Print this story |
E-mail story |
This story has 20 comments Add your own |
iPod friendly | Bookmark this
What is this?
Pawlenty says Sanford affair shouldn’t be seen as political
Published Sunday, June 28, 2009
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty says he doesn’t think the extramarital affair admitted this week by South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, a fellow Republican, should be viewed in political terms.
Pawlenty told reporters Friday night that Sanford’s affair is an example of family issues that aren’t limited to one political party.
“Those kinds of sad challenges are not limited to somebody being a Republican or a Democrat or an independent or a Green Party person,” Pawlenty said. “They sadly happen to all kinds of people, so I don’t see what happened to him in partisan terms, and nor should anyone else.”
Pawlenty also said it should be up to South Carolina residents to decide whether Sanford resigns.
“I think the situation is going to have to settle for a while and that’s going to be a decision for the people of South Carolina and for Gov. Sanford to make,” Pawlenty said. “I don’t think that somebody from the outside should be looking at that, plus I’m not sure all the information and facts about all what happened is even known yet.”
Tim Pawlenty
Mark Sanford
Pawlenty spoke Friday to more than 400 people gathered at the Arkansas Republican Party’s annual governor’s dinner in Little Rock, an event headlined by Sanford last year. Pawlenty announced last month he would not seek re-election next year, clearing the way for a possible 2012 presidential bid.
Pawlenty insisted his visit to Arkansas had nothing to do with potential future plans and offered praise for former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who’s also believed to be considering another run for the White House.
Huckabee, who did not attend Friday’s dinner, welcomed Pawlenty to the state in a video shown at the event.
“I’d certainly welcome him to Minnesota,” Pawlenty said.
During his speech to Republicans, Pawlenty said his party needs to rebuild from losses in the 2006 and 2008 elections by focusing on fiscal conservatism.
“We’ve got to be about growth in this party and that should not be confused with acting like Democrats,” Pawlenty said. “It’s about convincing people who are not yet Republicans to become Republicans.”
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE THIS STORY?
Comments
Posted by BabyGotBack (anonymous) on June 29, 2009 at 12:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Republican, Democrat or other, it doesn't matter. If you commit the crime, you should be doing the time. Men: be careful about cheating on your woman. Look what happened to that Bobbit dude....
For you women out there - you shouldn't cheat on your men either. Also, if any married man puts the moves on you, kick him to the curb. If he'll do it to her, eventually he will do that to you.
Mrs. Sanford - (not that you'll read this) I hope you get yourself a good lawyer and clean house. You go girl!
Posted by BadBoy (anonymous) on June 29, 2009 at 1:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
First we have Senator John Ensign having an affair, now we have Governor Mark Sanford having an affair. Both of these men belong to the Republican Party that believes homosexuals live an immoral lifestyle. How can Governor Pawlenty state that this is not a political issue? Their party is all about being moral superior to everyone else. I can only hope and pray that the next time a Republican is in a hotel room with his mistress that he opens the drawer to the night stand, opens the bible to Exodus 20:14, and reads THOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY.
Posted by chrish (anonymous) on June 29, 2009 at 1:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
People from all walks of life have affairs. That is nothing new. One of the most infamous of recent times is Bill Clinton's.
The problem is the Republican party tends to run on "family values" and "morals". Good, bad, right, wrong, he is going to get criticized more and be called a hypocrite more. It would be like if a Democrat was caught dumping toxic waste into the ocean. They run on being "environmentally correct" and so a Democrat caught polluting would take more slack than a Republican.
I guess the moral to the story is if you have a career in politics, you need to be more careful. Like it or not, you are judged on your character.
Posted by Leona (anonymous) on June 29, 2009 at 2:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
To leave your job for a week and think there would be no consequences for that is ridiculous. He certainly doesn't have an ordinary job! The fact that he left due to an affair just adds to the existing mess. It's not his decision whether or he continues as governor--he works for the people of South Carolina!
Posted by leftys2221 (anonymous) on June 29, 2009 at 3:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I wonder how staged some politician's marriages are. Do they present them just to get votes? This is a shot at all politicians regardless of party.
Posted by leftys2221 (anonymous) on June 29, 2009 at 3:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
“We’ve got to be about growth in this party and that should not be confused with acting like Democrats.” What does he mean by that I wonder?
Posted by Culture_Warrior (anonymous) on June 29, 2009 at 3:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bad Boy, How soon you forgot about Clinton and Lewinsky! Our nation celebrates the unfaithful Democrats and creams the unfaithful who are Republican. This is all driven by a left leaning press that has a slobbering love affair with the D's.
