South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford tries to keep the media back as he makes his way to the Statehouse after a cabinet meeting Friday.
(Mary Ann Chastain/AP)Photos (1 of 1)
If America forgave Clinton, why not Sanford? senator asks
GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham, who voted to impeach President Clinton, cites the former president as an example of someone whose on-the-job performance trumped personal problems.
By Mark Sappenfield | Staff writer/ June 28, 2009 edition
A clearly emotional Sen. Lindsey Graham (R) of South Carolina Sunday invoked former President Clinton as a defense for why embattled Gov. Mark Sanford, also of South Carolina, should potentially be allowed to finish his term.
Senator Graham is the godfather of Governor Sanford’s fourth and youngest son, and he fielded questions about Sanford’s admitted infidelity with difficulty on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” In a contrite moment, he called the GOP “a party of sinners” – apparently referring to his own religious convictions, because he added that the same was true of “every other group in America.”
Along with Sen. Jon Ensign (R) of Nevada, Sanford was the second major Republican politician to admit in affair in two weeks. Sanford was considered an up-and-comer with national aspirations before this week.
Asked if Sanford should now step down as governor, Graham said Sanford should be given the chance to set things right, so long as he can reconcile with his wife, Jenny.
In a curious example, Graham noted that former president Clinton was discovered to have had an affair while in office, yet his approval rating remained high among Americans because of his job performance, Graham noted.
“Bill Clinton had his problems. People looked at his job performance, they looked at his personal failings and they said, ‘You know what, we’re going to put one over here and the other over there,’ ” Graham said. “That’s no justification for what Mark did, but I think the people of South Carolina appreciate what Mark tried to do as governor to change their state.”
Graham voted to impeach Clinton, though he said Sunday that vote was based on his perceptions that Clinton had obstructed justice – not because he had had an affair.
Graham also mentioned a surprising antidote to the current spate of politicians behaving badly: President Obama. Going so far as to call him a role model as a good parent, Graham added: “Obama has done a lot of good in the area of family.”
Good role models are exactly what politics needs, said former GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney, also appearing on “Meet the Press.” Though he said he was not commenting specifically on the Sanford situation, he said: “You have to recognize that people that are in public life ought to be held to a higher standard,” he said. “We expect [these] people to live by a higher standard, because what they do is going to be magnified.”
Speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union” Sunday, Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) of Minnesota said Sanford was guilty of serious political mistakes. He “should not have left the state and not allowed people to know how to contact him in case something happened,” said Governor Pawlenty. “Your staff has to be able to reach you and reach you quickly for all the obvious reasons – natural disaster, terrorism, or other events.”
Comments
2. Beauregard | 06.28.09
First off, Clinton was THE PRESIDENT. Not just a president, but one of the most loved. His infidelity showed that despite his status, he was a mere mortal subject to the same temptations as everyone else. Sanford on the other hand? Who the heck are you?
3. trent | 06.28.09
As a governor, Sanford’s disgrace is his gross dereliction of duty, not the cheating.
4. Corey Wilde | 06.28.09
Sorry, Senator Graham, but this isn’t about who the Gov had sex with so the comparison to Clinton doesn’t work here. This is about Sanford having the incredibly poor judgement to disappear for four days without anyone knowing where to find him or anyone to deal with a crisis in his absence. That kind of poor judgement disqualifies him for the position of head of state. And the fact that he has not already voluntarily resigned, serves as reinforcement of his inability to make a sound decision that is in the best interest of the people of South Carolina.
5. John Fitzgerald | 06.28.09
Show me the article in the Christian Science Monitor where Graham forgave Clinton.
6. Jimmy Herring | 06.28.09
Sice Mr. Graham wants everything to be fair, then let the impeachment process begin for the immoral Republican Gov. Sanford….Fair is Fair
7. Gill Bates | 06.28.09
The answer is simple: because Clinton was not railing against other politicians, like Sanford was against Clinton.
Clinton was also not trying to legislate morality and force it on others.
It is the hypocrisy that really sticks out with Sanford.
8. Jacob | 06.28.09
Commitment to democratic values comes first. Being a good role model comes second.
9. Dean Wendell | 06.28.09
The answer to Senator Graham’s question is quite simple.
Mark Sanford used the church, bible, and family values planks of the Republican platform as keys to being elected. During his tenure he has beaten the drum of family and marriage over and over. And yet when asked to practice the what he preached, he showed himself to be vain, hypocritical and a liar. Worse yet, it is quite clear that if his ruse had worked regarding his absence, he would have continued his dalliance without any thought to the sheer hypocrisy which it represents.
Mr. Sanford’s crocodile tears when caught are simply shameful. Second chances are for people who make mistakes. This was no mistake, he was simply caught red handed and is attempting to secure our sympathy with false contrition.
As one pundit so aptly put it “Mr. Sanford, who campaigned that gays and lesbians will destroy families, seems to have no problem doing the job himself.”
Nobody needs a man like that running their state.
10. Curly | 06.28.09
There is a difference between Clinton and the governor and the senator. Clinton was forginen while the other two most likely will not. The difference is Mark Sanford and Jon Ensign are republicans. I will be very much supprised if it is otherwise.
11. Pablo | 06.28.09
Sen. Graham had no intention of giving Clinton a chance, so why would believe his remarks as anything but hypocrisy. The bigger issue for Sanford is abandoning his job for a week being incommunicado, while Clinton at best took a coffee room break. Apparently Sanford might have broke laws in using taxpayers money to detour south for his long distance rendezvous. Then consider South Carolina being firmly in the Bible Belt there are adultery laws down there he might have broken at least in the spirit if not doing it physically in the state.
Sanford should resign and doesn’t deserve much sympathy. Sanford obviously lost all credibility and just drags down the Republican party as long as he lingers - sustaining this silly soap opera on the national stage.
12. ivan | 06.28.09
Graham should be careful what he wishes for. I’m all for Sanford staying on as governor, for purely partisan political purposes. Better he should remain in office as damaged goods, and in the spotlight as a symbol of Republican hypocrisy, mendacity, and incompetence.
14. Fred | 06.28.09
The Republicans can not have it both ways. When you try to appear more righteous than everyone else then you have to pay the price severely when you are finally exposed for what you truly are. It’s that simple,since the governor of South Carolina condemned President Clinton when he was a senator representing South Carolina at the time he showed no compassion or forgiveness so why should the public show sny for him now?
