First lady told him to end it
By BRUCE SMITH
SULLIVAN'S ISLAND — South Carolina first lady Jenny Sanford sat in her oceanfront living room Friday, recalling how her husband repeatedly asked permission to visit his lover in the months after she discovered his affair.
"I said absolutely not. It's one thing to forgive adultery; it's another thing to condone it," Jenny Sanford told The Associated Press during a 20-minute interview at the coastal home where she sought refuge with their four sons. They were her first extended comments on the affair.
She said that when her husband, Gov. Mark Sanford, inexplicably disappeared last week, she hoped he was hiking on the Appalachian Trail, as his staff told those who inquired about his absence. That he had dared to go to Argentina to see the other woman left her stunned.
Alice Kenney/AP
Jenny Sanford speaks about her husband's affair Friday at the family's home on Sullivan's Island.
Mic Smith/AP
Jenny Sanford stands in front of her Sullivan's Island home Thursday.
Coming Sunday
Mark Sanford's admitted affair has caused a rift that could cause a key adviser to drop from his circle — first lady Jenny Sanford.
"He was told in no uncertain terms not to see her," she said in a strong, steady voice. "I was hoping he was on the Appalachian Trail. But I was not worried about his safety. I was hoping he was doing some real soul-searching somewhere and devastated to find out it was Argentina. It's tragic."
The Sanfords had separated about two weeks ago. The first lady said her husband told the family that he wanted some time away to work on writing a book and clear his head. "I had every hope he was not going to see her," she said.
"You would think that a father who didn't have contact with his children, if he wanted those children, he would toe the line a little bit," she said.
The governor, who is staying at the official residence in Columbia, returned Wednesday to end days of speculation on his whereabouts, publicly confess his cheating and emotionally apologize.
Jenny Sanford, a Georgetown-educated, former Wall Street vice president, was not with her husband Wednesday during his pained public confession.
Sanford said she discovered her husband's affair early this year after coming across a copy of a letter to the mistress in one of his files in the governor's mansion. He had asked her to find some financial information, she said, not an unusual request considering her heavy involvement in his career.
She would not comment on what was in the letter, except to say "enough to figure out an affair was going on."
She felt "shocked and obviously deeply hurt. I didn't think he had it in him," she said. "It's hard to find out your husband is not who you thought he was."
The first lady said she confronted her husband immediately, and he agreed to end the affair. She said she wasn't sure Friday whether he had done so.
"I guess that's what we will have to see. I believe he has," she said. "But he was down there for five days. I saw him yesterday and he is not staying here. We'll just see what kind of spirit of reconciliation he has himself."
The governor declined to discuss details of the letter and how he handled it with his wife.
"This goes into the personal zone," Sanford said Friday. "I'd simply say that Jenny has been absolutely magnanimous and gracious as a wonderful Christian woman in this process."
Jenny Sanford cried at the end of the interview, and said the couple have been to counseling.
"When I found out in January, we both indicated a willingness to continue working on the marriage, but there's not room for three people in a marriage," she said. "I've done everything in my power possibly to keep him from going to see her and to really make sure she was off the table, including asking him to leave."
About an hour after Jenny Sanford talked of her pain and feelings of betrayal, her husband brushed aside any suggestion he might immediately resign, citing the Bible and the story of David, who continued to lead after sleeping with another man's wife, Bathsheba, having the husband slain, then marrying the widow.
"What I find interesting is the story of David, and the way in which he fell mightily — fell in very, very significant ways, but then picked up the pieces and built from there," Sanford told members of his Cabinet in a session called so he could apologize to them in person and tell them the business of government must continue.
Some Republican leaders have called for Sanford to resign, and some lawmakers and watchdog groups are pressing for investigations into whether he improperly used state money.
For Jenny Sanford, the focus is the couple's four sons. During her interview, she wept as she displayed the stellar report cards earned by her eldest two sons at their private school in Columbia.
On the coffee table was a collection of devotional books, including a book of commentary on the Bible's Book of Job, the story of a man whose faith God tests to the extreme.
