CNN

[...] his wife believes he's earned a second chance. Horray for her; I hope they do survive this craptastic period in their marriage. I feel bad for [...]

Dump him while you still can. he doesn't deserve a 2nd chance.

Leave his sorry rear... find a nice liberal man who will love you and accept you for who you are.

I feel bad for her and their kids. I have no sympathy for him, but note that a lack of control concerning sex is human nature. Given what he did (and I'm thinking of his abandoning his office and covering it up initially to fly to Argentina) he should resign as governor. At the same time, I'm tired of phony outrage from both the right and the left when it comes to morals. If he's such a sleeze, then so to are the Kennedy's, Clinton and Barney Frank (why does he get a pass on having sex with a prostitute) to name a few. Politicians of both the right and the left should stop being so judgmental. For me, Jesus said it best when he saved the woman caught in adultery from being stoned to death: "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."

God be with you and the boys!!!!!

....smooth talk lady, but you're crazy. Cut him loose!!

I would love just one time a woman stands up in this situation when it's in the public eye, and say "hell no I don't stand by him"!!!

Jenny Sanford has shown herself to be a classy lady in this situation; MEDIA: Please heed her request: LEAVE both Jenny and her children alone.......they are not elected to any public office and deserve privacy at this incredibly painful time in their lives.......before taking another picture, rolling another TV camera truck near their home, posting another blog, or interviewing someone about their family life, ask yourself: "If I had committed adultery, would I want MY spouse and children dragged into this tawdry mess?"

Let us not forget that the most important thing we can do for our family is to stay a family. If his wife is willing to forgive him, and she is the one who has been hurt the most, then please let them be a family together.

Here we go again, another cheated on wife, standing by her man! How was a two separation going to do anything for their marriage if he has been carrying on with another woman for a year? And now he has earned the right to resurrect their marriage?

Per info I have read about her she has wealth as a result of family money. She should get rid of him. How many men would tolerate this behavior from their wives given the same set of circumstances? Why do women put up with poor treatment?

The wife is the last one to know and suffers the most. Her husband never once said that the affair was over, but that he hurt his wife, children and etc. One does not go out of the country and stay for seven days, if he is ending the affair. He just got caught. He does not plan on giving the mistress up. As soon as he is out of office, down Argentina way, he goes.

Our prayers are with her-you have to respect her for her generousity in PUBLICLY forgiving him-and for the fact that she is willing to keep her marriage and family in tact-even if the Governor chooses otherwise.

So the recipe is this: Be as big a slimeball as you want, when you get caught, just start quoting the Bible.

I'm a Christian, and this is exactly why I don't go around telling people that. Because the folks who've taken over the GOP and Conservative movement and make the most noise while calling themselves Christians, are only using their religion as an excuse for all their crummy behavior.

These "Christians" don't have a CLUE what the word means!

How could you ever cheat on a woman like that?

Don't judge her until you've walked a mile in her shoes. She's not mixing politics and religion-she's using her faith to see her through a difficult time. We all rely on something to get us through our darkest moments.

I am not going to comment on Sanford's affair. That is something that he and his family need to figure out and where they go from here. What I found quite surprising was during Sanford's press conference there were a couple of women standing behind him who seemed to be laughing and smiling. Is it just me or is that a little screwed up?

She and her husband plan a two week trial separation to work out their marriage problem. She stays on in the govenor's mansion while HE is sneaking out of the country into the arms of his mistress. ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? This man has no honor, no loyalty, no honesty, no morality. He's SO SORRY–yeah, sorry he got caught. Kick this guy to the curb. Your children deserve a better role model than Governor Sleazebag.

Lady, please wake up and open your eyes.

Yet another woman with low self esteem married to an elected official who can't keep his pants on. I would much rather hear nothing from these wives than their line of crap which is nothing more than PR. Go get some therapy and save us from your humiliation. When you get some backbone, then come forth and say something. Otherwise, these wives are enablers.

People may not care about his "dirty laundry" (yeah, right) but they should care that a state governor thinks he can just disappear from his public service job for days and not have it matter. Idiot.

I feel sorry for Mrs. Sanford. She has been a trooper, though I don't like their right-wing politics (which she has encouraged).

At least she had enough integrity NOT to show up at his news conference and pretend all is fine and forgiven.

What I don't get is what he was doing in Argentina. He said he intended to stay there until Thursday but came back early because of the media attention. It doesn't sound like he is working of "reconciling" with the First Lady. Just the opposite.

Is he still seeing this senorita or what? I noticed that he didn't answer that question at his news conference.

Wait – he cheats on her and SHE'S the one apologizing? Go figure!

And if she asked him to leave so they could work on repairing their marriage...why then did he go back to Argentina to be with his mistress? Get it thru your head honey – he was cheating on you even as you were "forgiving" him!!

For all of you making cracks about hypocritical Republicans, does that mean that Hillary standing by Bill was okay, because that's what Democrats believe in? "Free love," as they called it back in the day?

Personally, I think forgiveness and compassion are very important in a marriage, but if my husband stepped out on me, I'm not sure there would be any second chances. Running off to Argentina during a separation hardly sounds like someone who deserves being considered for a "second" chance.

