WASHINGTON (CNN) – Meghan McCain wrote Monday that South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford's revelation that he had an extramarital affair "isn't relevant to his role as a public official" and called on her fellow Republicans to forgive him.
McCain, the daughter of Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, said that she is "mad" about the "hypocrisy of it all," and doesn't condone Sanford's actions, but added that the public needs to "stop requiring that our politicians live at such a high level of moral superiority."
"Above all, the Sanford scandal just makes me sad for my party," she wrote on the Daily Beast Web site. "The GOP is struggling right now to find anyone who looks to be our next leader. Those who have been anointed so far have ended up falling completely short. Going forward, I suggest that the party concentrate less on what goes on in the bedroom and more on what is going on in policy."
From CNN Politics
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I agree with Meghan that the affair is a private matter. Abandoning his responsibilities and running off to South America for a week, is not a private matter, and is reason for him to resign or be impeached.
the affair may be private, but abandoning the state and the hypocracy iare public. He needs to resign. Noone likes a hypocrate
Yes, okay, fine, forgive him for the affair Repubs. and Dems alike. Then fire him for being AWOL. Simple.
As a lifelong democrat, I can honestly say that I would seriously consider voting for Meghan McCain for any office she decided to run for. She actually gets it, she really does. Too bad she's preaching to empty pews. Keep up the fight Meghan!
Is a private affair but he lied, can't get people's trust get out of the way
Say what????
Then what were the republicans doing to Bill Clinton, huh? That was a 'private' affair, should have been between him and Hillary, and the repubs formed a lynch mob!
Hey Meghan!
It's not the HYPOCRISY or the HOLIER THAN THOU ATTITUDE---it's the AWOL!
Sheesh!
Why are people ignoring the AWOL part of his escapade?
He left his job for 5 days. Remember?
For the hundredth time, the problem is NOT that he had an affair. Its that he went AWOL for five days, lied about it, used his destitute states money to do it, and is a hypocrit because he tried to impeach Clinton for doing exactly the same thing he just did while claiming this "holier than thou" bogus Christian attitude.
family values is one of republican domistic policy
While I agree with Ms McCain that it is a private family matter, he has always campaigned for "family values" and that the GOP is the group to maintain the family, etc. Also he left the state like a hormonal teenager, running to Argentina, not telling anyone where he was going and not leaving the Lt Gov. in charge. I am sure its not real dangerous leaving a state without a person in charge, but things can and do happen that the Governor needs to be taking care of.
I feel sorry for his family, and I agree that his personal indiscretions are a family matter. But he criticized Bill Clinton over and over, loudly, for his indiscretions. Now Sanford is doing the same thing. One cannot criticize over and over, demanding resignation, calling him names, etc. while doing the same thing. Sanford just hadn't gotten caught yet.
Your father did the same thing babes. I don't think your opinion is begged for here.
Meghan, who told you this was your party?
You voted for John Kerry and your dad. You would have voted for Obama otherwise.
You are not a republican....Nobody asked you to speak for the party.
The affair itself is no ones business, however the fact that he did it on taxpayer dollars last year, is. He also left the state and country without ensuring that the state had someone in charge should there be an emergency. He behaved irresponsibly and apparently cannot be trusted to put the people he works for ahead of his own personal whims. His only remorse, is in getting caught.
Abandoning his post, and family, to fly off to a foreign country for a tryst with his lover does seem a direct conflict with his job performance, and therefore a legitimate concern of anyone relying on him to perform his duties as governor.
BALONEY.... why is it any more "private" than Spitzer's was? Sanford used PUBLIC MONEY.... how is that private?
I agree, if it were only about his affair. He left his state with no one to make decisions in an emergency and no way to contact him. If, any one of us acted so irresponsibly towards our jobs, we should be fired. I hope he has learned his lesson about that, but it does make me think he is unstable and should not be left in the Governor's office.
Bill Clinton's affair was a 'private matter' but that didn't stop the GOP from burning him at the stake...
