It has become a familiar story in American politics --- another disgraced public official holding a press conference about his personal affairs.
This time it’s South Carolina Republican Governor Mark Sanford admitting to having an extramarital affair after returning from a several day absence that included the Father’s Day weekend.
“The Bottom line is this… I’ve been unfaithful to my wife. …”
However, FOX News thinks this particular media conference is different.
“…I think some people at home are saying he didn’t do the typical politician thing where you’d have the wife stand there, where you’d do the one little sentence and you leave and don’t take any questions. I know every PR people are saying that’s what he should’ve done but I actually think he resonates more with the American people by talking a little bit more.”
Media outlets kept digging after the story but it was The State, South Carolina’s largest newspaper, which made public Sanford’s email correspondence.
CNN questions the appropriateness of the release.
“Anchor: “They’re so personal. I mean, they’re hard to read, why did you guys decide to release them?
Reporter: First, after the governor admitted to the affair yesterday. It didn’t seem like we had anything really top secret anymore. Nothing that would really shock anyone and I think it lets people see a little bit of what the relationship was like between the two of them, the difficulties of it.”
ABC News quickly moved the conversation from personal to political issues. The network asks South Carolina State Senator Tom Davis, a longtime friend of Sanford, whether the governor should resign.
“He shouldn’t resign. And I think that South Carolinians, particular, and Americans in general, have a tremendous capacity for forgiveness. That said, they can also recognize hypocrisy. And I think it's going to be, the tale of the tape, will be the next few days. Whether or not governor Sanford is sincere in his repentance.”
Finally, Politico emphasizes the dire need for the Republican Party to move on, quoting a strategist…
“As a party, we must pass on the mantle of leadership from an unpopular generation of politicians, led by [Dick] Cheney and [Newt] Gingrich. … This episode, more than the Ensign affair, makes that task harder.” (John Weaver, Republican strategist)
Did Sanford’s press conference save his seat or will he be forced out of office?
