What is Mark Sanford Thinking?

re: What is Mark Sanford Thinking?

neophyte — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:03:10 GMT

I just wonder if this guy would qualify for a security clearance. Getting intimate with a foreign journalist he's met a few times seems risky. Also, his reaction to an e-mail relationship leavened by occasional sex seems pretty extreme and unstable.

re: What is Mark Sanford Thinking?

Saultxyca — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:43:54 GMT

What was Mark Sanford thinking? He wasn't thinking -- he was feeling, i.e., "crying for five days in Argentina", et cetera, that would fill many a behavioral talk show, but is not appropriate behavior for the leader of a state, in these times. Gov. Sanford has big personal problems, as anyone can plainly see. Sanford is distracted (to say the least) and his judgment is way off. He needs to step down and give the public a long break from his personal soap opera.

re: What is Mark Sanford Thinking?

MJ000777 — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:48:13 GMT

Sanford needs to resign and decide if he wants to be married to his current wife or not. He can't seem to get the Argentinan lady off of his mind. Too much thinking with the wrong head it appears. His wife must be feeling very humiliated by his repeated references to the other woman - "soul mate" - really? Sheeesh! What an embarrasement this guy is. An affair is one thing, but to do an apology series with the media is almost as bad as Obama's European and Middle East Apology tours for America.

Speaking of security clearances, I don't think Obama could get a security clearance if he were a normal citizen trying to join the military - too many connections to people of questionable character. He would definitely have to get some kind of a waiver at the minimum.

re: What is Mark Sanford Thinking?

Jabberwock — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:08:18 GMT

At this point I wish he would just shut-up, resign, get a divorce, move to Argentina and hook up with his mistress. It's clearly what he really wants to do, so he should just freaking do it and let South Carolina, his wife and everyone around him move on from this mess.

re: What is Mark Sanford Thinking?

freemkt — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:30:14 GMT

Jabberwock, what mess are you talking about? Looks to me like his wife is pushing on just fine. The state of South Carolina is not troubled to the point of being "in a mess" because of this. This had absolutely nothing to do with any political factor going on in the state that could've been corrupted by the affair (except travel funds which he has vowed to pay back). Before calling for this man to resign, we should go back to his campaign to see how he described himself in order to get elected. If he was elected until a false pretense of loyalty to his wife, then yes, he should resign. Otherwise, let him stay in office. If someone has martial problems, you don't get fired from it. At most your boss will let you have a couple days off (that is if your boss even knows about it). No one should lose their job unless the emotional impact is affecting the job performance. At this point, we haven't seen if talking about the affair has damaged other important STATE issues.

re: What is Mark Sanford Thinking?

I'm all in — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:29:12 GMT

what is Mark sanford thinking? he thinking of the next piece of pudding he's gonna get. Don't worry about him after politics. he's show up on one of those Company directorys just like the rest of the politicians do.

re: What is Mark Sanford Thinking?

maddymappo — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:50:48 GMT

His wife Jenny was the one who ran his campaigns and she is no longer there for him for obvious reasons. I have heard that being in love is a form of insanity. Seems to me that Mark Sanford's actions and statements show he is off his rocker, and probably a danger to himself and others and so I think he should resign because he is having a nervous breakdown.

re: What is Mark Sanford Thinking?

drjalee52 — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:15:52 GMT

This Guy should stay in office. He is a clear example of what is wrong with the GOP. He is so out of touch. People are losing jobs, homes and health care. He was too smart to take millions of stimulus money. This guy was running for president. Now he comes out everyday and talk about the women he has had while married in office. He will not stop. He could care less about his job, wife, kids and family. Although, he is pro gun, pro life, pro family and pro go.I hope he stays in office and continue to show the south in particular the truth.

re: What is Mark Sanford Thinking?

Continuum — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:22:43 GMT

Let Sanford stay in office.

The next time the GOP hypocrites start talking about family values, we can then point to him, or Senator Ensign, or Senator Vitter, or . . . . . .

Just a living reminder of the hypocrisy and lies that make up the current conservative movement in the US.

re: What is Mark Sanford Thinking?

smacked — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:23:06 GMT

I must say that when I first heard Mr. Sanford admit to "crossing the line", my first instinct was to say aloud to myself, "For God's sake, quit confessing!!". I've since read other commentary which suggest he may be suffering from some sort of mental illness. Now that brought me up short and made me stop laughing because that makes sense. I wish someone would stop him and lead him away for some sort of treatment because it has become painful to see another human being bleed so publicly. It's like watching a train wreck over and over...If this guy manages to stay in office that's an even bigger tragedy. Does Maria even want him anymore now that she sees how ill he is?

re: What is Mark Sanford Thinking?