These things would happen less frequently if women would give their husbands the type of good time that they gave them before they were married. It seems after the kids, house, careers, etc. they forget about erotica, fellacio, and such and start wearing the flannel pajamas to bed and hair curlers. Sex then becomes boring and the man loses interest. All the way to Argentina though....wow!
The wife is dignified and has done her family proud!

"WhoCares?………….she is showing strength you only wish you had."

I admit..I'm a bit more Old Testament than New.

I see nothing strong about her actions.

Saying that herself and her kids deserve better than him would make her a stronger woman in my eyes.

Who cares who he sleeps with other than maybe his wife! It is none of our business!

Why is this news, isn't there anything more important going on in the world, say maybe in Iran, Iraq, or with our own countries economy. If you stopped reporting the trash it wouldn't be news anymore!

As a teenager I use to believe that once a person cheats they should just separate, but I when I became a woman with marriage under my belt I realize it's not that easy. Things becomes complicated it's just easier to become a better person. Why throw all the hard work away? If possible, It's just better to fight for your marriage, it's worth the energy and the effort no matter what people may say. Marriage isn't supposed to be easy, that's why you end up loving eachother more when you forgive eachother's fault.

My husband isn't perfect and I'm not either, but it's worth forgiving and trying when we both fall.

More often than not, separations do not "strengthen" a marriage; they, unfortunately, just provide opportunities to grow further apart. As demonstrated in this case, the wife went one direction to vacation, and the husband went in another!

These women are just pathetic. Since he got caught, now he wants to confess, and just like the dutiful wife she stands by him. Once the trust is broken you cannot fix it.

Given her husband jetted off to be with the other woman during their separation, I'm sure she left out a word in the fifth paragraph, second sentence. I hope she meant to write "I believe Mark has NOT earned a chance to resurrect our marriage."

She is trying to be a good Christian. Christian beliefs do not jibe with the idea of kicking him out immediately. Trying to repair the marriage is the right thing to do.

It's none of our business, furthermore. He should resign as governor, because what moral credibility could he possibly have on any issue now? I pray for this family and for those who are throwing stones at HER, for heaven/s sake.

I'm sure that he feels really bad, because he got caught. The public apology along with the wife's forgivness is standard procedure for all of these politicians that have affairs. I am not sure how he earned a second chance. The first thing he did after he got kicked out of the house was to hook up with the other girlfriend. What was he thinking?

I love Republicans. They always remind me of Hawthorne's true intent behind The Scarlet Letter.

I hope the good people of SC don't fall for this, "Oooh, I'm a Christian, please forgive me, I'll never do it again" crap.

My guess is this isn't his first affair. Just the first time he was so publically caught.

Until you walk in her shoes, no criticism. I applaud her for showing the courage to work thru the situation. She's doing what she needs to do.

Leave her and the kids alone, but hold his feet to the fire. He wanted to strengthen the morals of America. No thanks. There is no recovery from this...he needs to resign immediately. If he works things out with his wife and sons, that's fine, but not from the Gov's office. Out!!

I hope the media will give this woman and her sons the privacy they are owed and deserve. They are innocent and should not be hounded by relentless reporters.
Sanford is a whole different issue. This entire "affair" needs to be looked at. The people of SC have a right to know who paid for his trip/trips.
I am sure this will continue to unfold.

Someone has to tell this poor woman that its ok 2blurt out her anger-she came out too polished...as 4her husband....i respect the fact that he was honest, candid at times nd frankly he was smart 2choose another country 2 'ride dirty' in. But it was poor judgement or perharps wanting to see the woman again that led him 2dissapear 2Argentina-Oh wait, i thot he said the affair wus over 5months ago-What wus he doin back in Argentina???........neways, the story is freaky nd i dont wanna kno the half of it, I FEEL FOR THE WIFE AND THE CHILDREN HE DIDNT THINK OF WHEN HE ENGAGED IN THE OTHER WOMAN-LITTERALLY!

While I feel Sandford should step down and hope he is embarrased into doing so, this is not an impeachable offense. The difference between him and Clinton is that Clinton also lied under oath, which is an impeachable offense that he should have been found guilty of because he was guilty of it. So as I see it, Sandford is kicking Clinton in the head each time he decends a ring on the latter to you know where.

First Jon and Kate, and now this? Will the Republican Party survive the hypocrisy that defines their party? Or are they already dead and just don't know it yet?

If the relationship was over then why did he fly all the way to Argentina to end it.
None of this makes sense.
If he was supposed to be attempting to fix his marriage he was in the wrong country, doing the wrong thing!!
I also find that the Republican's with their high, lofty "Christian" family values complete & utter hypocrites – and I don't get how they can stand in the way of same-sex marraige – when it seems alot of them aren't practising what they preach!

Forgiveness, for-schmiveness! This isn't Christianity – this is foolish. I don't see how she'll ever be able to trust her husband again.

I sure as hell wouldn't.

