Jenny Struck A Pose … Now What?
In the history of politicians talking way too much, S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford’s recent bout with “verbal diarrhea of the soul mate” takes the cake.
Seriously, people … we actually wrote a headline during his PR implosion entitled “Somebody Tackle Him,” which lamentably, no one did.
Anyway, now the governor’s wife, S.C. First Lady Jenny Sanford, is getting into the act – granting a tell-all interview to Vogue and “striking a pose” in a modestly revealing cover-up (she is living at her beach house … in fairness). The widely-read article was Mrs. Sanford’s first extensive commentary (and only her second interview) since news broke in late June of her husband’s affair with his Argentine lover, Maria Belen Chapur.
Jenny refused to publicly stand by her man, but she did help him out behind-the-scenes at a key moment in the crisis … support which seems to have evaporated in recent weeks (as evidenced by her moving her family out of the governor’s mansion in Columbia, S.C.).
Since our founding editor doesn’t get “chick stuff,” we asked Mrs. Sic her opinion of Jenny’s interview. Unfortunately, between chasing two kids around (Sic and Shorty) and caring for a newborn to boot, she hasn’t exactly gotten around to it.
“As long as he’s not talking about again,” she said, promising to give us her thoughts on it later.
Meanwhile, we want to know what you think … specifically, what note did Jenny “striking a pose” in Vogue strike with you?
To the poll!
Loading ...Hat tip: YSC
Comments
By No Name on August 18th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Hello, female people who voted yes: Look at the photo! Airbrushed beyond recognition. It’s not even her face! This is not about if YOU at 47 would vicariously like to kick your old man to the curb, be in Vogue, have a swell house near the light house, a gazillion dollars, drink Pinot Grigio all day, and still have 9% body fat. The issue is whether this is behavior that is congruent with a responsible mother who is taking the high road or a woman who is having her own mid-life crisis!
By Jonny D on August 18th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Jenny, in the immortal words of the late, great Joe Strummer, you’re streets away from where it gets the roughest, you ain’t been there.
By Genomic Repairman on August 18th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
She’s probably using this as a springboard to writing a book like Elizabeth Edwards did, you know except with out all of the terminal cancer and fathering a bastard child. Has a governor ever in US history had to make alimony payments?
By CNSYD on August 18th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
alimony out of what income? after Columbia where will his money come from? rumor is that the Beaufort land is not in his name.
By ryan on August 18th, 2009 at 5:44 pm
Wow. What a glimpse into people’s privte lives. She’s right though. Another woman doesn’t have the right to invade on another woman’s husband. What counts now is the children. If they both put the children first they will admit their own mistakes and do what is right for the children, which is to stay together in their marriage and unite the family.
By MKinVA on August 18th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
I voted tone deaf ONLY because the interview for this article obviously was done before all the very recent unpleasantness and didn’t come out in a timely manner (from Jenny’s point of view). It may have worked for her IF the public didn’t have so many details of Mark’s true feelings about his lover (and by contrast, his wife), IF we hadn’t read the Cubby letter, IF her family wasn’t looking to strip him of his campaign funds, IF the public had not been privy to her dramatic exodus from the mansion, followed by rumors about Maria being in SC w/in 48 hours. Now, with all we know, with all that has happened since, you can’t help but say DUH! By her own (and her friends’) description of their life, these two have never been on the same page. They never wanted the same things in life even if the political gig seemed to suit them both for a time. My hope is that she has finally learned it’s not what people SAY that makes them what they are, it’s what they DO.
By male sapphist on August 19th, 2009 at 8:52 am
Every woman that cheats with a married man also cheats on another woman.
Jenny’s Pic was the best she has ever looked, to me, maybe this is to demonstrate how strong and put together she is or she tipped the photo/photoshop editor $1K to make her stunning.
I feel sorry for Mark Sanford but maybe the ole racists/king-fear-mongers/dead white guys were correct in creating such a weak executive for SC. If we had a powerful gubner I would be more inclined to demand his resignation but since he is just somewhat politically crippled and weak he can do much less damage than someone like Hugh Leatherface…Keep Marky Chapur and impeach Leatherface. The sovereign state of SC would be much wiser by keeping the LuvGub and ditching the neo-marxists in the house and state senate.
