Statement from First Lady Jenny Sanford (asked husband to leave 2 weeks ago)

[sabra]

Source: Sun News

South Carolina's First Lady Jenny Sanford released the following statement Wednesday:

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.


Read more: http://www.thesunnews.com/news/breaking_news/story/952470.html

[RT Atlanta]

1. I feel bad for her and the boys

the husband/gov is a real SOB (we already knew this of course)

[PNutt]

26. So...........

He wasn't hiking on the Appalachian Trail, he was hiking on a Latino Tail. Anyone could make that innocent mistake.

[roguevalley]

28. her remarks were dignified and decent and best to her and those four

boys.

[Gormy Cuss]

61. +1

It's a shame that her husband wasn't decent enough to break off the affair by telephone.

[Mike Daniels]

63. The press should continue to go after Sanford. They shouldn't even touch the family.

Let the rest of the family pick up the pieces in private.

However, Sanford should be hounded for the rest of his days if even just for his hypocrisy alone.

[Sanity Claws]

2. So he reacted to a trial separation by having an affair

And Jenny welcomes him back?

Hmmm. Interesting dynamic between these two.

[endarkenment]

3. I assume the separation was over an ongoing affair with the same

person he was visiting in Argentina. I could be wrong of course, but that would be the simplest explanation.

[Sanity Claws]

9. Maybe

I listened to the press conference and he made it sound as though this was a first time thing.
I really don't understand how she takes him back after he continues or starts an affair during a trial separation.

[eagertolearn]

15. It sounded to me like this was an ongoing affair and when she

says they have been "trying to work things out" I figured it was trying to get him from stopping the affair and work on their relationship. Obviously he couldn't make that choice so she asked him to leave and then he went down to figure out things with his girlfriend (just a guess).

[Sanity Claws]

16. That makes sense

It sounds like he is making a decision only because the press caught him.

[heliarc]

47. You didn't listen closely enough.

He said that that she had known for quite some time. And that it was a relationship with someone from a long time ago... started as a friendship.

[PetrusMonsFormicarum]

33. Sanford's romantic emails

that have been released indicate that his dalliance with the Argentine lover dates back to last July, and before that, they were friends for years.

[zazen]

7. I think she's only welcoming him back if he demonstrates some sort of conversion experience

The evangelical culture certainly provides a lot of wiggle room for that. Maybe it can be genuine, maybe not . . . but I do get sick of how some of these guys (and you don't seem to hear about unfaithful Republican women) get to hold prayer meetings with their Promise Keeper spiritual "advisers" for six months and then worm their way back into the lives of their betrayed wives, who are taught to be forgiving in the face of such "conversion."

[krkaufman]

17. Yeah, he needs to get in touch with Ted Haggard ...

... to get the name of that streamlined program he went through to get the gay out. Sanford could get a good soul steam-cleaning and be back on the job before ya know it. (But he should maybe still temporarily hand-off to the Lt. Gov., this time.)

[happygoluckytoyou]

31. SHE SAID GET IN TOUCH WITH YOURSELF>.........NOT TOUCH YOURSELF

[Lone_Star_Dem]

14. I read earlier she and his family found out about the affair 5 months ago.

:shrug:

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

53. He rejected states stimulus package while getting his package stimulated

hippocrit!

[Captain Hilts]

4. Boy, he sure showed her! nt

[Raven]

5. She almost seems to be blaming herself...what has religion and the

Republican Party done to these women? This man, her husband, was derelict in his duty to his office, a liar and a cheater and a hypocrit. And whoever the woman was who went with him on this nutty junket has not one brain cell in her head. First rule for good people in politics: keep your mind above your belt buckle.

[peacetalksforall]

11. According to his statement, the woman lives in Argentina and he went down there

to break if off. Said he cried. I am not defending him, just repeating what I read from a press conference or statement of something.

[Texas Mom]

23. I'm a havin trouble figuring out

why he had to go to Argentina to break it off and then STAY THERE for 4 or 5 days, coming back early only when he found out there was a frenzy back home. What on earth could he have been doing there for 4 or 5 days? Can't cry in the US?

