a conservative, we sure don't need his trashy lifestyle. We have enough of these cheats in Washington who need to be removed totally in both parties and one more is just the icing on the cake. We are tired of it. Jenny was the faithful one, let her take over the job. Undoubtedly she is more worthy than him.
Ritarita
Judgmental much?
zerbit
It's about time these women drew a line in the sand and said "enough". Stand by your man is BS, especially in this case when he clearly had no intention of breaking it off. She has enough going for her (no, not a book deal necessarily) and she can prove to her children what a strong, capable woman can do after a blow like this. Good for HER! He's basically slammed his pecker in a door...let him have his Argentinian honey.
skiffymom
I have always wondered why so many political wives do that dance on the arm of the wayward husband. I admire her for speaking with candor. How could she not be angry? If she still loved him, that would be one thing, but I suspect this marriage was already in trouble, well before Argentina. He just made the situation real clear for her. I wish her fewer snide comments than she'll probably get, and a nice rest-of-her-life.
amapola101
She will be just fine. This marriage is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Over.But they might stay together,as hundreds of families do,for the children for society,for the families,and they will get old,envoled in their childrens future and raise grandchildren get older,sick and live together forever.!!!!Happy marriages by the thousands.She knows him well,a long time ago they drifted apart.he is sooo inlove with Miss Argentina,he could not stop crying.She has money,strenght,religion,faith,family,She will Surive and she is a a good mother and someone should care about the children.
This user is no longer registered.
n--Y--weedySeadragonxlntcat
All "staying together for the children" accomplishes is to teach the children how to grow up and create dysfunctional families of their own. A loving, mutually respectful relationship between two parents gives children a safe environment in which to thrive. The "child-centered" family had not produced functional adults. It has failed to the extent that they now devote chapters to it in the text books for Marriage and Family Therapy. The last thing Mrs Sanford or her children need is to continue a faux marriage with this self-indulgent, self-involved loser. The last thing South Carolina needs is 18 more months of the worst governor in their history. The legislature overturned his vetos 10 times the week before he abandoned his state and his children to run off to Argentina for Father's Day.
amapola101
weedyseadragon,I dont know if that question went to me?what kind of married world would you like to live in?I did not say that is how I value a marriage or see a marriage for me. But there are thousands of marriage that have been together,for the family,for the money,for appearances,for society,for convenience and many for their children. Then they get old,they become grandparents etc. I did not say this is the ideal and happy marriage.I just said there are many,many,many like this.and that's life for them
citivas
So if all this is true, then why did she release a statement saying he she was reconciling and that he had "earned" the right to a second chance. It sounds like he's already had several and repeatedly blown it. And how is lying to her and heading off to see his mistress AGAIN a way to "earn" reconciliation?
I won't believe a word she says until she at least retracts that letter. Whether she eventually reconciles again or not is none of my business, but there is no way someone writes that letter and feels the way she has expressed in interviews over the last two days. Both don't fit in the same universe.
xlntcat
Well, I am hoping that she is making sure that Sanford leaves with no more than he came with. She had the money, the education, the political connections, and was a VP on Wall Street. Apparently, she, also, is the one with the intellect and the political acumen. Unless, there was a pre-nup without sufficient cause, she could end up paying him alimony if South Carolina is an alimony state. Then again, without the money, the position or the power, I would expect Mrs. Argentina's warmth to rapidly cool.
alex02139
She's an enabler. Nothing more than a "family values" Republican hypocrite herself. These two deserve each other.
AiriqS
If there ever was an enabler, that would be Hillary. Bill is the definition of a serial adulterer.
Ritarita
It is weak
To see everything
In terms of dualities.
This side vs the other side.
If you think that's bad what about this?
Engage the issue with a real suggestion.
Everything else is childish blather.
amapola101
Bill was and is and will remain a sex addict,but the woman he loves is Hillary,and thats her man. And all and all they are made for each other.!!
This user is no longer registered.
n--Y--charles116Llplo99
You're right. Based on her recent public comments, I think she will make his life miserable. LOL!
Hawnzz
I would. I'd start by putting him on a 800 dollar a month budget. Try and sneak off for a booty call on that!
pricklypear
charles116
"STAYING with him IS the punishment."
You talking about Hill 'n Bill, right?
wolverine1987
Moron. Fool. Imbecile. Stay off the board until your I.Q. reaches triple digits.