To Jonathan...her statement has nothing to do with politics...she's not the politician...she just happened to marry one. This is that statement of a woman who's hurting and is therefore turning to her God to help her through this time.

She could have just started at the beginning of the bible and named everyone. Oh, wait, she did. I think I remember hearing something about seperation of church and state... hmmm.

Sanford chose his mistress over his sons on Father's Day. Very sad.

Being a wife to such senior government employee, yep, employee, is definitely not an easy thing. I empatized for the first lady, because of her being a first lady she has to write a statement to justify her action – all because of stupidity of an unfaithful husband. He is an iresponsible husband and father. Period. You would think a republican with that 'wholesome family' face, yeah, he is a hypocrite. First lady, you deserve happiness but not with him. Kick him out of your life!

She can give him a second chance, but the S.C. people won't!

Why is she regretting his actions? She's not responsible! And I'm also guessing this isn't his first affair.

These poor wives – having to publically display their betrayal. If I were in her place, I'd use my podium to tell him to jump in a lake and announce my filing for divorce!

Bravo Jenny!

Take note folks, if ever a woman should evince elegance and grace in light of dark times, even Jackie O would envy this example.

Mrs. Sanford is yet another victim of the phoney right wing 'born again' republican politician.The republican party is slowly dying-vote Libertarian in 2012.

Don't take him back lady he will do it again....

Sorry Jenny but it seems like your hubby had no intentions on reconciliation during this "trial separation"....he definitely was enjoying being away...more time with the mistress....his actions do not match your statement...but your actions do....

I think Mark has moved on and so should you. Unless he went there to break it off but that could have been done via email...same way it started, it could end...EMAIL!!

Faster than a plane ride across the country!!

I'm just sayin....

Oh, Lord....give "us" a break from people using you as a scapegoat.

Just another example of a politician sorry he got caught!!! Sure didn't take him long to head back to his mistress in Argentina. His wife is better than I would be. Yes, we should forgive but nothing says we have to stay with an unfaithful spouse. In fact, the Bible states that adultery is a reason for divorce! I would be a goner!!!!!

It was obvious he was having an affair when it was discovered he was missing. Just another great "family values" Republican.

Yes, we're all human and make mistakes and deserve a second chance. I also believe his personal life is his own unless he puts others at risk.
However,as the leader of the Sate of South Carolina he deserted his Post and there are no second chances for leaving your comrades back uncovered.
He took an oath and violated every word that he swore to. He should be removed from his position and roundly booted to the curb.
It's a shame we have so little Honor or Integrity left in our politicial leaders. Who is to be trusted – whose interest do they really have at heart. I can't separate the small few who deserve to have our trust and the majority who should stand in front of the world and be stripped bear for all to see.
Disgusting, the whole lot of them! Thank goodness there's some of the press that actually do investigative reporting and tell the truth so we can oust these scoundrels.

This is one very strong lady. My first thought at hearing of this story was ....'there goes another "family values" politician telling people to do what he says, and not what he does."

However, after reading this statement, my heart goes out to this wonderful, strong, brave woman. She is putting her children first...unlike the governor who put his own interests above that of his wife and children. Some family values, huh?

My thoughts and prayers are with Mrs. Sanford and her kids.

My pity goes to the governor. He had it all, and threw it away just for the sake of sexual gratification.

Godspeed, Mrs. Sanford!

I seem to have a real problem with all these politician wifes whose husbands have had affairs and the wife is so forgiving because of their children...Well, what about the wife as a role model to children..The message that children are reading loud and clear is: It's ok for daddy to have an affair..

I appalled the Mrs. for her stance on forgiveness, she is right if he is truly repentence time will heal their wounds. What is sad is that the public thinks they really have a say to politicians life, they will prove us wrong time and time again. This is why we must not never put our trust in MAN but in the MOST HIGH GOD. Yes, Christians are suppose to forgive, however, if she keeps reading the Bible also say if a man or woman do any infidelity let them depart in a divorce. This is what makes us free to move on, not be bound into a relationship that will be plagued with guilt and shame. God Bless her and I am not judging her situtation. We do serve a forgiving God and he can heal their relationship if they are both in total agreement. All things are possible to them that truly believe not only with their mouths but believe in their hearts.

Peace be with you.

He should resign from office not just leadership of the republican gov's office! Face it the wife likes the money too and she's been married long enough to be thankful he isn't home so she can do her shopping or even meet with the pool guy.
I'm just tired of crooked unethical polititians making more money then they are worth. Time to cut the wage of these clowns so they work more and not play.

There is absolutely NOTHING to admire about this woman or the others who have so lovingly forgiven their adulterous husbands. Show me a woman who has the nerve to make a stand and I'll bow down to her.

If this guy was my husband, what he'd have "earned himself" would be either lots of clothes, jewelry and vacations, or my turn to do what he did.
The choice would be entirely mine - and something he'd have to live and deal with.

Right now she's hurt and i think she need time to herself to heal, I give her props for trying to hold her family together, but it don't sound like he is obligated.

Yet another male politician strays from the "sanctity of marriage" everyone is so quick to defend and yet another wife either stands dutifully by his side on tv or feels she has to explain herself and her accomplishments as if it's her fault. Sad.

