Mark Sanford’s “King David” Strategy
Since there is no one embraced by evangelicals quite like a sinner who repents, S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford is branding himself as a “King David”-style leader who will use his “fall from grace” with an Argentinian lover to rebuild his family and refocus on his job – which as of today is still governor of South Carolina.
Sanford made the reference after holding a meeting with his Cabinet, his first public appearance since Wednesday’s shocking admission of infidelity.
Here’s an excerpt from the governor’s statement, which was released by his office earlier this afternoon:
I remain committed to rebuilding the trust that has been committed to me over the next 18 months, and it is my hope that I am able to follow the example set by David in Bible – who after his fall from grace humbly refocused on the work at hand. By doing so, I will ultimately better serve in every area of my life, and I am committed to doing so.
“The Trust Committed to Me,” incidentally, is the title of the book Sanford wrote during his time in Congress.
In a heavily Christian state like South Carolina, such a move by Sanford makes sense.
But given that several details of Sanford’s confession don’t seem to match up with the details surrounding his “sin,” it is fascinating to see just how far down this road the governor is letting himself go.
Comments
By Vic Nettles on June 26th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
Go AHEAD & RESIGN Lets go foward
By scgop on June 26th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
Sanford problem in finding support is that he has personally treated many people like crap, like they were inferior people.
By madcock on June 26th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
Wow! Comparing himself to King David! This guy really does take narcissism to a whole new level.
Guess he saw his love letters to Maria as Psalms. Don’t remember David writing about any of his lovers’ tan lines though.
Best of all, if he’s David, I guess that makes Andre King Soloman, ROTFLOL!!!!!!!
By PandaChris on June 26th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
What is interesting to me is how Sanford’s supporters for all these years are acting surprised about his selfish personality.
The man has ALWAYS been a prick and cares only about himself…the reform movement was just a vehicle to power for him.
No one…NO ONE…who claimed to believe in a cause would jeopardize that cause by holding onto power.
Nikki aint helping herself…she was my choice for governor but now am considering McMaster or Barrett.
FITSNews, you helped creat this monster (Sanford) …maybe you can see that plenty of people have opposed the fool because he is a twit not because of his ideas.
By BIN News Editorial Staff on June 26th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
One of the few things sic(k) willie has ever said that makes much sense is “…several details of Sanford’s confession don’t seem to match up.”
Let’s run through this slowly.
He’s known her eight years, but it “sparked” this year. Okay.
And he has just seen her three times. Okay. But, say that again.
He has just seen her three times.
Wow! Must have been some “spark.”
She’s married but separated. No, she’s divorced. Make up your mind.
Wife found out 5 months ago, but she asked him to leave two weeks before his “magical mystery tour” of the Appalachian Trail or Argentina or where ever he was. Flew out of Columbia and left a State car at the airport?!
Even more stupid than above.
So, the affair “sparked” this year, his wife found out 5 months ago and two weeks ago she asked him to leave. So, what does he do?
He leaves on his “magical mystery tour.”
Spends a week “alone” driving the coast of Argentina or crying himself to sleep in Argentina. Sounds like a bunch of cr@p to our Editorial Staff.
So, why did he have to spend a week in Argentina to end the relationship?
He could have made a phone call. Or sent another email. :)
Maybe his most recent trip was just another “Governor’s Conference.”
Stay tuned. Maybe he will run for President of the República Argentina.
Or maybe Maria will move here and run for office.
BIN News Editorial Staff
Flair and Balanced
By Ree Zion Markey on June 26th, 2009 at 10:17 pm
Forget that Andre’s a XYX&@.
Sanford blew it.
After he clarified the “Argentina leg” of the Argentina-Brazil industry-hunting trip, I want to hear more about the Argentina lips, the Argentina eyes, etc.
Resign!
Resign!
Resign!
The worst that could happen the next eighteen months is the same that has been accomplished the last seven years — nothing.
