While many on the left are reveling in the downfall of South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford after he disclosed his affair with a woman in Argentina, there's a sympathetic figure being overlooked that might have the necessary background to fill the void left by the governor should he resign.
On CNBC's June 30 "The Kudlow Report," Wall Street Journal senior economics writer Steve Moore explained his close relationship with the Sanfords and raised a new political possibility.
"This is such a tough thing for me Larry, because as you know Mark Sanford has been a long-time friend of mine," Moore said. "This story truly breaks my heart." Moore suggested that South Carolina First Lady Jenny Sanford run for her husband's seat - as he called her "the brains of the operation."
You know what's interesting? I'll just pose one thought here," Moore said. "What about Jenny Sanford as a candidate? She was always the brains of the operation and she's a sympathetic figure. She's smart. Maybe she's the next leader of South Carolina."
Jenny Sanford is a Georgetown-educated, former Wall Street executive, according to the Associated Press. The Office of the S.C. Governor Web page says "she worked for the investment banking firm Lazard Freres & Co in New York from 1984 through 1990, including serving as vice president in mergers and acquisitions." "Around South Carolina, Jenny Sanford is regarded as a strong-minded figure, accomplished and politically astute," added AP.
Kudlow too shares a close personal relationship with the Sanford family, he mentioned more than once. "Both Steve and I know the Sanfords quite well," Kudlow said. "We see them every New Year's at a conference called ‘The Awakening.' I'm not here to beat up on Mark Sanford. I think he has to do his duty and resign."
But Kudlow also made the case for Jenny Sanford as a candidate for the South Carolina Governor's Mansion.
"His wife Jenny was his campaign manager for Congress and the statehouse," Kudlow continued. "She is a brilliant woman. She is showing a lot of character and integrity during this personal and emotional crisis. And Steve Moore's call for her to run for governor is something everybody ought to think about."
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She'd be just fine, but
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 09:22 ET by HockeyKidShe'd be just fine, but only on the condition that her ex-husband never crawls out from under whatever rock he selects for his self-chosen obscurity. He and John Edwards should be each other's sole companionship.
"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
WHATEVER...my response to lib posts
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 12:03 ET by reelman46SANFORD: MY RESPONSE TO LIB POSTS
Who said just because about 3% of elected GOPers fail that morals do not matter?
Who said never speak up for morals because you might fail?
Who said Churches were only for non-sinners?
Who said democrats are secular socialists (I did that one)?
We have divorce so never defend marriage? We have fornication so never speak of purity?
The secular modern liberals are so pathetic…they have no ethics or
morality so they think that gives them a pass to hammer anyone who has
if they fail.
The Party of serial adulterers JFK and WJC (presidents!) always has
time to attack so as to avoid ever telling America why their secular
socialism is superior. They never ever defend their religion of secular
socialism with logic or common sense. We are not fooled.
The GOP guys pay and pay for their moral lapses while the democrats
are held to no standard at all…we expect no ethics or morals from
democrats…why should we? Morals are inferior to power for the angry
secular socialist control freaks. The record is clear.
Sit down and shut up. You have no right to comment on morality. The
secular get no seat at the table. The moral have always policed and
penalized their own. The record is clear there also. Since when has the
Party of abortion and homo-marriage had any moral credence?
Hey libs, stay in your secular cage. That is where morality-free angry creatures belong.
Doug Schexnayder, Ph.D. (theconservativecrawfish)
I can only assume you
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 13:16 ET by HockeyKidI can only assume you didn't intend to post that as a reply to my post. 'Cause I don't care how many letters you've got after your name--call me a liberal and there's gonna be trouble.
"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
A great opinion piece from the Washington Post
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 10:38 ET by Prester JohnJenny Sanford, Role Model
Finally, a new model for the wronged political spouse.
...Jenny Sanford presents a new and improved version of the betrayed political spouse -- neither enabler nor victim.
I have to confess to, and apologize for, having preconceived notions about Jenny Sanford that turned out to have nothing to do with who she actually is. I heard "wife of conservative Christian governor," saw the picture of her with those four well-groomed boys and figured her for someone who wouldn't have the spine to stick up for herself.