15. Bruce Bean | 06.28.09
Is Graham crazy. Doesn’t he remember that he voted to impeach Bill Clinton. I believe that Americans would be happy to forgive Stanford if he wasn’t such a blowhard on morality and trying to make other Americans believe that he is morally superior. Republicans need to realize that people make mistakes. When Democrats make mistakes they are vilified and when Republicans make mistakes they ask for forgiveness. Where was the forgiveness for Bill Clinton from Graham and Stanford?
16. Brad | 06.28.09
Since he’s gotten his 1st press conference out of the way, he nows needs to hold a 2nd press conference and Publicly Apologize to President Clinton and everyone else he went after, for being a hypocrite! He should then quit his job (just like he demanded from everyone else he attacked)
These little “I’ll give a 5 minute apology and then I should be forgiven” performance have got to go!! People like this, who sought to publicly embarrass and humiliate others, deserve no less than the combined punishments they sought to impose on others!!
17. powers | 06.28.09
I think its one thing to separate private life from politics, but when you use the money from the state to go on a trip to argentina you blur the line between the two.
18. Matthew Bright | 06.28.09
Clinton was hounded by a 50 million dollar sex investigation that sought to maneuver the President of the United States into a position of having to admit to an affair or be guilty of perjury. People actually went to prison for refusing to testify in this bad faith investigation. And this Sanford fellow promoted that investigation, along with most Republicans, all of them making sanctimonious statements on numerous occasions calling for Clinton to resign for immoral behavior and lying about what was his own personal business.
The behavior Sanford is guilty of has nothing at all in common with Bill Clinton. Sanford is a sanctimonious hypocrite. Sanford is guilty of bad faith. Sanford is dishonest. Sanford has been shown to be a fraud. Sanford is two faced. Sanford is sanctimonious. Sanford also might be an unhinged crackpot.
19. PA Reader | 06.28.09
Impeach him and if he’s not convicted, let him stay in office. Fair is fair.
20. Lev | 06.28.09
I have forgiveness for him as this is not our business — he did nothing illegal and it is an issue between him, his wife, and God. If I take a break at work and go out and have sex with a woman other than my wife it is a sign of low character but it is not an illegal act. Clinton lied under oath about getting oral but was it ever the American public’s business to know in the first place? There was zero legal basis for the investigation or to ask such private questions. It is not illegal to get oral, even when married. The whole hunt was based upon archaic stupidity from the beginning. The Senator needs to also ask for forgiveness from Clinton for being a complete and total hypocrite.
21. Casey | 06.28.09
I don’t think adultry should be grounds to impeach a politician. That said, I don’t think anyone should be given a round of applause for admitting to infidelity, but that’s a whole other politician. Looking at it from a business perspective, if a CEO who has proven himself competent in his job has an affair with someone, at most it becomes interesting water cooler gossip. However, if the CEO up and leaves for 6 days, giving no explanation or contact information and used company money to finance an international trip irrelevant to company business, I’d say it would be tough to really justify allowing him to keep his job. Clinton made an error in judgement but did not abuse his power to do it.
22. Emlyn | 06.28.09
America forgave Clinton? They impeached him! And Sanford is guilty of far more than just having an affair.
Impeach Sanford.
23. Auntie May | 06.28.09
Bill Clinton never pointed the finger in righteous judgment of others morals while claiming superior moral values for himself, nor did he leave the country without a legitimate chain of command.
Sanford condemned others on a moral basis only to discover that he is human and capable of sin. Clearly judge not lest ye be judged applies here.
Sanford is guilty of dereliction of duty, his marital infidelities are between him and his wife. His job performance evaluation should not be dependent on reconciliation with his wife, that is none of our business!
24. mike | 06.28.09
The issue really is not about the affair. It is the fact he left his state (and the country) with no one in charge. Seems everyone is caught up in his personal life and forgetting he is the governor of SC and he has responsibilities that he can not just leave. I would hope he does not even try to run for president how could you trust him after this to take his position seriously. Everyone deserves a vacation, he should have left his Lt. Governor in charge and then left.
25. James in GA | 06.28.09
Sanford doesn’t need my forgiveness because he isn’t my governor. The forgiveness he seeks should come from the people of South Carolina who elected him to be governor, and not go leave and the state with no leadership for nearly a week while he used taxpayer dollars to fly to a foreign country to be with his mistress.
26. james | 06.28.09
Americans didn’t forgive Clinton! That’s why Hillary isn’t president!Those who choose to push conservatives, Democratic or republican, hurt themselves and their party! Not to mention how much they shame their families for their own insecurities! After an affair that goes public your word means nothing! Those who are not conservative won’t believe in you!
27. Gus Wynn | 06.28.09
Clinton’s flings were known before he was elected and he never used family values as a selling point. Sanford was different, an outspoken pseudo-religioso right winger that looked down on Clinton.
It’s also more likely that Clinton’s wife knew what he was up to and they had a different arrangement between them.
28. Hypocrite Hater | 06.28.09
Lindsay Graham like many other conservatives have two set of standards; one for people like Bill Clinton who he wanted impeached; and one for people like Sanford who he wants to stay in office for committing a similar offence. Jesus cited the Pharisees for their gross hypocrisy, we today have the GOP.
The GOP is a party of hypocrites, racist, warmongers, Uncle Toms, liars,
lovers of prostitutes, bathroom sex addicts, lovers of young boys, bribe takers, pontificators and drug takers.
29. Rrichardson | 06.28.09
What a bunch of GOP hypocrites! Talk out of both sides of the mouth and condemn clinton while having no remorse for the hypocrites of the GOP party, like Gingrich and now Sanford, How about the Idaho Senator!.Remember the word SAP that describes the GOP voter, especially the evangelicals.
30. See McSee | 06.28.09
Difference between Sanford and Clinton? Clinton didn’t wander off and leave the helm of the ship unattended.
31. Robert Timmons | 06.28.09
If Sen. Graham wants forgiveness for Gov. Sanford, then–
1) Ken Starr must investigate and hound Gov. Stanford to death;
2) Gov. Standord must be impeached and tried;
3) The Republican Party must vilify him.
Then, and only then, does he qualify for Clinton class foregiveness.
Lindsay Graham, another Republican hypocrite.
32. John Nelson | 06.28.09
Why?
For starters, how about, “Because Clinton wasn’t a moralizing, hypocritical, fake Christian”? Puh-leeze…
33. YSI | 06.28.09
Oh, for heaven’s sake! Does Graham not understand the concept and application of accountability?? The fact that he, a state senator, would even issue this argument is absurd and insulting and makes me question what other kinds of immoral behavior, on both a personal and professional level, he would justify based on the actions of others.