"stop requiring that our politicians live at such a high level of moral superiority"
Well megan, it's your party that's always claiming to be the party of family values, maybe you need to address them before you start running your mouth stating that's it's hypocrisy. by the way as far as I'm concern his affair is irrevelant, but his leaving his post without someone one in charge is.
"isn't relevant to his role as a public official"
So... running off to another continent using taxpayer dollars to visit your mistress and not letting your staff know where you is all irrelevant to his role as governor?
Sorry Meghan, but you slid too far to the right on this one, and you are completely wrong.
Oh Lord Meghan McCain you just opened yourself up for the incoming insult bombs. Sure hope you're ready for it and all I can say is Good Luck Meghan!
Just like the Republicans made it a private matter with Bill Clinton?
Hi Magan, I would agree if it was not for the fact that he has some much to say about others in his same position. One might say he made it public when he brought up the subject during the mistakes of others. Your dad passed on the chance to comment on things like this so if he cheated I would say its private, but if he made grand stands on the topic I would say it would be public, what do you think of that? Love ya!
i thought, before i saw her on real time, that she was smart. but i have to say she came off as REALLY dumb on that show. paul bagala really put her in her place a couple times. i almost felt sorry for her, but what he said was very true!
I really like Meghan McCain...think she'll be a player in the "New Republican" party. Every once in awhile I start forgetting how young she is...and then I'm reminded. For us older voters...it isn't so much the actual affair....it's that his affair came before his job as Governor of his State.
WOW Meghan...long-time no hear from you!
Is it because your father John McShane hasn't had anything for YOU TO VOICE until now...so that he doesn't look like the ass?
Like Sarah FAILIN, he too is exploiting you!
Its "private" as long as you don't use "public" money.
Meghan doesn't seem to understand that it's not the public who "requiring that our politicians live at such a high level of moral superiority", it's been the GOP leaders who have been claiming moral superiority. That's where the hypocrisy enters into it. The very men, Ensign, Sanford, who have told others to resign now have an excuse why it shouldn't apply to them. That's why there's a cry of hypocrites. She like other members of the GOP seem to forget or overlook this simple fact. It's not the public, it's the GOP itself.
She is wrong on this one becasue the Repubicans wear the Family Value like a well fit jacket. GOP -HYPOCRITES AT THEIR BEST.
You repulicans only say if is personal becasue it is one of your kind. You republicans would been screaming so loud if it was a Democrates like with Bill Clinton and John Edwards. You republicans how fast you forget with you did with these two Public Officials.
Leaving your state for 5 days without informing your staff of your whereabouts and using taxpayer money for a trip that conveniently is to the same place where your mistress lives is a public matter! The affair itself is private, but the rest of his behavior indicates he does not take his job of serving the people of S. Carolina seriously.
Tell them whats really needed McCain and that is to remove the tumor which is the base of your party.
a. He was derelict in his duties....he was elected to fill an office 24/7/365. He disappeared for several days without advising anybody of his absence. THIS IS NOT A PERSONAL ISSUE
b. He used state funds to arrange for his trip. THI IS NOT A PERSONAL ISSUE.
c. In his role of governor, he should be without blame and set a standard for all citizens of his state. THIS IS NOT A PERSONAL ISSUE,.
d. What is a personal issue: he did not honor a commitment to his wife.
Meghan, it is nice to be a standard bearing Republican, However, choose your battles better as you are losing all your credibility!
He left the state, no one could contact him, he lied to his staff and the people of South Carolina. It's much more than a private affair!
The young republicans are the only hope this party has. Meghan McCain speaks sensibly.
Are you not concerned about the Governor's dissappearing for 5 days, lying about his whereabouts, and at first attempting to cover it all up when caught? He could've at least put the Lt. Governor in charge while he dallied about in case some actual business had to be accomplished!
And he used taxpayers money to go to Argentina.
Well, she says it's a private matter..Can't believe this is the first time she doesn't have anything to say...I wonder if she would say this if it was a Democrat who had an affair, and on top of that job abandonment...Funny, how things are so different when it involves one of their own....To bad she doesn't take this attitude when it come to politics. !!!!
I agree with Meghan – his private life is none of our business. However, a governor going MIA for the better part of a week is completely unacceptable. THAT'S why he should think about resigning, not the affair.
