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EDITOR OF REDSTATE

The Real Lessons of Mark Sanford’s “Hike”

By: Erick Erickson (Diary)  |  June 24th, 2009 at 06:01 PM  | 

RESIZE: AAA

Well, what I wrote yesterday was wrong. Sanford’s lies spread through his office and out to the rest of us.

The left is linking to yesterday’s post to laugh at it. What they are missing is that most of us tend to give people the benefit of the doubt — even people like John Edwards.

We live in a fallen world and we ourselves are fallen. I am disappointed in Sanford, but not angry. The default for politicians seems to be unchaste. All we can do is work for ideas and try to find men of good character to fight for those ideas.

I think one thing I have noticed in the past five years is that Democrats and Republicans tend to elevate politicians to such a level that there is no accountability. It is insular. There is no support group, no small group of friends, and no authority that can guide, admonish, and correct politicians privately.

We have each other. I’m off in a bit to hang out with friends from my Bible Study. Sanford probably has none of that. I’m sure John Edwards did not. Nor Bill Clinton. Nor John Ensign.

What Mark Sanford did was wrong. He needs to go in a dark hole somewhere where no one can see him or hear him and rehabilitate himself. On the bright side, I doubt his indiscretions will affect the FisCon movement. The left is going to spend the next week making Sanford into the second coming of James Dobson to smear real marriage advocates and social conservatives — positions Sanford was rarely vocal on.

Blessed is the Lord God Jehovah who brings forth bread from heaven, water from rocks, and men like Mark Sanford from the dust of the earth. His will be done.

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COMMENTS

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  • DONTREADONME

    the things that the Democrats will vote on in the House and Senate will not receive one bit of coverage. My guess these two things will pass, once again thanks to the Republican (individuals) for shifting in reverse when we had the forward momentum.

  • leftylurker

    “We live in a fallen world and we ourselves are fallen. I am disappointed in Sanford, but not angry. The default for politicians seems to be unchaste. All we can do is work for ideas and try to find men of good character to fight for those ideas.”

    We may disagree on the way this process will go on, but I think it’s a beautiful sentiment.

  • izoneguy

    when it becomes difficult to put food on the table.

    Nobody will care about Sanford when you can’t pay your electric bill because of cap & trade.

    No the real tragedy is not that the loudest voice of fiscal restraint will be silenced.

    The real tragedy is that the MSM focuses on the tabloid sensations that really won’t change other people’s lives.

    What Obama & the democratic congress are doing right now is putting controls on your very lives that will have a real a meaningful impact for years to come.

    Would Mark Sanford had made in difference in 2012?

    Yes.

    So the fact that he won’t help in 2012 is a rally cry to get on with it and stop the Obama bus.

  • tororojo66

    Again, another politician who apologizes only AFTER he’s been caught.

    Regardless of R or D, it’s the same story.

  • pilgrim

    I called gamecock immediately after I heard that Sanford had actually been in Argentina, and he updated his diary to comport with this new information. This ability of my conservative friends to admit when they have been mistaken about an issue makes me very proud. It is especially one significant difference between us and the opposition. I am still waiting for an Obama supporter to admit to being wrong, but I am not holding my breath until they do.

  • mbecker908

    is ignoring the meltdown in Iran while DC fiddles and the meltdown in California as the “Golden State” becomes the “Paper State” by getting ready to issue IOUs instead of checks. Thanks Gov.

    The real question in CA is whether or not the banks will honor the IOUs as “cash” as they did previously. If the banks won’t pretend the IOUs are cash the state will sink in about ten minutes.

    With respect to Sanford, I hope he resigns and is buried. I sincerely hope he is abused enough, forever, that politicians will have their zippers welded shut. In the world of people for whom I have an ounce of empathy, Sanford isn’t on the list. And frankly, I don’t give a damn about his family either. He didn’t, I can’t find a reason to.

  • toughintn

    Thanks for this, Erick.

    It’s a very fine line we conservatives have to walk. We should not immediately assume the worst — or allow our opponents to overstate the insignificant, and yet we need to be on alert to police our own.

  • reaganiterepublicanresistance

    The DNC has been tracking his every move since he embarassed Chairman O with his rejection of porkulus funds.

    Anybody with a dozen brain cells could tell you he would get caught. Oh well- he was never going to beat Palin, Gingrich or Romney anyway.