You aint no David and Andre aint no Goliath. Wouldn’t it be ironic that refusals continually to turn over authority to AB in Mark’s absence all the way back to early in his office at active duty would result in Andre’s getting a heap of executive power.
Resign. Resign. Resign. Resign. Resign. Please spare us.
By anonymous on June 26th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
Comment from DanL @ linked blog post “St. Sanford the Apostle” says it all:
“too narcissistic to resign”
Yep.
By calhoun fawls on June 27th, 2009 at 12:11 am
I just wish Mark Sanford would be a man. After all, he is the Governor of SC, the state that told Lincoln to kiss their ass. He ought to tell us he wants Maria, he is divorcing Jenny, and he will not resign and that those who don’t like it can kiss his latina loving ass.
Hell, he could get elected to the US Senate if he was just a man about things and not some crying wimp.
If he is going to be a wimp, resign, South Carolina does not tolerate pissants as Governors.
This bull crap about King David, well, King David was a man, wrong, but a man. He sent a woman’s husband off to die to have her. All Mark Sanford done was sneak to see a woman and then cry about it. Sanford isn’t a pimple on King David’s ass.
Hell, even ole Jakie would back off a bit if Sanford did not act like such a pissant.
By Ann on June 27th, 2009 at 12:31 am
BIN news, thank you! Finally, someone who THINKS! Flies out from one place and drives from the other…is that right? Why doesn’t anyone else notice these inconsistencies… And what’s with the governor’s repeated fondness for the damned appalachian trail? Enough about the damned trail that you may or may not have gotten to? Did you happen to see Jack Sterling during your jaunt?
By ws on June 27th, 2009 at 1:28 am
http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/06/sanford_king_david_didnt_resign_so_i_wont_either.php
By Vicki on June 27th, 2009 at 7:21 am
The adverse outcome on King David’s sons following his affair with Bathsheba was the ultimate punishment for David’s adultery. More than one died, there was rape, rebellion and murder. As the father of four sons, Sanford can’t wish that part of the story on himself I’m sure.
By lou on June 27th, 2009 at 7:54 am
I’m with BIN up there.
Jenny has on all her rings.
Neither Mark or Jenny look like they have been crying or are extremely upset as couples going through this usually look, or at least as one of em usually looks.
Jenny is handing out press statements day one.
Jenny and Mark are doing ” car interviews” ( remember Eliot Spitzer and all the interviews he and his wife did- geesh).
Mark has been to Argentina twice, when did the affair really get going? Where? How? Does she travel here to tryst with our Governor?
Jenny said Mark was ” writing”. Jenny said she told Mark NOT to see the GF on his trip.
Mark did not HAVE to turn his phone off – his wife had kicked him out, wasn’t going to call.
He HAD A RESPONSIBILITY to be ” on call” for THIS STATE…. yet he abdicated that…… WHY?
Has anyone thought back to how Mark Sanford looked after he lost the stimulus battle? He looked BAD. His marital issues don’t appear to affect him the same way as the money issues.
Did Mark owe someone that stimulus money? Did SC owe someone?
Did Mark go somewhere to get money?
All questions that Mr. Knotts should be asking… they are very pertinent.
Back to King David, did King David walk by lepers in the ditch while he himself asked for mercy?
By lou on June 27th, 2009 at 7:56 am
AND oops… Mr. Krauthammer, conservative guru said
” Sanford committed political suicide”
WHY
By lookclosely on June 27th, 2009 at 8:52 am
This guy is a three dollar bill. Note that at his meeting with the cabinet he stated that on a previous trip to Argentina, he had a fateful “lunch.” Is that all he had. He’s conning everyone. If TMZ and other reporters are actually in Argentina am sure they will get some video footage of his “hiking trip.”
By Psychologist on June 27th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Leave the SC Governor alone. All comments are shining with jalousie-love is a gift, not everybody is able to love.- Governor did. So now, crucify him?
He is a good, if not excellent, Governor. Would you prefer C……. as a Governor?
Don’t we all make mistakes? His wife is going to forgive him- what else can she do at the present time. And the forgiveness is the base of Christianity. True?