"Parenting is the most important job there is, and what Mark has done has added a serious weight to that job," she said.
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TRODI (anonymous) says...
I want half markie.half lol.
June 27, 2009 at 1:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rdkint246 (anonymous) says...
Not a Sanford fan but all this bashing is making it very hard not to be especially when his own wife keeps running her mouth. Let it ride and see what happens. A good wife should know how to act.
June 27, 2009 at 1:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DeAnna (anonymous) says...
I am not going to judge Mrs. Sanford. I have compassion for her. She's doing the best she can. With all this focus and attention, she probably now knows things that the governor didn't dare tell her. I don't care if affairs are no big deal to some people, after four children the woman is probably in a lot of emotional pain.
June 27, 2009 at 3:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reality_woman (anonymous) says...
He is a low life dog to have done something like this. Why not just end things and then move on?? I feel sorry for his wife and kids.
June 27, 2009 at 3:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lois_Lane (anonymous) says...
I can't believe that after she repeatedly told him to end it, to not have any more contact, he had the gall to go to Argentina anyway. There may be ongoing counseling, but she'll NEVER get over this. NEVER. He might as well pack his bags and move to his lover's country and pay child support for the rest of his life. History tells us that even that relationship is doomed to fail. He is a total failure and pathetic.
June 27, 2009 at 4:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lois_Lane (anonymous) says...
rdkint246 "a good wife should know how to act"? WTF? Who do you think you are? Apparently you've never been in those shoes. Better thank God you never have. It's a lonely feeling to be so deceived.
June 27, 2009 at 4:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lithographer (anonymous) says...
This is indeed an Old Testament story. The quote that comes to my mind is Jeremiah's "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"
June 27, 2009 at 4:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Jazz (anonymous) says...
How old are the other woman's children? Are they under eight?
June 27, 2009 at 4:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
metallic (anonymous) says...
"You would think that a father who didn't have contact with his children, if he wanted those children, he would toe the line a little bit," she [Jenny Sanford] said.
That's kind of a disturbing comment. The comment comes across as "controlling" -- with a willingness to use the children as some sort of "bargaining chip" in that control.
It sounds like there is waaaay too much "religious" influence -- on both their parts -- trying to be used in their relationship problems.
Scientific-minded people (psychologists) have been studying relationships for years. The two of them could probably learn some useful coping skills if they backed off the religion a bit and worked on their situation (individually or together) with a more practical "real" world view.
One good place to start would be with something like Nathaniel Branden's "Psychology of Romantic Love":
http://www.amazon.com/Psychology-Roma...
Not to offend anyone who is religious, but the fact of the matter is that the "spirituality" of religion shouldn't be used as a substitute for the science ("soft" science that it may be) from the field of psychology.
One wouldn't use Moses' "parting of the sea" as a reference to help solve an engineering problem of crossing a body of water. So too, people shouldn't be using descriptions of "relationships" in the bible as a model for dealing with the relationships in their lives.
June 27, 2009 at 6:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Cid95 (anonymous) says...
Do the right thing!
Or, failing to take the honorable way out, at least resign.
June 27, 2009 at 6:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lillycollette (anonymous) says...
"[:] there's not room for three people in a marriage," quoting Jenny Sanford.
Pardon my humor but if I may take that a step further:
As soon as the -- state marriage license -- was signed every jack-booted freak involved in Domestic Law crept into the marriage. It's almost academic that another woman slipped in there.
June 27, 2009 at 7:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lillycollette (anonymous) says...
Ooops, truth be known, I do not care if my humor is pardoned. There is no job opening or applications being accepted for people to like me or my opinions. Sooo -- nevermind.
June 27, 2009 at 7:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lillycollette (anonymous) says...
When the state crossed the proverbial "separation of church and state" line and entered into -- every aspect -- of a marital relationship then what was previously ordained by God became a common business partnership.
I personally have deeper respect for common law marriage than anything tainted by the state.
June 27, 2009 at 7:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lillycollette (anonymous) says...
See, http://web.archive.org/web/2003102821105...
One Hundred Years of a Family Court System
by Barbara Lyn Lapp
etc., etc.
