AP photo/Alice Keeney
In the days following Michael Jackson's death, I have joked about how happy South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford must be to have the spotlight off the mess he has made of his personal life. But the reality is that the sad story remains: a married father of four sons has very publicly betrayed his family, and he seemingly wants things to continue as before. Not so fast.
How many times do philandering politicians get to make their tearful mea culpas with their beautifully turned out, albeit humiliated, wives standing by their side? It's become a national joke. Really, how stupid are these people? When you become a public official in this nation, you should understand the ramifications. And hold yourself to some basic decent standards of conduct. I know we're all human, but still.... You are charged with the public trust, and you cannot even manage your little urges? Give me a break.
This is where my new hero comes in: Jenny Sanford, the supposed spurned wife and First Lady of South Carolina. From what I've read about her, this Illinois-bred lady is no shrinking violet. In fact, it appears that she is the driving force in all of her husband's political success. Imagine that? When she found out about her husband's mistress, she understandably asked him to end it. When he stupidly asked to go visit his little girlfriend, she told him that she couldn't condone his continuing his affair. Are you kidding me? So he goes anyway. Because, hey, he's got needs. What family? What gubernatorial responsibility?
And when asked this past weekend about the future she sees, Jenny's response was beautiful: "His career is not a concern of mine, he's going to have to worry about that. I'm worried about my family and the character of my children."
Touché, Jenny. There are a lot of us out here who've got your back.
