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Sanford Meltdown Mortifying—but Real

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 25, 2009 9:40 AM CDT

(Newser) – Mark Sanford went before the cameras to confess and apologize yesterday, a ritual that is typically “a schtick, a plastic act of absolution performed by men who are just as plastic,” writes Gary Kamiya of Salon. But not this time. Sanford “got all weird and human on us.” Suddenly “instead of a press conference, we had been carried into some Eternal Bedroom of Misery.” it was a trainwreck, Kamiya writes, but it was also that rare thing in a politician: an unscripted expression of emotion.

Sanford deviated from the script most egregiously, William Saletan writes in Slate, in his treatment of the "other woman." You’re supposed to say you love your wife and renounce the affair as a passing mistake. Instead Sanford spoke of his “dear, dear friend,” with whom “from a heart level, there was something real.” It must be awful for his wife, Saletan notes, “but it beats the hell out of seducing someone, kicking her to the curb, and pretending she meant nothing to you.”

[Images (3)]

[Videos (2)]

[Quotes (2)]

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford admits to having an affair during a news conference Wednesday, June 24, 2009, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain)

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford pauses to look at his notes as he admits to having an affair during a news conference Wednesday, June 24, 2009, and that was the reason why he was in Argentina. (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain)

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford tearfully admitted to having an affair during a news conference in Columbia, S.C., Wednesday, June 24, 2009. (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain)

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Governor Sanford cops to his affair and apologizes. (CNN Video)

Sanford takes questions from reporters, gets weepy. (CNN Video)

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It was awful, but it was real. And painful as it is, in the repressed American sexual landscape, reality is better than artifice. For the real enemy is not sin. The real enemy is plastic. - Gary Kamiya

He looked and sounded like a man who has just been taken by Eros on a guided tour of heaven and hell — mostly
the latter. - Gary Kamiya

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 12 comments

BeatBlaster

Jun 26, 2009 6:08 AM CDT

What does this man need help with? Someone please bring me into the loop.

wwwonderer

Jun 25, 2009 7:49 AM CDT

Politician's PERSONAL lives should be NO ONE'S business. I care less that Bill Clinton cheated on his wife. I care less that GWB has/had an alcohol and coke problem. I care less that Jeb's daughter broke out of rehab to score prescription drugs. THAT'S THEIR BUSINESS!!!! As long as one can perform the duties of his position, isn't causing harm to himself, others, or others property, then who cares. it is the pious right-wing that has this moral axe to grind.

freethemall

Jun 25, 2009 7:20 AM CDT

Maybe I didn't understand your query 001. I mean that Sanford's affair wasn't all right, because it did affect the performance of his duties, and not simply because he was being hounded about it, and investigated as Bill Clinton was.

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