South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford reacts to a question from the media as he leaves a family home Thursday on Sullivan's Island, S.C. The family is staying at the beach front property after the governor admitted to having an affair with a woman from Argentina.
(Mic Smith/AP)Photos (1 of 1)
In the Bible Belt, Mark Sanford’s anguish opens door to forgiveness
But with personal scandal, plus his reputation for political prickliness, can he hang on to his position as South Carolina governor?
By Patrik Jonsson | Staff writer/ June 26, 2009 edition
Atlanta
He turned off his cellphone and disappeared without a trace. He had an affair on the taxpayer dime. He misled and betrayed his wife and family.
In the glare of his return, South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford – a rising star on the national stage, bogged by political intrigue in his home state – shed tears and apologized. He also vowed to pay back the state for taxpayer-funded business trips to Argentina, where he met “Maria.”
But as the man both beloved and reviled for his stubborn independent streak faces calls of resignation from three state newspapers, Governor Sanford has indicated he intends to stay on the job. He prepared to meet his cabinet today to discuss the week’s turmoil.
Despite his personal anguish and the love-lorn letters to his paramour published this week, the door has opened among state leaders and the South Carolina public for Sanford to finish his term in office, which ends in 2011. The test, many say, will be whether Sanford can follow his confession with redemption – and become not just a better man, but a better governor.
His public contrition and private anguish may, in the end, help the governor recover, theologians say.
‘Empathy for the sinner’
“One of the elements which is genuine forgiveness is empathy for the sinner,” says the Rev. Donald Shriver Jr., author of “An Ethic for Enemies: Forgiveness in Politics,” who has been following the story. “That doesn’t mean approval, but a kind of acknowledgment of humanity which redounds upon us who are making those judgments.”
On Friday, Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, a fellow Republican who would become governor should the incumbent resign, said Sanford should not leave. He vowed to help the governor finish his term even though the two are not allies.
Southern Political Report columnist Hastings Wyman noted this morning that statements from many state leaders have been “surprisingly kind-hearted.”
The Palmetto Family Council, a nonprofit, Christian educational foundation, calls family “the bedrock of society … grounded in fidelity.” But it noted that Sanford “told the truth with apparent contrition … and contrition is a start.”
Were he to stay, Sanford’s journey to start over in the State House would tie heavily into the thick strands of sin and redemption that perpetuate the Bible Belt – part of the grass roots that Sanford often cites in his sparring with the powers in the legislature.
Forgive and forget?
How that community ultimately reacts will play a large role in the governor’s future, argues Robert Parham, director of the Baptist Center for Ethics, in Nashville, who cautions against easy forgiveness.
“This is really not about what Sanford should do, but how should the faith community understand and frame the issue?” says Mr. Parham. “There is within Christianity a kind of partial notion that forgiveness is easy and requires forgetfulness. Forgiveness, in fact, is difficult and does not require forgetfulness. We need to have caution about the rush to forgive.”
Sanford is known as a “my way or the highway” kind of politician who takes fiscal responsibility to the point of writing on both sides of Post-It notes. He has butted heads with the Republican-led legislature over what some see as grandstanding on issues like the federal stimulus package at a time when the state faces major fiscal problems.
Andy Brack, publisher of SC Statehouse Report and a frequent thorn in Sanford’s side, said this morning that the governor should stay.
“Look, Sanford has been a pariah who’s walked the gangplank for not taking the stimulus money, but he … stuck to his guns and did what he believed in,” says Mr. Brack. “But while he was under this tremendous amount of public pressure, little did we know that in private his hell was magnified. Does that mean he can’t now handle the pressure? No, because the pressure is off. Can he become a better governor? I certainly hope so, because we’ve got 12 percent unemployment, a [lousy] educational system, a healthcare system in crisis, and we need some leadership in this state.”
Sanford, an Episcopalian, spent part of the week sequestered with his family at their home on Sullivan’s Island. His wife, Jenny, has said she’s willing to reconcile, but has also noted that she’s able to go her own way without her high-profile husband.
As he left home this morning, Sanford was asked by a reporter whether he would leave office. He shook his head no.
Speaking to reporters after a 40-minute cabinet meeting today, the embattled Governor said, “I’m just trying to survive the day. That’s what I’m trying to do.”
Comments
2. Jon Inazaki | 06.26.09
I don’t question the morals of the Governor nor the need to forgive. Wife/girlfriend is his personal business. What does come up for question is his lack of judgement. It’s one thing to sneak off for an overnighter at a motel off the interstate. It takes a whole ‘nother level of self-delusion and poor judgement to think you can just sneak off to another continent and get away with it. This, coupled with his “I reject the stimulus money but I’ll take a round trip ticket to Buenos Aires” mindset is what the people of South Carolina should be considering.
3. Harold Reimann | 06.26.09
The law of God still has the death penalty for adultery. And Sanford does not have the luxury of being a man after God’s own heart like King David!
4. Steve Fisher | 06.26.09
That he swayed from the path doesn’t seem to be the relevant inquiry. That he utilized public funds for a private purpose however . . . . The founders established our government and the states as well, on a healthy cynicism about human nature and power. Under these circumstances, if you do not follow the law clearly and implicitly, the next person in line (from the lowest chamber to the governor’s office) will not have the ringing reminder of the consequences of misusing public funds. It’s frankly no different than the governor taking your money and buying himself a tractor without intending to tell you or pay it back. The best thing that could happen to the State of South Carolina would be for its children - soon to be leaders - to have studied the application of the law to this situation, and to learn that not even the highest offices are shielded from abuses of the public trust.