    Thanks, stoopid- and good job, I hope it was worth it? I pray for your family.

    http://reaganiterepublicanresistance.blogspot.com/

  • izoneguy

    and flee to Argentina…that is if his love for Maria is real??
    She is probably on her way back to Venezuela.

  • tororojo66

    [You don't get another comment as a result]

  • revphat

    who brings forth bread from heaven, water from rocks, and men like Mark Sanford from the dust of the earth. His will be done.
    —————————

    Yeah, and blessed is the Lord God Jehovah who brings forth women that have to deal with the likes of Mark Sanford.

  • eburke

    Guy apologizes. does a mea culpa…and, like most of the folks on your side, your classy enough to get in his face and kick sand in his eyes.

    Way to accept an apology with class (course, since you guys never apologize for your faux pas, maybe you don’t recognize one when you see one.)

  • eburke

    to ‘man up’ when you are wrong.

    *That* is what makes the measure of a man (a concept to which our leftist friends are oblivious)

  • Leopard1996

    You have no right to judge anybody on this site or anywhere else. Talk about honest reportage where was it for any of the garbage that was shown for Bill Clinton, John Edwards (in real time not after he could split the white moderate dem vote with hillary), Obama with his numerous questionable connections.

    Until you can account for those, you have zero right to question Ericks reporting ability or blogging.

  • DONTREADONME

    somehow a fall from grace of another especially one that does not play on his team is satisfying to him. He has no idea why he finds satisfaction, but this is his validation in life. He has pieced together logic that imagines that we play for a team and that when one of our team fumbles the ball and is recovered by his team, it is time for great joyous celebration. Of course, his brain has not allowed him to see how angry his is with his life or how much he wants others to be devoid of purpose as he is. Not much to say ot him other than get some help before you die prematurely of anger and rage when your team loses.

  • TNJim

    I echo what eburke says above. It’s good to know RedState is in the hands of one such as you. To admit a mistake is tough sometimes, especially when you are so certain of your original stand. Kudos also to Gamscock for the same reason.

    You guys rock!

  • rmullins

    don’t post. With what Erick knew at the time, I posted that. Were psyhic, so we have tohave all the information make a proper judgement. Last I remembered, Erick was not a reporter(I could be wrong). He’s not required to go hunting down the true story or whatnot.

    We are allowed to make mistakes on things from time to time.

  • George Claghorn
  • http://groups.yahoo.com/group/republican587/ Elizabeth Christian

    Sad and disappointed.

    I believe we are all sinners and I try not to judge anyone especially on things like this because it is personal and between him, his family, and God. I do wish he would have not left the state unattended which is the most serious part of this story as far as the public should be concerned in my opinion.

    I am glad that he #1 admitted he was wrong #2 asked for forgiveness. As a Christian I forgive him and will pray for his family and also the Governor. He was still wrong but at least he did not handle it like Clinton “I did not have sex with that woman”. Although I am disappointed I still have respect for him in how he handled this in his confession.

    Better to come out now vs. later.

  • TNJim

    Man, I’m gonna catch it for that if he sees it!

  • DONTREADONME

    I am not one to whine but for the Love of God, if I had a gun this would be shooting fish in barrel.

  • farstar99

    See: To majority media and other democrats we police our own and you dont get to judge

    As long as Republicans continue to accept Democrat “policing,” they will lose.

    The Democrat message is that if you have standards, you’re a sucker.

    If you try to live up to those standards and fail, they’ll use them against you.

    So stop being idiots, and caring about it.
    Tell them to go to Hades.
    Tell them too shut up.

  • Flagstaff

    On the bright side, I doubt his indiscretions will affect the FisCon movement. The left is going to spend the next week making Sanford into the second coming of James Dobson to smear real marriage advocates and social conservatives ? positions Sanford was rarely vocal on.

    It’s already time for us to wind this thing down. Let the press and others blow on about it. Sanford is/was just a Governor and a hopeful, he wasn’t a Presidential candidate or President. He will be gone from the scene, and there’s no need for us to keep his memory alive.

  • farstar99

    What’s really amazing is the way Republicans line up to let Democrats, who have no morals or decency, judge them.

  • DONTREADONME

    then democrats. I for one have had enough of slimeballs in our midst. You want to be my leader you better have some honor for God’s sake. Yeah, we will take care of this guy don’t you worry, that is what we are doing today.

    All I can say, who’s left, not many in elected office, and they wonder why nobody has any trust in politicians. What you are saying at least the democrats told you they were unethical. Fantastic.

