Posted on 04/25/2013 3:14:35 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
If Mark Sanford had been asked in the early months of 2009 where he saw himself four years down the line, he probably would not have answered, “Standing on a sidewalk in front of a folding music stand, pretending to debate a poster with Nancy Pelosi’s likeness on it.”
But that’s exactly what the former South Carolina governor was up to in Charleston on Wednesday: conducting the stunt as part of an effort to turn around his foundering U.S. House campaign.
Sanford’s attempt to draw attention to his Democratic opponent’s reluctance to debate him risked underscoring how his once promising political career had been reduced to a low-budget gimmick.
Unlike Sanford, former New York Congressman Anthony Weiner now finds himself exactly where he thought he would be four years ago: on the verge of launching a campaign for mayor of New York City.
But just like his fellow scandal-scarred politician to the South, Weiner appears to be struggling in his comeback effort. Something else the two men share: Their falls from grace are rooted in sexual indiscretions. And their difficulties prompt a key question -- have they overestimated the limits of redemption in a political system that has long celebrated it?
In Sanford’s infamous “Appalachian Trail” saga of June 2009 and Weiner’s “Twitter hack” misadventure two years later, the married politicians first told whopping lies in attempts to cover their tracks. Then after a short period of waffling, each held dramatic press conferences to own up to his misbehavior once the evidence had become indisputable.
Sanford held on to power for the rest of his term as governor; Weiner resigned. Now each is attempting to become the latest once-disgraced politician to reenter public life.
(Excerpt) Read more at realclearpolitics.com ...
Ole BJ Clinton is regularly touted by the media as the "most popular Democrat" but I wonder how he would do in an actual election. Weenie may be using him as guidance.
Most New Yorkers deserve a weener in Gracie Mansion.
He can “connect” with the average New York voter.
Hell, he might even be an improvement over Czar Bloomberg.
Different standards for democrats mean different outcomes.
Michigan Democrat Caught On Tape Calling Town Official An “Arrogant N*gger”…
>>The 63 year-old Democrat later apologized forthe “slip of the tongue,” but shockingly insisted that her use of the slur doesn’t make her racist, because she has “eaten Thanksgiving dinner with black friends at their house.”<<
...the new, and former, Todd Akin.
(sigh)
.
Horsewhip them both, tar and feather them, and then chain them together at the ankles.
Then make hike the entire Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine, and back, summer and winter, wearing burlap sack clothes. No tents. No sleeping bags.
After that, I’ll talk to them about their political redemption.
I think Sanford would have made it except for the revelation he was sneaking in and out of his ex’s house in violation of his divorce agreement. Creepy.
I supported Bostic in the primary run-off by making a small donation to his campaign. Well, at least I got a very gracious thank you card from him.
I figured that whoever won the primary would be a shoo-in in the general election. It looks as though that is not the case this time. Since the alternative to Mark Sanford (who has been a VERY RELIABLE CONSERVATIVE despite his personal shortcomings) is Nancy Pelosi’s gal who is being backed by large amounts of liberal Democrat money from out of state I guess it’s time for a small donation to the Sanford campaign.
EVERY conservative vote counts in today’s Congress; particularly since a number of very critical votes (Amnesty, etc.) are coming up in the near-term.
http://www.marksanford.com/home/
But it is possible that Weiner could get a leg up on the competition.
I had read that the Republican Party in South Carolina had removed their support from his candidacy?
Doesn’t this man have the decency to withdraw and go do something else for a living?
I’m not defending the guy but he won the primary.
You could have ended the question with the word "decency" and gotten the same answer. But, of course, there are people here lining up to give him a campaign contribution, so why should he work?
I’m not defending the guy but he won the primary.
*******************************************************
I’m certainly not defending his past personal actions either. But I don’t want to see a Pelosi Democrat waltz into that seat.
But we conservatives may, once again, be in the process of killing off any conservative that isn’t 100% to our satisfaction.
“I’m not defending the guy but he won the primary.”
Oh, dear! That is the excuse given as to why we shouldn’t challenge Obama; he won the elections.
I know Sanford won the primary. But how many people knew he was illegally entering his wife’s house?
This is more of the hypocrisy politicians exhibit. Laws and rules are for everyone else - but not for them. They’re special and are exempt./sarc
If he doesn’t withdraw it will cost the Republicans what would have been an almost sure win. We, as a group, believe in the rule of law and Sanford just ain’t our type.
I think it safe to say we shouldn’t be running candidates who believe they are outside the bounds of laws and decency.
It really shouldn’t be that difficult to run candidates who are honest, or is it?
I can’t get past his leaving his post on duty. He needs some punishment for that and losing this election is not enough, but it is a start.
That’s right. They deserve Weiner. They sat by while Napoleon Bloomaparte eroded their freedoms, so WTF....
That doesn't matter' He is still a hemorrhoid on the rectum of life.
Don't commitments mean anything anymore?
I’m putting a clothes pin on my nose and pulling the lever for Sanford, like I had to do for Romney and McCain.
Both of those turds should be chained to wrecked cars, taken to the center of the Atlantic Ocean, and dropped out of an airplane. We need to seek the best people for public office, not the worst.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.