Politics

David Lewkowict

Atlanta, GA

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SC Governor Admits Affair

June 24, 2009 - 6:00 PM | by: David Lewkowict

URGENT / DEVELOPING

The State newspaper in Columbia SC obtains emails between Governor Sanford and his mistress. 

 

DEVELOPING

1723 Jenny Sanford Statement

Statement from First Lady Jenny Sanford

I would like to start by saying I love my husband and I believe I have put forth every effort possible to be the best wife I can be during our almost twenty years of marriage. As well, for the last fifteen years my husband has been fully engaged in public service to the citizens and taxpayers of this state and I have faithfully supported him in those efforts to the best of my ability. I have been and remain proud of his accomplishments and his service to this state.

I personally believe that the greatest legacy I will leave behind in this world is not the job I held on Wall Street, or the campaigns I managed for Mark, or the work I have done as First Lady or even the philanthropic activities in which I have been routinely engaged. Instead, the greatest legacy I will leave in this world is the character of the children I, or we, leave behind. It is for that reason that I deeply regret the recent actions of my husband Mark, and their potential damage to our children.

I believe wholeheartedly in the sanctity, dignity and importance of the institution of marriage. I believe that has been consistently reflected in my actions. When I found out about my husband's infidelity I worked immediately to first seek reconciliation through forgiveness, and then to work diligently to repair our marriage. We reached a point where I felt it was important to look my sons in the eyes and maintain my dignity, self-respect, and my basic sense of right and wrong. I therefore asked my husband to leave two weeks ago.

This trial separation was agreed to with the goal of ultimately strengthening our marriage. During this short separation it was agreed that Mark would not contact us. I kept this separation quiet out of respect of his public office and reputation, and in hopes of keeping our children from just this type of public exposure. Because of this separation, I did not know where he was in the past week.

I believe enduring love is primarily a commitment and an act of will, and for a marriage to be successful, that commitment must be reciprocal. I believe Mark has earned a chance to resurrect our marriage.

Psalm 127 states that sons are a gift from the Lord and children a reward from Him. I will continue to pour my energy into raising our sons to be honorable young men. I remain willing to forgive Mark completely for his indiscretions and to welcome him back, in time, if he continues to work toward reconciliation with a true spirit of humility and repentance.

This is a very painful time for us and I would humbly request now that members of the media respect the privacy of my boys and me as we struggle together to continue on with our lives and as I seek the wisdom of Solomon, the strength and patience of Job and the grace of God in helping to heal my family.

__________________________

 

16:54 Jenny Sanford says Affair Not News to Her

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- SC first lady says she asked governor to leave 2 weeks before his public admission of affair
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

DEVELOPING

SC SENATOR LINDSAY GRAHAM MAKES STATEMENT

Statement from Senator Lindsey Graham

 WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement.

 “I’ve been a close friend of Mark and Jenny since our election to Congress in 1994.  Like all of their friends, I want the best for their family and hope they can repair the damage.  I will provide any personal support I can.

 “Jenny and Mark have four wonderful boys.  The Sanford family needs time and space to work through their challenges.  I hope they are afforded that opportunity.

 “As for the future, I hope Mark will reconcile with his family and can continue serving as our state's governor.”

 #####

DEVELOPING

1615 - SC Democratic Party says Leave Gov's Family Alone

Columbia, SC- South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Carol Fowler issued the following statement today in response to Governor Mark Sanford's admission during a press conference to having an extramarital affair. The Governor returned to the state today from Argentina.

"Our thoughts are with the Governor's family at this time. Mark Sanford should be given time to focus on his family right now. There will be other opportunities in the weeks ahead to discuss his effectiveness as our state's governor," said Fowler.

 

1530 UPDATE DEVELOPING: Sanford Issues Statement

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

MARK SANFORD, GOVERNOR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Gov. Sanford Issues Follow-up Statement on Today's Media Availability

Columbia, S.C. - June 24, 2009 - Governor Mark Sanford today issued the following statement:

"First and foremost, I apologize to my wife and my four boys. I have made decisions that have hurt and will continue to hurt them, and for that I'm sincerely sorry. Jenny has stood by me through campaign after campaign, through hard time after hard time, and neither she nor the boys deserve this. Please offer them your prayers.