34. koolaukid Kaneohe, HI | 06.28.09
Here’s Mark in 1998 on Bill Clinton’s cheating: “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.”
Here’s Mark in 1998 on ex-GOP Rep. Bill Livingston, who revealed that he strayed from his marriage: “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.
And Mark has fought to have the Ten Commandments publicly displayed. Quick refresher: Commandment No. 7: You shall not commit adultery
36. Richard Kefalos | 06.28.09
Sanford is a real creep. I pity his wife, but surely he must have given some indication of his duplicitous nature at previous times during their marriage? I have a feeling that this is not Sanford’s first treachery but simply a pattern of his life. With Sanford, how can one ever know if he is telling the truth, apart from the possibly criminal issue of misuse of public funds? The great state of South Carolina should be ashamed to even consider allowing Sanford to continue his term, and if it lets him, it will be a blow to truth, fairness, and justice. No one likes liars and thieves or wants them around, in South Carolina or anywhere else.
37. Oliver | 06.28.09
Clinton actually did something good for the country. And at least when he had the affair he didn’t use people’s taxes to go a foreign country. This man disappeared for 5 days to get a “relief”. I’m a conservative but he was a very hypocritical person. Talking about family values and even talking about how we should not trust Clinton after he had the affair. To me he doesn’t deserve it.
38. David Saltfire | 06.28.09
I have little doubt that America will forgive Mark Sanford. Forgiving those who trespass against us is a Christian ideal. In America, we always forgive or forget the sins of our politicians - at least eventually. However, I seriously doubt the neo-conservative party can forgive Governor Sanford. This has nothing to do with the idea the neo-conservative party is somehow a “Christian” party. A Christian party would never demand that health care be restricted to those rich enough to actually afford it.
39. SLng | 06.28.09
If Mark Sanford was a Democrat, then Senator Graham would not be as forgiving. Gov. Sanford disappeared approximately for a week. His irresponsibility placed his state in a vulnerable position.
As Americans, and as people, we must forgive because we are not flawless. However, personally, I would recommend that he step down due to his irresponsiblity.
40. JoanK | 06.28.09
Senator Graham voted to impeach Clinton because he lied about having an indiscretion in the White House. Now the senator wants the people of South Carolina to forgive Sanford? But Clinton did not go AWOL for 5 days, leaving the question of who is in charge in jeopardy. I could care less about the affair but am concerned about Sanford’s lack of responsibility. There’s a big difference between the two men’s situations.
41. american cuervo | 06.28.09
President Clinton was not allowed to finish his term, as he was served impeachment papers before it’s end.
42. Michael Yavno | 06.28.09
Governor Sanford broke the trust. He is a man without honor who knew his actions were wrong before he took them. How could anyone take his word on anything now?
He is a world class liar and hypocrite. The good citizens of South Carolina should call for his immediate resignation or start immediate impeachment proceedings. This should be a lesson for all public servants.
43. Mark Klotsky | 06.28.09
Like a typical Republican, Sanford presented himself as financially responsible and morally perfect and was as loud as anyone in his nasty remarks about Clinton.
Then he spent taxpayer money to cheat on his wife.
Everybody dislikes hypocrites.
44. keith | 06.28.09
America forgave President Clinton because he did not preached about family’s value. Governor Sandford did. I guess that Americans do not like hypocrite.
I am sure that Sen. Lindsey Graham knows what is that mean.
45. Sylvia Carlsson | 06.28.09
The fact that Sanford and Ensign had marital affairs and decided to publicly air them is not important when it comes to the Republican Brand. It is the hypocrisy thing, isn’t it? When your party claims a mantle above all others stating that it is for Family Values above all else, and important members of its party screw up, what is the result? Why, hypocrisy and nothing has a more damaging effect than that. Well now because President Obama and his family are showing this country what “real” family values are all about, that mantle no longer belongs to the Republican Party, does it?
46. lslerner | 06.28.09
The big difference between Clinton and Sanford is that Clinton did not spend his time and energy denouncing and going after other politicians who had adulterous relationships.
47. Pam Harman | 06.28.09
What happens to the Governor’s marriage is between him and his wife. His political future should not be contingent on hois personal family life.To that extent I disagree with Sen Graham.
But Governor Sanford differs from Pres Clinton in two major ways: Clinton was not on record vilifying extramarital sex. Sanford voted for impeachment. That vote went along party lines and it is disingenuous to say that the vote was for obstruction of justice rather than sexual impropriety.
And, Gov Sanford left his post making no provision for the governorship to be covered while he was gone. To use a military analogy, he was absent without leave, and the reason doesn’t really matter.
Allow him to finish his term. Sending in a Lt Governor at half time after a sex case is not always a good thing viz New York. Let the voters of South Carolina say how they want him handled
48. asdf | 06.28.09
Just as Sen. Graham says that his impeachment vote against Pres. Clinton was due to his perception that Clinton obstructed justice, not due to Clinton’s affair, so is Gov. Sanford wrong for lying about leaving South Carolina secretly without deputizing his lieutenant governor to any emergencies, not for having an affair. The affair may be sordid, but Sen. Graham is correct that voters care more about on-the-job performance than about politicians’ off-duty foibles. Leaving the state secretly with no one in charge is not what SC’s voters consider a good performance, even if they are conservatives normally in Gov. Sanford’s political camp.
49. Ronni S. | 06.28.09
It’s not the affair that’s so egregious. It’s his leaving for 5 days and not telling people where he was. It’s his bizarre behavior. Interesting how so many of the first people who berate others for “moral failings”are eventually outed for their own behavior and/or hypocrisy.
50. Gezuz | 06.28.09
Lyndsey Graham, You are such a split tongue double talker! Sanford did not forgive Clinton - he voted to impeach Clinton! Its Time to take some of your own medicine big boy!
Remember this America - Clinton never threw the first stone the way Sanford did!
51. R. Tompkins | 06.28.09
Maybe Governor Sanford should apologize to and “forgive” President Clinton before he asks to be forgiven for his own transgressions.
52. Chad S. | 06.28.09
Maybe Americans forgave Bill Clinton, but not Sanford because Sanford’s affair lasted over a year, the governor asked his wife if he could go back to his mistress after she kicked him out of their house, and did so anyways after she told him no.
54. lillian | 06.28.09
Clinton was not “in love” , Clinton did not espouse “family values” and try to get another man impreached for adultery, Clinton did not show himself to be a quarter of the hypocrite this man has shown himself to be. I am sorry to hear his wife may take him back.
