Love, Political Style

From the response of Elizabeth Edward and Jenna Sanford to their husbands’ betrayal, they appear not to condone the cheaters but to shelter their children. The wives come off as made of more gumption than their midlife-crisis husbands.

While I appreciate the sentiment of your post, there are some glaring errors.

“…To then drag his humbled wife to the podium while he sobbed an apology was the moral equivalent of wanting his cake and eating it too…”

Jenny Sanford, may she set the example for all future political wives/husbands in this position, kicked him out of the house and did not appear with him on any podium during or after his “apology”. She went as far as to say his political career was his own problem not hers.

“…Sanford wasn’t the first American pol to get caught with his pants down. Almost equally as dumb as the Louisiana Gov…”

Mark Sanford is the Gov. of South Carolina.

Amen to all of that, Elmer! You do have a way with words, and I love it when they’re down and dirty! You rock!!! Ellie :O)
P.S. LH&K to you and Cinelli and all the family

Oh Al you are so wickedly right on. I love it!!!!

This is a cheap shot at some people who are not worthy of articulate ink being spilled, even if it is to ridicule their hypocricies.

Love, Political Style - Fun-n-n-n-y and insightful. Thanks, Al.

Al,

It’s hard to picture Jimmy Carter doing—you know—”it!” But thanks for the graphic image.

I’ll join you in saying “Enough!” I thought politicians were supposed to be smarter than the rest of us. There goes another prized concepts of my youth out the window—along with self-control, virtue and truth.

Michael

I totally agree with you. The hpocracy is stagering.

Would that be Antonio Viagra-rosa? Is there a coincidence between the new drugs available and the incidents of public use currently on display… It’s riduclous that the ‘demo-critic’ press (maybe I mean the republi-critic press) makes such an issue of the very acts they commit themselves (as well a every red blooded American) and manage to keep out of the press a la Caroline and the NYTimes as well as others…

And what about the month long (well it seems like a month already) acolades for the singing/dancing pervert?

I guess some like it hot! In my own opinion, I think all politicians are scumbags!!!

Gloey

Nothing unusual for men in power to have lots of hormones, poor things, they just can’t control themselves, they need outlets or they grow hair on their hands. They remind me of the old joke, how do you make a whore moan? Don’t pay her.

Absolutely right, Al. Ever have a friend/acquaintance/neighbor who embodied “don’t do as I do, just do as I say”??? Why do these guys think that saying “I’m sorry” is going to make their actions morally defensible? Whatever happened to accepting the consequences of our own actions? And to the “little woman” in each case: Get some back bone, Girl! Stand up for who you are!!

Your grandaughter’s blog caught my eye first, so I just commented in an E-mail to you. Then I read your latest blog. Magnificant. Your blog doesn’t have to have an editors blessing, so you really got wound up this time. It would be nice to have your way with words on subjects that have both of our attention. You’ve really hit the bulls eye. Thank you. Will

So, Sanford is less than Clinton.

Actually, they’re the same. They are human, men. Politicians too, but I expect more from my elected representatives, at least while they are in office. To you, Clinton is a ’stud’ and Sanford is something less, no lines of curious females around his block. No, he’s bad. Clinton Good! They are vapid, defenseless meglomaniacs. Clinton the worse of the two for not admitting fault for persisting in the denail about having had sex “with that woman, Monica Lewinsky.” Recall his righteous indignation. He believes it.

You’ve always been prejudiced, and now it’s really starting to show. A sobbing, bleeding heart clutching so feebly at the wishy-washy bosom of what sucks in this country, that you can’t see what’s coming.

Does this ‘blog’ impress your other readers? What does that tell you, about them?

Have a Martini. When that stops working, go to AA.

Moderation?

How about answers, response?

This is a two-for-one proposition. We men are blessed/cursed with two heads, sometimes not able to figure out which one to think with. We’re lucky, though. Just think of all the brain power in DC. We have twice as many politicians as we voted into office.

So is the spelling, Mr. Weeks.

And Al, I didn’t see Mrs. Sanford at the podium. Did I miss that? Oh, and I think your calling Jimmy Carter’s mea culpa the most pathetic is unfair. One think to look and lust–like you say, who hasn’t?–but remain faithful…another for the South Carolina governor to look, lust and hurry on down to Buenos Aires.

