Jenny Sanford Puts Her Kids First, the Governor Second

by Rachel Campos-Duffy (Subscribe to Rachel Campos-Duffy's posts) Jun 30th 2009 4:00PM

Categories: Love & Sex, Behaving Badly, In The News

Over the weekend, South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford confessed, in a rambling live statement to the press, that he has been having an affair with a woman in Argentina. Since her husband's bizarre press conference, the Governor's wife, Jenny, has single handedly changed the rulebook for scorned political wives. Gone is the humiliating moment of standing next to the philandering husband in a show of support, the stoned-face silence, the prerequisite week-long sequester in the family home, and the pathological enabling. Instead, Jenny Sanford is exemplifying dignity in the face of disaster, and is putting her children ahead of her husband's ambitions.

Mrs. Sanford's behavior -- including her refusal to cover for her husband when the press first came to their Sullivans Island summer house inquiring about the governor's whereabouts, and her absence as he has faced the press and calls for his resignation alone -- Mrs. Sanford has inspired a strong response from women across the country. "Team Jenny" merchandise, including mugs, bags and t-shirts with tango dancing silhouettes and the tagline, "Don't cry for me Argentina," is popping up everywhere. Clearly, Mrs. Sanford's behavior is meeting with approval from at least some voters -- and mothers.

Shortly after her husband's rambling, narcissistic press conference, the preppy mother of four boys delivered her own perfectly crafted and heartbreakingly maternal statement (no secret now about who the brain was in that outfit!). In it, she uses sacred scripture to remind her cheating husband of his ingratitude, saying, "sons are a gift from the Lord and children a reward from Him." She goes on to say, "I believe that the greatest legacy I will leave behind in this world is...the character of [my] children".

Jenny Sanford is a woman who understands exactly what is at stake, and who is not willing to risk "the potential damage to [her] children." When these things happen to families, especially very public families, we all worry about the children. In this case, however, we all somehow know that those boys are going to turn out all right – thanks to Team Jenny.

Comments (13)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Michelle 6-30-2009 @ 4:23PM

Couldn't agree with you more on this one, Rachel. Well said.

Kim Kooyers 6-30-2009 @ 4:36PM

I totally agree with you and that's why I hope she divorces him. I wrote about it here: http://gratitude365.blogspot.com/2009/06/i-hope-jenny-sanford-divorces-her.html

Daviid Followell 6-30-2009 @ 8:01PM

Mark Sanford has been out of touch with the voters of South Carolina for a couple of years. No surprise about his wife and kids. He should have stayed lost, those of us who live in SC would have been much better off if he had. I do feel sorry for the boys though.

Vee W 6-30-2009 @ 7:59PM

As in ALL cases, the children SHOULD come first! He should have considered such things when he had even a glimmer of compulsion towards the mistress. He should have stopped at that moment, done some introspection, and discussed his feelings with his wife. THEN he wanted the affair more than his family, resign from his post, divorce his family, then go have his affair. I never could understand why people can't control their passions and compulsions long enough to put their lives in order for any reprocussions. Vee at www.postcards-and-pumpkins.blogspot.com

Sifrina 6-30-2009 @ 10:09PM

What a selfish family UNfriendly man Mark Sanford is, not to mention unprofessional to his taxpayers and the oath, and hypocritic (he actually went after Bill Clinton and pressed for his impeachment!). Look, people make mistakes but he has hurt many people by his irresponsible actions and doesn't live up to any of his stated views as a conservative. He opposes gay marriage yet I know many gay couples that are more committed to their families than this hurtful, destructive creep.

I am relieved that there is at least is one strong, responsible, selfless parent that is looking not only at the present but at the long range effect this may have on her sons' emotional well being and character (especially for boys with a very poor male role model). As much as I'd like this guy to stay out of the picture altogether (she'll make a better dad than he ever would thank you very much!), I know it is best for his sons if he can just get his head on straight enough so he can be a positive influence in his children's lives and show them the love and attention they deserve. After all, children need and love even those parents they shouldn't...

Sifrina 7-01-2009 @ 9:24PM

Wow, I sound like an embittered, scorned woman myself! I'm really happily married...seriously! Must be especially PMSing this week
:-)

J 7-01-2009 @ 8:26AM

Did anyone not read the part where it said:
"I believe Mark has earned a chance to resurrect our marriage."
HELLO - how? SHe thinks he earned a second chance by disappearing with his mistress? She's just as cracked as he is. I feel bad for their kids.

Sifrina 7-03-2009 @ 11:09AM

J - Good point. Even if he wanted to, he alone can't "resurrect" the marriage. I think she thinks he just gets "a chance" (and how he earned that is beyond me), so she's either delusional or just doesn't care too much if he doesn't ultimately "resurrect" the marriage (this is where many cheated-on spouses are after they find out). Either way, it doesn't sound encouraging as to their fate as a couple...

Jasmine 7-02-2009 @ 10:06AM

If he was a democrat, Rachel would be attacking both him and his wife. Republicans are always so predictable.

Sifrina 7-02-2009 @ 7:05PM

Jasmine - I see your point and had the same thought (would she and other conservatives be faulting a Democrat wife for not sticking by her husband, if only to preserve the "unified family unit" or blaming the wife as "guilt by association"?) BUT you do have to give Rachel credit for attacking a Republican at all in her blog!!

Glorious 7-07-2009 @ 1:18PM

I've never read Rachel "attacking" anyone. Since most Democrats are proud in-your-face liars, cheaters (taxes, & women especially), adulterers, drunks and druggies no one gets bent out of shape about their screw-ups. Repubs want good morals and honor family values but often slip and fall, far from the ideal. That's when the wolves gather and howl with glee. Which is very sad. Both parties need a major over-haul and we all need to realize that "all have sinned and fall short of God's glory." Rom 3:23

Frances 7-03-2009 @ 10:29PM

I can't bear to imagine this poor woman's feelings! Perhaps the wrong spouse ran for office! What a pillar of poise she is. I would never begin to ponder the workings of their marriage at this point that lead to the marriage resurrection section of the speech, but she clearly has her eyes on her sons! Who cares what party these people are affiliated with... deception is deception.

Well done, Jenny, and well put, Rachel

amy 7-08-2009 @ 7:03AM

It is not a crime against the children to have an affair of the heart. To want to be with a man that doesn't want to be with you is not healthy for her or the children. While he didn't go about it in the right way for sure, her being scorned has NOTHING to do with the children. It was a dysfunctional household and her holding on to the man is just plain weird and is not healthy for the children. Why would a child want their parents to not be happy? Divorce is a viable solution for many families. If the children grew up and found that the parents stayed together unhappily for their sake would make them feel VERY bad.