56. Eric | 06.28.09
Governor Sanford should resign because he is a hypocrite - pure and simple.
President Clinton never claimed he was a paragon of virtue. One cannot call for the heads of others and then expect sympathy when the want to keep theirs.
Senator Graham is shilling for this guy - charitably, one would hope that this is out of friendship.
A number of South Carolina Republican state senators have called for his resignation … I agree with them.
57. Peter | 06.28.09
Gov. Mark Sanford should resign. Is not about whether America should forgive him, it’s about taking responsibility for his own action. The difference is that he voted to impeach Bill Clinton for the same mistake. So he should resign to show other politicians he won’t take this political mistake lightly.
58. TERRY | 06.28.09
In the interest of fairness, of course lets be as fair as the repugs. First we denounce the person as an affront to god, then claim over reaching piuosness in the name of moral supriority, then feign insult and disguss, then state inuedos concerning the spouse and kids, then seek out and persecute supporters, then insult everyone who ever befriended the individual, then start inquisitions of the observers, then shut-up and go away.
59. CJ | 06.28.09
Clinton, did not wave his hands yelling “Family values” at everyone. Clinton, was not part of a witch hunt to impeach the opposition for any reason just to do it. No, Bill Clinton had an affair with a younger woman. And, he did lie about it. Gov. Sandford, did ride on his family values mantra, all the while doing the same thing he accused President Clinton of doing.
Governor Sandford is a hypocrite. Do as I say, not as I do does not cut it. If we follow the precedent that the Republicans have liad out, then Sandford needs to resign. And, Vitter should also. Also, Gingrich who cheated on his first two wives, should bow out of public life and disappear as only a footnote in history.
60. Tim | 06.28.09
I have no problem with Clinton or Sanford getting some on the side. The question is did they lie, cheat, steal or compromise their office to do so. In Sanford’s case it sounds like he did, so hang em high…
61. Carl Dyson | 06.28.09
If republicans refused to forgive Clinton, why should they forgive Sanford?
62. Jason M | 06.28.09
The reason is that Clinton did not play up his “family values” cred like Mr Sanford, who was not only against allowing gays to wed, but was completely against them even having equal rights through a civil union. Hypocrites like Sanford who pretend to care about marriage and family but clearly don’t deserve to be tossed. Maybe he can practice the tango with his mistress in Buenos Aires.
63. Chuck Weeks | 06.28.09
Whether or not Governor Sanford stays popular remains to be seen. I believe one reason (certainly not the ONLY reason…job performance does matter after all…)the nation as a whole forgave Clinton was because he never advertised himself as a ‘family values’ candidate like Governor Sanford has done. That Gov. Sanford openly opposed such issues as gay marriage and advertised himself as a solid family man only makes him that more open to calls of “hypocrite” from both parties. Now he is in a ‘do as I say not do as I do’ position.
64. jay | 06.28.09
I could care less about the adultery– that’s between the governor, his wife, his family, and his lover– but I know one thing for certain. If I took a week off from my job without telling anyone, I would have no job when I returned.
And it seems to be difficult for the Republican pundits to get the word out of their mouths, but there’s another reason to take away the governor’s office, and that’s the word “hypocrisy.” It’s fine for Senator Graham to be all meek and accepting of the imperfect “only human” qualities of members of both sides of the political fence, but you only get the bye if you haven’t been sanctimoniously mouthing off against foibles of the other guy.
65. ted | 06.28.09
Right wing conservative never did forgive. They held impeachment hearings all the while wasting taxpayer money and keeping the president from his real job working for the people.
66. Prince Roy | 06.28.09
Is this some kind of joke? Bill Clinton did not disappear from the White House while telling his staff lies about where he really was. Bill Clinton was not in dereliction of his duties as president at any time. How Senator Graham could even think to make this kind of comparison is absurd. What a numb skull. It is more and more obvious that South Carolina are getting the kinds of politicians they deserve.
67. stan | 06.28.09
so lindsey graham thinks we should treat a republican differently than he treated a democrat…. brilliant. more hypocrisy and twisted logic from a republican politician. just what this country needs.
you know, it sounds even dumber when he states that he was more concerned with clinton’s “obstruction of justice.” what justice? clinton did what he did, but he certainly never left the country for a week without telling anyone.
it is so disgustingly obvious that the republicans, especially their leadership, still have no idea why they lost in november. perhaps it will take yet another electoral drubbing to get them to snap out of their fourth grade approach to governance. fine by me!
68. Lester Mazor | 06.28.09
By being so self-righteous, government officials like Sanford have forfeited the privilege of being forgiven when they violate the standards they have so loudly proclaimed. That’s the difference.
69. Mike C | 06.28.09
Sure, forgive him for his infidelity.
Make him resign for his hypocrisy, mendacity , and naked, insensitive opportunism against Clinton and ‘The American People’
70. Kevin Carney | 06.28.09
Double standards exist. They are in fact common. I recall Bill O’Reilly angrily blaming the parents when young Jamie Lynn Spears was pregnant, then talking favorably about having made a good right to life decision when young Bristol Palin was pregnant. Political sex scandals are treated the same way. Is he (either Clinton or Sanford)”good” or “evil”? It depends who you ask and when. My favorate part of this particular news story was a statement released by Governor’s Sanford’s wife that said something to the effect of “I’m not sure yte if I’ll take him back or not, but from this point forward things are different”. It was refreshing for a politicians wife to seem so honest in her response. South Carolina can and will have a new governor (one day) but his kids will only ever have one father.
72. Allan | 06.28.09
It’s not the affair which is Mr. Sanford’s biggest problem. It’s how he disappeared from the country without anybody knowing where he was.
73. s | 06.28.09
Bill Clinton never evoked multiple bible verses before, during or after the affair…Such hypocrites! They bashed Clinton and used his affair to take over Congress and eventually the presidency, which was a disaster! I can’t believe this hypocrisy…I hope the American people are watching and are sickened by this horrid, hypocritical display.
75. Michele | 06.28.09
I believe it’s the hypocrisy, not the act that people have a hard time swallowing. Senator Graham was one of the house managers during the impeachment, standing up on his high horse while at the same time, having an affair himself.
The only person who has to forgive him (or not) is his wife. He should be in some trouble for leaving the country without telling any of his staff. That is up for public debate.
76. plaza04433 | 06.28.09
“If America forgave Clinton, why not Sanford?”