June 27, 2009 at 7:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
babeegurl (anonymous) says...
I can't believe some believe she is wrong for talking. If that was me I would be blasting him every chance I had! Freak reconciliation, every time someone would ask me about it I would say "He is a lying cheating bastard and he deserves everything that happens to him from this point!"
June 27, 2009 at 7:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lillycollette (anonymous) says...
One Hundred Years ...
http://web.archive.org/web/2003102821...
June 27, 2009 at 7:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mbookworm (anonymous) says...
She doesn't have to be Hillary and take his a** back because he wants to be president. Stand by your man....that's BS. Be strong and don't let a lying, cheating, sneaky bastard back into your life. Power to women who stick up for themselves.
June 27, 2009 at 8:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kb18 (anonymous) says...
Why should he resign??? He is not the first one, there have been others, they just did not get caught. As long as he does a good job for the people let him do his job and stay out of his personal life. A marriage is two people working 24/7 fullfilling each others needs and talking. Some one fell down on the job apparently. It takes two to make a marriage work. They both need to think about that.....and find out what happen because they are both to blame..... Not just him.
June 27, 2009 at 8:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grannyofseven_2 (anonymous) says...
I am still trying to get over the fact he ask his wife for permission to see his wh um I mean girlfriend WOW.
June 27, 2009 at 8:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vonfolly1 (anonymous) says...
There's a grieving process that one goes through when faced with betrayal of a spouse, especially after 20 years. You would think that you would know someone after that long, but frequently, that's not the case. People have many different faces. When you lose trust, it feels that you lose a part of yourself. You know that it will never be the same. Jenny Sanford is no different in that respect. She should be free to say what she wants, when she wants, to whomever she wants. Mark Sanford will just have to deal with it. Having said that, people make mistakes as we are all human. It's whether or not we learn from those mistakes that makes all the difference. Hopefully, the Sanfords will be able to pick up the pieces and build an even stronger relationship. But it will take a long time.
June 27, 2009 at 8:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
moorech (anonymous) says...
Jenny Sanford is my hero.
June 27, 2009 at 8:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pickypete1 (anonymous) says...
Here is something for both the secular and non-secular, religious, scientific posters to think about. Pick your point of view. There is reconciliation and forgiveness, two equally independent and also codependent proceedings that have to be resolved on multiple levels.
June 27, 2009 at 8:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sareda (anonymous) says...
A few thoughts on this whole story. Mine are probably influenced by having been aware as a teenager that my parents' marriage had failed,although they did not divorce, and my father had cheated on my mother several times at least. And also have something like it happen in my own life.
*It really bugs me that Sanford used, in part, State money for one or more trips - or a portion of them - and was not apparently going to pay it back until he was caught. And it seems just as lousy on a personal level that the alternative would be for him to use personal/joint money to go see another woman. Back to the stealing: Whether you steal a pack of paper from your employer's supplies or embezzle millions of dollars, stealing is stealing.
*On Mrs. Sanford - sure, she is talking now to the media. She is probably really, really angry. She has not talked to the media until now about this; she kept the info. about Sanford's girlfriend, and their own marriage troubles, to herself since Jan. It was Sanford who broke this news to the media. She is human, she has feelings about it - and she just may be ready to state her position by now.
*Cheating once is one thing. But saying you will be working to repair a marriage, as he did, and then going off to commit adultery again, is evidence that he's not really in the marriage. I think the 2-strikes-and-you're-out rule applies here. She may be able to forgive him eventually, but it does not mean she will stay married to him. These are different things.
*Seems Gov. Sanford is jus having a meltdown in general, and needs to withdraw from public life and get his head and his relationships straight. But I will never look at him again with much respect for his position or his past behavior.
June 27, 2009 at 8:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jeffyoung007 (anonymous) says...
VOTE JENNY SANFORD FOR GOVERNOR!
June 27, 2009 at 8:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
whatelseisthere (anonymous) says...