[peacetalksforall]

45. The other woman lives in Argentina.

[Wednesdays]

50. That still doesn't add up

If he really wanted to break up with her, why stay there for nearly a week? :shrug:

[Doctor_J]

6. I wonder...if Obama is running against an adulterer like Newt in 2012...

Sorry. I feel terrible for this woman. I always have mixed emotions with people who put up with adultery, thinking it will change "next time". She should have been a little more circumspect and booted him the first time, but I guess she wanted to try to keep her kids' family intact.

Best wishes for your future, Jenny. May you meet a more fit mate and father for your children

[LynneSin]

8. Talk about having a bad week - 10 Vetos overturned, forced to take the Stimulus money..

and now kicked out of the house!

[Texas Mom]

24. All his own doing my dear.

[Botany]

10. Wow she didn't throw him under the bus.

Best wishes to Jenny & the kids. I hope the media leaves them alone.

[rudy23]

19. Sounds like she's the one who got thrown under the bus. nt

[Sabriel]

12. "as I seek the wisdom of Solomon"

"...the strength and patience of Job and the grace of God in helping to heal my family. Oh, and the sex appeal of that woman in The Song of Solomon. She apparently had it goin' on, and it looks like I need that."

(Feel free to chime in with other characters from the Bible who might help out here.)

[eilen]

36. I got the impression she was running for office. nt

[Vidar]

48. Not to mention the 900 wives.

[LuckyLib]

51. LOL -- I get so tired of all the fawning Christian Bible references in these situations.

Enough of the relying on your faith to get you through your hubby's recent affair. Give him the kick to the curb he needs!

[TheCowsCameHome]

13. I suppose this means no Father's Day card, eh?

[rudy23]

18. So she told him not to tell anybody? Why didn't she speak up when people started wondering

where the hell he was?

This is not even CLOSE to the truth. No way.

[bertman]

20. More American Christian Puritan mores at work.

Lord, deliver us from religions. Please.

[Skittles]

21. I was onboard with her until she started the bible crap

[Ian David]

22. Bless her heart, she's still a Conservative and still thinks he's an awesome politician!

I have no sympathy for her.

I feel bad for the kids though.

[JerseygirlCT]

25. I feel for her. And her statement here is far, far more dignified

than his appearance today. I wish her well.

[damntexdem]

27. Well, Mark sure worked diligently at it for one of the two weeks.

Hey, had he stayed another week in Argentina, maybe the marriage would have been saved.

;-)

[Manifestor_of_Light]

29. Sounds like Rodney Dangerfield.

"We're doing everything we can to keep our marriage together. Separate bedrooms, separate vacations, separate houses...."


:rofl:

[edbermac]

30. "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"

Why can't all women react like that to their husband's infidelity? :sarcasm:

[happygoluckytoyou]

32. OOOH OOH HE'S HAVING AN AFFAIR.... WHO'S CATERING AND AM I INVITED ? ? ?

[CreekDog]

34. Deep down, he knew she was right

but he also knew that someday, he would return to Argentina.

:hide:

[Are_grits_groceries]

35. Forget the Bible stuff.

That is one pissed woman. I think if they didn't have 4 kids, he would be in a woodchipper and then the remains would be in some swamp. The reason he didn't tear up when he spoke about her is because he is scared shitless. His mouth dried up.

I'll bet his friends stayed around to pray she didn't kill him.

[tj2001]

37. "Psalm 127 states that sons are a gift from the Lord"

What the hell is that supposed to mean?

[alterfurz]

39. and Leviticus 20:10 states...

And if a man committeth adultery with another man's wife, both the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.

[Kukesa]

62. Bingo!

And his Christian Bible Study group must have missed that one.

[roody]

38. What a bunch of bullshit.

[Aslanspal]

40. Why do I see Ice sickles forming after reading this

Does anybody else feel a cold artic wind coming from this lady.

she is hugging the bible and her husband finds an affectionate argentine woman.

btw I think they truly are in love Mark and Maria.

[cindyperry]

41. You know

that is what I think is the real story he may very well love this woman and wants out of the marriage.

[Aslanspal]

42. Yeah , you kinda leave the politics behind after reading the love letters

Doesn't sound like some lust on the Pampas it sounds like he really cares and are friends.

I hope Maria stands strong and does not run away , if she truly cares for this man.

[trudyco]

49. If he was so unhappy with his marriage and fatherhood then

he should have separated before allowing himself to "fall in love" particularly as it was a long distance affair so it was easy to stay away. He should not have made a sham of his marriage. He should not have lied to his wife or children by hiding it. Whether it is love or lust is beside the point.

