let's not forget Democratic characters such as New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey, New York Governor Elliot Spitzer, and President Bill "Horn Dog" Clinton

True, but we don't judge ourselves based on the lowest denominator.

Tar.

Feathers.

Rail.

Some assembly required.

Steve,

Agreed.

Just a little perspective for the expected responses.

-Shawn

I have no time for likes of Sanford. He should resigned as governor and be banished from the GOP. The message needs to be loud and clear that untrustworthiness and dishonesty simply won't be tolerated within the GOP. If Sanford won't resigned then he should switch to being a Democrat.

I know it seems like that would be cutting off your nose to spite your face, but in the long run the GOP will set itself above Democrats if it adopts a code of conduct and vigorously enforces it. The stakes are just too high to tolerate fools who think they can get away with cheating on their spouses or using their office for personal gain.

At least, unlike with Demonrats, it doesn't appear to involve underage boys, animals, rape, or other criminal activities. Of course, in those cases the Dem would get a pass, while Sanford will be run out of town on a rail.

However, let's not forget Democratic characters such as New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey, New York Governor Elliot Spitzer, and President Bill Clinton when demonizing those on the right.

Usually a writer tries to hint at these things since just saying it outright makes you look like an uber hack. You might as well just ignore it like you did for Ensign. (Correct me if I'm wrong, but did anyone write about "Promise Keeper" Ensign here at all?)

If there's no blue dress I refuse to believe
it! Right, Hillary?

jp2,

Anytime you desire, you may start your own blog.

With your insight, it's sure to become an instant hit.

P.S.

Refer back to comment #3.

The man disgusts me. Get rid of him. And this happened in very conservative S.C. ww

Shawn - since you resorted to a non-sequitur, I'll ask you more directly. Why didn't you write anything about Ensign? Or did you, and I missed it?

There's dumb, then there frickin' brain dead!

How this moron thought he could disappear for 4-5 days and not have the truth come out is far beyond imagination.

What? You're not going to mention sleazeball John Edwards in the same breath? C'mon, Shawn. Ye're falling down on your job!

Seriously, though. This is incredibly bad news for the GOP, and a scandal like this resonates a bit more when it's a Republican under the klieg lights than a Democrat. Why? Because the Republican Party spends a lot of time promoting marriage. Every time another Republican leader reveals he couldn't keep it in his pants, that Republican leader slathers another coat of hypocrisy on GOP rhetoric.

I guess he was doing something exotic then. Or, er, someone.

Because the Republican Party spends a lot of time promoting marriage.

Is this supposed to be in contrast to the Democrats, who spend a lot of time attacking marriage?
Even when making boring, meaningless comments, at least try to make sense.

What an ass. Whether or not to take the stimulus money is problematic. Cheating on his family, not so much.

I do love how serious the culture warriors are about the sanctity of marriage. Then again it is probably the fault of some gay couple in New England that the governor cheated on his wife. As we all know, gay marriage destroys straight marriage, so he can just blame it on them.

It's ok though, folks, FOX News already went and transformed Sanford into a Democrat, as they so often do when a Republican gets into trouble.

Expect the usual leftist hacks to use this to broad-brush all Republicans as immoral hacks.

I don't think anyone should judge the guy on anything but his bad judgement - and it stretched into his governing, including denying the stimulus for those who needed it in his state.

His personal life is his own to deal with.

Very timely Gov.

Just when politicians were poised to make a popularity comeback.....

It's actually becoming amusing to hear Democrats eseentially go, "A-ha, you're moral swamp rats just like us!", not realizing of course that at least a majority conversatives attempt to live up some kind of moral and ideological standard--whereas liberals simply can't be bothered by such cumbersome and individual-repressing standards in the first place.

"I know it seems like that would be cutting off your nose to spite your face, but in the long run the GOP will set itself above Democrats if it adopts a code of conduct and vigorously enforces it."