I find it hard to believe she will take him back. He has nothing to offer her. She doesn't need his money and he offers no skills or compassion as a father to the kids or a husband to her. The words or "statements" she is releasing to the media are not words of forgiveness. The biggest problem I see is that it appears that Mark is in love w/ Ms. Argentina, not Jenny. Does anyone know if Ms. Argentina has kids/husband too?
June 27, 2009 at 8:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
Oh, you sorry press. You had to have your pound of gold and hound this woman to tears. That's another "Amen", Cid95. I tolerate dishonorable acquaintences as I am not perfect in many other ways other than this, but I have no use for leaders who trash their families...bunch of little Napoleans with little...and no honor. Resign, idiot. I understand that you will try to stick it out for the sake of your staff, but they need to get another life also. You, however, need to get out of our lives yesterday.
June 27, 2009 at 9:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
metallic, you are obviously a highly educated person. I can always tell that about people when they do not realize how incredibly stupid that they sound and when they have not a clue to their own incredible depths of ignorance.
June 27, 2009 at 9:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AMAZING (anonymous) says...
Philandering South Carolina governor Mark Sanford has said little about the most beautiful sound he ever heard, "Maria," his horizontal tango partner from Argentina, so TMZ.com did a little lurking around Buenos Aires night spots.
Carlos Soto, owner of Guido's Bar, says Sanford and Maria Belen Chapur have stopped in several times over the last few months - most recently last week, while Sanford was - wink, wink - hiking the Appalachian Trail to decompress after a tough legislative session.
Soto says the lovers were "all over each other" last week, "kissing, holding hands and drinking wine."
As for Maria, Soto said she has green eyes, dirty-blond hair and "un cuerpazo," which TMZ translated to mean "a banging body."
http://www.philly.com/philly/entertai...
*********************************************************
DID YA'LL GET THAT?
"Sanford and Maria Belen Chapur have stopped in several times over the last few months"
June 27, 2009 at 9:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
furmangirl1998 (anonymous) says...
A "GOOD" wife would have kicked him out 6 months ago and exposed him for what he is--a loser who talks out of both sides of his mouth--one show for the public and another in private. This is 2009 and spouses do not sit back and and act complacent in situations like this any longer. Maybe in 1960 or 1970 this would be the scenario, when they wanted to "keep the marriage together" and that NEVER works out. He deserves la chica in Argentina. If I was Mrs. Sanford, I would have already given that loser a one way ticket to South America along with the divorce papers. Good riddance loser.
June 27, 2009 at 9:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
GAL2000 (anonymous) says...
I had the opportunity to meet Mrs. Sanford years ago at the American Legion Post #166 in Goose Creek before her husband was elected, and they were on a campaign trail for his election. Nice and pleasant lady, who made time to smile and sit down with you for a few minutes.
In matters like this it is always best to be discreet. When children are invloved. Her first duty is to take care of your family, take care of your children. Am not condoning his behavior, the Gov. messed up (this is a given) but what is the use in going public. She does not owe a thing to the public and less to an immature voyeuristic shark frenzied media. This is very hard on her no doubt the higher road would have been to protect the children. Adults the innocent as well as the guilty will hopefully find their way to cope, heal, and move on. With children it's differrent they always depend on their parents to protect them, at least when they are young ( young fragile souls & minds). There is no playbookfor political wives. I am sure she is now more sympathetic to Hillary's and Edward's dillemma. My prayers to the Sanfords. I take no pleasure in seeing this play out.
June 27, 2009 at 9:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
keeper56 (anonymous) says...
Mrs Sandford: My heart goes out to you. My husband of 20 years cheated on me with another woman and when I found out, I was forgiving and so forth. I never thought he would do what he did but it happen. My two children took it hard. I wanted to fight and keep us and the marriage alive but he had made up his mind he wanted it over..which I feel the other woman had a big hold and influence over him. People that knew him would of never suspected him of doing such a thing to me but it happen. My prayers are with you. I hope he is willing to chose you, the children and the marriage. God Bless you.
June 27, 2009 at 9:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
moonpie (anonymous) says...