[brendan120678]

57. Ice sickle?

Would that be a sickle (a hand-held agricultural tool with a curved blade typically used for harvesting grain or cutting grass for hay) made of ice? ;-)

[Tanuki]

66. You might be feeling a little chilly yourself if your husband had just made a national laughingstock

out of himself, your marriage, and everything you had spent the last 20 years of your life working for. How disgusting for you to blame the wife. Maybe the reason she is "hugging the Bible" is that is the only she can stay grounded when the hypocritical prick she is married to has so publicly and thoroughly humiliated her and her children. How the fuck would YOU react in a similar situation?

[Aslanspal]

69. RELAX TANUKI! TAKE A DEEP BREATH

His wife comes off as a red state bitch , cold as cod, others feel the same way.

the marriage has been dead, probably because she was more into status and shaping his career than meeting emotional needs, she threw him out, he was in love...end of story.

So get over yourself

bottom line as we learn more, betcha it was a loveless marriage...i guess you are in favor of those?

[Hotler]

43. WOW! Just wow. shaking my head. I need a shot of tequila.

I wonder what type of mind set the boys will grow up with?

[ChiGal]

44. How sad for her young boys

and for her.

I'm glad she wasn't standing by his side at the presser.

[blue_onyx]

46. I'm glad she didn't go stand next to him at the press conference

I hate when the wives do that.

[PinkyisBlue]

52. These religious, Bible-thumping Republicans always have a gaggle of children.

They want to populate the country with "their kind". Plus, it's against God's plan to use birth control to prevent conception (although it's okay to use any drug or technique available in order to conceive a child).
I do feel badly for his wife. She based her life and happiness on an empty, hollow premise. Many so-called religious Republican men are unable to stay within the rigid parameters demanded of them by their religion, yet they are the first to criticize others for doing the same.

[brendan120678]

Four kids is a "gaggle"? (nt)

[brendan120678]

58. Delete - double post (sorry)

[InfiniteThoughts]

54. can someone help me understand ...

how wives of republican politicians stand for family values and take steps to repair marriage when the husband commits adultery (Mrs. Sanford) when wives of democrat politicians stand for opportunism and look to salvage status & benefits when the husband commits adultery (Madam Hillary, anyone?) ?

I am sick and tired of this hypocrisy of the MSM and the right-wing

[bitchkitty]

55. Oh my God, that's a right-wing meme I haven't heard for a while.

There's no divorce in the wings. They've been married a very long time, probably because they love each other.

[brendan120678]

59. So are you saying that...

wives of Republican politicians are more concerned with family, and wives of Democratic politicians are more concerned with power and social status?

[JerseygirlCT]

65. You don't need it explained. You've already nailed it

hypocrisy.

[dugaresa]

68. most women (dems and repubs) try to repair their marraiges

a good marriage comes from lots of work even during hard times.

[InfiniteThoughts]

72. hard to agree with you ...

let me respectfully disagree with you. I am a guy and am appalled when i see something like this.

Why should it be the ladies who have to "repair" their marriages? What if, the lady went berserk and had an affair. Will the guys try and "repair" their marriages? (The answer is, NOPE. We will take movies titled "UNFAITHFUL")

And moreso, in this case - i was trying to highlight the hypocrisy of the Republicans when they accused Hillary of "clinging" to Bill because she was a manipulator. I think the collective right-wingers owe Hillary apologies for the low level that they stooped to, during the Lewinsky scandal days.

[fortyfeetunder]

56. Looks like she had one too many episodes of "Sanford and Sin"

I can't blame her in the least for throwing him out. Good for her.
I feel sorry for the four young boys. What type of example is their father setting for them?

I hope there is a resolution that works out for the family.

[sarcasmo]

60. The amount of lies from this story has been amazing. Republican Family Values.

[onager]

64. Don't Cry For Me, South Carolina...

:rofl:

[susanr516]

67. I'm sorry their boys have to go through this n/t

[ProudDad]

70. Ah, Mark Sanford

the gift that keeps on giving... :rofl:

[JI7]

71. the guy is a scumbag, he should have just left her , but he needed the wife and kids for his

political aspirations.

fucking whore. he used the separation which was meant to take time to try to help them fix their marriage later to just rush off and continue being with a woman who is married .