I commend Jenny for exrcise her spirit of forgiveness, govt Mark is human, and to err is human to forgive is divine. Divorce wont solve the problem, it is why the world is turn upside down by mass divorce. I hope Governor Mark will treasure his wife as never before and have a happy everlasting married life...

I cannot condone infidelity. Therefore I can only respect his wife if she leaves divorcies him..

WOW, being first Lady of South Carolina must be better than we think.
"I believe Mark has earned a chance to resurrect our marriage". Lady are you serious? There is a difference between forgiveness and being a doormat and Welcome is written all over your forehead. You came second even in his forgiveness remarks he said he hurt her and you. For your own sake ,and your children, resurrect your self RESPECT, you will be walking on egg shells until he steps out again, and he will. It's not worth it to put your children through this. I speak as a child of divorce.

I commend her for forgiving him and trying to repair her marriage. Unfortunately men cheat. As women, some of us can get over it and continue the marriage. Most of the time, they cheat again. Good luck Ms. Sanford.

wow–the governors wife is a bigger woman than I. I'd be done with him and allow the public and media to disgrace him as they like.

If his wife (Jenny) can find it in her heart to forgive her husband and grant him another chance, in time, then "let he who is without sin throw the first stone."

If not merely opinionated and self-righteous bigots, then who are all we to utter biased opinions of our own?

Nothing more happened in the State of SC during his absence than what happens to your latchkey children when you leave them at home unsupervised. In fact, such neglect is far more dangerous for in fact, the law enforcement forces and other various services that protect us did continue to operate over the last week and business continued as normal.

Why make a mountain out of a molehill?

His actions have not impacted you personally, neither have they failed to protect you.

I do not condone his actions, but we have no place to judge.
His wife and family certainly do.

Get over yourselves and get back to the normal redundancy and complacency of your daily lives or get busy on something that will enhance our economy and make a difference.

It's her marriage, and for her to decide what to do, it's none of our business. I don't care if you're a democrat or a republican, your marriage is your business, not mine.

Excuse me, but when your husband takes part of the time you asked him to use to 'think about his marriage' with his girl friend in South America - you have your answer about the condition of your marriage. Is that the message you want your sons to have about what a marriage is?

When did cheating on your spouse become an accepted practice?

Really ladies...cheating is a deal breaker.

She was on the right track with asking him to leave. But now she's a doormat.

Oh I see come out with a tell all book and appear on Oprah. I see,

Why on earth do we have to know every detail of someone's indiscretions? Do their children have to see their father's name spewed across newspapers and the internet? My God – give the family some dignity and let them heal in private.

Am I the only person who guessed what he was doing the minute he went missing.

I don't agree with the Governor's politics or his infidelity. his betrayal was both personal and political. Given his condemnation of Clinton's infidelity, his actions were also highly hypocritical. Forgiveness and acceptance lie in both the personal and political arenas, between the Governor and his wife and the Governor and the people of South Carolina. His wife sounds like a decent, intelligent and caring human being. I trust the Governor will work to repair their relationship and in the process learn the lessons of tolerance and forgiveness.

this is not a democrat or republican issue – however, if we tallied the numbers i think the dems would win by a landslide! the best thing about todays sordid announcement is that at least his wife did not stand there being made a fool of and allowing herself to be portrayed as the long-suffering woman like hillary, spitzers wife, and all those other idiots who should put out their own statement about what a sleeze the men are and that NO they cannot continue to use their families as props!! more power to mrs. sanford and i hope the mistress rots in hell!!!!!

Translation: "He's still my husband, he's still pretty hot, my future is better with him than without him, and so will my family's, but I've got him by the short ones and am going to be calling the shots around here from now on, and he's going to be a whipped dog. I can be as sanctimonious as I want and people will still be nice to me because it's their code I'm talking about. Girls, if you keep your cool, you too can end up ruling the roost when something like this happens. It's not so bad. "

Of course, if she was ever indiscreet herself, or has some other chink in her armor, then it becomes a real comedy.

I think that every single woman that 'stands by their man' after they've cheated DESERVE EVERY BIT OF WHAT THEY GOT. When will women wake up? When will we ever see a woman take a real stand and get rid of the loser? Hillary, I'm speaking directly to you. You women are already raising your family alone because you're men are out with their other women. You look like fools. And you're not helping your children out either. Especially your daugthers, what kind of message are you sending? And I can't take another Christian message about forgiveness. Forgiveness does not mean being someone's doormat. WAKE UP.

What a class act. I do not think she could have expressed herself any better. I respect her decision.

If he will lie to his wife, break their wedding promises, he will lie to the people of South Carolina and the nation. He already lied to his staff or had them lie for him.

He's a cheater and a hypocrite. Love may be blind but it does not have to be stupid.

Thank you, Mrs. Sanford, for bringing forgiveness to the front of this issue for you. As people of faith, forgiveness is what we are called to do; for our own good!