Yeah "metalic" that's just what everyone needs to do follow "real world" guidance to marriage. 50% of marriages end in divorce. Most of the people I know that fall into that catgory never should have married anyway, 65% of 2nd marriages end in divorce and 75% of 3rd marriages end in divorce.
Unfortunately this is so very publi, the emails, these interviews I don't see how this could ever work out. I know the more I read the more I see he acted like a 15yr boy not like a Govenor of a state. He should get out, NOW!
June 27, 2009 at 9:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
moonpie (anonymous) says...
Oh yeah I almost forgot.....
VOTE ROBERT FORD 2010!
Folks we might as well get this laughing at our state over with, vote Robert Ford and lets get it over with already. He should be the last one!!!
June 27, 2009 at 9:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Bunny2 (anonymous) says...
God didn't have a single thing to do with the Guv and the Senora hooking up and the chances of Him taking a break from His busy schedule to patch up the marriage are looking slimmer and slimmer with ever word out of their mouths. Unless she was quoted out of context in this article, J.S. did not sound very forgiving OR reconcilatory. We already know what happened, so why exactly is she giving an interview with these details? There's no more trust,so the marriage is kaput.
I'm also wondering how many you of posters,men and women, have cheated, with or without permission from the person wearing the pants in your marriage, and whether you stopped cheating after you were told, "No,no, you must not!"
Argentina is not the only place where it takes 'two to tango'.
June 27, 2009 at 10:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
GAL2000 (anonymous) says...
Once a spouse takes back a "cheater" (at least in this state), you have forgiven, and in a "family court" of law (in this state) you have forgiven, and can't get much in settlements if you've left a second time, and tried to re-introduce the first time...does that make any sense?
I know most readers who know our (states family courts) know what I'm sort of or kind of getting across without going into a lengthy writing process.
So, in my opinion, it is good that Mrs. Sanford is waiting, not taking him back, and staying her distance at this point in time...she probably knows the system (family court) and probably has sought legal advice. She is a smart and a forgiving woman.
grannyofseven_2, I'm also at a loss for that statement from what you wrote in your post. WOW also!
June 27, 2009 at 10:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
EvenSeas (anonymous) says...
Jenny "Evita" Sanford for Governor!!!
You stay strong & take his office....that will show him & keep his freckled behind hind in check
June 27, 2009 at 10:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
givemheaven (anonymous) says...
Deserting your four young boys on Father's day...Wow!!!!!
Doing it to cheat on your wife...breathtaking!!!!
Please explain how this lack of judgement can be compartmentalized?
Doesn't the conservative movement in SC have anyone else with a backbone???
June 27, 2009 at 10:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
writenow (anonymous) says...
He cheated his family and the state. So why anyone is backing him is something I don't get. (I suspect more spending of public funds for personal gain will come out). Now I understand kids being stuck with their parents, but why does Mark continue to emotionally abuse the people of the state of South Carolina? Oh yeah. Thinks only of himself. Sorry. I forgot.
June 27, 2009 at 10:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
writenow (anonymous) says...
P.S. I like that FamilyLawCourts.com posts indictments of members of Congress taking bribes for divorce and custody cases. Looks like that's not a new idea. :)
June 27, 2009 at 10:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
metallic (anonymous) says...
Posted by theronce:
>>metallic, you are obviously a highly educated person. I can always tell that about people when they do not realize how incredibly stupid that they sound and when they have not a clue to their own incredible depths of ignorance.<<
Perhaps you would like to enlighten me?
If I am "incredibly stupid" and have "not a clue" about my "incredible depths of ignorance" it would seem to be a fairly easy task for you to offer commentary to counter the statements I make.
I love to learn; I usually learn the most from debate/argument with those who hold opinions different from mine.
Of course, debate, to be fruitful in yielding new knowledge, requires some basic ground rules, most specifically, argument from both sides needs to be made from the same "plane of existence."
If (as I suspect is the case) your "knowledge and authority" on subjects is based upon some belief you have access to a "supernatural universe of knowledge" beyond the grasp of mere mortals like me, little can happen in the realm of rational argument between us -- your "magic powers" will certainly make my "mere" worldly reason and logic look miserably inadequate.