  • revphat

    Now that’s what I call a measured response.

  • DONTREADONME

    why don’t you look up the phrase “turkey shoot” then come back and say I am sorry for being ignorant cliches. Thank you, have a nice day.

  • Swamp_Yankee

    He’s going to shoot you with a new top-secret laser gun that goes right through the computer screen and traces the ISP and goes out the other side.

    It’s new. Only Redstaters have it.

  • toughintn

    http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/statementfromJSanford6242009.pdf

    A very mature, redemptive answer. So is she interested in taking over?!

    (BTW, that’s a joke. I’m not into “the wronged spouse deserves a chance” political entitlement program.)

  • DONTREADONME
  • TNJim

    Blam Stick here at RedState, which, umm, it appears you have now felt. Hope it didn’t sting too much.

  • DONTREADONME

    that one put me back in the good mood. Thanks.

  • DONTREADONME

    to a very good mood. We have things to do beyond discussing the Governor of which we do not speak.

  • IJB
  • waverider

    It’s a human thing, sadly, but it’s a well known fact that politicians are more likely to be egotists, and egotists need constant attention and validation. They believe they can live by their own rules. It’s the same for the socialist Firedoglake which is mocking you now. If there were ever a preening egotist on the blogs it’s that fake blond who gets special access in lefty politics by providing her own brand of. . . special access.

  • eburke
  • JadedByPolitics

    are the reason I became JadedByPolitics, it is never enough to feel you want to truly SERVE the people, that your heart is good and movement is just. They all fall into the trap of SERVING themselves and for that I am disgusted. He no more deserves to be forgiven nor allowed to be out of the spotlight. When these men use their positions of power to get some they should have the LIGHT shown on their failures!

  • antisocial

    Conservatives think any morally corrupt people are not worthy of high office. No matter what party they belong to. At least we are honest about that. I see that nobody is making excuses for him. That is heartening.

    I am angry and outraged. But I am not sad. I don’t regret. I am telling myself we are better off knowing now than 1 year later.

  • almom

    Something doesn’t smell right here. I’m not putting him under the bus yet and you shouldn’t either. My instincts are excellent and I can say that I am usually NEVER wrong.

    Remember 2 words…. Radar Screen.

  • spinn

    …it’s about accepting uncritically the statement of a government office and reporting it as “mystery solved!”

    The irony is that conservatives are typically on the side of smaller government and generally not believing it can do things correctly. Yet when it issues a statement in support of a guy you like, you take it as truth without skepticism. And present it as being morally superior for doing so.

  • http://www.examiner.com/x-1597-Charlotte-Law--Politics-Examiner Mike gamecock DeVine
  • Jonah Shumate

    I appreciate your post very much and I hope that all RedStaters are willing to pray for that family right now. Governor or not, he is a man, and is imperfect as we all are. He will be better from this, whether or not he is in public service or not.

    Good post!

  • 1stRichard

    It seems pretty much given how the left is going to play this out?.

    Rule 4: Make opponents live up to their own book of rules. ?You can kill them with this, for they can no more obey their own rules than the Christian church can live up to Christianity.?

    Rule 5: Ridicule is man?s most potent weapon. It?s hard to counterattack ridicule, and it infuriates the opposition, which then reacts to your advantage.

    Is everyone going to fall prey to this again, playing the same game?

  • cmack

    1. I’m tired of hearing about the sex lives of our elected officials. So he chooses not to honor his marital vows, must he fail so loudly, conspicuously, and sloppily?

    2. This is not a national news story. This is a legitimate story for South Carolinians, not the rest of us. I live in Texas, he has no obligations towards me. Only if he had the audacity to run for national office would I feel that I needed this piece of information.

    Otherwise, I seriously don’t care. This was only a story to begin with because it was lies to begin with. He’s only coming clean because his lies failed to convince. I don’t demand that elected officials be faithful. That’s their business, not mine. And I DON’T want to hear about their measure of success or failure in this area.

    So if nothing else, look up the word “discretion.” It’s not flying to Argentina!

  • Kamiakin

    From the WSJ today:

    “South Carolina Rep. Bob Inglis made a name for himself in the late 1990s as one of Bill Clinton?s most zealous pursuers, an impeachment ?manager? who attacked the moral failings of the president with a gusto that earned him a devoted following in the staunchly conservative ?Upstate? of conservative South Carolina.

