Forgiveness?

Former South Carolina Congressman-Governor Mark Sanford's back in the political arena.  He's launching his Congressional campaign with an  ad featuring "a God of second chances" with a theme of forgiveness.  He's in a 16-candidate primary race in South Carolina's First Congressional District.   (Another high-name-recognition candidate in that mix is Teddy Turner, son of Jane Fonda's ex, Ted Turner.)  If successful, Sanford is likely to face someone I see as a strong Democratic candidate in the General.  That would be Elizabeth Colbert Busch.  

 

In a Sanford interview, he talks about failing in his personal life, in his marriage, adding this: "One place I didn't fail is with the taxpayers."  Really?  I was just reminded that, as Governor, he spent campaign and state funds on personal travel, including trips to Argentina. South Carolina Democrat Dick Harpootlian just said Sanford used state and/or campaign funds to pay other personal expenses including his cable bill! 

 

I like a good love story, especially when some drama is involved.  And I'm a big fan of forgiveness.  No doubt it's the path to personal peace.   While Sanford is talking about "personal "mistakes when he speaks of forgiveness and fresh starts, I'm thinking this:  The people of South Carolina might forgive his personal life—in itself never our business in the first place.  What voters  (aka "taxpayers") aren't likely to forgive—unless there's mass memory failure—is how erratic, uncompromising, irresponsible, and ineffective he was as Governor.  God knows we don't need another member of Congress who fits that description!