Hawnzz
Alex sounds on the money to me. They both are hypocrites that deserve each other. If he was that happy in his marriage, you act like an adult and move on for the betterment of everyone involved.
pricklypear
Hardly enabling. It is basically up to Mr. AWOL to return to the marriage. It is up to him. When you are Catholic you are always married. She's not the adulterer, he is. She is the one who is free in this situation. As she said, she'll survive.
This user is no longer registered.
n--Y--laughorcryThis user is no longer registered.
n--Y--charles116Ritarita
Connie47-
Could you come over here
For a minute-
I have something to show you.
FNYGY1
While an affair is usually devastating to any marriage, it need not be fatal. With 20 years and 4 children together, I can understand the desire to save it.
The people I've known in similar situations (and who doesn't know SOMEBODY in this situation?!) who have tried to work through it are almost always the better for it - whether the marriage survives or not.
Ritarita
The only thing
That was made clear
In the Governor's confusing
Press conference was the fact
That he is in lust.
He may be a little too preoccupied
To reconcile anything.
Hawnzz
Morning Rita!
Ritarita
Good morning.
amapola101
Ritarita,SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOin lust he could not stop crying.
amapola101
FNYgY1,what you have said is very true.
xlntcat
Well Mrs Sanford has already tried to save it. After 5 months of marriage counseling, he makes arrangements to spend 10 days with his mistress over the Father's Day weekend. Marriage counseling has a 95% failure rate because one party has already decided to leave and agree to counseling to try to make the other party like their decision. In Sanford's case, he probably wanted to make her like it enough not to cut the money off.
honestlyclassy
Mrs. Sanford I applaud you. I was married to a narcissist as well
Keep your dignity and your family intact. Let the creep go
dm10003
the movie is actually gonna be about that congressional prayer group. or one based on it.
This user is no longer registered.
n--Y--charles116amapola101
I said it yesterday the movie could be Ed Norton,super cool,he can play this dumy great. And Ann Hathaway although she is gorgeous could pull Mrs Sanford off. and for the Argentinian girl Penelope Cruz. A hit for sure. Im looking for a new career. i am available.too.PS..... The children, I am a firm believer leave everyones children out.
mdargo
I suspect I am in the minority, but I am cheering for Mark and Maria! Mark Sanford seems to be as much a prisoner of his Christianity and ambition as "Father Ralph" was of his Catholicism/Christianity and ambition. I think he really loves Maria. Something deep is going on here. Eight years he has been friends with her. If his story is true, than I give them both credit for only acting on their feelings in the last year. Up until then they lusted in their hearts. Think Thorn Birds. Powerful stuff. There are at least 2 sides to every story. Maybe his wife was going to deny Sanford his ability to see his kids on Father's Day, which may then have actually made him more irrational and willing to escape back to Argentina, where I believe the woman he really loves resides. After reading the 6/26 article about her interview with the AP, to me Jenny increasingly appears to be a cold person. Something in this marriage has been deeply wrong for a long time. I think Sanford's views on some issues may be morphing. I think he could have an inner Democrat or Independent earning to break free. He may still pick ambition over heart -- just like "Father Ralph" did, and he may regret it.
Wallysmom
This is an interesting and compelling perspective. After I posted I read it and perhaps you are right...thanks for the counterpoint.
Downriver
Yep he should resign immediately and take up residence in Argentina. Them 4 kids will love Christmas with Dad and their new hot Mom in South America! Maybe they could meet somewhere halfway.
Ritarita
I've been thinking something
Along these lines also-
But it's hard to forget his former
Sanctimoniousness.
Hawnzz
That is the only real reason people care. I for one, don't care what he does in his personal life. But he allows his religious beliefs to influence his voting record. And he uses that belief to beat up others.
There he sits cruelly condemning others while cheating on his family. THAT really chafes my hide. This really isn't even about him. It is about his hypocrisy.
Downriver
Oh, he's got something yearning to break free alright, but it's certainly not his "inner democrat or independent" !
Joanne38
Yeah, if he went Democrat, he at least would have been with his own type. We expect for them to do those things. It is normal for them. You may have a point there. As far as Jenny, I don't see how your stupidity could blame this crap on her. You undoubtedly must be on the other end of the one who sleeps around and don't care who you hurt.
piktor
mdargo -- The four Sanford kids are going to love reading your comment.