Because Sanford was a lier, adulterer, incompetent and a hypocrite.
Clinton was just a lier and adulterer.
78. HoosierDONK | 06.28.09
Hmm.. Can’t get no satisfaction here, I thought my comments were true and very much to the point. Sorry it didn’t meet your censors standard? No problem I’ll post it to all the social sites where censorship is a no show.
gooday
79. Northend | 06.28.09
Would Governor Sanford like to be impeached first? Then forgiven? Oh the self righteous and how they fall. Clinton never pretended to be God given like Governor Sanford. That makes Governor Sanford more evil than Clinton ever was.
80. robert chapman | 06.28.09
Senator Lindsay Graham, an architect of the Clinton impeachment is now asking that his Palmetto State GOP chum not be censured for adultery.
Senator Graham apparently does not only not understand that adultery is wrong, but he appears to still think it should be illegal.
The problem with the GOP approach to Clinton’s adultery was that the GOP was unwilling to let the electorate deal with Clinton by political means. Instead GOP Representatives like Graham and Sanford tried to make adultery a crime and convict Clinton of it ex post facto.
Americans don’t want moral reprobates as leaders- we also don’t want to legislate morality and put the government in the bedroom like Sanford and Graham and the other GOP representatives tried to do back in the nineties.
If the GOP ever wants to be able to appeal to people who believe that adultery is wrong, both as an insult to marriage and to wives, they had better find the political strength to send Sanford down the same chute Democrats sent Jim McCreevy and Eliot Spitzer.
81. Mike Licht | 06.28.09
People need to realize that Mark Sanford is actually a very sensitive man. He’s taking the death of Farrah Fawcett quite hard.
See:
http://notionscapital.wordpress.com/2009/06/27/mark-sanford-mourns-farrah-fawcett/
83. don | 06.28.09
if it were a dem that got caught you would not even hear about it for months(EDWARDS AFFAIR) MAYBE NEVER
84. Phoebe B | 06.28.09
I don’t think the problem is that he had an affair. I think the problem is that he left his post without telling anyone where he would be. Not good for the person supposedly leading his state. But as I am neither a Republican nor a citizen of South Carolina, it doesn’t really matter what I think.
Marriage is personal, not political. If his wife can forgive him, who has the right not to?
85. Al in SoCal | 06.28.09
The hypocrisy is thick. Bill Clinton and the Democrats do not try to legislate bedroom behavior like the Republicans. For someone like Ensign who wanted Clinton and Larry Craig to resign it seems only fitting he should take his own advice. If the only argument you can make is “Democrats cheat too” then the moral high-road you all claim to be on is a total lie - but like many, I knew that a long time ago.
86. JF Hendershot | 06.28.09
Bill Clinton didn’t disappear for 5 days at taxpayer expense to visit his mistress in a foriegn country - not telling anyone where he was going or how to contact him. Mark Sanford did that. Lindsay Graham - and Sanford are incredible hypocrites. I could care less about this guy’s sex life, but his deriliction of duty and misuse of tax payer funds is more than enough to qualify for his own impeachment. I’m sure Fox “News” will hire him after he leaves the Governorship.
87. hap | 06.28.09
I stand by judge not lest you be judged. Sanford did a lot of judging of others in his time. I guess it just came back to bit him.
88. Joe Runde | 06.28.09
It’s not the country that will not forgive Gov. Sanford. His party cannot. Just as they voted to impeach President Clinton, they cannot send out a candidate who has demonstrated a similar character flaw. Senator Graham needs to understand his own record and his party’s record and deal and recognize the corner into which he and the Republicans have painted themselves.
89. Jeff Gordon | 06.28.09
Because Bill Clinton and the democrats didn’t position themselves as the keepers of morality. Gov. Sanford went after Clinton and he is simply being kept to his own standards.
90. Hmmm | 06.28.09
Sanfords personal life should be his own as long as he keeps it separate from his public life. This is the same basic principal that was used by most folks during the Clinton scandal.
But what is quintessentially Republican in this sordid affair is the rank hypocracy. Sanford was howling for Clinton to be impeached and so was Graham. Like all Republicans, they live in glass houses and not only love, but live to throw stones. Grahm objects that Clinton obstructed justice by lying to a grand jury but has no problem with Libby lying to a grand jury. Republicans should get Christian forgiveness, Democrats impeachment.
And that’s how it plays out, John Edwards is out of public life forever, Elliot Spitzer had the good grace to step down. Republicans, however, want to show their children that none of this applies to them. They can philander, torture, ignore their duties, start the most deeply un-American preemptive wars and toss away the care of America’s health to that which symbolizes the sheerest lack of compassion, the insurance industry. But the Republicans, particularly their elite politicians, now they, deserve sympathy, tax payer provided health insurance, and Christian forgiveness.
91. Ed Hart | 06.28.09
Senator, You are wrong, America did not forgive Clinton, the Democrats forgave him.
92. Charlie | 06.28.09
People are forgetting how distasteful the whole Clinton infidelity issue was at the time. Clinton wouldn’t have won another term in office had he even had the opportunity to run once again. In fact, Al Gore arguably lost the election because Clinton had no coattails — because Americans found his actions to be so offensive. Might time redeem Sanford’s reputation to some extent? Perhaps. Does it make a difference that Clinton played on the national stage and Sanford on the state level? Probably. Would the Democrats’ attack dogs be called out just as he Republicans’ were against Clinton? Without question. Sanford’s political career is finished.
93. stephen holton | 06.28.09
It wasn’t the Dems commiserating about Clinton. It was Sen Graham, Gov Sanford and the rest of the GOP. I don’t give a tinker’s damn about the Governor’s affair. But you Republicans make it an issue, so reap what you sow. If you’re gonna talk the talk, then, by God, walk the walk!
94. Dan Drake | 06.28.09
If you think that there is any similarity in the situation and circumstances of Clinton and Sanford and you want to use that as an argument for the electorate to forgive Sanford, then you just haven’t been paying attention to the big picture. Clinton was hounded by the opposition for purely party political reasons. Sanford is in the situation he’s in without the help of partisan politics. Just think about that for a minute.
95. Shelly White | 06.28.09
“If America forgave Clinton, why not Sanford? senator asks”
LOL — Because, Sanford and his parading around - talking about morals and the importance of marriage, he is simply a hypocrite! He judges others, harshly, but has no more morals than an animal in the wild.
Why ask such a stupid question anyway? It makes it seem like what he did was “okay”. Besides, he stole money from the South Carolina to hook up with his twit.
