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No-Compromise Jenny Sanford Is SC Hero

Jenny Sanford wins praise for not standing by her man

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 29, 2009 5:10 AM CDT

(Newser) – In the traditional narrative of the philandering politician, the wronged wife is forced to stand by her man and offer unconditional forgiveness. But Jenny Sanford is forging a new path. She has publicly flayed the South Carolina governor—"His career is not a concern of mine," she told reporters recently—and has won huge respect from the state's voters in the process, reports the Washington Post.

Jenny served as Mark Sanford's campaign strategist when he ran for Congress and governor, and one insider says "he would have never won either of his governor's races without her." The Chicago-born first lady and her four sons took refuge on an island near Charleston when the scandal broke, and her stance as survivor, not victim, has impressed many.

Jenny Sanford speaks about her husband's recent affair admission at the family beach house in Sullivan's Island,  SC, last week.
Jenny Sanford speaks about her husband's recent affair admission at the family beach house in Sullivan's Island, SC, last week.   (AP Photo/Alice Keeney)
South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford smiles as he is joined by his wife, Jenny, after winning the Republican gubernatorial nomination, in Columbia, SC, in 2006.
South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford smiles as he is joined by his wife, Jenny, after winning the Republican gubernatorial nomination, in Columbia, SC, in 2006.   (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain,File)
Jenny Sanford, wife of South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, speaks about her husband's recent affair admission at the family beach house in Sullivan's Island,  SC.
Jenny Sanford, wife of South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, speaks about her husband's recent affair admission at the family beach house in Sullivan's Island, SC.   (AP Photo/Alice Keeney)
South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford celebrates after winning his second term by defeating Democrat Tommy Moore, in Columbia, SC, in 2006.
South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford celebrates after winning his second term by defeating Democrat Tommy Moore, in Columbia, SC, in 2006.   (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain, File)
South Carolina first lady Jenny Sanford gestures as she speaks to the media as she leaves a family home last week on Sullivan's Island, SC.
South Carolina first lady Jenny Sanford gestures as she speaks to the media as she leaves a family home last week on Sullivan's Island, SC.   (AP Photo/Mic Smith)
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I think every woman in South Carolina would vote for Jenny Sanford for governor right now.
- Cyndi Mosteller, a longtime friend of Sanford's and a prominent South Carolina Republican

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
foodchain11
Jun 30, 2009 12:59 PM CDT
I like the part where he said, "If I'm a good boy, can I keep her?" Wow, this southern christian thing is pretty good; you can be a rock star and an adulterier. It's like Obama; you can be anything you want. You can cheat, it dont matter. Hah! And they think they are the smart ones!!!!
polstroad
Jun 29, 2009 10:47 AM CDT
Either she will remain married to the guy ...or not. One way or the other hardly makes here anything but a typical persoin in a bad spot who must choose. Me? I would respect whichever choice she makes. She is hardly alone in adulterous spouse caught in act..
oldgoat
Jun 29, 2009 10:20 AM CDT
The part I wonder is where she said he had earned a second chance. Sorry but if I had cheated on my wife, asked her to condone me going to Argentina to continue the affair, and then disappeared for 5 days of a booked 10 fling with the mistress there wouldn't be any second chance. It would be the lawyer serving papers on me and going for every penny that I have or hope to have. And that might be after I got out of the hospital with her claw marks and baseball bat bruises.

More Newser Stories

Jenny Sanford, Kids Move Out

Scandal Fallout a 'Gut Punch': Jenny Sanford

Jenny Sanford Files for Divorce

Jenny Sanford Trademarks Name for Clothing Line

Jenny Sanford Endorses Candidate for SC Governor


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