Gail Collins on Governor Mark Sanford's Real Breach of Etiquette

Say What? Gail Collins on How Sanford Really Messed Up

June 25, 2009

"The peculiar thing about the apologies was that Sanford seemed to be under the impression that his worst dereliction of duty involved womanizing. I think I speak for us all when I say that if a governor wants to fly off for a rendezvous with his mistress, the first rule should be: leave a phone number. If you must flee to a love nest, make sure it’s one with an Internet connection."

— New York Times columnist Gail Collins on South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford's days-long mysterious disappearance, followed by apologies and a confession that he had been in Argentina saying goodbye to his lover.

Source: Getty

14 Comments

oni1 3 years 46 weeks

this whole thing probably wouldn't have snowballed if he told at least one person of his whereabouts. those 'steamy' emails were laughable. i wonder if his wife was the anonymous source that submitted them.

3 years 46 weeks

Mr. Sanford is a number 8~Prick in the book thePRICKindex. This is a little jewel of a book that discusses human behavior in a comedic satire format. That said, I agree with the author's article.

3 years 46 weeks

The moral reich needs to reign in their attempts at preaching from their holier-than-thou stance. We know they are all human and as such, they need to preach and practice more empathy and less persecution. Maybe then they would be forwarded with such themselves.

3 years 46 weeks

Yikes, that lady needs teeth whitening, fast!

Hiding55 3 years 46 weeks

Of course everyone is entitled to time off from work, but you also have to be responsible and respond to phone calls or have someway for work to contact you. You don't necessarily have to tell everyone where you are going, but come on now, you can't just disappear. It's understandable that this made the news. I think it's disgusting that anyone's personal life gets exposed and dragged through the mud by the media. My heart goes out to his wife and children who have to suffer through this embarrassment.

GlowingMoon 3 years 46 weeks

Personally, I have no issue with Sanford's affair. That's between him and his wife (read: it's his personal life). My beef is that he left his state in a vulnerable position with no contingency plans. Why did he not put his lieutenant governor in place?? If he did that, he could have gone off to his personal shenanigans (in a responsible way). Thank goodness there was no emergency in the state of South Carolina. Supposedly, men are good at compartmentalizing their lives (separating their different lives, and managing them). He is an example of the contrary.

GlowingMoon 3 years 46 weeks

Personally, I have no issue with Sanford's affair. That's between him and his wife (read: it's his personal life).My beef is that he left his state in a vulnerable position with no contingency plans. Why did he not put his lieutenant governor in place?? If he did that, he could have gone off to his personal shenanigans (in a responsible way). Thank goodness there was no emergency in the state of South Carolina.Supposedly, men are good at compartmentalizing their lives (separating their different lives, and managing them). He is an example of the contrary.

mamasitamalita 3 years 46 weeks

PS Phil - I saw some of that also and some of the things I though "that is so romantic, any woman would want to hear that." which is weird, but who knows.

mamasitamalita 3 years 46 weeks

additionally? public servants are entitled to time off, in my opinion, as anyone in any job. they work and they can take breaks. its the secrecy that is the issue here. if you're a scumbag, fine be a scumbag, as long as it doesn't directly interfere with your effectiveness in your position.also, the GOP may want to reconsider this whole family values thing... its not really panning out so well recently

mamasitamalita 3 years 46 weeks

additionally? public servants are entitled to time off, in my opinion, as anyone in any job. they work and they can take breaks. its the secrecy that is the issue here. if you're a scumbag, fine be a scumbag, as long as it doesn't directly interfere with your effectiveness in your position. also, the GOP may want to reconsider this whole family values thing... its not really panning out so well recently

Phil 3 years 46 weeks

Why is his affair such an issue? I understand that his infidelity is very soapy and interesting. His disappearing and leaving no means of contact among his staff is a major issue and should be the focus of all the press coverage. It's negligent in a position with no room for negligence. His infidelity is beans in comparison. So, I totally agree with Gail Collins.BTW, I read an exchange of emails between Sanford and "Maria" posted on The State and I now understand a bit how people get a thrill from voyeurism. With an ignorance of the circumstances that lead to the affair (marital difficulties, possible manipulation of "Maria," for whom I now sympathize; circumstances surrounding infidelity are way more complex than simply he/she cheated therefore he/she is evil), I have to admit they're sort of romantic. Very cheesy, but romantic. I wonder why he couldn't share such words with his wife?

Phil 3 years 46 weeks

Why is his affair such an issue? I understand that his infidelity is very soapy and interesting. His disappearing and leaving no means of contact among his staff is a major issue and should be the focus of all the press coverage. It's negligent in a position with no room for negligence. His infidelity is beans in comparison. So, I totally agree with Gail Collins. BTW, I read an exchange of emails between Sanford and "Maria" posted on The State and I now understand a bit how people get a thrill from voyeurism. With an ignorance of the circumstances that lead to the affair (marital difficulties, possible manipulation of "Maria," for whom I now sympathize; circumstances surrounding infidelity are way more complex than simply he/she cheated therefore he/she is evil), I have to admit they're sort of romantic. Very cheesy, but romantic. I wonder why he couldn't share such words with his wife?

spacekatgal 3 years 46 weeks

I sort of have to agree also. The affair is in between him and his wife. The going incomunicado is between him and his constituents. It's not the kind of job you can just take off from.

JennH 3 years 46 weeks

I agree. His wife knew and had already kicked his butt out two weeks prior. My main gripe is ~ own up. Have these polititians not learned that their lies will be found out? Especially extra marital affairs.

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14 Comments

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