Jabberwock — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 23:54:18 GMT

"Jabberwock, what mess are you talking about? "

I'm talking about the fact that he's clearly lost it. Not only did he leave is office unattended for several days but now he's acting like a nut case. I mean what kind of man gets caught cheating on his wife, then ostensibly wants to fix his marriage yet goes and visits his mistress for a several day sex romp. Then again he claims he wants to work on his marriage yet he calls his mistress his "soul mate" in public. Maybe taken at face value these things technically shouldn't matter to ones job, but they do speak to his integrity and judgment and are a major source of distraction. The fact is for someone holding public office these kind of things do matter in very real terms. This has gone beyond the typical situation of a remorseful politician that's been caught cheating in his personal life. At least these guys usually display some semblance contrition. This guy is not even going through the motions. At this point I seriously doubt he has the mental wherewithal to act as a governor.

re: What is Mark Sanford Thinking?

freemkt — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:18:35 GMT

"Not only did he leave his office unattended for several days..." - That is just an excuse to further your invalid arguement. The President "leaves his office unattended" while going on VACATION all the time... just because one's family is or is not travelling as well doesn't make it a vacation. I'm not defending his actions, and we need to take a step back... Your original arguement is that now South Carolina is a mess because of his actions and you have yet to show proof of that statement.

If everyone wants to say that this man is unfit for public office because of his martial (personal) life, then it sounds to me that it is implied that anyone who is divorced should not be considered for public office ever again... including the recent nominee for the Supreme Court. Just because someone has their romantic life in the shambles does not, in any way, disqualify them in job performance.

re: What is Mark Sanford Thinking?

Jabberwock — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:47:03 GMT

" That is just an excuse to further your invalid arguement. The President "leaves his office unattended" while going on VACATION all the time."

Oh come on! When the president goes somewhere, he is reachable by his staff. He doesn't just disappear. I can't even believe that you brought that up. The situation is far from to similar.

"If everyone wants to say that this man is unfit for public office because of his martial (personal) life, then it sounds to me that it is implied that anyone who is divorced should not be considered for public office ever again"

If you are going to ignore what I write why even respond? Again, I clearly stated Sanford's mental state is suspect because he has not handled this like a sane person would. Reading other news stories and even other responses to this blog, it is obvious I am not the only one who has noticed this. It really has little to do with marital status or even the fact that he had an affair. I pointed out specific differences in his situation but you seemingly ignored them.

In the end it makes no difference what I think. This does not (and should not in my opinion) rise to the level of something that would allow him to be forced out of office. However in my view he would be doing his state a favor if he simply resigned.

re: What is Mark Sanford Thinking?

freemkt — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:44:17 GMT

The second part of my "response" was in no way directed to what you said earlier. It was a statement from reading the other comments generated on this article. There are people who think he should resign simply because he had an affair. Yes, he is talking too much about it, but at the same time, this man is trying to cope like anyone would. Maybe he should go to a professional and talk with confidentiality, but in this case, apparently he can't leave his office for 5 minutes or the world goes crazy. He told his staffers that he would be away... no one talks about that because that is a little fact that media doesn't want to throw in a headline (his blackberry was with him, his wife clearly knew where he was, didn't want to tell a secret that wasn't hers to tell).... but to the original argument, once again, how is the state of South Carolina in a mess over this?

"Maybe taken at face value these things technically shouldn't matter to ones job, but they do speak to his integrity and judgment and are a major source of distraction. The fact is for someone holding public office these kind of things do matter in very real terms."

The last sentence of that phrase is true, ONLY if he was elected under the false pretense that he is loyal to his wife. That's it. No argument. If he mentioned that he is not perfect then he is fine. The distraction part is the part I have trouble understanding. Yes, I would be distracted if I was upset with my significant other, but it would in no way hinder a decision based on my job. Maybe Sanford has a mental disorder, but we cannot throw judgement around without facts... and those we don't have pertaining to his medical record.

re: What is Mark Sanford Thinking?

Mike Licht — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:16:35 GMT

Governor Sanford has several spiritual advisors.

It takes a village to raise a libido.

See:

http://notionscapital.wordpress.com/2009/07/02/sanfords-spiritual-advisor

re: What is Mark Sanford Thinking?

RuthHouston — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 06:07:22 GMT

There’s a reason Sanford keeps babbling about his mistress being his soul mate, and trying to fall in love with his wife again. http://bit.ly/HgSbU His advisors were remiss in not telling this poor besotted man about the withdrawal symptoms and strong emotions he would experience after ending his affair. Sanford thinks the feelings he has for his mistress right now are unique, because no one told him what to expect. These emotions are a normal part of the grieving process when a person ends an extramarital affair which involved strong emotional bonds in addition to sex. Had he been briefed beforehand about what to expect, he probably would have behaved quite differently. More observations on the Sanford affair from an infidelity expert’s point of view at http://infidelitynewsandviews.blogspot.com/

re: What is Mark Sanford Thinking?

whoruanyway — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 23:01:49 GMT

Funny when someone misses the person they are involved in an affair with they are said to be experiencing "withdraw" but not feelings of real "love". What does it say about their feelings for their spouse when they experience "nothing" when faced with losing them? Open your eyes. People CAN and DO fall in LOVE with others while married and it CAN be real whether you want to acknowledge it or not..

re: What is Mark Sanford Thinking?

Reggie Greene / The Logistician — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:08:34 GMT

From my perspective, the issue is quite simple. Rightly or wrongly, he has lost a substantial number of people who are willing to support him, place confidence in him, and trust him. A leader needs as many people believing in him or her as possible.

As for resignation, http://www.tinyurl.com/n3vlg3