By SmartCookie on August 19th, 2009 at 10:37 am
Jenny was pitch perfect if her intent was to belittle the Gov. and his mistress. She knew they would see the article, and I believe most of what she said was for their benefit. She called their “love” an addiction, blaming it on a mid-life crisis, which is a stark contrast from Mark’s depiction of the affair as deep and meaningful soul-mate style love. And Jenny’s specific mention of alcohol and porn addiction was no accident; there is meaning there. By her comment that she feels sorry for them is a nice way to say she pities them and their inability to make good adult choices. Finally, that photo, retouched or not, was clearly intended to show that she is still a youthful, attractive woman. Eat your heart out, Mark!
By shiya on August 19th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
I voted pitch perfect because I agree with Smart cookie’s reasoning. Equating Sanford’s “love” with porn addiction was a sly take on the so-called “love story” of the decade. Its true that several events have taken place since the interview, but the addiction explanation does seem to explain his VERY odd behavior overall…not just his going Awol, but his King David references etc. And if rumors of him bringing Maria to SC are true, he must have gone beyond addiction to the deep end itself as it shows a recklessness that is alarming. She also comes across as carefree, breezy..self-assured…the interview didnt come off as vindictive at all and most of the angry comments on this site and elsewhere are coming about mainly because people want to move on from the saga, and its deflecting attention from Sanford’s troubles. If he thinks that will die down, he is mistaken.
Many people leave their wives for “other women”..Gingrich, Guliani etc. I dont think anyone has invited as much derision as Sanford.
By SC observer on August 19th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
I have been watching the surreal drama playing out in SC. Its riveting because the “Pollyana”, Mark Sanford, is having a breakdown in public and his ego and attachment to power is so great that he won’t step off stage to spend much needed time with a therapist.
Based on what I am seeing of his mental state (through various interviews) this man is not capable of making a decision on who is soul mate is. He first needs to find his own soul!!! This will take years not months.
His wife and children are the only real people in this drama. I admire Jenny Sanford tremendously (based on her own merits) and this is from a person who had never heard of her until Mark decided to take a trip down South. If I were from South Carolina I would hang on to her for dear life because the politicians who have been centre stage so far appear a bunch of incompetent gas bags.
I was an investment banker who worked 24/7 on the dealing floor and that is exhausting work in an environment where women get no breaks. Jenny survived that with flying colours. This is no wall flower. She has a backbone and my hat comes off to her. She is someone, women all over the world, may emulate. As for her husband’s behavior and incompetence – that is his problem. I don’t understand why people are attacking her for his admittedly surreal performance so far. She is just trying to comprehend his implosion just as the rest of us are! I admire her rationality and clear eyed vision. I doubt if I would be as gracious in similar circumstances. Her sons have reason to be proud. She is quite a role model.
By MKinVA on August 19th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
shiya posted: “the addiction explanation does seem to explain his VERY odd behavior…going Awol,…his King David references…rumors of him bringing Maria to SC…gone beyond addiction to the deep end itself as it shows a recklessness that is alarming.”
BUT what was the addiction in 1995 when it was reported (Washington Times?) that during his FIRST trip as a congressman to Chile he was involved w/ an American businesswoman who not knowing he was married, agreed to a dinner date w/ him, and when she found out he was married, had nothing further to do w/ him? What was the addiction during the following years, before meeting Maria, when he admits to “crossing the line” w/ a number of other women? Did he tell those women he was single? Did he go out on dinner dates with those women? Did he spend a few months or years emailing or phoning those women? C’MON people!! Will says he never saw this in Sanford, Jenny says she didn’t think he had it in him, others are stunned. By his own admission, there are a number of women, and probably other witnesses, around the globe who apparently knew the “real Mark Sanford”. He’s NOT SICK, he’s NOT ADDICTED, it’s NOT VERY ODD BEHAVIOR, he’s NOT HAVING A BREAKDOWN, he’s NOT HAVING A MIDLIFE CRISIS!! Hello world, meet Mark Sanford!!!
By shiya on August 19th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
But Mkinva, the early flirtations/crossing the lines/affairs…whatever you choose to call it, were “normal” signs of a pig..but nothing bizarre. Nothing that low-life husbands have not engaged in. Bill Clinton did it…the Cal gov did it..but can you honestly say they acted anywhere close to what this guy did. It doesnt excuse his behavior, and I am willing to concede that he was always a low-life tomcat, but it does seem odd to me. Ensign had an affair the same time, perhaps more sleazy with all the pay-offs but no one considers that behavior odd. Can we agree that this man is a pathetic, low-life swine–AND–Sick?
By MKinVA on August 19th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
shiya: Pathetic, low-life swine, agreed. Sick, as in he could get better? I hope Jenny doesn’t fall for that old lame excuse.