96. TonyT | 06.28.09
“[People] looked at [President Clinton’s] job performance, they looked at his personal failings and they said, ‘You know what, we’re going to put one over here and the other over there.’”
This is about “public trust,” the axiom upon which being an elected official is based. When the Clinton’s personal life was turned into a public spectacle, people chose to separate — or not — trustworthiness into personal trust and public trust: “over here” and “over there.” Marriage is a personal commitment between two people. Elected officials enter into a covenant with their constituents to serve faithfully as their representatives in government.
When Gov. Sanford used public funds to ditch work in Argentina for a week, he shattered that covenant. That is the reason why Gov. Sanford must resign. The lives of nearly 5 million people are affected by how the governor of SC handles his or her responsibilities: responsibilities Mr. Sanford simply chose to abandon for a week.
Who cares why? The other thing is between him and his family. Sen. Graham’s appeal for empathy is laudable but misguided. Forgiveness applies to actions, not consequences. After Gov. Sanford steps down, and his erratic behavior becomes his own business, S. Carolinians can decide for themselves whether to forgive him or not.
97. Marik | 06.28.09
Much as Senator Graham would like to have it otherwise, Clinton’s obstruction of justice and his affair are inseparable. You would not have had one without the other.
I thought Clinton should have resigned. I did not think he should have been impeached. I think that Sanford should resign. I don’t think he should be impeached.
Of course, both men, as well as Senator Graham, were/are politicians, so doing the right thing by resigning is absolutely their last resort.
Resignation is a loss of power, and power is the reason politicians get into the business in the first place.
If Sanford refuses to resign, he will simply demonstrate what we already know about him: he has no sense of personal honor. We already know that about Clinton as well.
98. cheloquito | 06.28.09
First of all, I don’t think “America” forgave Bill Clinton. A large number of citizens did and continue to loathe and despise him - not, I believe, for what he did - but for some mythic notion of the Presidency being degraded. The Republicans held our nation hostage for two years while they attempted to destroy Clinton for dishonesty about marital infidelity, not treason, spying, or other high crimes. Furthermore, Clinton did not abdicate his duties as President, leave the country, and lie to all those around him when he did so; in addition, he never arrogantly and hypocritically held himself out to be an arbiter of morality and general “family values” as Mark Sanford did. More? He never publicly stated that any other politician should resign his office for a sexual indiscretion as Sanford did on at least three occasions. No, Mark Sanford should take the medicine he prescribed for Bill Clinton. He should resign and leave public life. He does not deserve the “public trust.”
99. diane | 06.28.09
Clinton was impeached. Why not call Ken Starr?
All this “He did it!” needs to stop, especially when you want to put God in your politics. Guess you never read Romans 2.
100. Gavagai | 06.28.09
Really? The best the GOP can muster is a “Oh yea, Clinton did it too.” That’s the new standard, huh? Good luck with that strategic spin. Oh, and the “everyone makes mistakes” excuse falls equally flat. It’s not that Dems are any better at being faithful spouses-that’s not the point. The GOP has put “family values” at the center of their political platform, and when their repeated behavior betrays their own espoused values, those betrayals aren’t just an ordinary mistake. They expose those “family values” as merely a political strategy and nothing much more.
101. Lee | 06.28.09
Unlike Clinton, Sanford has been somewhat of a crusader for conservative sexual morals. His extreme hypocrisy makes it a bit more difficult to forgive him.
102. Michael | 06.28.09
Sen Graham made a mistake, Clintons high approval rating wasnt only based on job performance. President Clinton never claimed to be a “devout christian” nor did he try to push his morals on the country, like Gov. Sanford did. Its not that Gov. Sanford Cheated on his wife but the fact that he claimed to be above such behavior. That was until he got caught. Hypocracy is not acceptable in politics. Gov. Sanford must resign because of his own words.
103. ISPyAHypocrite | 06.28.09
He misused public money to fund the trip to see his mistress. He would have never disclosed or repaid that money had not been caught. Based on his own arguments regarding his decision to vote for Clinton’s impeachment, he should step down.
104. Michael | 06.28.09
America did not forgive President Clinton per se, America just didnt care. President Clinton isn’t and never was a Hypocrite, he was, as America saw him, a regular man with an important job doing the best he could.
105. JohnF | 06.28.09
RE: If America forgave Clinton, why not Sanford?
Because Sanford and his fellow “Family Values” far right cohorts thought Clinton’s actions were inexcusable and called for his impeachment. In fact fellow Far Right icon, Newt Gingrich was having a tryst of his own while at the same time attacking President Clinton for his dalliances. (Don’t throw stones while living in a glass house). Republican hypocrisy is the reason I left the Party after forty years. (That and I was a Goldwater republican who didn’t feel comfortable with religion becoming a permanent party platform)!
106. Frank Irzyk | 06.28.09
Senator Graham,
I never forgave President Clinton. He cheapened the office of the Presidency. In addition, he did not disappear for 4 days. Governor Sanford cast yet another dark shadow on the American politician.
107. Jay Watterworth | 06.28.09
Sanford didn’t forgive Clinton. He is not doing what he wants others to do.
108. Marid | 06.28.09
The difference in how the two were treated has everything to do with the positions and hypocrisy of Sanford and his ilk when they put on their “Moral Values” and “Family Values” cloak and the trip on their own tongues or something else. With Mr. Clinton, he was at least smart enough not to crow too loud about those two Strawman positions that the Republicans lean so heavily on.
If Mr. Sanford and Mr. Ensign had not taken such hypocritical positions and then proved themselves scum, I would have not been averse to giving them some slack. Seems to be a lot of that in the Family Values and Moral Values crowd. Maybe they should learn to just stay out of other people’s personal affairs. No pun intended.
109. jim | 06.28.09
Mr. Lindsey apparently is only willing to extend forgiveness to conservatives since he did vote to impeach clinton, if only for payback for nixon’s forced exit. of course it may be just a set up for when he gets caught……..
110. raggedy | 06.28.09
This man has to go. He has left a position that is highly critical for the safety of his state just to go and have a love fest with his woman. Impossible! How can anyone with some moral values left intact leave it up to such a flawed individual to sign a death warrant, for example. People like him have forfeited the moral justification to rule over other people’s lives. If something like sexual gratification is reason enough for him to abandon his duties — it is easy to guess what little it takes to convince him to take another risk … This time it may cost lives.
He has to go, or else the the office of governer is being reduced to a farce.
Can we please be spared more of his rubbish talk, trying to save his job.