"I apologize to my staff. I misled them about my whereabouts, and as a result the people of South Carolina believed something that wasn't true. I want to make absolutely clear that over the past two days at no time did anyone on my staff intentionally relay false information to other state officials or the public at large. What they've said over the past two days they believed to be true, and I'm sorry to them for putting them in this position.

"I apologize to the people of South Carolina. There are many people out there right now who are hurt, angry and disappointed with me, and rightfully so. Over the time that I have left in office, I'm going to devote my energy to building back the trust the people of this state have placed in me.

"I ask for your forgiveness, and your prayers for everyone who I've hurt," Sanford said.

 

-###-

 

 

 

In a press conference this afternoon at the South Carolina State Capitol, Governor Mark Sanford said that he is a "bottom line guy" and that he apologizes to his wife Jenny and his four sons, before admitting to an extramarital affair.

"I have been unfaithful to my wife." Sanford said.  "We have been working through this for the last five months." was the answer the governor gave to a question about whether the couple was separated.

The Governor said he was not alone in Argentina.  He says that he met "this person" innocently years ago.  He said that she lives in Argentina. Without divulging the woman's identity, he says he developed a remarkable friendship that sparked into "something else" a little over a year ago.  He went on to describe this as "selfishness".

The Governor took responsibility and apologized to his staff and to the people of South Carolina. 

Governor Sanford also resigned as Chairman of the Republican Governor's Association.

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Jim Gainer

I believe Govenor Sanford's apology is sincere. He has taken responsibility for his actions and has asked for prayer and forgiveness. Judging from Jenny Sanford's statement, she is the epitome of a solid Christian lady. Her desire is to reconcile with her husband and put their lives back together. This is a time to be heartbroken, not hard hearted. Apparently there are many here that are sinless, because you certainly have no problem with throwing stones. People are fallible. But for the grace of God, that could just as easily have been me or you. There is not one among us that doesn't have the capacity to do wrong. It is very hard to admit our mistakes without blaming someone or something else, much less ask for forgiveness. I pray that God will soften your heart and that the Sanford's can work through this.

June 24, 2009 at 10:48 PM
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Godfrey Daniels

None of this is anyone's business except possibly the voters of his home state. The rest is just busy body nonsense on a slow news day.

June 24, 2009 at 10:23 PM
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mihknotyu

According to Sanford and the Religious Right, Gay marriage threatens the sanctity of traditional marriage. Who knew it was not gays, but instead,e-mail, a passport, and a Maria.

June 24, 2009 at 10:12 PM
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mihknotyu

Republican or Democrat, I could care less about who and how a person private or political has sex. My only concern is if a person holding public office allows their private lives interfere with the carrying out their duties. Him being gone and out of touch is the real issue with this story and the reason he is not worthy to hold office.

June 24, 2009 at 10:09 PM
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Sharonkatheen

I understand the consequences the Governor may face for his decisions. So be it. What I don't understand is why the media would even think of publishing his email. What is the purpose of this? The innocent people in this whole situation stand to be hurt the most by this. I would think that someone would show some class and leave this part of the story out.

June 24, 2009 at 9:25 PM
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Eileen

Mrs. Sanford has every right to feel the way she says she does. The man is married with 4 sons. What right does he have to cheat on her, when she stood beside him through all the campaigns etc.

June 24, 2009 at 9:17 PM
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Janet

Does anybody get it yet? We need a third party and throw these career politicians all out. They really feel they are beyond reproach and above the law. Get them out and bring in new blood.

June 24, 2009 at 8:56 PM
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Joshua T

Why somehow to some, when they hear a statement of grace and forgiveness and enduring love, snear and disbelieve? I for one believe in the depravity of men and the most underserving grace of God. Grace that can surmount the most insurmountable.

June 24, 2009 at 8:38 PM
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Billky

Isn't this becoming a weekly rerun. Only the names have been charged. Could this be the main reason voters do not trust politicians?

June 24, 2009 at 7:28 PM
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Ann

What's news here? Just another lying cheating middle aged white politician boning outside of marriage. Big deal: fire him and lets get on with it.

June 24, 2009 at 7:25 PM
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GALLEGUEZSCHULTE

The Governor Mark Sanford and the Republican Party are nothing but hypocrites. They dont want their personel lives judged but when you run on family values to get elected their personel lives are fair game. Since he ran on family values and he violated his so called values he should resign altogether. The only reason he is upset during his interview is because he got caught.