"stop requiring that our politicians live at such a high level of moral superiority."......
This is a diversion from the real issue, that Sanford had left his post without notifying the proper authorities or even placing someone in charge during several of his absenses, such as during the wildfires a few years back, Morality aside, Sanford was derelict in his duties, just as Meghan's father Senator McCain was derelict in his duties as a senator during the Keating 5 scandal. These men have taken oaths of office and on both accounts failed to up hold those oaths in favor of their own personal indulgance and according to the requirements of both offices, such behavior is grounds for removal. So the issue is this, when an elected official takes an oath of office and behaves in a way counter to the charter of the office, is this a question of morality or dereliction of duty???
McCain, the daughter of Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, said that she is "mad" about the "hypocrisy of it all," and doesn't condone Sanford's actions, but added that the public needs to "stop requiring that our politicians live at such a high level of moral superiority."
Meghan honey, it is your party that wear the FAMILY VALUE AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF MORAL SUPEROITY NOT THE PUBLIC.
Please get your facts right before blaming the public for high level or moral superiority Ms. Meghan.
The affair is a private matter. Abandoning your state, not telling anyone where you're going, and appointing no one to take over is most definitely NOT a "private matter."
Who made her spokesperson?
Meghan McCain is a moron. The hypocrisy of Mark Sanford is that he said one thing in public and did the complete opposite in his personal life. If Sanford actually took the Bible to heart and took his wedding vows to Jenny to heart, he would not have allowed himself to get into an extra marital affair. It is not difficult to stay obedient to wedding vows IF you really want to. Sanford is a delusional moron and the citizens of SC should tell him to resign.
You would make a darn good Democrat. Why don't you and your father go to the other side of the isle and stay there. We should hold our officials to a higher standard since they are doing little things like running our country and states. I know that is hard to get through to your little blonde head, but it's the truth. And by the way, it's not your party.
Who cares about the affair! The issue is he just kinda blew off his job for days with no one knowing who was in charge. Leave it to a republican evangelical to think blowing off his constitutional duties would matter. Lets at least get into the program Meghan.
Questions for Ms. McCain are:
If Stanford's adultery is a private matter, why did he use public money to advance it? Why did he make it known to the public and why is he still using public time to speak to the press? No, Meghan, this is a public matter. It illustrates the hypocrisy and deceit so common in Republican moral philosophy and ethical practice. The truth is that nobody is hurting the GOP but its elected leaders. What you should be advocating is Stanford's resignation.
Wow. I can't believe I am going to agree with Meghan McCain, but she's right on target!! Leave the bedroom out of politics, which should include the legalization of gay marriage.
Moral superiority ? Come on ! How about one of the basic morals in the bible. Perhaps Megan has forgotten how daddy Mccain cheated on his first wife for rich second wife Cindy. Look I dont think Sanford should resign becauses hes an adulterer. If he took South Carolinas money while turning down the bailout funds then he should be. What people dont get is the fact that both parties have alot of cheaters. Its the fact the people like Sanford, and Ensign are standing up preaching high moral responsibility , espousing family values, and strong Christian right and wrong for their political platforms while they are committing adultery. Thats what we find so offensive. The hypocrisy. Im done with John Edwards for the same reason. his platform was built on being a good family man . Bull Hockey !
It is not the public that require politicians to live morally superior lives. It is the politicians that put themselves into that position by pontificating about morality. When a party bases their platform on morality, they put themselves in the cross hairs for this kind of problem.
In this specific case it is without a doubt a VERY public matter, because while he is supposed to be governing and being available in case of emergency he was busy flying to Argentina to cheat on his wife.
So give me a break with all the WAAA WAAA from the GOP and their supporters.
When the GOP marched into the Senate with the article of Inpeachment because Bill got a little extra on the side. That "family values" pedistal grew and grew and grew. Standing on that pedistal is now a killer to your career if you fall off.
Newt getting some on the side with his own intern when Bill was.
Bob Barr needs to stop paying for medical treatment with a personel check.
Mark Foley should head for some sort of pedifile treatment.