God's continued Blessings on YOU and your family,

Fr. Mark

Wait, let me get this straight. They separated to rebuild their marriage, and during that time he went to see his mistress? How is that working on his marriage? How is that respecting his wife? How is that deserving of a reconciliation? Why is it that these women keep taking back the men who embarrass them in front of the entire nation? And why is that considered the Christian thing to do?

The question is, Did he end the relationship with the other woman?

Thank you Karuna.

People have different meaning of a "strong woman" than I apparently do.

I am glad to FINALLY see wives (Sanford & Ensign) NOT standing next to their husbands while they boo hoo and ask for forgiveness and QUOTE THE BIBLE after they have publicly humiliated their families. And these are the people who believe in the "sanctity of marriage bewteen man and woman" but deny same sex partners benefits of marriage. What is so terribly sacred about marriage in America? At least politicians who can't keep their pants zipped are bipartisan.

I sure would like to see a political wife grow a spine for once and leave the jerk in the dust.

WhoCares?.............she is showing strength you only wish you had.

Apparently an apology means nothing in this day and age and any mention of God makes one an idiot. I now understand how this country got to this level.

What is wrong with asking for forgiveness and giving forgiveness? It takes a strong committed wife to keep the marriage going. It would be a great example to the children and to the world.

This lady, as well as the wife of Senator Ensign, has more class and dignity in her little finger than he has in his whole body.

For these two Republican "holier than thou conservative" idiologues to even remain in active in politics is beyond me. Their wives deserve better and so do their constiuents.

Very nice message she wrote I think. She took some stabs but sounds like a very graceful, pleasant and honest person. Marriage is hard especially in the public eye. I hope she finds happiness.

Unlike democrats who like to make excuses for their scumbag politicians caught with their pants down, I, as a republican, publicly ridicule this scumbag and my position is that he should step down and get out of politics. We don't need him or his kinds serving our country. I do impose my morality on others.

He left his wife and children to be with another woman on fathers day. There is nothing less defining of a father than someone who would do this on fathers day, other than fathers who aren't around on any day. I want role models running our country, not poor soles who can't seem to commit to their family. I feel sorry for his kids, hopefully they are too young to understand. I feel horrible for his wife, she has to feel like zero if her husband would do this to her on fathers day. Obviously, he is the one that is a zero, with my appologies to his kids for saying so.

Unimpressive, to be sure.

Mrs. Sanford, I admire your courage and forgiving heart. However, the people of South Carolina do not have that luxury. The hypocrisy, on his part, is stunning.

He does not deserve you woman...throw him out and let your boys know the consequences of cheating.....HE DOES NOT DESERVE A FAMILY...worthless piece of trash...he probable saw men in his family do it and the women put up with it...its time to show the men the consequences of them bringing diseases home.

mrs sanford you are something special,you are what most people should be. thanks for the message it was great.

It is one thing to have an affair with a co-worker or someone you can't help but see everyday.But this was an act of choice- to get on a plane and spend hours traveling to see her. I do not feel sorry for him nor do I believe what he says.He clearly made a choice to participate in this affair .If he really wanted to stop he did not have to get on the plane!He is a weak, weak, man.

I agree with Tom.

What an idiot.

a strong woman

Looks like the Good Senator is not getting the Love he deserves from home.. guess what people!! like all of you! he will find it some place else,, even if its in Argentina!

It become really scary with GOP, you work with wife they will have affair with her and if you go to the bathroom some one will follow what wrong with these people.

huh?

Really is there anything else that one needs to say about this situation other than just that?

"Huh?"

Another husband doing what they do best – lie and have an affair.
You will never learn to trust him again even though you will try.
Move on – you deserve more than this man. You will ALWAYS wonder where he is when he isn't beside you, believe me !!

I applaud her for displaying her christian values and humility during this time. Hopefully Gov. Sanford will clean up his act and rebuild his marriage. Otherwise, I'm not certain how this is newsworthy while Obamacare is being shoved down our throats.

Just leave this family alone to work this out by themselves. No one else has the right to judge any one of them. This is a private and very serious family matter. The public has no right to hear about it, whether he is the Governor or not. And to the media of all types, get a life and do your job: report on the news that matters; not on private lives. When will you ever get the message?

Ms. Sanford-Ditch the jerk. If they cheated one they will cheat again. Your boys need you to stand up for yourself and not worry about Sanfords political career. He is done.

"She is what Christianity is about forgiveness, with common sense…."

Where was this "Christian" mindset from the religious right when things started blowing up over Clinton's affair and testimony???

This should be investigated to the fullest extent of the law, it does sound "FISHY"...

I think she says "I" about 30 times in the piece of....work. I think everything will be cleared up in the book she is bound to write. Or maybe a shamed public servant spot on Oprah.

She should be the one running SC not Mark Sanford. He doesn't deserve her.

There is no reason to mix religion and politics–it's like oil and water. Save the Solomon, Job, and God rhetoric for the brainwashed minions at Sunday School.

She is a perfect example of a classy lady. The people of South Carolina are quite lucky to have a first lady of her caliber.

She stated that she would welcome him back "if he CONTINUES to work towards reconciliation ...". Did I miss something? I thought he was MIA in Argentia with his girlfriend.