I don't really disagree with that, but it will only work if the Rep Pols/Rep voters also vigorously point out when the Dems fall short. Doing the former without the latter will not be enough.
The Alinsky/Dem tactic of 'beat them to death with their own rulebook' will be too powerful unless the Reps show some gumption and enthusiastically point out the double standards in the MSM. I know many already do, but we need more of it.

We must do both: resolutely demand high standards for our side while LOUDLY mocking the other side for having lower standards.

For the record, regarding Sanford : bye-bye, fool. Just go away.

"Shawn - since you resorted to a non-sequitur, I'll ask you more directly. Why didn't you write anything about Ensign? Or did you, and I missed it?"
- jp2

No, jp2, I did not write about Ensign. I also have not written about Obamacare, or the Metro train crash, or the climate bill, the GM takeover, or a billion other things I may or may not find disturbing.

I did, however, write about this.

So what is your point? (Besides trying to hi-jack another thread by questioning my writing abilities or motives.)

mantis - why didn't you include the linked portion of the "mediasplatters" site?

It reads: "Media outlets - including Fox - misidentify as Democrats several Republicans facing scandal, poor poll numbers."

Of course the story that links to is also "mediaslpatters" AND notes AP has performed the same mistake AND the story is 3 years old.

Geesh, they had to dig back three years to find another example?

The reality is for you to gain any traction to what you appear to be claiming - that Fox did it intentionally - you have to prove it wasn't just a mistake.

Go ahead, show us where it WASN'T some dimbulb intern that was running the graphics for the network.

not realizing of course that at least a majority conversatives attempt to live up some kind of moral and ideological standard

Good one. Tell another.

So what is your point?

Shawn - I'm just looking for reasoning. Obviously you think affairs are important to write about, yet a significantly more important affair with elements of corruption and cover-up isn't taken on. Again, reasoning if you have it. I'm not your editor, so you don't have to answer. But the silence here was odd.

Why comment on a guy that admits to something and immediately removes himself from a leadership post? Both the guv and Ensign did that. Spitzer? Last time a Democrat did that? I'm sure it's happened, but I can't think of any off the top of my head in recent years. Blago and Spitzer both lost fingernails hanging on for dear political life.

JP2 -

Would you PLEASE stop hogging all the outrage? You're not leaving any for anyone else, you greedy bastard.

The Alinsky/Dem tactic of 'beat them to death with their own rulebook' will be too powerful unless the Reps show some gumption and enthusiastically point out the double standards in the MSM. I know many already do, but we need more of it.

That's why I stated in this post that the GOP should adopt a specific code of conduct, rather than some nebulous "family values". The democrats not having a similar code of conduct then becomes a liability for them. They either live with that liability or adopt their own code of conduct, in which case, they lose the advantage of holding republicans to upholding "family values", but are never held to any standard themselves.

Meanwhile, John Edwards was unavailable for comment.

Good one. Tell another.

Democrats don't want to tell people how to live.

Why didn't you write anything about Ensign?

Why didn't you, jp2? I'd love to read it, if you're ever inclined. Sanford's affair, and curious disappearance making headlines, means either he didn't follow someone rules or the group he was involved in left someone less than pleased. Even before campaigning, Obama was frequently late to and out of touch with Senate meetings as if he had better things to do, but no one really knew where he was or why he was late. Would you like to expound on the issue? I'm sure your insight would do a lot for the discussion in the comments section, as you have consistently demonstrated in the past.

not realizing of course that at least a majority conversatives attempt to live up some kind of moral and ideological standard

No they don't. Which is why you keep getting bit in the ass over and over. Either figure out how to live up to the lofty moral code you proclaim, or stop telling others how to live their own lives.

Wow! International booty-call!!!

That must be one Hot 'n Spicy® Latina!

David Letterman's Top Ten List just wrote itself.

There's an easy way for Gov. Sanford to make this all go away.

He should just switch parties to Democrat,

Then he'll be welcomed with open arms. No need to apologize, no need to say I'm sorry, the MSM will magically jump on to other stories.

Because the Republican Party spends a lot of time promoting marriage.
12. Posted by James H | June 24, 2009 3:43 PM

What are some of the ways that Republicans promote marriage? I can't think of any.

