At the risk of appearing to be overly interested in matters of sexual adventure and marital infidelity, I simply cannot keep my frumpy, grumpy mouth shut about the latest political bedroom farce. It’s just too juicy, too absurdly ridiculous to leave alone. I’m speaking, of course, of the Curious Case of the Absentee Governor. Mark Sanford. That’s right, Mark Sanford the Great White Hope of the Republican Party or, as Rush Limbaugh so poignantly, so subtly put it – the GOP’s JFK. Tough break, GOP.
For the record: it’s really not about adultery per se, or any Puritanical aversion to sexuality on my part (God knows). These political True Confessions that have become a staple of daytime television are about hypocrisy, as you know, with a capital “H.” It’s not the garden variety hypocrisy of Joe Schmo saying one thing and doing another on the condo association board. This is the “Betrayal of a Public Trust” type of hypocrisy that has been riddling the lives of our elected officials, our representatives in government, for far too long with far too little public outrage.
If we stick to the script on this one, there will be plenty of “boys will be boys” and “who’s fit to throw the first stone” talk. Some good ole boy, obviously bent on damage control, has already publicly congratulated Sanford for not bringing his family to the podium with him. If most of what I’ve read about Jenny Sanford is true, I suspect she told the governor that there was no way in hell that she or her sons were joining him in the media circus swirling around her husband’s “caught on tape” nervous breakdown.
On a scale of 1 to 10, Sanford’s public statement, in comparison with others we’ve been treated to recently, rates about 2.5. He did fair in compulsory elements but then lost it in execution and overall poise. He certainly didn’t “stick the landing.” That’s my way of saying he came across as a confused, moonstruck weenie and not at all “presidential.”
His apology was lame. “I let them down by creating a fiction with regard to where I was going,” You didn’t “create a fiction,” governor, you LIED. The same grave kind of “lie” that the Ten Commandments forbids. You remember . . . the Ten Commandments that you voted to have plastered on all government walls so that none of us would forget to “not lie” . . . among other things we’re not supposed to do like “adultery.”
Of course, Sanford has a long history of saying one thing and living another. Here are a few fun facts about the GOP Golden Boy’s illustrious career:
- yes, this is “that” very same Mark Sanford who took his fight to turn down Federal Stimulus money, for South Carolina’s unemployed citizens, to the Supreme Court. Sanford has nothing against free money, mind you, but this was a golden opportunity for him to grandstand his “fiscal conservative” leanings and add to his base for a run in 2012. Actually, the “Stimulus” escapade has direct links to his taking a flyer – evidently the poor guy was so bummed out about losing his case (and being forced to take the filthy lucre) that he felt compelled to take solace in the arms of his “little Latin Lupe Lou.” (Unconfirmed, but many reporting this morning that this little junket was on the taxpayers’ dime)
- Then there was the time that Sanford called, loud and long, for Bill Clinton’s impeachment for – guess what? – having an affair.
- And then there is Sanford’s illustrious Congressional voting record against abortion rights; against gay marriage, civil unions, and gay adoptions; and for posting the aforementioned Ten Commandments.
- And the rest:
- Yes on Affirmative action in state contracts, but not colleges. (Nov 2002)
- Voted YES on banning gay adoptions in DC. (Jul 1999)
- Voted NO on ending preferential treatment by race in college admissions. (May 1998)
- Voted NO on starting implementation of Kyoto Protocol. (Jun 2000)
- Supported displaying the Ten Commandments in public schools.
- Endorsed teacher-led voluntary prayer in public schools.
And last, but certainly not least
- Sanford supported abstinence-only sexual education programs.
Predictably, we have Sanford’s word that he’s going to “try to do better”: “Over the time that I have left in office, I’m going to devote my energy to building back the trust the people of this state (S.C.) have placed in me,” Sanford said.
That would be, let’s see, eighteen months? Better get a move on, Governor.
mark sanford infidelity hypocrisy lies apology adultery
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