Boy, was I wrong. She is as smart as Elizabeth or Hillary -- trade the law degree for an investment banking vice presidency (Lazard Freres) -- and may be tougher, too, at least when it comes to husbands.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/30/AR2009063003046.html
Good for her. She seems to
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 11:16 ET by ConservativeMissourianGood for her. She seems to be strong-minded and experienced enough to run for that position. That is a decision she will have to make. I don't know that she is necessarily a new role model for women in that position. Everyone handles it differently, but I don't exactly agree with the fact that she knew about it for over a year but just recently asked him to move out because she wanted her kids to respect her. Where is her self respect?
This is a bit ridiculous...
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 11:47 ET by PrairieSkyA new role model for women? What women? Women who's moronic husbands cheat on them? Mrs. Sanford may be a very nice, accomplished woman, but just because she married a complete idiot who has torpedoed his career and people feel sorry for her, doesn't mean that she would or should be a good candidate for governor. Personally, once this mess is resolved, (and the sooner the better...Sanford should already have resigned), I'd be happy if we never heard any more about anything concerning him or his family again...I think we've all been treated to way more than we wanted to know about this whole sordid situation.
That said, I would like to thank and commend Mrs. Sanford for not standing next to her sleazebag husband like a Stepford Wife, while he made his announcement/confession last week. I have had it with these cuckolded wives publicly appearing with their cheating husbands, when these idiots get caught with their pants down...Don't any of these women have any self-respect? Their scumbucket husbands have publicly humiliated them, and yet they stand there, looking stoic, while their husbands air their dirty laundry in front of the cameras...Fifty brownie points to Mrs. Sanford for not doing that, and if she has any dignity and brains at all, she should have a good divorce lawyer on speed dial...
"The problem is not that people are taxed too little...the problem is that government spends too much." ~President Ronald Reagan
Uh, how 'bout women who are
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 13:19 ET by HockeyKidUh, how 'bout women who are recognized as the true brains behind their husbands' success?
"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
HockeyKid...Please don't...
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 16:03 ET by PrairieSkymisunderstand me...I am not suggesting that Mrs. Sanford isn't a bright, accomplished woman...In fact, I said she seemed to be an accomplished woman. And based on what we've just witnessed from her twit husband, she is obviously the true brains behind her husbands' success, as you said, because he clearly isn't. But even given that, my point was, how does that make her qualified to be governor? If she wants to run, fine. The voters will then have the opportunity to study and get to know her and decide if she is, in fact, qualified to be governor.
And for the record, as far as I'm concerned, the more women running for office, the better.
"The problem is not that people are taxed too little...the problem is that government spends too much." ~President Ronald Reagan
Re misunderstand
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 18:07 ET by slickwillie2001Yeah, it's a little too much like Jean Carnahan. Political office should not be inherited in America. Let her go through the same grinder that any candidate for higher office does and if she comes out on top, good for her.
slick...Absolutely...
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 20:23 ET by PrairieSkyThis trend that we have seen in recent years of members of politician's families basically, as you said, "inheriting" the politican's office, either as a result of the politician's death or otherwise, is getting more and more common, and it should stop. If Mrs. Sanford has political aspirations of her own and wants to run for office (governor or whatever), fine. But the mere fact that she is/was married to Mark Sanford is, and should be, irrelevant.
"The problem is not that people are taxed too little...the problem is that government spends too much." ~President Ronald Reagan
jessieH
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 12:15 ET by jessieHjessieH What are her qualifications to run? Missouri tried the same thing with McCaskill. It didn't work out all that well.
She's got a very strong
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 13:21 ET by HockeyKidShe's got a very strong resume, and is quite politically savvy. There's no comparison to McCaskill.
"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
Who's Sarah Palin?
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 12:41 ET by Dena InaJenny for 2012!
You heard it hear first!
Dena
"I survived Roe v. Wade"
I love that this
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 13:01 ET by mothergooseI love that this guy who is Sanford's friend says "she is the brains of the operation". HA!! With friends like this Sanford doesn't need enemies.
Hell, with his own behavior
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 13:22 ET by HockeyKidHell, with his own behavior Sanford doesn't need enemies. Here's a guy who torpedoed his own (high-potential) career all by his stupid self.
"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
PrairieSky
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 16:41 ET by Edward CropperThanks for some common sense.
Is it any wonder this country is going to hell in a hand basket when you see
some of the moronic political ideas floating around the internet. Right and Left !
Edward...You bet...
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 20:34 ET by PrairieSkyThe internet is wide open for all kinds of ideas, Right and Left...
"The problem is not that people are taxed too little...the problem is that government spends too much." ~President Ronald Reagan