111. Larry Phenis | 06.28.09
“America” may have forgiven Clinton; but the Republican right wing certainly did not. So it is typical hypocrisy from this group to cite Clinton as an example. Moreover, I do not think “America” is condemning Sanford for his affair; but for his hypocrisy. Let those who sow the wind reap the whirlwind.
112. Clive | 06.28.09
The problem I have with all of this is that the main issue is being side-stepped, namely that Governor Sanford left the country for several days, having mislead his staff and without plans for a (temporary) replacement. THAT shows serious lack of judgment if nothing else. The GOP needs desperately a quick and proper resolution to this problem if no-one else does.
113. Stephen | 06.28.09
…. because, Clinton NEVER ran on family values NOR did he ever DAMN any one for personal failings, unlike The Governor.
114. John Holmstrom | 06.28.09
Yes, married men and women makes mistakes. Christ Jesus talks about “casting stones” etc. Presidents Roosevelt, Eisenhower, and Johnson were all capable leaders who were identified as not being faithful husbands. Yet they remained married. What transpires between married people trying to solve problems, to me, should be private. In Sandfords case he chose to openly visit his paramour. Such conduct inevitably results in public gossip and censure. If an elected official publically (or privately!) cheats on and humiliates their spouse - many of whom they promise to “love, honor and obey” - how will they treat ME….a tax payer they don’t even know?
J.
115. Ronald Halla | 06.28.09
I don”t knew why some people must be so religious,.because the important is the man. He have a love,if he say that he have a dream,than he is absolve.The Governor Sanford must be a good governor to Carolina.Whats the problem that Mr.Mark love a beautiful woman of Argentinian.Jesus don”t have love Marie Madalene,his that a sin.No, the true love never is a sin but is a grace of God. The problem with his wife the justice of man resolve.The people of Carolina like his govern,the rest,is the rest.Enough of puritanismus or pentecostalismus,we must believe in the man The Governor Mark Sanford. It”s this, ..Ron
116. Vince | 06.28.09
Maybe because he and others have made such a big deal about their own spiritual perfection (read: arrogance)? Clinton never passed himself off as perfect, although it was pretty annoying when he tried the “is” thing…
117. Think Again | 06.29.09
Because Clinton was decent and worked for all the American people, and Sanford is working for his rich buddies only.
119. Michael Guttman | 06.29.09
Nice try, Senator Graham, but no cigar! Sanford’s were not caused by his personal infidelity per se, but rather by his public evasions and dissembling (Appalachia, needed to recover from the strains of office, etc.) when caught red-handed. His subsequent confused and clumsy attempts to ‘bare all’ once the horse was long out of the barn only compounded the sense that Sanford remains a very troubled individual. While we can be completely sympathetic to his very human plight, that doesn’t mean he should remain in office in his current state-of-mind. To be blunt, Sanford needs to be in some kind of long-term counseling, not running a state. If he can eventually get his head screwed back on straight and then go for a political comeback, fine. But in the meantime, he is in no mental, emotional or spiritual condition to provide the kind of leadership required to adequately fulfill his oath of office.
120. Paul K | 06.29.09
Now there really is no difference between the Democratic and Republican leadership.
121. Em Hoop | 06.29.09
Simple answer to that: Hypocrisy from the party of family values. Insinuating that the other party has low or no family values doesn’t win R’s any points for Sanford or the rest of his high-minded club.
123. AWBilinski | 06.29.09
Depends on who’s ox is being gored. Governor Sanford has clearly blown a fuse and need to be replaced. Better for him and the people of his State!
124. Jamie | 06.29.09
How about this, Senator Graham: get the Republican Party in South Carolina to impeace Governor Sanford, as they did President Clinton, and then see where the chips fall.
President Clinton did not use public funds to see his mistresses. I was under the impression that the core of GOP ideology was good stewardship of the public treasury, but that only matters when the perpetrator is a Democrat, right?
125. Chuckl | 06.29.09
Clearly, Senator Graham cannot distinguish between the simply, sexual indiscretion President Clinton committed while in office, and the importance of the chief executive of a state leaving the state without even telling his closest staff members he would be out of the country. What if there had been some crisis in South Carolina? How could the Lt. Governor step in if no one even had a clue as to the whereabouts of the Governor? This is gross dereliction of duty, not a simple mistake. (The kind of thing that puts you before a firing squad in the military.)
126. Lee | 06.29.09
America forgave Clinton through a process called impeachment. To call for the same forgiveness should carry with it the requirement that Gov Sanford go through the same process. That way, the people of SC will hav a chance to have their will fully exercised as was done with Clinton. Don’t forget that the state was without a leader. Gov Sanford left his job without making any provisions for the welfare of governance for his state. I say give him a chance to make his case before the people. In the end, the people of South Carolina are the ones to judge, and judge they should.
127. akgirl | 06.29.09
Whether or not his wife and kids forgive him or reconcile doesn’t have anything to do with whether he should resign — that is, as it should be, family business only. It’s not the infidelity, it’s the hypocrisy (remember when he though Clinton should be impeached) and disappearing from the map for the better part of the week! I’m tired of prominent Republicans announcing their moral superiority in “family values” at the tops of their lungs while practicing something entirely different at the bottoms of their hearts.
128. marta kaye | 06.29.09
The Media, backed by the GOP and Christian Right, went over board with the **** like stories concerning Clinton, and wanted to impeach him, but not a peep from the suppose to be Christians concerning Sandford. If a Republian does something, it is overlooked, but not a Democrat, and the reason most are upset by what Sandford did. Just like with Newt, who wishes to run for President.
129. Simplicio T. Soriao | 06.29.09
What is the common denominator for both these gentlemen, President Clinton and Governor Sanford? Both men disgraced their office, having violated the public trust. What they should have done was to relinquish their respective positions to redeem themselves before the American public.
Governor Sanford, in particular, is morally bankrupt, while President Clinton is a mere shadow of himself.
130. Thinker | 06.29.09
Senator Graham may not understand that the reason President Clinton’s approval rating was so high, was because a vast number of Americans understood that the information about his affair from the get-go, was a personal vendetta. MSN led the charge — owned by Bill Gates, whose Microsoft was in litigation with the State Department — Clinton ended the affair himself, and banned his fellow adulterer from his home, until she slipped through the system — Clinton’s affair was ended long before charges were brought against him — Clinton was ridiculed personally on the basest level — and Clinton’s arch enemy, Newt Gingrich was conducting an adulterous affair of his own, while orchestrating Clinton’s impeachment (be careful what you focus on!) I don’t know if Gov. Sanford should resign — only he and his family and his political party know that. But there’s no doubt that self righteousness is the stuff of Pharisaical arrogance, which those who have enjoyed basking in, are not having to atone for. It’s time we all stopped throwing stones . . .