Larry Craig and his guilty plea.
Oh yes by the way at least this Sanford guy didn't parade out his pathetic wife to stand by his side. SCORE ONE FOR MARK
Yes,yes,yes the Democrats are not angels either.
But then again they aren't standing on that pedistal either.
Although I admire Meghan for her fierce independence, I believe in this instance she is missing the boat. A large boat.
Sanford was derelict in his duties as the Governor, going missing and using tax payers money to carry on with his mistress.
The cheating on his wife part is just his personal short comings between him and his family.
The hypocrisy with all his mouthing off about Bil Clinton's bad behavior, is just something that can be chalked up to "typical".
I'm sorry, I don't think that the public requires that our politicians live at such a high level. Personally, the affair is not the public's buisness, though I am so sick of republicans beating democrats over the head with the family values bat and then not following the standards that they hold others to.
I take issue with the fact that he was out of the country for 5 days and his staff didn't know his whereabouts. He has a responsibility to the people of his state and I don't think that he lived up to it. I think that he should resign.
Meghan McCain needs to apologize to every woman and child for making such a demeaning statement. Many women and childrens lives have been destroyed by irresponsible and immoral adults and her own father should have taught her this. Every married person has a moral responsibility to their wife and children and I don't consider that to be moral superiority in fact children deserve better.
She missed the point completely. It wasn't that he had an affair. It was that he left the country without telling anyone, including his wife and Lt Gov. They didn't know where he was or when to expect him back. If he wants to go on a trip and be out of pocket, then fine. Temporarily transfer powers in case something happens while you are gone. It was dereliction of duty.
Affairs are a private matter – Until it spills over into the performance of ones work. When someone is in a position of power, leaving his staff without a clue a to where he is and if he is alive even was not a private matter.
As far as not expecting politicians to live at such a high moral authority and hypocrisy, the maybe the Republican party shouldn't put themselves in that position.
After all, Gov. Sanford was one of the first mouths to open and criticize Bill Clintons affair.
Now where is the hypocrisy coming from?
Just who is it that is requiring Ms McCain to make so many statements to the press? I for one don't give a fig about what she might think; she is green behind the ears.
I disagree with Meghan, he's the Head of that State, citizens voted for him to be the Leader. He left his post & traveled to a foreign country without any knowledge of his whereabouts. Did he show responsibility? I don't think so. All he thought about was himself.
"stop requiring that our politicians live at such a high level of moral superiority."
Why should they not be held accountable for these affairs. Moral superiority is the platform that Republicans run on, so they should be able to live up to them. It's a sad day when we constanly quote the Bible and then get caught in adultry.
She's sounding more and more like a liberal Dem with her depth of insight. Too intelligent to be a myopic Repub. Probably won't be long before she'll announce a change of parties.
- McCain, the daughter of Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, said that she is "mad" about the "hypocrisy of it all," and doesn't condone Sanford's actions, but added that the public needs to "stop requiring that our politicians live at such a high level of moral superiority."
I couldn't agree with you more. However, when Republicans campaign as the "morally superior" party, which you cannot argue against, and then this situation happens it is well within the public's right to chastise them.
Why is this a private matter? Sanford spoke loudly and often for impeaching Bill Clinton. Why should Sanford be treated differently? Because he is a Republican? Haley Barber (Gov of Miss) said he personally didn't have a problem with the Sanford incident. Well he shure has his face all over TV flapping his jaws about morals related to Bill Clinton. Conservatives want to dictate morals for everyone except conservatives. No wonder honest people hate conservatives and are liberals. Family values = Conservative hypocrisy!!
You have got to be kidding me, right?!?!?! So it is ok for them to call out Edwards and others on the opposite side of the political fence but when it comes to their own party it should be private? Did I miss something?
In my opinion, if they will cheat on their vows it is not a huge jump to cheat the tax payers no matter what political party you belong to. These are suppose to be people looking out for all Americans not just who can finance them.
Peace
I must have missed something. Why in the word does any inane thing uttered by Meghan McCain about ANYTHING merit reporting on by CNN? Get a grip CNN. Quit trying to be a tabloid and start reporting genuine news.
but added that the public needs to "stop requiring that our politicians live at such a high level of moral superiority
Soooo, in other words she is saying it is ok to accept immoral politicians????