Unfortunately, it's easier and less painful for her to stay with him then it is to leave him.

How, exactly, did he "earn" a second chance? By running off to Argentina to continue his affair when he and his wife, according to her, separated to "strengthen"their marriage? she forgives him? He's not even done with the affair yet!

I don't know but for some reason I feel like singing "Stand by your Man"!

What is it with these women?
If nothing else maybe they could just not saying anything...at least for a while?
I have just heard too many of these wives trying to sell us their forgiveness...sure...crap on me honey..I'll forgive you and then go write a nice book.
Where the heck is the reality in this?
I so hope that at least behind the scenes that these women aren't so easilly sold out and have some boundaries in their lives...good grief.

God bless her..

Oh, please! You ask you husband to leave two weeks ago in the hopes of strengthening your marriage and what is the first thing he does but runs off to Argentina in a teen-age hormonal rage. Some committment to you and your marriage. Get a grip.

I don't know y'all, I'm as anti-GOP as there is out there. This statement seems pretty much from the heart.

And this guy was considered a star in the Republican party? Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse for them!

Why do we all need to see this? Why did he need to cry in front of everyone and humiliate his wife by even bringing this up? Who cares about his sexual escapades? I couldn't care less about their "Christian" household, or the character of their sons, or about how their going to eventually patch things up. Is he doing his job in South Carolina, or isn't he? That's what the people should care about, not his personal dirty laundry. News flash for the Bible Belt: There's a lot of illicit sex going on right under your provincial noses. Get over it. Finally, note to mistress in Argentina: Really?

@ Raisa

"She is what Christianity is about forgiveness, with common sense….
---------–

Another tenent of Christianity...Thou Shalt not commit Adultery

I'm not quite sure I understand. During their "trial separation" to "strengthen their marriage" he goes to Argentina to do what? To see his lover clearly. Um, I'm pretty sure that means he wasn't working on your marriage Mrs. Sanford. I agree with some of the other comments, stop preaching to people about what is right and wrong and get your own lives in order first.

Kelly June 24th, 2009 5:25 pm ET

She deserves the right to either stay with her husband or leave him. That is not for me or any other outside person to decide.

End of story
-----------------------------–

Perfect comment and I couldn't agree with you more.

PLEASE – we need to place our efforts on world peace and the curing of all diseases – these people are a disgusting example of why the USA has the reputation it has.

Another dirtball "conservative" Repub who can't practice what he preaches. I assume the tax payers have been funding his international booty calls?

Ummmmm. Mark just got back from spending a week in Argentina with another woman. How exactly has he "...earned a chance to resurrect our marriage."

She wanted to work things outs... The narcissistic politician, despite seeking forgiveness from his wife, went for another taste of this Argentinian lady. Nice guy.

Why are all conservatives huge hypocrits?

look l admire your dignity in protecting your household or what it remains and your sons as well. Gods bless you. l'm not a republican and never will be l hope that this story call for more humility from our republicans friends.

it is a shame

Another Republicrat, representing the party that wants to maintain the "sanctity of marriage," playing hanky-panky on the side in his own.

The Demopublicans have their skeletons. But the Demopublicans are not feigning moral superiority and branding everyone else with scarlet letters for not following their Taliban-esque interpretation of Wahabbi Christianity.

Hence the key difference between the two sets of dubious individuals from parties that are essentially identical in most aspects.

Remember how so many Repubs were talking about how much the Democrats have a lack of morals, etc? All the while they were having their flings. Well, well, well...that's a shame....

I admire her reaction and attitude far more than those of many of other political wives who have been cheated on.

That's a strong, Godly woman. Can't be mad at that. Go on honey and get your life together out of the prying eyes of the media.

Wow. "Sons are a gift from the Lord." Sons. And who wrote this book? Men. Mrs. Sanford obviously knows her place.

Now it's evident why she didn't seem all that concerned. Wow. I hope she can fashion a better life for herself and her kids, away from Sanford.

It is time for all of us women to say "ENOUGH" and not try and cover up for their husbands. Sure, there was love but when a husband becomes such a slime bag, it is time to take a real hard look and wonder whether there is anything worth saving, after the disrespect shown. For the sake of what??? To remain first lady? Kids are better off without this kind of parent. And the same goes to the likes of Edwards, Spitzer and Ensign and others everywhere. Women should respect themselves more and know that they can survive without all the 'perks' of being someone's wife, even as they are cast aside for someone else.

Dearest Jenny and the Sanford family – know that you will be in our prayers and that He will carry you all through this wilderness. When we are weak, He is strong. To Mark – rest assured that none of us will cast the first stone for we have all fallen short.

Only a MOTHER will do, what you are doing.

Hmm, looks like the 'trial separation ' did its job, now i understand , if a man loses a good job , his good wife , would try anything to get him reinstated .. I can never find such a woman , oh well...

As for the wisdom of Solomon, ;;he cheated with foreign women in the end too;;;Doesn't she read the book of Kings in the Bible, oh well..

Clearly, Jenny Sanford has drunk the Kool-Aid.

