How Can Jenny Sanford Feel Sorry for the Mistress?

Reader Comments

Back to blog

Ms Erbe, I dont mean to be rude, but having browsed through a number of your articles I find you remarkable obtuse (or purposely picking topics that will generate strong opinions)

Jenny Sanford is a smart lady who chose to show compassion as a way of wiping her hands of this entire sordid mess. How has that escaped you? She can either wade in hip deep and start issuing denunciations left, right and center of the moral fiber of both her husband and his mistress or she can quietly exit dignity relatively intact.

This is her personal matter and by her careful, controlled interviews designed to be uncontroversial, she has managed to keep it so.

The extent of her compassion or forgiveness for both Mr. Sanford and his mistress may be considerably different behind closed doors, but there is no reason she should allow herself to be dragged down in the public eye.

John of IL 7:44PM August 26, 2009

Luke.17

[1] Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!

[2] It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

[3] Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and IF HE REPENTS, FORGIVE HIM.

Mark Sanford repented to the public.

Christians in the public must forgive him. I do.

Non-repenters towards God go to the fire.

wordwon [John Conover] of SC 5:06PM August 20, 2009

As a marriage counselor who does a lot of affair recovery work I can tell you that there is the possibility for a beautiful story of redemption here if Mark Sanford will repent. So far he hasn't seemed repentant, but of course, I don't know what may be happening behind the scenes. If he does repent and the marriage is saved it will be a great example of repentance and grace and forgiveness for their sons. If he doesn't repent Jenny Sanford seems to me to be very capable of still writing a good story for her sons. They'll see a mother who handled this with integrity and beauty and strength.

If you want to read some excellent material from a couple who recovered from an affair go here: http://www.marriagesrestored.com/marriages/2009/08/your-jesus-is-too-safe.html. They're good friends of mine whom God is using mightily.

Chuck Roberts of TX 2:47PM August 20, 2009

What a quintet!?!?!?

They did not ask me to forgive them (not that any of them care) but the disparate ways they lied to their wives and their children is appalling. How they look at themselves in the mirror in the morning without throwing up mystifies me.

But, like some other fine folks, their word is worth nothing when it might deprive them of fun and games or money.

For them to appear offended when someone calls them scoundrels is galling. And for them to try to convince us that their actions are not as bad as murdering or stealing shows them for what they are: pond scum. And for them to be treated as heroes as Welch is ... worse.

otis of macon of GA 9:49PM August 19, 2009

Erbe,

Let it rest and let it go. If she wants to forgive let her. It's her choice and her family's painful ordeal. Who are you and why do we America take such sadistic pleasure and satisfaction witnessing someone elses misery? Do all of you have such empty lives filled with self-contempt and self-loathing that you somehow derive comfort knowing someone is suffering more than you? Erb and the media fascination with this is WRONG!!! And so are you, America, for buying tickets to the show.

David of ID 6:37PM August 19, 2009

Controversial comments from an infidelity expert on selected points from Jenny Sanford’s interview with Vogue magazine. http://bit.ly/zjprz

Why Jenny’s curiosity about her husband’s mistress is normal, her amazing insight into the dynamics of her husbands affair, a husband’s susceptibility to extramarital affairs, emotional infidelity and how it begins, should a wife seek revenge, how far should a wife go to reconcile with a cheating husband, and more. You can also access this through my Infidelity News and Views Blog.

Ruth Houston of NY 5:14PM August 19, 2009

Controversial comments from an infidelity expert on selected points from Jenny Sanford’s interview with Vogue magazine. http://bit.ly/zjprz

Why Jenny’s curiosity about her husband’s mistress is normal, her amazing insight into the dynamics of her husbands affair, a husband’s susceptibility to extramarital affairs, emotional infidelity and how it begins, should a wife seek revenge, how far should a wife go to reconcile with a cheating husband, and more. http://bit.ly/zjprz

Ruth Houston of NY 5:06PM August 19, 2009

The other woman's statement to the Argentine TV station displayed no remorse whatsoever. In fact she called to God to judge the person who hacked her email and blamed it on that person that a lot of people were hurt by it. Hello? What was her part in this? This woman is so cold and selfish that she corresponded and flirted with a married father of 4 for 8 years and when she finally landed him, she would not make the sacrifice her high life in Buenos Aires for him. If only Mark Sanford would open his eyes and see thru it he will discover she's got plenty of flaws. No "fine" woman would do that to another woman.

Good for Jenny to come out. She is the big winner here because her boys are in tuned with her and that is most important. Let Mark go experience his new life with his soul mate and love of his life and see how long that will last. Argentina is not an easy country to live in for Americans who are not Spanish educated.

Jean of CA 4:18PM August 19, 2009

I am skeptical that Jenny Sanford's public statements are un-airbrushed...what PR firm is she using to help her craft her image? A number of her statements just don't ring true or resonate with any women I know--but they do sound carefully wordsmithed to make her sound like a veritable saint. Actually, I am hoping her statements ARE the result of weeks of PR management (and I am a PR professional)...otherwise she sounds totally out of touch with her feelings. I am puzzled that what we hear from her is so "managed" "air-brushed" -- not even remotely what you'd expect to hear from the broken heart of someone who's husband doesn't love them and who is madly in love with someone else. I love and admire strong women, but somehow Jenny comes across as very image conscious and calculating.

Carol of VA 4:05PM August 19, 2009

You liberal feminazi woman can't comprehend what good woman feel. You Feminazi's are so anti men and everything else, it's beyond your capability of compassion. Go crawl back under your rock because real people don't care what you think!!!

Does it matter, Honestly of FL 2:56PM August 19, 2009

Add Your Thoughts
Your comment will be posted immediately, unless it is spam or contains profanity. For more information, please see our Comments FAQ.

Back to blog

Bonnie Erbe

Bonnie Erbe

Bonnie Erbe is a contributing editor at U.S. News & World Report and hosts PBS's weekly news analysis program, To the Contrary with Bonnie Erbe. She also writes a weekly syndicated newspaper column for Scripps Howard News Service.

advertisement

Robert Schlesinger

JFK's Virtuoso Turn at the Bully Pulpit

Kennedy presented a radical idea: Peaceful coexistence.

advertisement