You will win every argument -- in your own mind -- with a sweep of your magic wand.
June 27, 2009 at 10:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tallblonde (anonymous) says...
I haven't yet heard or read that Gov Sanford is ENDING his affair.
June 27, 2009 at 10:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wgoniop (anonymous) says...
Jenny Sanford has played this flawlessly to date. After finding out about the affair she was still committed to saving her family. They went to counseling and appropriately kept things out of the media. The primary requirement that the governor end his affair was the obvious cornerstone of any reconcilement. When she found out this had not happened she appropriately took the boys "home" to Sullivan's Island. The governor had a chance to face the music and even continue to keep things out of the media. Instead his actions to covertly go to Argentina brought all this attention upon himself. Even while away from his children on Father's Day the first lady did not lash out at him through the media and remained truthful about not knowing his whereabouts while hoping her worse fears were not true. She has given one official interview since she has become a national media target to set the record straight in hopes that the media will back off and focus more on her husband and she can take care of her main priority which are her children. Both adults should really have no further comment about this in the press for the sake of their children. Time will tell. Everyone is entitled to their opinion on what they would have done if they were in her shoes but we are all making assumptions b/c we are not Jenny Sanford. Again my personal opinion is she makes the state look like we at least had one person in the governor's mansion that has true family values.
June 27, 2009 at 10:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jammer (anonymous) says...
Jenny I can't believe that idiot lying cheating con man of a husband you have dares to recite scripture as if to use it to condone what he's done
how delusional is that? is that stupid or just thinks that highly of himself?? his pedestal has been removed, he needs to pay attention and resign before he falls face first on the floor
leaves his kids with no notice or contact on Fathers day to go screw some two bit whore that he's actually begged you to keep?? and left the state high and dry with no one in charge for dayssss.. WTF kind of man does that????
no, he isn't the person any of us thought he was... my condolences to you and the kids, for the man we thought we knew has died
he needs to resign for many reasons
June 27, 2009 at 11:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
charles (anonymous) says...
The Governor's actions were very deliberate over an extended period of time. His infidelity did not end until he was caught, and indeed he hasn't even announced that he will end his affair. He rejected his wife when he started the affair, again when he continued it after she found out, and a third time when he departed last week even after being specifically confronted about it by his wife.
This couldn't "just happen to anyone." It takes extreme selfishness to continue to do the wrong thing when it has been pointed out to you. (not to mention asking permission to commit adultery from the person you pledged to love before God).
If the Governor really believes the Bible, then he knows what an egregious sin this is. To then liken himself to King David is the ultimate in hubris.
Selfcentered, hypocritical, unfaithful, deceitful...these are not the qualities we want in our leaders.
June 27, 2009 at 11:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
attakkat (anonymous) says...
Posted by rdkint246 on June 27, 2009 at 1:31 a.m. (Suggest removal) "Not a Sanford fan but all this bashing is making it very hard not to be especially when his own wife keeps running her mouth. Let it ride and see what happens. A good wife should know how to act."
A good husband should know how to act.
June 27, 2009 at 11:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
stompyourheadin (anonymous) says...
Mrs. Sanford has made her point now she needs to stop all this talking to the press. We know all about a woman scorned. She has the right to get a little payback, but she is getting more than just a little payback. Protect the children and stop talking to the press and giving details of you and the gov. personal life. He was wrong, he ditched his kids on father's day, he is not a great husband at this point, but that is not everyone's biz. I always teach my children; what happens in this house stays in this house. Everyone does not need to know your business. The gov. should just resign and end the drama he is putting his family through. A real father always protects his family. So does a real mother.
June 27, 2009 at 12:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mytake (anonymous) says...
Kb18 says, "They both need to think about that.....and find out what happen because they are both to blame..... Not just him."
The state of the marriage is a 50-50 responsibility. Mark Sanford's betrayal of his wife, his morals, and his wedding vows was 100% his own doing. He abdicated his responsibility to his wife and family when he chose to become a confidante to another woman eight years ago. Did he ever tell his wife that the marriage was not working for him? Apparently not. He vowed to forsake all others and to care for and protect his wife through good times and bad. What part of that did he not understand? Walk a mile in Jenny Sanford's shoes before you suggest letting her share the blame for this betrayal.
June 27, 2009 at 12:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JF (anonymous) says...
Mrs Sanford seems to be the only "adult" Sanford.
Kudos to her for handling this difficult situation with grace and strength.
Didn't Mark Sanford say during the Clinton impeachment hearings that Clinton should resign because Clinton broke his marriage oath/vows?
Now he compares himself to David. That is a bit much.
June 27, 2009 at 12:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
moonpie (anonymous) says...
Still a personal issue and my beef with the Gov is he used state funds for his trist and he only pays it back when he is caught. His intent was to have the state fund his affair with this lady so for that I have lost all trust in the man and he should resign.
The lost of trust by cheating on his wife is to be decided by his wife and for her to handle as she sees fit. Not a state matter.
June 27, 2009 at 1:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
carolinagirl25 (anonymous) says...
I am a little confused as to why Mrs. Sanford is being criticized for talking to the press....was it not her husband who decided to hold a press conference to announce that he was having an affair? Seems to me she is simply rolling with the punches and trying to maintain a little dignity for her family.
June 27, 2009 at 1:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JAS (anonymous) says...
JF - Yes you are correct about the Clinton vote. He was also very outspoken against Livingston and called for his resignation too for cheating on his wife.
I guess the rules don't apply to himself.
June 27, 2009 at 1:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BBBP (anonymous) says...
I have been in her shoes. My ex did the same thing. He agreed not to see her..but continued to see her anyway. After another betrayal..that was it!
I am not a prophet..but I see him leaving..divorcing..and eventually moving in with the Argentine paramour.
It happened to me too.
And who is going to suffer the most from this? The boys. My kids are a mess. They went to live with the adulterer and his "woman" after their father bribed them with money and toys, and the children have learned to use people, and hate their mother. Sad situation. I just hope neither of them try to turn their children's minds against the other parent. It really messes with their minds! Been there...been the receiver of all the hate..when it was he who had the affair.
Pray for them all!
June 27, 2009 at 1:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Sandy37 (anonymous) says...
After reading everyones comments I have come to the conclusion that the Sanford's marriage had become a business arrangement as so many marriages do when wife is involved in husbands business. Maybe on some level she was more into being a Govenor/politicians wife than he was being in that position. I don't honestly think the marriage will survive. Right now it is all about who is the most powerful in the Divorce. Since the children are boys she has the upper hand, but as they get older she will beoome more of a shrew.
June 27, 2009 at 2:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
burton (anonymous) says...
Wow, he begged her to go see his mistress in Argentina even after she found out! Man, she must have put it on the governor!! I hope she was worth possibly losing his family, his presidential hopes, and maybe his governor's seat. Again, she must have put it on him. For him to do what he did, he will see her again!!
June 27, 2009 at 2:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vuduchld (anonymous) says...
Frankly, I could give a hoot about Mark and Jenny Sanford. They are both dysfunctional nitwits. My heart goes out to those citizens not working right now, the more than 10 per cent unemployed who your "stand tall leader" threw under a bus so he could do the tango in Argentina. My heart also goes out to the kids fighting to receive a decent education, but have a "clueless leader" who put his libido above the basic needs of kids. The idiot and his fake wife have their millions and they need to take it and ride off into the sunset or do the threesome thing in Buenos Aries. They both deserve not one more drop of ink because they're WORTHLESS HUMAN BEINGS!!
June 27, 2009 at 2:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SomeTruthPlease (anonymous) says...
How very low of him to beg permission from his wife to go see his tramp in Argentina. I can't imagine how hard I'd swing a frying pan at my hubby's head if he DARED to throw her in my face over and over. He has tons of nerve, I'll give him that.
June 27, 2009 at 2:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
realamerican (anonymous) says...
Posted by GAL2000-
"In matters like this it is always best to be discreet."
------------------------------------------------------
I agree!
Jenny Sanford should tell the Governor to carry his sorry butt down discreet and out of her life. : ^ )
Once a scumbag always a scumbag!
June 27, 2009 at 2:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
charlestonnative1963 (anonymous) says...
i never really liked either one of them until this story...I have more respect for her now after after reading this. She is smart, related to Ethel kennedy (that cant be all bad) worth a million in her own right without him, ran his political career- lets see how well he does without her. I say take it all jenny. Take it all.
June 27, 2009 at 3:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rdkint246 (anonymous) says...
Yea lois_lane WTF, maybe if you were lois you wouldn't be bashing men and you'd have you a superman out there somewhere.You sound as if you've been hurt very badly in the past. Maybe you need a long vacation to clear your head. Who's for sending lois_lane and Jenny Sanford a big bunch of flowers and a DECENT man because of their hurt and anger with men or better yet get the two of them together. And babeegurl,what the heck you must really have some hate in you yell it to the whole world, come on now is that the right thing to do. Maybe we all have closet ghost including Jenny,they just need to come on out. Poor poor Jenny,what a ring she has on that finger.
June 27, 2009 at 3:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
IronWoman (anonymous) says...
No woman, no wife, should be expected to accept, and get over something like this. She deserves better, and her children need to learn that this is NOT acceptable behavior. She should cut her losses now, get divorced, and move on. He won't even change, unfortunately, men like this just don't. What a sad situation.
June 27, 2009 at 4:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
furmangirl1998 (anonymous) says...
The only thing missing now in the Mark Sanford hiking adventure is Dorothea Benton Frank being a ghostwriter for this story...let's title it HE'S NOT RETURNING TO SULLIVAN'S ISLAND...
June 27, 2009 at 5:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mac0cm4 (anonymous) says...
Too much bible in this story. (sigh).
June 27, 2009 at 5:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
clisby (anonymous) says...
Yeah, way too much Bible.
I was feeling a lot of respect for Jenny Sanford until this article.
Honey - it's time to shut up. You are not maintaining your dignity and looking after your sons - you're embarrassing yourself and them.
Your husband's a jerk. We get it, OK? No need to say any more.
June 27, 2009 at 6:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gmc1 (anonymous) says...
I've read all of these comments and not one of you understand this situation.
This is a marriage of convenience for both of the sanfords. There is no love involved here, never was. She has the money which he needs, he has (had) the ability to be molded by her for political power as does john kerry and his wife , and bill clinton and hillary.
What mrs. sanford is really ticked off about is how this makes her look and this scandal will effectively put and end to her dreams of her husband running for president.
The same rules of love and marriage that apply to the rest of us doesn't apply to these type of people. Also, I have news for her, if she hasn't figured it out already, He's going back to argentina, the cat's out the bag now and he doesn't have to sneak around.
If I had pulled a stunt like this, my bags would have been set on the front porch when I came home, and I may have to be ducking bullets. It wouldn't matter if I was the governor or the Pres.
June 27, 2009 at 6:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Leb (anonymous) says...
No mention that the Sanfords saw each other only on weekends and holidays for the 6 years Mark S. was in Congress. It was an unnecessary and foolish extended voluntary partial separation. That was poor judgment on the part of both Mark and Jenny S that could not have strengthened a household full of kids.
June 27, 2009 at 8:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
candygirl (anonymous) says...
She needs to move on,their marriage is over.
Once the trust is gone,it's over
June 27, 2009 at 8:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
walleyedwoman1215 (anonymous) says...
On one hand, she could model forgiveness and compassion for their four sons, and work on renewing the marraige.
On the other hand, and this is how I lean, she could divorce The Lovernor at once and show her sons that betrayal of a sacred covenant HAS CONSEQUENCES. Forgive, absolutely. Live with him again? No way in hell.
June 27, 2009 at 10:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tallblonde (anonymous) says...
walleyedwoman1215 - "Lovernor" You need to trademark that *LOL*
June 27, 2009 at 10:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bobkitty (anonymous) says...
I am so sad for the Sanfords....all of them.
June 28, 2009 at 12:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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