A real man cuts his losses and breaks clean. Then you go to Argentina.
Jenny Sanford has the taut temper and clarity of purpose to call it as she sees it. She has four kids left on a lurch by the sanctimonious and teary luv guv.
This ain't no Dr. Zhivago, here. A man faces his fate head on. Kinda like Jenny Sanford.
xlntcat
Well, let's see, unless Sanford resigns, it would appear that he may end up in jail. It was reported yesterday that last year he diverted 100K federal grant into his PAC, got caught, and the state let him pay it back. Salon had a piece on a cover up of the unexplained death of an African American child who mysteriously died on Sanford''s farm, and that Sanford had paid off the parents to cover it up.
It amazing me how many romantics mistake Sanford's lame attempt at erotica for undying love. I know any number of rednecks who could pen better without a face of body to attach it to. Now for the tears, they weren't for anyone except himself. He got caught and he never believed that he would. You see the same reaction in court everyday when the jury brings in a guilty verdict. Regardless of the crime, the criminal never believes that they will have to pay the consequences or that they should be required to do so.
piktor
xlntcat -- I also saw crocodile tears for no one but himself. He's sorry he got caught, he's sorry his political future vanished, he's sorry he had to make the Esatern Airlines/Appallachia/travel guide idiotic tale to a waiting reporter at the Atlanta airport. The first seven minutes of his "confession" were to cover his ass on that little particular matter.
This is a callous hypocrite weaseling his way out of an impossible political situation. These philandering morons deserve what's coming to them.
amapola101
You have a real romantic point of view,and life is so short everyone deserves to be happy. and everyone deserveds to find their forever love. and on and on.But there are ties and bonds and children.This is the oldest story on earth.He could be having a middle age crisis. An affair in a marriage if it is not discovered retrigers life in people. and can strenghten a marriage.after the affair.Unfortunately this is sexual desire, and what you have at home,starts to die. out.In millions of marriages.And love, and romance, and your heart singing is exciting,and who wouldnt want to feel that???So Resign, get out of the spotlight,and do what you want.We really have no way of knowing what has been going onbeetween these people.and there is nothing more powerful than a PLATONIC AFFAIR... good luck all I want from him is not to enjoy the public light and all the fringes of being a politician,and not doing your job. and because he was ssuch a Hypocrite.Also unfortunately unloved wives become cold and unhappy. miss argentina is glowing.!!
Wallysmom
Normally, I think a wife could forgive her husband for a sexual infidelity, but this is an affair of the heart. It is to me more painful to deal with. He also snuck off after getting a big fat "NO" to go down to Argentina. Big Lie. Big Mistake. I hope Mrs. Sanford stays strong, takes him for every dime and he can live with Miss HootchieKootchie in Argentina.
xlntcat
How do you know it is an affair of the heart? He doesn't really know this woman and she hasn't had to look at that face for 20 years (He is one homely dude). Mrs Sanford is the heiress, has the Ivey League education, was a VP on Wall Street and had the political connections. Without the money, the position or the power, all Mrs. HootchieKeootchie will be left with are the age spots, the eye bags, the receding hairline and the "pleated" forehead. Since she isn't divorced either, I suspect her true love will quickly fade away.
Downriver
Mrs Sanford should smite him upside the head with her heaviest bible.
mattbenzor
She knew he was there.I believe she agreed that he go and break it off but they both got caught cause why would any wife let there husbands go anywhere on fathers day.I believe when she was asked about his where abouts she then gave him up in a safe kinda way.And why did'nt the newspaper tell anyone about the Emails this would have never got this far.This why newspapers can not be trusted and maybe thats why there going under this goes to show you some will favor others.When you get "NEWS" you break the story no matter what thats what newspapers "DO" or they used too anyway.Whats happen to the newspapers there digging there own grave by not producing the "NEWS" when they get it,is anybody asking them why they did'nt release the Emails.Now this is PROTECTIONISM Fox news did it with Ensign Don't the republicans cry about protectionism well there getting the royal treatment with protectionism
Ritarita
Matt
You're back!
pricklypear
Mr. Sanctimonious, himself.
Ritarita
Prickly-
That's very funny
Coming from you.
Thank you.
As a first time user, your comment has been submitted for review. It can take anywhere from a few hours to a day or two for your comment to be reviewed, depending on the time of week and the volume of comments we receive.