Sanford and Sons

by Raynard Jackson

Once again we have been hit with “the BIG ONE.” The big one being another politician caught up in a sex scandal. In the immortal words of comedian Redd Foxx, “You Big Dummy!”

South Carolina governor, Mark Sanford revealed yesterday that he has been having an affair with a female in Argentina. This explains his mysterious disappearance from the state of South Carolina. Last week he disappeared for five days with no one knowing his whereabouts or how to reach him. To me, his disappearance is more concerning than the sexual affair.

His cheating on his wife should be left for him and his wife to sort out. But, for him to wantonly abandon his responsibility as governor of the state is extremely disturbing. Just last month, he left the state to travel out of the country without notifying neither the lieutenant governor nor any members of the state assembly. These acts were a total dereliction of his obligation as governor.

His behavior goes to his ability to lead and to make executive level decisions. Did he really think he could have an affair with a women in another country and it not be discovered? This is the most disturbing part of this drama.

As usual, the most hurt in situations like this is always the children. Did Governor Sanford not think about the impact this would have on his kids (if the affair was discovered)?

I knew Sanford from his days in Congress. He was part of the Republican revolution of 1994. He was always a decent person, though somewhat eccentric. He was a hard right, “family values” conservative. Again, how could he continue to talk about family values, knowing that he was living a lie?

If a person is willing to cause serious injury to his own kids, how can he be trusted to lead a state? How kids see their father treat women has an incredible impact on how they will eventually treat women. He has damaged his kids for sure. The extent of this damage will not be known for years to come. This is more problematic than his original act of betrayal.

I find Republican’s criticism of President Obama taking his wife out on a date even more ridiculous in light of this latest sex scandal. Republican’s feigned concern over the cost of taking his wife to New York for dinner and a Broadway play (they claimed to be concerned about the cost of using government jets and Secret Service details). But, these same people have not once opened their mouths about the cost of these scandals to the well being of the children of these politicians caught up in the middle of these scandals. Now, tell me who really has family values?

President Obama has shown, by his example, more family values than most of these Republicans who only talk about it. Obama’s daughters will grow up with the knowledge of how they should be treated by a man because they saw how their father treated their mother. This is true family values.

To be quite honest, I am not very concerned for Sanford nor his wife. They are adults. They can handle themselves. But, my thoughts and prayers are definitely with his four sons. For once, I hope the media will show restraint and stay away from the children. They didn’t ask to be put in the spotlight and should be left alone.

Again, what does the governor’s behavior say about his decision making abilities? I think his time would be better spent trying to heal his family, without the distractions of trying to be chief executive of a state. It would be much better for the governor to resign and focus solely on his family.

For him to continue in office is to invite further pain on his family, especially his children. There are no winners in this situation, so please put the kid’s well being first.




Raynard Jackson is president & CEO of Raynard Jackson & Associates, LLC., a D.C.-based political consulting/government affairs firm.