One Remarkable Woman

Written : Feb. 9, 2010

Like Elizabeth Edwards, Hillary Clinton, Dina Matos (McGreevey), Silda Spitzer, and others before her, Jenny Sanford endured a public sex scandal involving her famous husband. Unlike the others, who appeared in public with their husbands, she didn’t attend Gov. Mark Sanford’s (R-SC) news conference last year, when he admitted he had an affair with a reporter from Argentina. After trying to make her marriage work, Jenny Sanford finally booted the Governor out of the family home. Jenny wrote a book, a memoir detailing the affair entitled, “Staying True”. She’s now making the rounds on TV. Barbara Walters interviewed Mrs. Sanford on the Feb. 5, 2010 edition of 20/20, the ABC news magazine show.

Jenny Sanford is not your typical whiner or weeper. She held her head high - while withstanding multiple attempts by Walters to get her to bash her soon-to-be former husband. Jenny Sanford is someone to be admired. She kept her composure while saying she’s seeking a divorce, and was correct to blame Mark Sanford for making the choices he made. She wished he hadn’t made them, but he did.

I expected Barbara Walters to give a few feminist “atta-girls” to Sanford, but to my surprise she took a more conservative tack. Walters unfairly and repeatedly chastised Jenny for not “standing by her man”. But I think Jenny was right to stay away from the governor’s news conference, don’t you? One can imagine how hard it is for anyone to withstand a spouse’s affair, but she told her story while showing she still respects Mark Sanford. She certainly earned my respect!

When Walters asked why she’s filing for divorce, Jenny said, ”I decided I needed to remain strong … and be the best I could be for our children and that Mark needs to resolve a lot of his issues on his own.” This is the epitome of a strong, liberated woman; one with her own mind, but for some reason Walters ignored the fact. She turned instead to a Democratic strategist, Bob Schrum, for commentary. – But, why? - Schrum naturally was quite critical of the South Carolina governor. I also wondered why Barbara Walters, with a pained look, asked if Jenny wanted to know if Mark is still seeing his mistress. Jenny Sanford honestly said she didn’t want to know. Walters, obviously frustrated, asked, “Why not?” Jenny explained with grace she just wants to move on. Who wouldn’t?

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Keywords: Conservatism, Conservative, blog, politics, political, Mark Cohen, Mark A. Cohen, From The Left to the Right, conservative blog, conservative blogs, Jenny Sanford, Governor Sanford, Barbara Walters, 20/20.

Keyword Phrases: "Conservatism", "Conservative", "blog", "politics", "political", "Mark Cohen", "Mark A. Cohen", "From The Left to the Right ", "conservative blog", "conservative blogs", “Jenny Sanford”, “Governor Mark Sanford”, “Barbara Walters”, “20/20.”

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The Least Important Affair

Written : Aug. 18, 2009

Senator John Edwards (D-NC) was caught in an illicit affair in 2007-2008 just after Speaker Nancy Pelosi declared the Republicans a “culture of corruption”. The media, with the exception of the National Enquirer in July of 2008, knew that a story was brewing with Edwards, but looked the other way. For me this matters only because Edwards was a public figure. But we’re all human. Anyone, given the right circumstances can be guilty of such a transgression. Such matters belong to no political party. And, no two situations are the same, but the media has an obligation to treat each instance in a similar manner.

Early in 2009 Governor Mark Sanford (R-SC) was caught in an illicit affair. No one covered it up, and the media jumped all over the story. Sanford was a public figure and therefore the story was important. It can happen to anyone, of course. In politics, the list could include Congressmen, Senators, Governors, Presidents, etc.

On “The O’Reilly Factor” with Bill O’Reilly within the past couple of days, Linda Stasi argued vehemently that Sanford’s affair was a more important mistake – even though Edwards’ affair occurred while he was running for the U.S. presidency. In fact, Edwards was a more prominent figure than Sanford. Stasi dismissed Edwards’ affair while correctly pointing out he was a former Senator at the time. A sitting Governor was more important to highlight, more prominent than a former Senator. I disagree, but ok. This may be a bit of a stretch, but it struck me as funny how just last year the media fell in love with a Senator (Obama), while they attacked a Governor (Palin). Whichever is more convenient if it fits your political ideology, I guess. We, the public, have an obligation to be skeptical about all the pundits we watch, to think for ourselves, and to ask pertinent questions.

Read the transcript at: Read Stasi on O’Reilly There’s a link there entitled “Click here to watch the debate!” or, watch it now: Watch the debate

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Keywords: Conservatism, Conservative, blog, politics, political, Mark Cohen, Mark A. Cohen, From The Left to the Right, conservative blog, conservative blogs, Governor Sanford, Governor Palin

Keyword Phrases: "Conservatism", "Conservative", "blog", "politics", "political", "Mark Cohen", "Mark A. Cohen", "From The Left to the Right ", "conservative blog", "conservative blogs", "Governor Sanford”, “Governor Palin”, “Senator Edwards”

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