Either figure out how to live up to the lofty moral code you proclaim, or stop telling others how to live their own lives.
31. Posted by bob | June 24, 2009 7:20 PM

lofty moral codes? telling others how to live their lives? you want to give some examples of that, because I'm pretty sure there aren't any. You hear this kind of crap but nobody ever explains what they're talking about.

"What are some of the ways that Republicans promote marriage? I can't think of any."
~34

I'm drawing a blank on this as well. Anyone?

Mr.Dickman,
With such harsh judgment on your part as to
Wizbang, which is more mature than you, do
yourself a favor and disassociate yourself.
Otherwise it's going to look like you're
hypocritical in your judgment call.

Let Governor Mark Sanford finish his term. The bar for removing someone from elected office should be very high. Free elections are sacred and should only be overturned in extreme cases, such as breaking the law.

What are some of the ways that Republicans promote marriage? I can't think of any.

Yeah, total blank. All I can recall is them trying really hard to deny it to ~10% of the population.

lofty moral codes? telling others how to live their lives? you want to give some examples of that, because I'm pretty sure there aren't any

Certainly people campaign on family vales - look at Vitter's (R) ads before his last election/whore use. He used his own daughters in his campaign ads while at the same time going to whores and wearing diapers. Vitter also criticized Clinton for his affair.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8y2cI7tyjVg

As far as Ensign (R) - a subject that wasn't covered here at Wizbang - he was a member of the "Promise Keepers."

http://www.promisekeepers.org/about/7promises

He broke several rules after cheating on his wife. We are yet to see how many other rules were broken since the cover-up hasn't fully been investigated.

Larry Craig (R) discussing family vales:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2b1N74bQUE

The first link there shows him criticizing Clinton for an affair. This was before he plead guilty to lewd conduct in a Minneapolis bathroom.

I could really go on for a while with Foley (R), Allen (R), Sanford (R) but the question really was rather silly in the first place, wasn't it?

for maggie:

We are *against* single-sex marriage

We are *not for* practicing opposite-sex marriage

We somehow *promote* marriage

We gladly *accept* PayPal!

jp2,
Why was the question silly, because you
didn't ask it?
There's nothing silly about cheaters.

Mr.Browne.
Your point is, other than the one on the
top of your head?
And your so called allegations merit what?

Just what are "family values" anyway?

Happy for once to see that the wife was not obliged to "share" the podium during the press conference.

Another one bites the dust . . .

jp2-
Do you actually look at the links you provide, or do you have some standard liberal crap you cut and paste?
None of the links discuss anything about "telling others how to live their lives."
Your post (#40) does not address the question asked in any sense whatsoever. It's just a typical lefty diatribe that has nothing to do with anything. Although Larry Craig, for example, does say the words "family values" in the interview, he only does so when he says that Mitt Romney has "family values."
The lefty dorks are overjoyed at Sanford's problems-gleefully bashing as many Republicans as they can think of.
Grow up.

Well, I certainly appreciate the links and the expansion on family values vs. extramarital affairs, jp2, but there are plenty of democrats whose hanky panky didn't quite make the mainstream, yet have gone down in history. In fact, there's quite a list here, many that also promoted family values:

http://www.boycottliberalism.com/Democrat-Extra-Marital-Affairs.htm

So my question is, was Sanford's head put on the chopping block because of the affair or because he belonged to a Christian group that met secretly:

"Sanford and Ensign are part of a secretive Christian fellowship on Capitol Hill, known as "C Street" for its location, that meets on Tuesday nights, according to sources familiar with the group's activities.

Sanford said that he had been consulting with the group for months as he and his wife have tried to work through the affair.

Rep. Mike Doyle , D-Pa., a member of the "C Street" group said Wednesday that he would not discuss it."
http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=5&docID=news-000003152528

You can see that there is also a democrat that belongs to this group. So, is it about the hypocrisy of family values or the group he turned to in order to work through his marital problems?