All commentators should direct their attention to the “global warming” (caused by evaporating, excessive human love- as there is no other proven cause to it), or to the out of control national spending, and politicians ruining our Country..
Got it?
Psychologist
By Mary on June 27th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Sanford uses his religion to judge others moral character harshly, to the extent of calling for impeachment of Clinton and resignation of others for adultery, while he is able to redeem himself thru forgiveness for the same transgression using the same religion.
What a scam! Now he is “holier than thou” once again, thru his request for forgiveness and then compares himself to King David in the bible.
What kind of religion makes 1 man self righteous (redeemable) and another reprehensible (Stanfords reference of Clinton on his adultery) for the same transgression? Is this some kind of selective religeous forgiveness? Like only GOPers need apply? An impeachable offense for Clinton, according to Stanford, but for Stanford, like the biblical King David, a forgivable transgression that requires the continuation of his power.
By madcock on June 27th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
You know the more I think about Romeo Marshall II trying to claim the mantle of King David, the more curious it becomes.
First of, has Romeo spent so much time as Howie Rich’s chattel that he now thinks he’s Jewish?
Secondly, given his extraordinary ego, seeing himself as a King, especially one who was God’s favorite, is certainly no surprise.
Thirdly, wonder if Sanford never actually read the Bible, or just doesn’t care that it says that God loved David so much that he couldn’t punish him for his adultery, so he KILLED DAVID’S SON instead.
Finally, one thing you’ve got to give King David, he wasn’t afraid of fighting for his country in war. Far cry fromm Chicken Hawk Marshall II who joined the National Guard at an age when most are retiring from the military, just to divert attention from his personal cowardice.
By Elmo on June 27th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
I like the idea of Mark going and getting Maria, marrying her, and continuing on in his job.
By Hugh Janus on June 27th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
This isn’t about infidelity. It’s about being a lying, two-faced hypocrite that condemned other politicians for the same immoral behavior that he was actively pursuing. King David, my ass. Just a jerk!
By BIN News Editorial Staff on June 27th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
sic(k) willie, the next time Mark calls you for your advice, tell him his bullcr@p ain’t working. He knows that. So do you. So does S.C. So does the world. It only makes him and S.C. look more and more foolish. The only thing worse is how much more foolish S.C. will look if Andre becomes gub’ner.
Someone needs to pass their magic wand and make John Courson Governor long enough to get S.C. out of this mess. John can do it. Few others can.
BIN News Editorial Staff
Flair and Balanced
By Old Bike Dude on June 27th, 2009 at 10:54 pm
Mark Sanford I knew King David, and you Sir, are no King David.
btw good posts lou.
By Notgonnahappen on June 28th, 2009 at 9:21 am
I don’t have any sympathy for Sanford, his wife, or their kids. The two adults are rich arrogant elitists and their kids, barring a miracle, will grow up to be EXACTLY LIKE THEM.
By Burt on June 28th, 2009 at 9:39 am
For goodness sakes, these guys are all cheaten and stealen dead beat politicians!
So Sanford goes away, you get that cheaten and stealen Bauer.
He goes away, and you get the next one………
By Bear on June 28th, 2009 at 11:21 am
Sandord comes across like a thief that is not sorry that he robbed you but is extremely sorry that he got caught. “Boss Hog” Knotts made a similar point when he said the only reason we know(or maybe know) that Sanford spent state money over a year ago on this affair was that he got caught. Again we see another “family values” man who has been preaching “do as I say, not as I do”. Any wonder that church attendance has been dropping nationwide over the last 20 years. People are getting tired of it.
By Let Jesus be the Judge on July 1st, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Jesus said,”He without sin may cast the first stone.” OK, he has sinned and broken one of the commandments and has publically confessed. What have you not confessed about. We are all sinners!! Remember that but through Jesus Christ we can be born again. So what if he is hiding behind King David’s story. That isn’t for you nor I to judge. And to judge someone else for what they have done would be a sin.
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