Stop exploiting Sanford's personal misfortune
Days of speculation over Governor Sanford's sudden disappearning act ended this afternoon with a painful and embarassing confession as to the real purpose for his disappearance. This revelation has quickly become the fodder for many political speculators, especially for his critics.
It's no secret that the Blogland has been a source of regular criticism of Governor Sanford and his policies for some time now. Not surprisingly, I've received several phone calls and emails which have asked why this blog has not spoken out on this issue. The answer is simple - the Blogland will not exploit Sanford's stupidity by discussing what he has admitted to, much less judging his actions. There are three reasons why:
1) If he is truly remorseful, then he is tearing himself up far worse than his critics ever could,
2) If he is not remorseful, then no amount of criticism from this source, or any other, can accomplish anything, and
3) He has a family who will be forced to endure this in the spotlight of both traditional and new media outlets.
Given the bricks thrown at me by the Governor's crowd over the years, most would understand if I joined the lynch mob. But I've said time and time again that this state has seen enough of the kind of "gotcha" politics which have been a prominent tactic of the Sanford crowd.
Perhaps the best way to make that point is to show restraint in a time that delivering payback would seem like such an obvious course of action.
Out of consideration for his family, as well as a desire not to further muddy this state's political arena with more personal sleaze, this blog will not add to the the ongoing circus, and it's hoped others will consider the same course of action.
It's no secret that the Blogland has been a source of regular criticism of Governor Sanford and his policies for some time now. Not surprisingly, I've received several phone calls and emails which have asked why this blog has not spoken out on this issue. The answer is simple - the Blogland will not exploit Sanford's stupidity by discussing what he has admitted to, much less judging his actions. There are three reasons why:
1) If he is truly remorseful, then he is tearing himself up far worse than his critics ever could,
2) If he is not remorseful, then no amount of criticism from this source, or any other, can accomplish anything, and
3) He has a family who will be forced to endure this in the spotlight of both traditional and new media outlets.
Given the bricks thrown at me by the Governor's crowd over the years, most would understand if I joined the lynch mob. But I've said time and time again that this state has seen enough of the kind of "gotcha" politics which have been a prominent tactic of the Sanford crowd.
Perhaps the best way to make that point is to show restraint in a time that delivering payback would seem like such an obvious course of action.
Out of consideration for his family, as well as a desire not to further muddy this state's political arena with more personal sleaze, this blog will not add to the the ongoing circus, and it's hoped others will consider the same course of action.
Politicize that if you will, but maybe for once, we need to stop making political points out of personal sleaze and/or stupidity.
Would you rather me join the pit bulls? After all, three or four or seventeen wrongs make a right - right?
No politician is any better than the average person in the street, and is the main reason I have little time for any of them, whatever side of the political arena they're on.
What? The misfortune of getting caught?
Republican. I hate what is happening today for more reasons than party. I have always supported the Governor when a lot of people did not. He always won so I was not alone. I support Andre and he and the Governor were never close. I support Bobby Harrell and he and the Governor were never close. To say the Governor should resign because some governor from NY did is just not right. If anyone should had ever resigned over something like this it should had been Bill Clinton. If Mark decides to resign then that is his business and I will support that. This man has probably ruined his political career and maybe lost his family. That is a terrible price to pay. With that said I do believe the Governor was wrong to disappear and leave the state in limbo and that is his biggest crime to us. The other stuff is between him his family and his Maker.
Regardless of what one may think of Mark or Jenny Sanford,whether you are Republican,Democrat or Independent there are four young boys who are watching their family's problems played out in front of God and the entire world. They will most likely find it difficult to get away from it as it will be on every TV,Radio and newspaper for many news cycles to come.
I would encourage everyone to hold their caustic comments not for the sake of Mark and Jenny Sanford but for Marshall,Landon,Bolton and Blake. Let us keep them in our thoughts and prayers...Tom Grimes SC6 District Chairman
I want him to resign not because I want Bauer Governor, but because I think that Governor Sanford and his family, and this state can not begin to heal in the current environment and all that could arise within it. Governor Sanford's resignation starts the healing process and robs the Democrats of ammunition.
"The issue of lying is probably the biggest harm, if you will, to the system of Democratic government, representatives government, because it undermines trust. And if you undermine trust in our system, you undermine everything." [Sanford on Clinton impeachment, 2/16/99]
"I think it would be much better for the country and for him personally (to resign). I come from the business side. If you had a chairman or president in the business world facing these allegations, he’d be gone." [Sanford on Clinton impeachment, 9/12/98]
"The bottom line, though, is he still lied. He lied under a different oath, and that is the oath to his wife. So it’s got to be taken very, very seriously." [Sanford on Rep. Livingston, after it was revealed he cheated on his wife and would not seek the office of Speaker of the House, 12/18/98]
To the Republicans that self righteously will howl "Reagan's eleventh commandment (amended)", I have to ask (Jake in particular) "Who among you is without sin, let him cast the first stone". What's (or who's) in your closet Andre? Rumors of Beasley infidelities seem not to have fazed you in the state house and senate as much as you now take offence, what is the real issue RINOITIS?
There is a significant bit of quid pro quo "gotcha" politics in play here, particurlarly by RINOs that claim to be reformers, there to change the business as usual, until it means the control those legislators have goes somewhere else which equals no real change, as the incumbent POTUS' team is discovering.
One difference I do see here is that Sanford wasn't about to be discovered as client number 9 or caught in an impeachable coverup of DNA on a blue dress (Vince Foster is still dead).