5. Upstategirl | 06.26.09
I am one South Carolinian who is appalled by the pass given Mark Sanford on his disregard for his position as governor and for the taxpayers who pay his salary. The arrogance of his disappearing without bothering to concern himself about lines of authority or emergency contacts for days is just the beginning. Now we learn he visited Argentina — at taxpayers’ expense — on a “trade mission” in defiance of US trade policy and only after he was forced to confess his affair did he offer to reimburse the state. If that is not misuse of his office, I do not know what is. I am heartsick at the lack of leadership in this state. During his tenure Sanford has summarily removed other office-holders in the state from their posts for dereliction of duty for far less serious offenses. And The State newspaper, so smugly taking credit for “breaking” the story has NO excuse for sitting on information about this man’s behavior for months with a ridiculous claim that they couldn’t verify the emails between Sanford and his mistress last December. My dog could have verified that story.
6. Paul Gaddes | 06.26.09
Interesting title to this article…I wonder if the Bible Belt is more likely to “forgive” this episode since he is a Son of the South, a professed “born again” and white…What about forgiveness to others who transgress…not so easily I would imagine…
7. Matthew | 06.26.09
If Gov. Sanford were a Democrat he would have already been fogiven. As a matter of fact infidelity is a right of passage for the dems. I just hope he is shown the same compassion as our the dem brethern where this is accepted.
I am certainly not saying it was right what he has done, in fact, stupid.
“He who is without sin cast the first stone.”
8. Mark | 06.26.09
What a joker. He screamed like a banshee for Clinton’s head (no pun intended) after “Monica-Gate”.
Now here he is comparing himself to the biblical King David. Gimme a break!
Sanford’s gotta go. All the tawdry personal business aside, he spent taxpayer money to “get his swerve on”. Only after he was found out did he offer to repay the theft.
Out here in the real world, that’s called a violation of fiduciary trust.
In the business world, it’s a “hanging offense”.
Hit the road, bud.
9. Bill | 06.26.09
Matthew.. Thank God that Gov. Sanford IS NOT a Democrat.. So what you need to do is refocus your comment from the starting point that Gov. Sanford is a cheating REPUBLICAN, and a liar. And not a very good governor either. He may be contrite, but he’s shown that he’s not trustworthy. This is not a discussion of whether he will be forgiven.
10. Phil | 06.26.09
Hypocrisy reigns supreme among the puritanical right. Sanford was just another extremist crusader, outspoken and strident on subjects of “family values”, and expressed little or no empathy for all the monogamous and faithful gay and lesbian couples who asked only for equal treatment under the law. He lived by the sword of his righteous intolerance, and he should die (figuratively) by the same. The citizens of South Carolina should by all means forgive the sinner, but if they don’t have his resignation within a week they’re dupes and fools. He is unfit to govern.
11. Tii | 06.27.09
I see that Mr. Sanford thinks that his affair will set a good example for his children. They will see a fallen being rise again, etc. Wouldn’t it have been a far better example for the children to see him treat their mother with respect and honesty?
12. tom | 06.27.09
How quickly times change. The anger of the self righteous right against any on the left who strayed and the shouting of family values from the rooftops and pulpits in the last two decades has been muted by the human frailty of Bristol Palin, John Ensign and Mr. Sanford. I wait to see if the same groups allow the same forgiveness in the future.
13. Sheryle in Florida | 06.27.09
What is it that power does to seemingly good people - men and women we believe in enough to put in authority over our government, our pocketbooks, our lives, that leads them to betray us and their families? Aware as I am of the adage, “absolute power corrupts absolutely” - I wonder if there isn’t perhaps, just a little bit too much pressure put on these people who serve, that they wind up betraying not just the people, but perhaps their own good character. I believe that when contrition is genuine, I will probably forgive, as I know that I am not made of stone, like the governor, I am not fallible. “There for the grace of God, go I.”
14. Trent | 06.27.09
His self comparison to King David is odious, as we are no monarchy and Mark has not built a kingdom by his good sword, wisdom, or counsel, he should go. I hope somebody would point out to him how inappropriate his King David metaphor is.
15. godspeed | 06.27.09
His wife pleaded with him not to see the mistress again, but the siren song was too strong. This is not a man who wants to reconcile and work on family and marriage, this is a man willing to sacrifice his children’s well-being for personal satisfaction. He may be forgiven, but he is no role model for our families and our politicians. Just because the “other side” can get away with it doesn’t mean that we should lower our standards. God bless Mrs. Sanford, at least she is putting her family first!
16. Mark | 06.27.09
Sanford has a bunch of boys and a wife. What could he have been thinking? I see his misfortune as being a form of temporary mid-life insanity. Sanford will come back to his senses, if he hasn’t already, but mopping up the mess won’t be easy. Women, in particular, I suspect, won’t forgive and forget this. His apparent hypocricy will also be harder to explain than his lapse in judgment.
17. the word | 06.28.09
Mark - you came out only because you were cought. Otherwise, you would continue to be hypocrytical… come on you need to get smarter Governor… and all those around you supporting you should come out clean with their dirty stuff. Everyone knows the State Capitol is the place where liars and extremely corrupt humans work. That lack of integrity is how they got the job in the first palce.
19. Pauline Lewinson | 07.27.09
Mark is wrong, but there is only one who is righteous and without sin. Who are we to be judges? Not because your stuff has not been exposed. He will have to work that out with God.
Lesson:
“Jesus stood up. He said, “Let the person who has never done anything wrong be the first to throw a stone at her.” Jesus was teaching them not to judge.”
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1. Bob Davis | 06.26.09
Forgiveness is good, but it should require the person to remove himself from the temptation. Can a governor govern without direct control of public funds? I believe that this would be a requirement.