It is ok that many of our elected offcials have the morals of a criminal?
Or is she simply saying the rich and famous like Pro atheletes, rock singers, rap artist, movie stars and politicians can have lower morals than the rest of us poor folk out here?????
Her comment is CRAP,,,,,, morals are morals. I do not care what level of person of life you have.
When an elected official takes off without letting his staff know where he is going and uses tax payer money...it becomes a public affair. A vacation is obviously ok, but when you skip out on your job for 5days to go cheat on your wife...its not private anymore. Wake up Meghan
Sorry Meghan, we don't require "that our politicians live at such a high level of moral superiority," it seems that those in your party do. I applaud your belief that the GOP should "concentrate less on what goes on in the bedroom and more on what is going on (with) policy," because they're the ones that want to force their views down all of our throats (no pun intended).
Ah, the naievete of ms mccain...
"isn't relevant to his role as a public official"
When the public official disappears for a week without informing his staff, it's a public issue.
When the public official stands on a soap box and sactamoniously preaches on the preservation of traditional marriage and condemns others for such actions, it's a public matter.
Come back when you grow up ms mccain, maybe then your opinions will mean something. Coming from a family of cheaters probably softens the blow for her.
Meghan is right. Just like with Bill Clinton, this is a private matter.
Although the Republicans like Sanford who preach morality, the "sanctity" of marriage, and the importance of family deserve this stink of hipocracy.
"A high level of moral superiority"?! Really Meghan? Are we so vile that honoring your marriage vow isn't a moral basic anymore? We can't find a man in the party that will keep his pants on, so let's just lower the standards we are looking for in a leader? As a man behaves in the bedroom, so will he act on all he does... without integrity, without morals, without concern for the welfare of others more than himself. It has EVERYTHING to do with his policy. You have a lot to learn little girl.
NEWS FLASH!
CNN PURCHASED BY NATIONAL INQUIRER!!!!
Give me a break.
Do you think I care what this "twit" has to say?
I want to hear about jobs, Obama's programs failing, children, IN THE U.S., who are hungry. Help for VETS and so on.
She is a nobody and you help perpetuate her agenda by posting any comments the lame-brain has to say!
"the public needs to "stop requiring that our politicians live at such a high level of moral superiority.""
It's the GOP that thinks they have the moral highground. If they are going to preach then they need to be held accountable to the standard they set.
Grow up Meghan!
I saw Rudy Guliani on Morning Joe this morning talking about politicians and infidelity! This guy is the poster child of infidelity! Look at all he did, while in office using taxpayer money to hang out with his honey...WHILE STILL MARRIED!
What in the world does this yo-yo have to say anbout the subject other than "been there...done that"!
And Rush "I've been married 4 times" Limbaugh has an opinion too?
What a bunch of MORONS!
So we should stop requiring that our politicians live at such a high level of moral superiority? Describe moral superiority....keeping your pants on? For God's sake, we elect politicians to represent us! what does his carelessness say about us citizens? If Sanford can't stick to one woman, wastes our tax money on visits to his mistress, lies about his whereabouts therefore causing chaos and confusion , and fails to show any hint of moral character and does not show any remorse, I don't want him representing me. What would you be saying, Meghan, if Sanford were a democrat? I doubt you and your party would be this forgiving.
Ah the hypocrisy of it all!
ms. mc cain....did you discuss this posting with your famous cheater father first?....FAMILY VALUES
I'll bet if the affair had happened in the other party it would be considered public domain, Hypocrite.
Meghan, Meghan, Meghan: It is not the public that is requiring politicians "to live at such a high level of moral superiority."
It is the politicians themselves.....particularly those who ran on:
.HAVING HIGH MORAL VALUES,
.HAVING FAMILY VALUES,
.PROCLAIMING SANCTITY FOR MARRIAGE,
Sanford did all of the above and then defiled each one of them. Add to this mixture Sanford's rabid leadership on Capitol Hill for the resignation of Clinton. Now Sanford does not want to resign?