    But with his governor now felled by similar temptations, Inglis sees an opening for the Republican Party, a chance to ?lose the stinking rot of self-righteousness? and ?to understand we are all in need of some grace.?

    This is not ?Bob Inglis 1.0,? the one that was a ?self-righteous? expletive, he said in an interview with Washington Wire today. It is a Bob Inglis that is, if anything, more Christian, more attuned to the Gospels, he said.”

    http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2009/06/24/inglis-to-gop-lose-stinking-rot-of-self-righteousness/

  • rmullins

    What happens with the governer of South Carolina, should stay with the people of South Carolina. He doesn’t own me anything, no more than Mayor Bill White in Houston(I live in Spring not Houston).

    Their making state issues national since it happens to not fit what they want. This is one reason I trying to stay away from such threads because in the end it moves you away from what we should targetting.

  • rmullins

    What happens with the governer of South Carolina, should stay with the people of South Carolina. He doesn’t own me anything, no more than Mayor Bill White in Houston(I live in Spring not Houston).

    Their making state issues national since it happens to not fit what they want. This is one reason I trying to stay away from such threads because in the end it moves you away from what we should targetting.

  • grodge

    You are either extremely naive, or a troubled individual. Either way, your critical thought processes have gone kerplunk.

  • Caleb

    comment fail.

  • TNJim
  • Carol Tarasewicz

    I am sorry, I usually love RedSteate emails but have been hurt, was rear endedd June 16 and have been a fragile, weak woman foir ten years now. I haven’t read daily emails but today I noticed that Monday’s had Red Mass Group. Thank you! I live in MA and had no idea we had red group.

    I have been watching Fox news tonight, Stanford committed the dumbest thing he could do,worse than cheating on his wife, he emailed the woman. My boss told me at least six years ago do not ever email anything you do not want anyone else to read. He has to go. I think we will have Mitt Romney in 2012, hopefully w/Palin.

    Greta is a lefty and has all those emails, which I have no interest in reading.

  • beafrank

    Sanford’s lies and indiscretions are unfortunate and sad but do not affect me nor anyone else outside of his family and circle of friends. Even the dear citizens of South Carolina cannot really claim damage. The lies and falsehoods issued daily from DC is damaging the entire nation threatening to place us in greater economic and physical peril. Sanford did his best to refuse the stimulus to his state. The citizens should be thankful for his tenacious stand. Too bad he was not as strong protecting his marriage.

  • http://whereswalden.com/ Jeff Walden

    between incompetence and lying. We often expect the former, but we believe the latter is rare enough that we should believe what people say when they say it, absent past history demonstrating that trust might be misplaced.

  • cmack

    I believed he went hiking because there was no reason at the time to think otherwise. People tend to see in others things they see in themselves. People who lie tend to think others are lying. People who cheat tend to think others are cheating. People who are trustworthy will generally assume others are the same, there is no shame in that.

    Part of the Appalachian Trail runs along the border of Tennessee and North Carolina in the Smoky Mountains. It’s very beautiful and a nice place to go if you want to get away from civilization, as there are literally only a couple roads that run through the entire area. I’ve hiked part of it myself. If somebody told me they were going there, I’d admire their good taste. End of story.

  • http://moelane.com/ Moe Lane

    …because the Supreme Court just made certain that you’ll never have your Special Time over Plamegate.

    Yup, *real* old one here.

    http://archive.redstate.com/story/2005/7/23/201510/015

  • bumpyride

    One measure of a man is the ability to admit when they’re wrong. Without caveats or excuses.

    Erick couches his “manning up” by saying he was just giving the benefit of the doubt; he suggests that his aims were pure. That’s not really what he did though. Showing support and withholding judgment is giving the benefit of the doubt; providing cover by printing unconfirmed opinions as “facts” is not. “At all times,” Erick wrote, “there was no doubt that Sanford’s staff and family knew where he was.” He had no way of knowing that, and none of their contradictory quotes in the media backed that up. Essentially, Erick lied for someone and got stabbed in the back. The final result was unfortunate, but his readers deserve better from the outset.

    Erick also noted at the time that he was off to Bible study, and that “Sanford probably has none of that.” I think that need to diminish other Christians is plain unattractive. Sanford did frequent Bible study, yet he made mistakes. We forgive others their sins, even when they’ve betrayed us. We don’t try to make ourselves seem better than them by itemizing our Christian bonafides.

    I do respect that Erick has kept his previous posts up. Many bloggers and reporters would delete them without comment.