She just doesn't want to vacate the upper reaches of society. None of these supposedly regretful and pious women deserve any sympathy; obviously the lifestyle matters more than being married to leches or sociopaths.

So she uses this opportunity to give us her impressive resume, from Wall Street to philanthropist? Puh-leeze lady! You and you hubby are so far gone, you don't even realize how ridiculous you sound!

If Mrs. Sanford feels her husband deserves a second chance at their marriage that is their business. I would point out that while she asked him to leave two weeks ago Mr. Sanford chose to visit his lady friend and not seek marriage counseling. I think the media should leave Mrs. Sanford alone and her children. However, Mr. Sanford does not deserve a second chance as a Gov for leaving the people of SC at risk. In addition, since it was his choice to run for public office the media has every right to continue their investigative reports.

As husband and father, yes; as governor, no.

This is so silly and pathetic! He needs to remember how he gave Clinton grief. He should resign and get out of the political arena. What is with these politicians who put themselves on such a pedestal? They make me sick!

Yet another right-wing hypocrite.

I just have to say one thing....It's really between the two of them and should not be judged by outsiders!

Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious. Love does not brag, it is not puffed up.
It is not rude, it is not self-serving, it is not easily angered or resentful. It is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

You are a Real Lady Bless you
Vincent

The only reason he is admitting his affair is because he was caught and had no other choice. If no one caught him he would still be with his mistress.

You can look at this guy and see that some thing is wrong wtih him.

It's a great response on what happened on her end, but they were separated after she found out about this affair and then he ran back down to the woman he had the affair with instead of being true to his marriage. I'm not so sure repeating the affair that lead up to this separation in the first place deserve the response she gave.

We all make mistakes, even Republicans!! When will they learn to stop judging everyone else's actions, with their holier-than-thou attitudes. Keep your moral judgements to yourselves – you are certainly not examples of people with good morals or character.

If the husband just got back from Argentina which he says he did then the affair is still going on and he would not of told his wife or anyone except he got caught. What is wrong with these men who in fact have the world in the palm of their hand but are willing to throw it all away and to cause humilation to their families all for a romp in the hay with some dame, it is time someone called them what they are STUPID

The lesson that your sons will learn, is from the consequences of your husband loosing everything. Career, family, respect from piers, self respect.
I am happy that the scriptures are of comfort to you. That may be all you get from them.
Your husband and his affection has been transfered to someone else.
Good luck with you family.

classy

vomit

Give me a break...maybe...MAYBE...he deserved a second chance if he honestly was taking the seperation to reflect on the marriage...what did he do instead...go see his mistress in Argentina and hoped no one would find out....and this woman is now saying he deserves another chance?
This is ridiculous and these hypocrites have the nerve to quote the bible?
When are these self righteous conservatives going to realize they are not above the rest of us.

Another GOP wife scorned, and yet here she is APOLOGIZING for the stupid actions of her unfaithful husband!

Where are his "family values"???

These politicians ....be it Republican or Democrats are ALL holier than thou hipocrits.....same old same old....feel sorry for the wife and children.

I never agreed with nor respected Governor Sanford. I am quite certain that Mrs. Sanford and I would not see eye to eye about many issues – political or cultural. However, I deeply respect the sentiments that she has tried to communicate here and I believe she and her sons deserve the privacy and dignity that she asks for.

I hope things work out well for her and her sons. As for the Governor, I wish him the same thing I wish all hypocrites – insight and a just reward.

A beautiful and apparently heartfelt and sincere statement, deserving of respect and the "space/understanding she requests. I hope that future developments spare her the revealations that, in situations such as these, so often demonstrate the hypocrisy, foreknowledge, and enabling that we have too often seen. There will be much well deserved twittering, snickering and punditry regarding the governor, but if the spouse is innocent/sincere, the spouse should be spared the barbs of late night comedians and self-serving commentators.

He's sorry because he was caught. When his wife asked him to leave, where did he go? Right to the woman he is having the affair with...

These women encourages me to have an affair. After all, I can tell my wife that : Look at Hillary, Edward's, Sanford's and Spitzer's wives. They forgave their husbands so you also have to forgive me.

OK. Bar hopping from today for me.

May God Bless Mrs. Sanford for the pain she is experiencing.
I think it is necessary for the Media to step back and not be
the arrogant, stupid, insensitive jerks they normally are.
This is a diffucult time for any family but especially the ones
that are in the public eye. Give them the utmost respect they
deserve. Her husband should be released from his duties
as Governor and made to work with his family to regain their
trust or pack up and get out. Leave them be she deserves it.

The republicans raised a fuss and Spitzer had to resign. WHY ARE THEY SILENT ON SANFORD....why don't they call for him to resign. Oh well you know republicans we are two faced. We want people to do as we tell them and not as WE do. OK republicans show you got balls call for Sanford to resign the way you did for Spitzer....

