One person whose job I don’t want today: Gov. Mark Sanford’s press secretary. I’m sure that job has more than its fair share of hard, stressful and just plain bad days, but on a day when your client/boss destroys his political and personal reputation in one press conference, that’s gotta be a tough day. Let’s face it: There are few things uglier than an extramarital affair — except a public extramarital affair.
Lies and deception are hard to walk back — no matter how good a PR strategist and speech writer you are. And when the offense is so grave as to betray a marriage vow, many of us can’t help but wonder if there’s any promise this guy might honor. If he’s willing to cheat on his wife, what lie won’t he tell? How do you convince people you’re worth trusting in office … even if your wife can’t at home?
But perhaps worse than his affair was the way he got caught. Really, Gov. Sanford? Disappearing to Argentina for five days? Having your staff say you were hiking? Really? How long can that last? I know you’re not the president. I know you’re no Jon or Kate. But you’re a public official. Reporters watch you. People know you.
Now, there’s the aftermath. It appears there’s something of a tidal shift. Rather than thinking him a dishonorable, fallen future presidential candidate, pundits, politicians and the public alike are starting to think he’s not so bad. He was honest and straightforward. He took accountability — and he’ll take his lumps. There’s even sympathy for the public way in which he has to take his lumps.
It’s hard for me to personally sympathize for anyone other than his wife and children, but I can appreciate those whose opinions of him changed just by observing his sincerity and honesty (albeit, a bit too late for me).
So, I turn it to you … Honesty may always be the best policy. Was Sanford’s too late? Will this just be a blip in his political career? Does anyone even CARE about politicians and their extramarital affairs? After all, we seem to expect them to lie and deceive — so, are we maybe even relieved when their lies aren’t about their jobs? Comment, discuss, pontificate.
I do not care about his private life. Live and let live. It is the HYPOCRISY. THAT is the problem. Politicians who judge others about private choices/lifestyles/morals (that do not harm others), should NOT expect sympathy from anyone, when they end up having their own issues. Too late for him and not an ounce of sympathy from moi.
While I absolutely disagree with what he did, I don’t think it’s our business. This should be between him and his family, and anyone else they *both* want to involve. That being said, you make a very valid point about trusting this person now that we know that he perhaps cannot withstand certain temptations. If he gave in here, would he give in when bribed by a criminal later on? Maybe, maybe not. The question will probably always be there.
While I think the guy (and any person who does this, be it man or woman) somewhat deserves to be ridiculed, it pains me to see the (presumably) innocent parties – spouse, children, family members – get dragged into the mud publicly. Think about how they feel being in the media… One minute they *think* they’re in a solid relationship, next thing they’re bawling on headline news. We’re fools if we think Sanford himself is the only one being embarrassed here. It’s simply a no-win situation!
Very well written article.
Stephanie–Nice blog & website! Found your link through the Creative Broker, fyi. Have you gotten any biz through them?
To your point about Sanford…there isn’t enough money on God’s green earth for me to want to do any work for politicians of any denomination. Honesty about sleazy behavior is no virtue. I can’t believe some of the commentators who are giving him a pass because he “loves his mistress.” Really??
As we head into the Independence Day weekend, count me as one who would vote for a return to the late 1700s, where legislators had to ride horses to get to Philadelphia, rather than jet-setting (or tomcatting) around the world on taxpayer dollars.