Grrl-friend: this is classic HYPOCRISY; and nothing makes people madder than hypocrisy.
When elected officials like Sanford, take his affair and mixes it with his duties of office then he does have to answer and it should be made public......he left his State went out of country without telling his Lt. Gov so if anything came up some one in his state would be in charge......that is completely irresponsible of an elected official......if that is the way he runs the State he lives in then can you imagine the way he would run this country.......this republican was more interested in what went on in his bed with his mistress than what this country is facing and not to mention what he put his wife and sons through......so Little Miss McCain keep it clean or you might be the next one to fall...........
It would've been a private matter, EXCEPT he went AWOL on the job. Just because of that, it became a public matter.
Not holding people to such high standards is fine and good when its something small. Not something as HUGE as an affair that he stole money for in order to have. If you are a politician among other responsibilities, you are a role model, so they must act as such.
For a party that runs on "high moral standards" and always seems to be condeming some group or another for "immorality" they should without a doubt lead be example.
At least when they speak about the value of the sanctity of marriage, now we'll know what they're talking about.
Sorry, but I do agree with you that and adulterous behaviour is a matter between husband and wife. But what is not permissible is the fact that the man, based his platform on moral values, and family values. He had the gall to condemm Clinton for his affair and voted for his impeachment. How about impeaching him now for the same offense.
You can't dismiss the concern of the public regarding Sanford's behavior. Remember that this guy used public resources, especially public coffers to fund his trip. We will continue to quiz public officials about their actions as long as they desire to serve and take oath to preserve and protect our society constitution. I say his extramarital affair is relevant to his role as a public official. Republicans take pride in being ardent defenders of marraige. He should exemplify it as a member of the party.
Meghan McCain is factually wrong. It would be a private matter if his affair was purely in his private life – it would be hypocritical, but private. However, his affair resulted in an entire state left leaderless for much of a week, thousands of federal dollars spent on "trade mission" business that was actually part of his affair, and direct dishonesty with his constituents. Those are PUBLIC issues.
I don't want my tax dollars spent on exotic trysts. It's not private if that is happening. I don't want mistresses getting in the way of the governing of a state. It's not private if that is happening.
I llike Meghan McCain, but considering her Daddy is an adulterer, I expect a comment like this from her. Unfortunately though, I agree with her.
Hey Megan, Haley Barber and Newt G speakers of moral beliefs and action should be your Presidential and VP candidates. Two more fine upstanding hyprocrites cannot be found wearing Republican colors anywhere. Mitch McConnel could be SEC.State. Lindsey Graham could be Sec of War (Not Sec of Defense) Mark Sanford could be Sec of Foreign Relations. Dick Cheney could be Sec of Global Commerce. Condi Rice could be Sec of BS. G Bush could be the first Non Iraqi President of Iraq.G Bushs wife could be Sec of No Education. R.Gullaini could be Chair Joints Chiefs Of Nothing. and last but not least Boehner could be the Chief of No. Really a stellar group you Republicans have and growing every day.
If our politicians had some moral concerns for society, maybe they wouldn't be killing our economy.
Republicans NEVER talk like this when it's a Democrate caught up in a affiar situation...
Like Bill Clinton's affair was a private matter?
it became criminal when he didn't notify staff of his where abouts furthmore, lied, the state business was at stake, do you want this type of person as executive of your state, we become soft on people according to their social-economic status
Dear BFF,
oh, but see... it does. I know you might have been too young to know this, but the hypocrisy is his. See, he was one of the first in line to "Wag" his finger at Clinton for all the extramarital goings on. So it IS relevant to who he is a public official. Don't talk out of your butt when you don't know what your talking about Mehgan!
Laters!
That's because her father had an affair with her mother while he was married to his first wife. Hypocrisy indeed!
"isn't relevant to his role as a public official".......when the CEO of a state leaves for 5 days without notifying his staff (or anyone for that matter) or establishing a transfer of power, I'd say that's pretty relevant to his role as a public official.
