Way to GO, Jenny Sanford!
By anniepa
@anniepa (27955)
United States
June 27, 2009 10:47pm CST
"His career is not a concern of mine."
The above is the part of South Carolina First Lady Jenny Sanford's statement that impressed me the most. What a breath of fresh air! How many times have we watched a politician who has been caught cheating standing at the microphone with his wife at his side as he "apologizes"? I've always felt so badly for the wife and so angry at her cheating jerk of a husband! Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with someone choosing to work on a marriage; I certainly don't think any less of Hillary Clinton or Elizabeth Edwards (Neither of whom stood there while their husbands confessed and apologized, for the record) because they stayed with their men after their infamous indiscretions. My heart breaks for them because as hard as dealing with marital problems such as infidelity is to begin with, doing it while the entire world watches mst be many times worse.
You would never catch ME standing there as my husband spoke of how sorry he is and how he let everyone down! I don't know if Jenny Sanford's cheating husband asked her to be with him when he gave his statement/press conference but I have a feeling she would have refused if he did.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/06/26/gov-sanfords-wife-breaks-tradition-standing-man/
"I'm going to do my best to work on my marriage," she said. As for her husband's political future: "His career is not a concern of mine. He'll have to worry about that. I'm going to worry about my family and the character of my children."
Way to go, Jenny! You asked him to leave your home and I have a feeling you're not going to let him return unless he earns that right. Whatever happens with his political career isn't your problem. You go, girl!
Any thoughts?
Annie
4 people like this
14 responses
@jerzgirl (9384)
• United States
28 Jun 09
I, too, applaud her stand. You're saying she kicked him out? Then they do not live in the Governor's mansion? Or doesn't SC have one? If so, she may be the one who has to leave since he's not abdicating his throne yet. Pity, too. He doesn't deserve anything resembling a happy home.
FYI - if you haven't already seen this, check it out: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/25/limbaugh-blames-sanfords_n_220993.html
1 person likes this
@spicysweetie21 (2572)
• United States
28 Jun 09
I have to comment on this first, once again I am so shocked and disgusted by what a stupid jerk Rush Limbaugh is. I have to post this picture, but first I need to give an explanation of why I am adding it. When I was a kid, i watched the X-men cartoon and there was this fat and obnoxious villan from the future named Mojo. This guy was REAL fat, annoying, and evil....so everytime I think of Rush Limbaugh, this image pops into my brain.
1 person likes this
@jerzgirl (9384)
• United States
28 Jun 09
Limbaugh offers all the standard "excuses" for men's infidelity and immorality, none of them valid under any moral law. No doubt, many of them he uses for his Viagra-filled jaunts to the islands. Family values all the way!
I love Mr. Mojo!! How appropriate!!
1 person likes this
@Signal20 (2281)
• United States
28 Jun 09
I think most of those women that "stand by their man" do it more so to "stand by their rich and privledged lifestyle they've grown accustomed to". Me personally, I'd kick his rear to the curb-in the public spotlight of course, and then take him for every last cent that I could. But, that's just me :) Hats off to Jenny Sanford for at least speaking the truth for once and not following the typical B.S. that most wives do.
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
29 Jun 09
Maybe that's true in some cases but many of these political wives wouldn't really lose anything financially by leaving. I guess Jenny Sanford is wealthy on her own so at least her sons won't suffer if they stay split up or if their father's career is over, which I think it should be.
Annie
@xfahctor (14113)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
28 Jun 09
I supose this is more of a "chick" thread but I'm responing anyway because a) it's a few cents in my mylot pot and b) I also aplaud her stance. I can't really say I blame her. It's one thing when your just a private citizen and it's only your neighbors and family you have to face after something like this...but it is quite another when it's an entire country your facing over it.
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
28 Jun 09
X, I didn't intend this to be just a "chick thread" at all so thanks for weighing in and putting in and taking out your two cents. I guess we "chicks" may be able to relate to the wives in these situations more than you guys but it's nice to hear from a man who understands how wrong it is when the actual "victim" is forced to be on public display at what has to be one of the worst moments in her entire life.
