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Mark Sanford and the public's forgiveness of his transgressions

Oldgamer

Oldgamer

Diamond Member
I was just looking at the two women he has in his life. Here is his ex wife, who didn't find out he was having an affair until she saw his admittance on TV.

130114_jenny_sanford_605_ap.jpg


Here is his current "private" fiance' as they call her;

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She kind of looks like a younger version of his ex wife.

There was talk on several news shows yesterday about how voters forgave this guy. Others were debating if someone like Anthony Weiner and other candidates who were in similar predicaments should be forgive too and come back to office.

With Sanford I am a bit conflicted. He didn't try to lie, he admitted it when the press found out where he really was. He didn't parade his wife by his side when he told reporters of his "true soulmate".

Whereas the others just flat out lied. Honestly it doesn't seem as bad with Sanford because his affair was with someone who he professed to really love, and ultimately is now engaged to her. (this didn't seem to be some taudry affair in otherwords).

I don't know, what is everyone else's take on this? Should an elected officials private sexual "business" be used to judge him for his position?
 
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Yea I was going to say looks like a younger version. Guess he knows what he likes, just younger. 😉

And IMO he did try and lie, remember he was "hiking in the mountains" when asked where he was.
 
Jimzz said:
Yea I was going to say looks like a younger version. Guess he knows what he likes, just younger. 😉

And IMO he did try and lie, remember he was "hiking in the mountains" when asked where he was.
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Ah yea, I forgot about that. LOL
 
if they use public funds to go visit their mistress then it absolutely becomes everyone's business. If they portray themselves as a man of faith then it definitely goes to their character and is relevant
 
The more we accept and forgive the malfeasance of politicians, they have less incentive to not be raging hypocritical douchebags.

Shouldn't be a hard sell for those espousing religious morals and personal responsibility, but I'm sure there are many more than willing to forget recent behavior because it didn't involve another mans penis, or a different letter in parentheses coming after his name.

Politicians like Sanford do serve a purpose in that those that support them can have their opinions cast aside and ignored by people who don't make ethical allowances based on party.
 
slsmnaz said:
if they use public funds to go visit their mistress then it absolutely becomes everyone's business. If they portray themselves as a man of faith then it definitely goes to their character and is relevant
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This. If any tax dollars are used then the public has the right to get involved and know everything since they paid for it. The same when they claim to be religious.

If there is a politician who cheats on his wife but still obeys the Constitution he would get my support over someone who is faithful to his wife but desecrates the Constitution
 
kage69 said:
The more we accept and forgive the malfeasance of politicians, they have less incentive to not be raging hypocritical douchebags.

Shouldn't be a hard sell for those espousing religious morals and personal responsibility, but I'm sure there are many more than willing to forget recent behavior because it didn't involve another mans penis, or a different letter in parentheses coming after his name.

Politicians like Sanford do serve a purpose in that those that support them can have their opinions cast aside and ignored by people who don't make ethical allowances based on party.
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It seems to be common practice lately that we just turn the other cheek when a politician cheats on their spouse or tells a mountain of lies to get elected.
 
Oldgamer said:
There was talk on several news shows yesterday about how voters forgave this guy. Others were debating if someone like Anthony Weiner and other candidates who were in similar predicaments should be forgive too and come back to office.
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There is a difference between having an affair and tweeting one's dick around the internet.
 
Matt1970 said:
It seems to be common practice lately that we just turn the other cheek when a politician cheats on their spouse or tells a mountain of lies to get elected.
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The electorate does it, why shouldn't their politicians? One does tend to favor their peers.
 
Obviously for Republicans in South Carolina the sanctity of marriage means nothing unless its used as a club to beat up on gay people.
 
Sanford did flat out lie, multiple times, until the press caught him in it and he was forced to tell the truth. The guy is so self-centered that he asked his ex-wife to work on this campaign (she refused to).


The fact of the matter is Sanford is a rather typical cheating spouse case. It doesn't involve pedophilia or clandescent gay sex, but it is against generally accepted social mores.

But I have a rule of thumb-all politicians want at least one of three things: power, money and nookie. Those whose failing is nookie affect me the least and I generally give them a pass.

Anthony Weiner, OTOH, I can do nothing but chuckle about. Never has anyone given up so much for a nonaffair-he paid the price and got no nookie.

Nehalem256: Spousal fidelity is not a liberal or conservative thing-I'v been faithful for over 35 years of marriage now. Its a matter of personal integrity and commitment-and luck in finding the right spouse the first time around. What we liberals object to is so-called conservatives who claim to support small government constantly trying to make their version of morality be the law of the land for all. If you're for small government, be consistent.
 
Meh, it's up to SC voters.