I agree wholeheartedly with Mrs. Sanford. Forgiveness and compassion are necessity in any marriage or relationship– in
first Corinthians it states that Love is long suffering and covers
a multitude of sins-

"the character of the children i, or we, leave behind."

whoa. do those children even know who their daddy is?

shorter jenny sanford: he's my meal ticket and i'm sticking with him. i also want to remind you that i was a wall street nabob once, and how philanthropic i am. finally, i am going to quote scripture at you and ask that you leave me alone.

Is every Republican a sleazy liar? I'm starting to think yes.

And when will these wives stop the 1950's "Stand by your Man" bull?

These Bible-bangers are all nuts.

When are we voters going to start seeing politicians – the whole lot of the – for what they really are: flawed, imperfect human beings. The perfect family is an illusion – always.

She will stay with him now just to make his life a living HELL!!!
And for the folks calling him a neo-con perv......John Edwards, Barney Frank....etc.

a great statement but why is it always about running from problems into the arms of another – brag about running the state but you cant commit to your marriage ?

easy way out – quit crying stand up and own your behavior

Give us a break...i hate this crappy holier than thou attitude that Jenny. Who needs her statement...go live your life in private and leave us out of it.

Mrs. Sanford, our compassion is with you and we hope you heal but trying to salvage your husband’s political aspirations is pretty much impossible. Thanks for the obligatory letter, you poor dear.

How has he "earned the chance to resurrect our marriage" when he just spent the last week in Argentina with his girlfriend. Oh wait, let me guess, he was "ending his relationship with her."

She seems to be a person of dignity. At least she was not standing by her husband, looking like a fool, while he was talking about his extra-marital adventures to the whole world on national TV. We have seen that scene repeated so many times that it is refreshing to see that there are still a wife of a political bigwig who does not compromise her personal integrity to keep her husband's political career afloat. Kudos to you ma'am.

What a strong woman. Her comments are excellent and heart-felt.
May God be with her and her sons.

It's a good play. Make the fool twist. He's going to pay, if he's lucky, through the nose. But I don't think he's too lucky. It's obvious he's not too bright.

This is a remarkable woman.

She deserves the right to either stay with her husband or leave him. That is not for me or any other outside person to decide.

End of story

Am I not getting something here??? They are on a trial separation and he goes off to Argentina to rendezvous with his Latin lover and she is saying he has earned a chance to resurrect the marriage.

She sounds a bit "Thumperish" too. Always a red flag to me.

My prayers go out to the Sanford Family and to the first lady during this difficult time. This is not a case of Dem or Rep but strictly a family matter. I pray that all will pray for the Sanford family first and then for the state of SC and all leaders in government.

Have you ever heard of a person coppin to a lessor charge. Well thats what the Governor just did. It was more than an affair he was into some crazy mess in Argentina. Admitting to a alleged affair is essentially coppin to a lessor charge. I want to see the woman he had an affair with. My two bucks to your dollar that he was involved with something really freaky and ashamed of that he doesnt want to come to light.

Perfect, beautiful, brilliant statement.

Instead of spending all your time doing all those things that you think are so great, how about spending some quality time with your husband and giving him some loving so he doesnt have to creep!

I have no desire to heap pain on what I'm sure is an agonizing personal situation. I found that statement to be very self-serving in spite of this, as I do every time another "family values" Republican gets caught cheating, as Ensign did earlier in the week. It's a little like Sarah Palin complaining about the press bothering her kids, when she is the one who trotted them into the limelight in the first place. I think people who experience these misfortunes would do the greatest good if they would just learn from them and stop acting sanctimonious about others.

SHOCKING! ANOTHER "HOLIER THAN THOU" REPUBLICAN SCANDAL!

The conservative GOP only admits any wrongdoing when they get caught in scandals, otherwise they sit on their high horse and judge everyone else on family values and religion. What a bunch of hypocrites!

A very dignified statement...

what a classy lady. I wonder how he "earned the second chance."

This BS – so they separate for two weeks and this guy goes to Buenos Aires to bang is girlfriend for 6 days and now all is well!!

What a Joke!!

Why can't we ONCE have a strong woman who actually does the right thing and kick their unfaihful husband to the curb.

JUST ONCE.

This whole thing just sounds FISHY!!!!!!! Sounds like she was put up to doing this. He spent time in Argentina to do what???? I'm sure he was still having his affair over there!!

Those political wives are really idiotic. And those neo-cons...what a bunch of lying pervs.

a second chance from you and your sons perhaps. that is up to you and yours.
however, his lack of responsibility to his constituents and his flagrant hypocrisy is the issue to the rest of the people of SC.
you can give him all the chances you want, the people of SC may not be as forgiving.

She is what Christianity is about forgiveness, with common sense....

Good for her. Even if he didn't respect his vows, she apparently did...maybe she can help him redeem himself. Fact is, we're ALL human. If GOPers weren't running around pretending to be quasi-divine all the time, none of this would play a role in the business of running our country and could be left for people to deal with in their private lives.

Just get out of politics and get your hypocritical lives together for the sake of your children.

I have no use for your sleeze ball hubby but I feel sorry for you. When you are part of the spot light sometimes you get burned. She shouldn't have to say a thing. The mortification is more than she deserves. Take a cruise with the kids and clear your head.Tell him to take another hike.