131. Alice Paige | 06.29.09
Who says the Americans have forgiven Clinton. It is brought up each time a Republican stays from the straight and narrow. Forgiveness involves forgetfullness.
132. Greg Jarvis | 06.29.09
I find Lindsey Graham’s comparison of President Clinton to Mark Sanford very curious. It’s as if the Republican establishment is saying that we can allow sin that is disclosed, but hidden sin is a crime and we should impeach a President of the United States if he is “guilty”. Since Sanford was found out, it’s O.K. to publicly forgive him. Perhaps these politicians on their soap-boxes should be more focused on the political lives of the leaders and less on their personal indiscretions. I’m very much in favor of holding our leaders to a high standard. But I think that the standard of lying to the public about sex pales in comparison to lying about weapons of mass destruction. These are the issues that should be debated in the public forum and the news; not some petty moralizing about who’s a good husband or who’s made mistakes in judgement. To find a place where this country can heal the rift between those branded “on the right” or “on the left”, we need to set aside the legalistic, ideological arguments that are crippling real understanding of the issues our leaders must deal with. We need to move towards a deeper understanding of what matters most in our leaders– how they are leading. That may give dedicated leaders who are Republicans and Democrats some relief from the constant, petty personal attacks and afford some movement on the decisions that are needed to move this country forward.
133. Alan Dawes | 06.29.09
I find that the actions of Sanford and Clinton reprehensible in a political leader (and anyone else for that matter). The difference between Sanford and Clinton is that Clinton did not go awol for 5 days and abandon his constituency.
134. Nate Petersen | 06.29.09
When did America forgive Clinton?
Didn’t voters just get through 8 years of punishing the Democratic Party for Clinton via electing Bush twice?
135. Deborah | 06.29.09
Governor Sanford knew his morals would be under scrutiny.
How easily it is for him to break his vows to the american people
and his family says alot about him (personally).
Clearly his own agenda is HIS priority!
How sad for his family to bear his lack of respect.
136. Nadine | 06.29.09
I hate politics. the Republican party should apologize to Bill Clinton and the American people for wasting 60 million dollars on hounding our president, putting aside the people’s business, and that witch hunt impeachment. Do they remember their campaign, What should we tell the children?about Bill Clinton? What goes around, comes around. I didn’t even vote for clinton in both elections and I was outraged by Kenneth Starr and that ridiculous, costly investigation and impeachment. Those who yell the loudest and point the finger usually have a skeleton or two in their closet. Senator Graham should be ashamed of himself comparing what happened to President Clinton and the Senator Sanford.
137. Abraham Aponte | 06.29.09
An admission to an extramartial affair is both sad and rewarding. Sad for all that are hurt by the deception. Rewarding for acknowledging your error. His family will need to work out their pain. The state of South Carolina will need to view his performance as a governor. Mr. Sanford will need to ponder on how to make up with his family and correct the wrongs towards his constituents.
138. Mister Spak | 06.29.09
Graham is rewriting history. The lynch mob that attacked Clinton were
people, like Sanford, who claimed that Clinton was not fit to be president because of the affair and therefore should resign. There were from the party that claimed you aren’t moral enough to run your life so we have to run it for you.
Grahan said“Bill Clinton had his problems. People looked at his job performance, they looked at his personal failings and they said, ‘You know what, we’re going to put one over here and the other over there,’ ” Graham said. “
He lied. Americans may have said that, but Graham ,Sanford, Rush etc. said the opposite. They said if you can’t trust him in his private life you can’t trust him to run the country.
These are the same people who lied to us about WMD in Iraq so we could ship
700 billion dollars to the other side of the world and burn it. Everything they say is a lie.
139. Janet H | 06.29.09
I know 2 things concerning this story.
1. Politicians (both liberal and conservaive) will continue to have affairs.
2. In any job I have ever had, I would have been fired if I had pulled a “no call, no show” with my employer. Not fair that he should be held to a different standard than the average American.
140. sue | 06.29.09
Clinton did not disappear without a trace. Governor Sanford did.
Americans are the only country that worries about the sex lives of politicians. Governor Sanford should step down because he abandoned his responsibilities as Governor, was rambling and confused during media interviews and has no insight into his behavior. Let he and Mrs. Sanford work out this mess privately.
142. khai phan | 06.29.09
you can not compare President Clinton and Governor Sanford because He knows what he is doing is wrong , He demanded President to resign
now he supposes to do what he preached
143. ghostofelvis | 06.29.09
Senator Graham has asked a good question. It is too bad that he fails to acknowledge the sin of hypocracy in himself and his fellow travelers who tried to hound Bill Clinton from office from the moment he took the oath until the end of his second term. We need to regain the concept of the loyal opposition in our politics instead of continuing the character assasination that so characterizes our system today. Both sides are GUILTY, GUILTY, GUILTY. Graham is a man of some decency. Graham should seek out others on both sides of the aisle and work to return to a more civil era when the personal lives of politicians and their families were off limits.
144. skeeball | 06.30.09
Sanford called for the adulterous Bill Clinton to resign, so it no surprise that chicken hawk Sanford is too afraid to take his own medicine. Soon “Bible-thumping conservatism” will be selling for $4.95 on Ebay, right alongside the “potato chip that looks like Abe Lincoln,” thanks to Senator Ensign and Governor Sanford.
145. Bill Young | 06.30.09
I don’t care whether Sanford keeps his job or not, but I am extremely tired of the media environment we all live in. No one can live up to the scrutiny created by being the “story of the day”, and it’s time the media in general stop its incessant search for “the angle” on a story.
146. John | 07.01.09
Uhm… because Clinton did not tell the world that other politicians should be impeached for this behavior and because he never violated the rules of his office while cheating - whereas Sanford left the U.S. without notifying anyone or making arrangements for someone else to be in charge during his absence?
There is a difference between hypocrisy and filandering.
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1. Jimmy | 06.28.09
This is what the Republicans don’t understand. Sanford’s indiscretion had nothing to do with sex and everything to do with leaving his state high and dry (without transferring power to the lieutenant Governor) so that he could go to a different continent and screw.
What if his state had been hit by a natural disaster? What if there had been a major catastrophe?