The problem, Ms. McCain, is when you preach that moral superiority... I don't think its the public's place to judge someone who cheated on his wife (although it is wrong). However, Sanford made a big deal about Clinton's infidelity, thus he is held to a higher standard than the average person
Her two cents are not worthy of CNN posting. Just unreal.
And, the reason Bill Clinton's affair was not a private matter is....?
That's right, because he was not a holier than thou Republican hypocrite bible thumper and a real American.
As always, Meghan McCain is right. Demogoging "family values" for partisan political purposes has no place in our democracy. Repugliklans can no longer claim they are morally superior.
Hey Meghan, Just like your Dad's was while he was screwing around with your mother while he still married!! Too bad this didn't happen today with your old man, or his carreer would be over. Oh wait a minute his carreer is already over just that you and he don't realize it.
Doesn't she understand the hypocrisy of her own statements? First, it is not a "private matter" if you abandon for five days your job as the head of the executive branch of a state's government in order to hide out in a foreign country, on the public's dime.. More importantly, if you want the public to "stop requiring that our politicians live at such a high level of moral superiority", then your political party has to stop portraying itself as the party of superior values and behavior. And just as a throw in, since a Republican is suggesting that partisan hysterics are not helpful, an apology from Newt and his ilk to Bill Clinton and the American people for effectively shutting down our government for two years over a "private matter", for political purposes, would be a nice touch.
We only require the politicians who claim to live at a high level of moral superiority to actually do so. People must be held accountable for their WORDS.
Meghan, we wouldn't hold the REPUBLICAN politicians so high a leavel of morality if they didn't sell themselves out to the religious right just for votes. Get a grip YOU HYPOCRITE.
It isn't about the affair. That is not what bothers me. Why you all keep going on about this is beyond me.
He walked off the job for several days! That is the sole issue that should be discussed here.
For walking off the job, he should no longer have that job. He needs to go stand in the unemployment line like normal folks would have to do.
It is not about requiring politicians for "a high level of moral superiority," rather it is about requiring them and those who hold public office of honesty. Cheating and lying will always lead to corrupt activities. In particular, engaging in adulterous/cheating relationship will result in a disturbed and an unfocused mind, vulnerable to bribery as one will be more intent to hide the wrong relationship.
When a politician (and party) hang their hats on fiscal conservatism and family values and then turns around and uses tax payer dollars to fly to Argentina to have an affair..........It is a public matter.
Meghan is right on!! Stop trying to force ideals upon the public that you cannot possibly live up to. Concentrate more on policy not on what happens in the bedroom. Sanford shold be allowed to stay; after all Bill did, the world didn't come to an end.
But that 's the whole thing in a nut shell. This man and so many others are running on family values. How can some one who cheats on their wife have family values and run under that stance? This goes to their morals. I want an honest person who has morals and doesn't lie cheat or steal. So do so many other people. He chose to be in the public eye as do all other politicians so of course when want and demand them to live a higher level of morality.
Of course she would say that considering how mommy and daddy met.
Hipocrisy? Really?? To say that the affair "isn't relevant to his role as a public official" would also mean that she forgives Clinton, right? Or are only Republicans allowed to be morally repugnant and still be forgiven?
Um...
Apparently Meghan is slightly too young to remember the Clinton years, or she simply didn't get the memo about how Republicans are required to ridicule and vilify other people's sexual choices...
Since when did not cheating on one's spouse become a 'high level of moral superiority?' I wonder if she had the same attitude during the Clinton episode.
What job can you not tell anyone where you are for 5 days and keep it? That is why he should resign.
What else would we expect from the daughter of a man who also committed adultery! The fact that the Governor left his state with no one in control IS a public matter. Young Miss McCain's comments are so far from news worthy of anyone's attention. Must have run out of stories about Michael Jackson today.
while I agree that his affair is a personal matter, I feel that Mr. Sanford should step down because he abandoned his post for 5 days without notifying anyone of his wherabouts. If I left my job for 5 days, I would be fired upon my return. Also, I think that everyone is interested in his affair because of the way that he treated President Clinton. It is very hypocrytical of Mr. Sanford to hold everyone else to one standard, and himself to another.