Posted by chrish (anonymous) on June 29, 2009 at 4:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
golddigger - I mentioned Clinton in my post too as really it isn't a Republican or Democrat issue. I don't know that Clinton was celebrated though - at least I didn't celebrate him.
The problem is that the Republican party is known for campaigning on "family values". Like it or not, he is going to take more slack than a Democrat. If Al Gore was caught polluting a river, I can guarantee he would be blasted in the media and labeled a hypocrite - and deservedly so.
Eliot Spitzer got raked over the coals pretty good also for his call girl scandal. I think it depends on which media channel is covering. Fox tends to favor Republicans while CNN favors Democrats. Either way - if you are in the public eye, be careful.
Posted by BabyGotBack (anonymous) on June 29, 2009 at 5 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Heck yeah marriages are staged! Why else would Hillary stay with that two-timing Bill Clinton? Because she knew she was going to run for office. Otherwise why would she want anything else to do with that two timing fool. I would have let Monica have him - no backs.
If my man embarassed me like that I would clean him out and kick his sorry behind to the curb! I would not allow any man to make a fool of me on national TV. Hasta La Vista Baby! Don't let the door hit you on the way out!
Posted by BadBoy (anonymous) on June 29, 2009 at 5:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have not forgotten about Clinton did nor do I condone it. Like chrish stated, their party is all about family and Christian values. If Pawlenty and company do not think it is a political issue, then drop the act from the party.
Posted by BadBoy (anonymous) on June 29, 2009 at 5:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
BabyGotBack, you are my kind of woman. Too bad I am a married Democrat.
Posted by BabyGotBack (anonymous) on June 29, 2009 at 6:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why thank you BadBoy! I hear that from lot's of men. ;)
Posted by controlledhyperness (anonymous) on June 29, 2009 at 7:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Double standards is what is going on! BUT as it has been pointed out already, a large part of that is due to the stands teh two parties have. For instance, the Dems look to eco type things, while Repubs focus more on family values. Thus, Bill Clinton's affair(s) were glossed over, but Ensign's and this guy's are brought to the lime light. In my mind, as well as others as it appears, it should not matter. If there is an affair, and you get caught, you should be treated the same no matter your party affiliation! Just my thoughts.
Posted by BabyGotBack (anonymous) on June 29, 2009 at 8:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If your mate is down with OPP, you need to send him or her packing, plain and simple. I hope Mrs. Sanford has some self respect and gives this fool the boot.
Posted by OldTrojan (anonymous) on June 29, 2009 at 9:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What party does that one US Senator from Idaho belong to? You know, the guy who was looking for gay sex by tapping his foot in the stall of a rest room at the airport in the Twin Cities? Didn't he plead guilty to the crime? He supported gay rights didn't he?
Posted by mankind (anonymous) on June 30, 2009 at 7:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
OldTrojan that was Sen. Larry Craig and he was a Republican that was against gay rights.
Posted by leftys2221 (anonymous) on June 30, 2009 at 8:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The GOP politically uses marriage and values when they are not having affairs but when they do it should not be a political issue?
I seriously think that members of both parties pay the "wives" or something to present the family set up.
Posted by BabyGotBack (anonymous) on June 30, 2009 at 8:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
They darn well should. I would expect lots of compensation for dealing with these fools!
You're gonna cheat on me, you're gonna pay! Show me the money!!!
Posted by BabyGotBack (anonymous) on June 30, 2009 at 8:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
And one more thing. To all you ladies out there that are getting busy with a married man, let me give you three things to think about.
1) You are hurting the sisterhood. Women need to stick together, not tear each other down. When you take up with someone else’s man, you are basically turning your back on your sisters.
2) Contrary to what the fool may be telling you, his wife is usually not fat, ugly or a monster.
3) And finally, this is the most important piece of all. Yes, he is still “getting busy” with her no matter what he says. So not only is he kickin’ it with you, he’s kickin’ it with her at the same time.
Remember, if he’ll lie to a woman he made a vow to, he’ll do it to you too at some point. He is no prize. Oh, wait. I take that back. He is a prize. The Booby Prize.
Posted by BabyGotBack (anonymous) on June 30, 2009 at 1:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sanford is admitting even more encounters with his woman in Argentina:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090630/ap_o...
I hope Mrs. S. has enough self respect to file for divorce. If he had done that to me, the only thing I would be giving him in the divorce is a one way ticket to Argentina. That would be the best investment Mrs. S. could make.
Post a comment (Terms of Use Policy)
The Tribune encourages healthy, respectful dialogue in the spirit of community enlightenment. It's OK to disagree, but be courteous and civil. Name-calling, vulgarity and claims of criminality are subject to removal.
(Requires free registration.)