Just goes to show you — it’s not what you do but whether people like you or not.
South Carolina sent former Gov. Mark Sanford to Congress this past week after he defeated Democratic candidate Elizabeth Colbert Busch, the sister of Comedy Central personality Stephen Colbert.
The fact that Sanford won was really not a surprise, but the margin was. Sanford won 54 percent to 45 percent; a resounding win for Sanford and the Republican Party.
The irony here is that Sanford won in a party and state that claim family values and other such political nonsense. Sanford cleverly won the election by repeatedly comparing his opponent to U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., one of the most liberal members of the House.
Here is a man who has lied, cheated on his wife and family and, quite possibly, stalked his ex-wife. What do the people of South Carolina do? They send him to Congress. In case anyone has forgotten, Sanford was caught with his Argentine mistress.
To make matters worse, he did all of this while serving as governor of South Carolina. He lied about where he was (of course he did, what man would admit that, right?) and, according to staffers on several occasions, just took off on vacation with not so much as a goodbye, leaving his office to scramble to figure out what to do.
Since his indiscretions became public, Sanford first claimed he wanted to reconcile with his wife, then was accused (by his ex) of trespassing and is now engaged to the mistress. The whole thing reeks of Hollywood which makes it even more ironic since comparing his opponent to Pelosi worked.
We live in a time when we can justify anything from anyone, if — and it’s a big if — we like them. It’s that simple. If it’s someone we know or like, it wasn’t cheating. No, it was “they were having problems at home anyway.”
If it is someone we like, it wasn’t lying. It was “They didn’t know all the details when they said that.” We simply make excuses to those on “our side” and attempt to lynch anyone doing the exact same thing on the other side.
Where are all those people that were so outraged at President Clinton’s affair? I sure don’t see them crushing Sanford right now. The fact of the matter is I could care less one way or the other whether Sanford cheated or not. Personally, I have never understood why married people cheat. If you want to sleep with someone else, then have the courage to just leave the person you are with. Simple.
Making matters worse is the “holier-then-thou” attitude many adopt during these times. Do not tell me that you’re for family values when you support someone like this. Do not tell me you support integrity and then support someone like this.
People make mistakes. And when love (or lust) is thrown into the equation, all bets are off. I get it. I have no issues with any of that. What I am saying is don’t preach to me about such topics if you are allowing it in your house.
It’s the proverbial “glass house and rock” thing.
Richard Clark is the universal desk chief for Halifax ENC; his column is published every Sunday. You can reach him at 910-219-8452 or at Richard.Clark@jdnews.com. Follow him on Twitter at kpaws22.