Sanford did not think the same when he criticized President Clinton.
Hypocrite and so are you.
Megan, you are a really sweet, albeit, naive young woman. I agree with you about our elected politicians having a right to privacy but this is really not about Gov. Sanford's affair as much as it is about "leaving the country and not letting anyone know of his whereabouts in case of a state emergency.
Smart girl.
I agree that this is a private matter, however since the republicans are all about controlling what goes on in the bedroom, constantly spouting off about family values and the sanctity of marriage, then I think things like this should be brought out into the open.
Practice what you preach! If you cannot then you have no business telling anyone what they can do with their lives
I beg to differ. When he funds his flings with taxpayer money and then runs out on those very same taxpayers with no warning and no way to contact him it is very much a PUBLIC matter.
Sanford made his affair a public issue by beating voters over the head with a holier-than-thou family values message, as well as completely mishandling the affair. His hypocrisy and his utter lack of judgment in handling the fallout demands that he resign.
The problem is that Sanford cheated on his wife, the problem is that he left South Carolina without a chief executive or even a stand-in for several days. That was the completely irresponsible part.
That is the reason he should resign. But the longer he stays in office the better it will be for democrats. Sorry Meghan.
First, and foremost, most of my Republican friends run on the platform of Moral Majority. In spite of the fact that our spiritual advisors meet our girlfriends and continue to smile in our spouses face during marriage group sessions (yes, speaking of "Cubby: Culbertson, Sanfords friend and spirtual advisor.
So, we in turn hold them to the high "moral authority" they run on.
I change the wording because I do feel most of Rep friends have a sense of "superiority."
Meghan, whose been lighting Her Tush? Oh, its the Media.
I think the Republicans shoudl concentrate more on what goes on in the bedroom because they are a disaster when it comes to policy. It might make them more humane.
oh yeah??
And what was Spitzer's affair?????????
That was Illegal prostitution and this is legal – is that it!!!
hypocrites!!
Maybe we need to say it slower for the ignorant to read.
W e d o n 't c a r e a b o u t h i s a f f a i r. It's his derilict of duty, abandoning his job. Using taxpayers dollars, and you all remember the biggie, Liying to the people.
Quit twisting it. The only one who seems to care about the affair is the media.
Yet Clinton's affair was somehow relevant to his role as a public official. Oh yeah! I forgot, different parties so different standards.
Hypocrites.
Using $8K of public funds to plan a rendevouz w/ his thang? Deceiving others on the trip by couching it as a business trip? Abonding the governorship w/o notice ... esp in the course of legislative session?? These are not "private" matters!
Meghan McCain's opinion plus an empty sack is worth a sack.
What else would she say knowing her dad did the samething?
I like Megan McCain. But I feel I should point out the absence of logic in her story. If Sanfords affair truly is a private matter, is it really our place to forgive him?
How about him being out of the frickin' country without letting anyone know and that some trips have been paid for with taxpayer money?
Is that "relevent to his role as a public official" Einstein?
Hey Meghan, where were your people when Bill Clinton was in the news? I agree with you, yes its a private matter, but when will America say that. Especially the news media. If this were a democratic gov, Fox News would have it on 24-7. Unfair and unbalanced as I say.
I agree that kind of thing is a private matter. On the other hand, his disappearance, seemingly without a trace, is a public matter. For that the Governor must answer to his constituents and they must decide whether they trust his judgement.
I do not hold politicians to higher standads – they are only human. However, if someone is going to preach to me about "family values", he should make sure his own house is in order first. Glass houses and stones come to mind.
Very well said. Our own founding fathers would not pass the measures imposed on todays politicians. Yes, what some of them do is wrong, I do not agree, however they are human. What matters is policy and representation of the People.
Honey...your party tries to legislate morality and tell others how to live. Therefore, it does indeed directly relate to his job. Repubs made morality and social issues their platform. To say it doesn't matter now would be to abandon a platform when it doesn't suit you.
I wonder about her reaction to WJC and ML.....(I don't completely disagree with her here, but mesmells some political expediency...)
Its not a Private Matter when you are being unfaithful to your wife on our dime!