The Other Woman that Sanford Could Hurt
July 3, 2009
by Judy Silver
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Mark Sanford at top.
I’ve received several e-mails suggesting a blog article commending Jenny Sanford, wife of SC Governor Mark Sanford for charting her own course as her husband (twice) confessed to adultery before the cameras. I understand women’s support for her. But here’s the hitch: If we applaud Mrs. Sanford, we imply condemnation of other wives who have chosen differently. And the bottom line is that it’s none of our business. In my opinion, each woman in this situation has be free to choose what’s right for her and we need to allow her to do so with as much dignity and privacy as possible.
So I want to turn my attention instead to the other woman who could be hurt by the Sanford fiasco. No, not the mistress — or the other mistresses. Rather, Nikki Haley, SC Representative, and a candidate for SC Governor in 2010. Haley entered the race positioned as Sanford’s ally and protoge. Will the coattails that could have lifted her now drag her down?
Haley is walking a delicate tightrope. The Sanford photos and quotes have disappeared from her website. That’s the easy part. The trickier part is her public statements about whether or not Sanford should resign. If he does, Lt. Governor Andre Bauer takes over, and since he’s also a gubernatorial candidate, gains the advantage of encumbancy.
After Sanford’s first press conference, Haley said:
My concern is for the people of South Carolina and for our ability to continue the movement toward government reform, fiscal accountability, smaller government, and protecting the value of a dollar. To that end, I have major concerns about the viability of that movement and the direction our government could take under the Lieutenant Governor should Governor Sanford resign.
After Sanford’s second press conference, she said:
The people of South Carolina have heard enough about the governor’s personal life. We do not need to hear any more of that. What we do need to hear from the governor is an explanation as to how he can lead our state going forward. He has a responsibility to outline what he wants to accomplish over the next 18 months and how he intends to accomplish it. I remain willing to listen to that case, but if he cannot make it convincingly, then he must move on.
I just hope Haley’s campaign will be able to move on.
And for those who disagree and would like to contribute blog articles about Jenny or any other subject, send them to blog@thenewagenda.net .
[...] This post was Twitted by thenewagenda [...]
Let’s see that a big traditional, political contributor who has house in Buenos Aires and a different woman maybe that’s no wife roaming with him. Funny sides are raining on work at home Republicans and their family ideals. It’s all nice and superior information Thanks
[...] The Other Woman that Sanford Could Hurt : The New Agenda [...]
Judy,
Your photo description made me laugh out loud!
In my opinion, each woman in this situation has be free to choose what’s right for her and we need to allow her to do so with as much dignity and privacy as possible.
Absolutely! This nonsense where everyone focuses on the women to applaud or condemn them — the Wife and the Other Woman both — allows the men who created the whole mess to skulk out of the limelight.
Nagahapn. I want that bastard to twist and roast under the lights all by himself, period. I want the magnifying glass right on top of his head. The women involved can cope however they wish — I’m not going to distract myself for one second with them. Women’s organizations have to turn into bloodhounds and keep our noses tuned to the real quarry with laser-guided concentration — and the real quarry is the men who cause these godawful messes.
If Lieutenant Governor Andre Bauer takes the reins now, it’s unlikely he will benefit from the typical incumbent’s advantage. It is well known here in South Carolina that his ethical failings are far greater than Sanford’s moral failings, and there’s no way he will be able to withstand the media microscope.
Nikki Haley is the only Republican gubernatorial candidate in SC who can undergo that kind of media scrutiny and still come out looking like a tireless reformer who fights for government accountability and transparency.
Love the picture. Good to clarify which is Sanford.
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