Unforgivable? Not so fast, my friend.
As South Carolinians shake off our collective deer-in-the-headlights look, there is only one word many of us can say.
Wow.
In a matter of minutes, our own Gov. Mark Sanford dropped a bombshell on us in admitting he had an affair with a woman from Argentina. Though the friendship started “very innocently,” Sanford has now joined the ranks of Edwards, Kennedy, Spitzer, Clinton and Gingrich.
What Sanford did was vile, disgusting and any number of other negative adjectives. He did not just cheat on his wife, which is bad enough, but he cheated on four kids and lied to his state.
What Sanford did was not, however, unforgivable. He has apologized to what seemed like everyone in the world and has asked for forgiveness. He knows he was wrong and seemed truly remorseful in the press conference. He stated that he wants to make things right with his family.
Before anyone here starts on a tirade on how this makes Sanford unfit to lead, look at every leader in the history of the world. Better yet, look at people in general. We’re not exactly perfect, either. This is a day to recognize that through the rigorous demand we put on our leaders, they are human.
What makes Sanford’s case different from many is that he has been staunchly conservative and has garnered a lot of support from the family values crowd.
Even though the family values crowd may still try to bury him alive, what also makes him so much different is the fact that he is owning up to his mistakes. He didn’t go on TV and deny the allegations.
While the family values crowd (and the lack thereof crowd) will harp on Sanford for not being a shining beacon of the nuclear family, he is actually demonstrating more than they’ll ever admit, namely honesty and responsibility.
Another thought, just because he couldn’t manage to keep it in his pants doesn’t mean he doesn’t know how to provide a healthy economic environment or protect our rights. It’s not the government’s job to legislate family values (i.e. censoring the radio and television) anyway.
So, be disgusted with his actions, but be supportive and forgiving of a man who has done what so few have the testicular fortitude to do.
Please Share This Story!Cody Fields @ June 24, 2009