The neocons are soiling their knickers as another hypocrite is caught cheating on his wife. Was Sanford a member of the Promise Keepers? I thought neocons held the moral standards in America? At least that's what Faux News tells the morons on the right! Let's see what else you losers have left on the shelf? Duh, I think that was the only play left in their playbook. Sorry losers!

Are there no smart trolls from Du, Kos, or Salon?

"hypocrite", "Promise Keepers", "neocons", "Faux news". I sense a theme here...

Yeah, total blank. All I can recall is them trying really hard to deny it to ~10% of the population.
39. Posted by jp2 | June 24, 2009 8:38 PM

It was defeated in California, CALIFORNIA!, by blacks and hispanics. Not exactly following the Republican playbook do you think?

40. Posted by jp2 | June 24, 2009 8:50 PM

You failed the assignment. I asked for examples of Republicans telling others how to live. You gave examples of people with moral, family, or ethical failings.

There are numerous examples of Democrats who have had the same troubles. John Edwards running around using his cancer striken wife to get voter sympathy while sleeping with the videographer taping his campaign is despicable, just as Mark Sanford crying in Argentina with a latin babe while nobody in his state knows his whereabouts is derilection of duty as well as being a scoundrel.

Democrats who run for office all try to pass themselves off as having great character, ethical, good values, etc. Why? News flash!because those are good things. Republicans aren't they only ones attempting to project proper moral behavior. This is universal. So when a person crashes and is exposed for some type of scandal like this, yes they are hypocrits. But that is not an exclusive territory of Republicans as many of you claim.

jp2,

Where are you getting that "10%" of the population is homosexual?

After Googling for it, I found the numbers to be 2.8% of males and 1.4% of females consider themselves homosexual.

I hope He drilled Her good@!

Some guy earlier:

lofty moral codes? telling others how to live their lives? you want to give some examples of that, because I'm pretty sure there aren't any.

Same guy later:

Republicans aren't they only ones attempting to project proper moral behavior. This is universal.

Make up your mind, then get back to me.

====

Shawn - check out the studies linked on Wiki. It's estimated between 2-13%, some studies as high as 20%. I put the "~" there, it means approximately.

Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey, New York Governor Elliot Spitzer, and President Bill Clinton when demonizing those on the right.

Usually a writer tries to hint at these things since just saying it outright makes you look like an uber hack. You might as well just ignore it like you did for Ensign.

Speaking of ignoring...did the Gov happen to run into Bill Clinton down there too. Maybe they were just "playing cards" after all...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/16/AR2009061603088.html?hpid=news-col-blog

Ha ha ...How do you know U hurt Shawns feelings Larry??

What are some of the ways that Republicans promote marriage? I can't think of any.

There was this initiative from the Bush administration.

I should probably be a bit more specific. I'm looking at 1) conservative rhetoric that underscores the sanctity of marriage and 2)rhetoric that encourages individuals to honor their marital obligations. When a conservative leader such as Sanford betrays his marital obligations, he discredits the conservative movement overall.

Is everyone obtuse on Republicans promoting marriage? Isn't part of the GOP's platform to preserve traditional marriage through a constitutional amendment? I would think this would constitute promoting marriage. I think that Republican Senators made a big push in 2004 promoting marriage:

http://ro-e.redorbit.com/news/general/55151/senate_republicans_to_promote_marriage/index.html

jp2-
Attempting to project moral behavior and trying to tell people how to live their lives are two different things. Find out the difference first, then get back to someone who cares, you "e-mail hacking is not a crime" thinker, you.

Hooray for the GOP!

Grand Old Philanderers.

Why do republicans hate their wives so much?

Just exactly what was this woman's JOB that made it so important for her to stay in Argentina, while the Governor had to "sneak" out of the country for a little piece?

Did he really think he wasn't going to get caught?

Grand Old Philanderers.

Speaking of hackers and crooks...and projecting one of his worst traits, to boot.

Did someone say something?

No, many people wrote something, which means many more people are reading something.

Dominican Lou,
All humans have feet of clay, including you.

Each time Sanford mentioned the people he hurt, the "friend" came first, then his wife and family..........idiot.