Leave it to a political sex scandal to replace the bloody crackdown on anti-government protesters in Iran as the news of the day in America. And the iron-fisted Mullahs who rule Iran must consider this scandal such a godsend that, instead of the protesters, I imagine they’re the ones now shouting from the rooftops, “Allahu Akbar” (God is great).
The bottom line is this: I’ve been unfaithful to my wife.
At any rate, this quote is how Gov. Mark Sanford of South Carolina summed up the bizarre circumstances surrounding his AWOL from his office (and from his wife) over the past five days in a rambling, cry-baby news conference yesterday afternoon.
Before he pulled this disappearing act, Sanford was the Chairman of the Republican Governors Association, a bona fide presidential contender and, most important to the right-wing conservatives who form the base of his party, an avowed Christian.
Following the primrose path taken by moral crusaders like Rep. Mark Foley, Sen. Larry Craig and Sen. David Vitter, Sen. John Ensign of Nevada has become the latest self-righteous politician to get his nuts caught in the vice grip of sexual hypocrisy. And I can never resist reveling in their public shame….
[Why “hypocritical politician” is becoming redundant, TIJ, June 18, 2009]
This, in part, was how I commented just last week on another high-profile, family values Republican who was forced to confess to being unfaithful to his wife. Therefore, one has to wonder: Who’s next?
Sanford reportedly told his staff that he was taking a hike along the Appalachian Trail “to clear his head.” If fact, he was taking a trip down to Argentina to have some hot Latina stroke … it.
… sleep soundly knowing that despite the best efforts of my head my heart cries out for you, your voice, your body, the touch of your lips, the touch of your finger tips and an even deeper connection to your soul. I love you.
(Sanford in an e-mail to his mistress dated July 10, 2008, which was obtained and published by SC newspaper, The State)
Frankly, despite his moral hypocrisy and brazen attempts to hide it, the prurient details of his affair are not worthy of any comment.
On the other hand, the fact that Sanford displayed so little regard for the duties and responsibilities of his office should be immediate grounds for impeachment – since he has made it clear that he does not intend to resign. After all, it is untenable to have a person serving as governor, even in Alaska, who thinks it’s okay to disappear for five days without a trace.
Meanwhile, just like Hillary and so many other humiliated political wives, Sanford’s wife issued a statement after his press conference declaring her intent to continue being a welcoming doormat whenever he wants to come back home.
All the same, the only note of indignation I care to offer is that it takes a particularly loathsome and self-absorbed SOB to abandon his four young sons over the Father’s Day weekend to make a booty call…!
NOTE: As indicated above, sex scandals involving self-righteous politicians have become so commonplace that I shall henceforth refrain from commenting on them. But God help him if President Obama is ever forced to confess that he’s been cheating on Michelle….
Related commentary:
Why “hypocritical politician” is becoming redundant
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