June 24, 2009 at 7:12 PM
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Deborah

I knew when the story first came out that he was probably out with another woman. Only a man in heat would leave without telling anyone where he was...and only an idiot would do it if he was a govenor. I think he wanted to get caught. And after reading that ridiculous statement frm his wife he probably wanted to run away from her. No one knows what goes on behind closed doors. But history has shown time and time again that a man thinking with the wrong head on his body is always willing to lose everything to satisfy it. Such idiots. He isn't the first and won't be the last. Both parties have their cheaters. As some women say....any man can be had.

June 24, 2009 at 6:40 PM
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bill

I can assure you that the world will not come to an end because gays are allowed to marry. Heterosexuals will keep right on breeding, aborting, abandoning, beating and murdering their children. Homosexuals are an important safety net for societies children. More and more gays are adopting children and teaching them to love everyone.

June 24, 2009 at 6:34 PM
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sarah

Hi Cathy! Yes I did read it and you just denied full equality to gay people because of the plumbing. "Traditional Marriage" is called "traditional" because conservatives have "traditionally" stomped on the civil rights of gay and lesbians and then ran off to be with their mistresses when the stomping was complete.

June 24, 2009 at 6:29 PM
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Tom L

In the video of his press conference, watch how the women behind him smile and laugh. Just generally yukking it up. It's pretty clear his staff is disgusted with him, or they would have made sure the people in the background wore somber expressions.

June 24, 2009 at 6:28 PM
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Sharon

You can't lump Christians with all Christians the same way you can't lump Democrats with all Democrats and Republicans with all Republicans. We're all different in greatly varying degrees; there are good and bad in every bunch. The bad makes all look bad, sadly--it keep us distanced and angry and thinking all sorts of things that most likely aren't true at all, or true for only a percentage. The Governor's infidelity was wrong, absolutely. Yet he admitted his mistake rightly so, accepted responsibility, confirmed that there are moral absolutes in the form of fidelity and that he failed in that respect. I know, as we all do, that mistakes will be made by all, man and woman. But I feel it's not so much the mistake but the response to one's mistake that defines Character. I've made many mistakes, I've sinned in my heart if not my body, and that was wrong also. So I can't judge anyone. By confessing, asking forgiveness, not ever repeating it, by teaching his sons to learn from his mistake: that would be character. It's not about politics or religion--really, this is a human being issue. It's always wrong when someone cheats. But I do respect him for taking what genuinely seemed to be humble responsibility for his actions.

June 24, 2009 at 6:22 PM
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Angel79

I pray the family can heal from this -- I feel sad for Jenny Sanford and her children by him. That really stinks big time. At any rate, people who have penchants to wander sexually and stray outside of marriage (I'm talking about Republicans and Democrats and Independents, etc.) should not hold public office, whether that's at the local, state, or federal government levels. Actually, no one should break their marriage vows because it causese soooo much pain all the way around. God doesn't want that for us.

June 24, 2009 at 6:17 PM
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CZ

Are you kidding me not all republicans believe in the exact same thing and neither do democrates, the problem is nobody values morals anymore, if someone doesn't live up to what they preach they shouldn't be a leader,republican or democrate,just because the democrates don't have family values as a platform that is no reason to let them offthe hook when they commit adultry, last I checked it was still a criminal offense and I don't know why Clinton got off the hook so easy.

June 24, 2009 at 5:51 PM
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carla

To those defending the governor for "coming clean" and asking for "forgiveness" I say that this affair has been going on for a long time. His wife has known for 5 months and the affair has most certainly lasted longer than that. There is no contrition when his wife knew all this time and he STILL runs off to be with his mistress. He only apologized because he had to. He certainly is not concerned about what his wife thinks. And for those who say, well, he has those four little boys. Please - he didn't care about them either or the citizens of South Carolina for that matter. If no one had asked where he was, he would still be in her arms. I don't believe the contrition and neither should you.

June 24, 2009 at 5:28 PM
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ana in Texas

So many people act like they are completely without any sin and love to throw stones. If the Governor was not remorseful then it would be a different sotry. It doesn't matter if you are a Democrat, Republican, Independent, people are human and make mistakes. Let this family work through there problems and the public needs to leaven them alone. I don't think Gov. Sandford should resign. President Clinton didn't resign....and he is a good person. All you righteous people will one day stand before a Judge and have to give an account for your self righteousness.

June 24, 2009 at 5:25 PM
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