Annie
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
29 Jun 09
I agree, it was nice to see her grit. I felt pretty bad for Hillary Clinton back in the day but I already knew that she had political asperations of her own and leaving Bill would have killed them so she really had no choice but to stand by him. Jenny is obviously a strong woman who cares little about politics so her husband's chips will fall where they may.
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
29 Jun 09
It WILL be interesting to see where they fall for him. I really don't think anyone's career should be destroyed because of a personal mistake people in all walks of life make from time to time but it's much more than that, in my opinion. A person who works at a fast food place or a convenience store would be fired for just abandoning the job with no notice so a governor should expect no less.
Annie
@lilwonders456 (8214)
• United States
29 Jun 09
I am very proud of Mrs. Sanford. She is standing up for herself and her chidren.
Which is better than a lot of public eye wifes do when their husbands get caught in a scandel. But it is not really surprising to us here in SC. She is a very strong, independent and smart woman. Did you know she managed his campaigns herself? And also does a lot work for him as gov. and the state. She is a very active first lady of SC. If he resigns it will be a shame to loose her too.
Maybe if he does she could run. People of this state would vote for her. And it would not be a simpathy vote either.
1 person likes this
@piasabird (1737)
• United States
29 Jun 09
Don't you find it highly stupid of him to leave a love letter in a file where Jenny would find it?! It's not like she's never been in his files since she was very active in his career and campaigns and stuff! Did he subconsciously want to get caught or something?!
1 person likes this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
28 Jun 09
When I saw the TV clip of Jenny Sanford's statement I was amazed. It is not often (if ever) I think that the wives of adulterous husband have the guts to say what I totally agree with. ......so I also say...Way to GO, Jenny Sanford!
1 person likes this
@heathcliff (1415)
• United States
28 Jun 09
Sounds like she is going to be the one coming out of this as a positive role model.
1 person likes this
@spicysweetie21 (2572)
• United States
28 Jun 09
That is so great of her. She is a strong and independent woman and the fact that she is not just going to go along with anything just because it will help his career, is solid proof of it. She cares about her family and her marriage, but she is strong enough to state that the mess that he has made is his problem and not hers. I give her a big You Go Girl! too
1 person likes this
@Rollo1 (16676)
• Boston, Massachusetts
28 Jun 09
I think that we are all a bit tired of politician's wives from both sides having to stand there and smile while their husband's tearfully confess and then vow to forgive them. It's Jenny Sanford's right to conduct her marriage in the way that she sees fit, not the way that will give her husband the best press. I don't think anyone thinks the transgressions are less important because the wife seems to have forgiven him. The marital infidelity has really no impact on the public, anyway.
I read that he didn't ask her to be at a press conference for the confession, but I don't think she would have gone. The affair and her marriage is a private matter, how they work it out or don't is up to them. She's right not to let anyone parade her in front of the press. It shows equal restraint that she also did not say anything particularly bad about him, although I am sure she is angry enough.
The truth is that sometimes marriages survive these things and sometimes they don't. It's wrong that we expect wives to automatically keep the marriage together for the sake of a public image.
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
28 Jun 09
I agree with everything you say here. If the wife chooses to keep the marriage together the "public image" should NOT be the reason for her to do so. Also, I think we in the public owe these wives our respect and consideration no matter which road they take.
Annie
@irishidid (8687)
• United States
28 Jun 09
Yeah, that "Stand by your man" crap does get old. Good to see one lady not playing along!
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
28 Jun 09
Absolutely! As I've said, I'm not one to pass judgment on anyone who makes the choice to try to work things out in a marriage, especially when there are young kids involved. However, I have to say any man who would expect his wife to stand beside him with a "poker face" or even a SMILE (can you even IMAGINE?) as he tells everyone else how he let THEM down doesn't deserve a second chance or forgiveness!
I really respect and admire Jenny Sanford because she's got her priorities in order. Her responsibility is to her children and herself. She did nothing to put his political future at risk so she is absolutely right in saying it's not her concern.
Annie
@jt1981 (125)
• United States
28 Jun 09
that's awesome. she should be putting herself and the needs of her children ahead of any damage control efforts her husband's camp may be pressuring upon her. she did nothing wrong, and she should not have to worry about how to fix his political career!
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