This one tops them all!!

These political morons will always be with us, I’m afraid.
When one reaches the pinnacles of political life, these fools believe they are beyond reach, and that the usual rules of morality don’t apply to them- unless they get caught.

I like the “vomit quotient” view of media news. By that standard, which of the following ramps up the vomit-Q the most: 1. A living self-confessed adulterer 2. A living ‘innocent’ (acquitted) murderer 3. A dead ‘innocent’ (unconvicted) child molesting singer-dancer. Tough choice, huh?

I enjoyed your comments about Sanford.etc. I feel sorry for his wife and his children. What will that do to his children? He certainly wasn’t thinking about them when he was in the arms of the other woman or was he?

Such a hypocrite.

Al:
My dad used to tell me, “John, never do business with any man who cheats on his wife. If he’ll double-cross her, imagine what he’ll do to you.” The axiom had a pretty strong visual impact on my young brain, an image that did not in any way involve my standing upright.
To the best of my knowledge, I have so far never strayed from Dad’s sound advice.
But aside of doing business with the bastards, I have to say I have never knowingly voted for a cheater, either.
Poor Jimmy Carter.
I feel his pain.
John

Makes me wonder what inspired Sarah Palin to leave office so abruptly. Her speech was too rambling to determine if she was fessing-up or giving-up. Lorri

Nice to have your blogs again. Miss you in the LA Times.

Forget the “pok chops, grits and a down home okra pudding.” How about a chilled martini (I remember - Vodka. We sampled some excellent Vodka’s, including some dessert ones at Nic’s Martini Bar), and rib-eye steaks from Harvey Guss’. Now how’s that for sexy> You could have
Cinelli at your side crying over the martinis begging you to stop!

Would love to have you over again for above meal if you have the time and interest.

Your friend,

Beverly Gladstone

Terrific and eloquent commentary as always. Re: the Mayor For some reason I’m under the impression the Villaraigosa was at one time Villa y Raigosa. N’est pas?

Dear “Elmer,”
Thanks for yet another succinct and saucy commentary on the foibles of our elected representatives. As old grumpy Kissinger himself stated, “Power is the greatest aphrodisiac.”

My dear best Journalist in the Western states. You are a funny, bright sweet and imaginative writer. What would we do without you? Boy, has the L.A. Times lost out. Everyone misses you. This blog is one of the funniest I have read. Best to you from Margo.

Keep up your marvelous commentaries. My best wishes to you and your wife. Wit and humor are in short supply and you are appreciated!

Al:

You are one hell of an interesting and entertaining writer in your new earthy ,unmuzzled (and unpaid) world. My own take is that every time I see a political character begging forgiveness for an immoral transgression with a pretty lady, I keep wondering when one of them will blame evolution for the male tendency and gain my sympathy. But then we also had Aimee Semple McPherson disappear for a few days, remember?
A fitting title with an educational twist should be, “The screwing you get for the screwing you got!”
Ray Mireles

Al,

You forgot to mention Aimee Semple McPherson. She disappeared for a couple of weeks and as I recall surfaced with some married honcho.
Power seems to get the hormones flowing more freely.
The subtitle you may borrow for these scenes of remorse is:
“The screwing you get for the screwing you got!”

You don’t want to get me started on this, but you left out John Edwards and John McCain. McCain’s present wife was in an affair with him while he was still married to his first wife, some years ago. I wonder if a woman in politics would be treated so well if she was caught in a similar affair.

A male who thinks women are fair game for their shenanigans can’t think that women’s issues are very important. If he takes time from the job, and his family life, to engage in sleazy encounters; chances are he’s not doing the job he was elected to do as well as he should.

I think the saying:” Power Corrupts” says it all.