He's only running for a House seat, so he's probably running in his 'home base'. And, IIRC, there was no incumbent he had to beat. His primary victory could say more about the other candidate than anything else. The other guy was a city councilman in Charleston. No doubt Sanford had a huge 'name recognition' (as well in experience governing) advantage.

Until he got into trouble I didn't know much about him (still don't, although his name is much more familiar). But I thought he sounded sincere in his "I cheated on my wife' speech and seemed prepared to take his medicine. I don't get the impression he's a womanizer or anything like that. Seems like the affair just 'happened', growing over the course of some years. Sometimes shizz just happens. He's paid for it, been publicly humiliated and kicked to the curb by his ex. So, he's been given no 'free pass'.

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I think Wiener's problem is a bit different. He made himself look like some sort of dorky perv. He's harder to relate to. Plus, Wiener was a raging a-hole towards other people. I'm not sure that he was pressured to resign over the pics, or if they were just used as an excuse to get rid of him because people were fed up with his obnoxiousness.

Fern
 
Fern said:
Meh, it's up to SC voters.

He's only running for a House seat, so he's probably running in his 'home base'. And, IIRC, there was no incumbent he had to beat. His primary victory could say more about the other candidate than anything else. The other guy was a city councilman in Charleston. No doubt Sanford had a huge 'name recognition' (as well in experience governing) advantage.

Until he got into trouble I didn't know much about him (still don't, although his name is much more familiar). But I thought he sounded sincere in his "I cheated on my wife' speech and seemed prepared to take his medicine. I don't get the impression he's a womanizer or anything like that. Seems like the affair just 'happened', growing over the course of some years. Sometimes shizz just happens. He's paid for it, been publicly humiliated and kicked to the curb by his ex. So, he's been given no 'free pass'.

-------

I think Wiener's problem is a bit different. He made himself look like some sort of dorky perv. He's harder to relate to. Plus, Wiener was a raging a-hole towards other people. I'm not sure that he was pressured to resign over the pics, or if they were just used as an excuse to get rid of him because people were fed up with his obnoxiousness.

Fern
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According to his ex, after the speech he called her and asked "How did I do"? Sounds kinds pervy in a different way.

Have to admit the new one is kinda hot
mark-sanford-and-maria-belen-chapur-main.jpg
 
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Come on Fern, you know being a raging A-hole is a qualification, not a liability, in most polticial careers. I do think you did characterize Weiner right on the mark though. It will be ironic if he never gets politically rehabilitated and all these bed hoppers get off scot free.
 
Thump553 said:
Come on Fern, you know being a raging A-hole is a qualification, not a liability, in most polticial careers. I do think you did characterize Weiner right on the mark though. It will be ironic if he never gets politically rehabilitated and all these bed hoppers get off scot free.
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I think all of politics is a 'good ole boy' network: supporters, contributors and the like.

If he alienated his group, probably located in his district, because of his behavior he may never be politically rehabilitated. I wouldn't be surprised if they just moved on to somebody else to support who'll do their bidding.

Fern
 
nehalem256 said:
Which one is worse?

Because I am getting the feeling that the tweeting one is now considered worse. :hmm:
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I think most people can understand falling in love with someone else and the inner conflicts trying to deal with that. Versus tweeting your dick across the internet, I think pretty much falls into the "pervert" category for most people.
 
Thump553 said:
Sanford did flat out lie, multiple times, until the press caught him in it and he was forced to tell the truth. The guy is so self-centered that he asked his ex-wife to work on this campaign (she refused to).


The fact of the matter is Sanford is a rather typical cheating spouse case. It doesn't involve pedophilia or clandescent gay sex, but it is against generally accepted social mores.

But I have a rule of thumb-all politicians want at least one of three things: power, money and nookie. Those whose failing is nookie affect me the least and I generally give them a pass.

Anthony Weiner, OTOH, I can do nothing but chuckle about. Never has anyone given up so much for a nonaffair-he paid the price and got no nookie.

Nehalem256: Spousal fidelity is not a liberal or conservative thing-I'v been faithful for over 35 years of marriage now. Its a matter of personal integrity and commitment-and luck in finding the right spouse the first time around. What we liberals object to is so-called conservatives who claim to support small government constantly trying to make their version of morality be the law of the land for all. If you're for small government, be consistent.
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This, exactly, and well said.
 
Thump553 said:
Sanford did flat out lie, multiple times, until the press caught him in it and he was forced to tell the truth. The guy is so self-centered that he asked his ex-wife to work on this campaign (she refused to).


The fact of the matter is Sanford is a rather typical cheating spouse case. It doesn't involve pedophilia or clandescent gay sex, but it is against generally accepted social mores.

But I have a rule of thumb-all politicians want at least one of three things: power, money and nookie. Those whose failing is nookie affect me the least and I generally give them a pass.
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Yes, you're right he lied, multiple times, and for that reason, I would not give him a pass. If your spouse can't trust you, neither can I.
 
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