‘Twere ever thus … this is SOP for politicians throughout the Western world. Take a look at England, Italy … in France it’s expected … Not that it’s morally right … it doesn’t stop until the male animal reaches the stage of life about which Willie Nelson said: “I’ve outlived my dick!” And even then, with Viagra, much more is possible. And it seems there’s always a lady who’s willing to be the accomplice. I have little idea what happens in Mideastern or Asian countries in this regard. Maybe I don’t want to know. It might offend my delicate sensibilities. Or more likely my sense of ethics.

will someone tell me what there is about Palin that makes people think she is capable of being a heart beat away from being the most important person in the universe ? The Zipper Brigade fellows are not nearly as bad as this mother of the year who allowed her teen age daughter to enter into a doomed marriage while having defied medical advice in pursuing a pregnancy also doomed . What does this say about her decision making skills?

Your writings are always “to the point.” So glad we can read your opinions now on your blog; still miss your columns in the LA Times.

“Meaningless moral apologies” is so accurate. What is wrong with these people? Too much reward for so little?

What’s wrong with us for electing them?

M & P

What is it with all this crying? If he (Sanford) gets caught, can’t he at least take it like the man he pretends to be?

Thanks Al, for an insightful and humorous take on politicians’ hypocrisy. Particularly galling is Villaragosa’s posturing, along with his constant press appearances and traveling, when is he finding time to govern fiscally challenged Los Angeles?

By the way, did you mean South Carolina governor in the 7th paragraph?

This is why I so enjoy the “Apology of the Week” on Harry Shearer’s program.

I don’t know, Al. I doubt there are many women in America who still, if they ever did, see the male Clinton as a sex symbol. If any did line up to see him at a motel it would be with the same enthusiasm as a crowd at a carnival freak show waiting to see World’s Tallest Midget.
As to Carter, who knows, maybe he got his start in construction in the rural south letting the backwoods girls watch him make his banana stand.
Politicians in general? When they take Viagra they just get taller.

Strangely, I found myself feeling empathetic toward Governor Sanford. While I never could understand Carter’s disclosure I /did/ respect him for it. In an odd sort of way.

I read somewhere once that among communities of Chimpanzees an interesting phenomenon occurs with regard to testosterone. Seems over time as the dominant male establishes himself his testosterone rises. For the rest of the males in the group, it drops. Seemed only natural to me that this holds true with men as well and power struggles in politics do seem to have all the subtleties of life in a community of chimps.

Poor Governor Sanford seems so chock full of testosterone he hardly knows whats happening to him. When I shared the Chimp story with my wife, she sarcastically observed that “its a good thing /you/ didn’t get into politics. “So it goes.”

Just wait until Sarah resurfaces and see what they make up about her. It’s sickening.

You rock, Al. Are you really an “essayist”?…………Cripes, I thought you were just one of the boys who really knew how to turn a phrase. Aw, it’s OK if you want to kinda shine it up a little, we still luv ya. We are all a little tired of these born again jerks telling us how to live and them playing hide the weenie when we aint lookin. Nothing these guys do surprises us anymore. Semper Fi.

Hi Al…I really don’t care who the gov poked where - when- or how often. To me the more significant moral failing is that he was willfully AWOL from his sworn responsibilities as govenor.

Hey Al….kudos to you for describing the pitiful moral compass which so many…in and out of office…. guide themselves.

And what about that guy Ensign? Those philanderers are all in this sanctimonious group of “devout Christian” legislators. I have to laugh. And non sequitor, I know, but why do the media keep calling them “mistresses”? That is such an archaic, silly word. The men are called “lovers.” Why not the women?

What’s so unbelievable is the degree to which he confessed. Oh barf! “Soulmate?” Yeah, right.
And his wife? Well, she’s got a lot more dignity than her husband and probably deserves someone who will help raise her sons.

Every time I hear or read about Mark Sanford, I say out loud. ” I would kick his ass out.” Is that ladylike or what?

Our elected representatives need saltpeter in their diets.

Wouldn’t it be fun to sit down in a room with Mark Sanford, John Ensign, and a bunch of reporters, and watch the tapes of their impassioned denunciations of Bill Clinton’s affair and their demands that he resign IMMEDIATELY? And then, when it was over, we could have them explain for the record exactly how their conduct is so different from his that they shouldn’t have to resign.

Just a note to say I love your blogsNothing new, thus stuff has been going on ever since they built the Wh***House.

women issues these days are more on equal rights with men and woman power“,

there are lots of women issues that are mostly related to relationships and family;~: