Sanford's gambit
Why is Mark Sanford treating us all to the inner secrets of his mind and soul?
As far as I'm concerned, the most important reason of all is this: It's a calculated attempt to curry as much empathy among Republicans, the Religious Right and other conservative-minded South Carolinians. And it just might work, despite the well-known scorn with which conservative Republicans view empathy.
I wonder if he ran this strategy by the architect of his political career first--Jenny. Something tells me that's not too likely.
As far as I'm concerned, the most important reason of all is this: It's a calculated attempt to curry as much empathy among Republicans, the Religious Right and other conservative-minded South Carolinians. And it just might work, despite the well-known scorn with which conservative Republicans view empathy.
I wonder if he ran this strategy by the architect of his political career first--Jenny. Something tells me that's not too likely.
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I've lived in South Carolina for twelve years now, and I have seen Sanford in action in various settings.
Before this mess unfolded, he always acted like he was the smartest guy in the room...cool, calculated, thinking ten steps ahead of everyone else. In between jobs at one point, he had a one-page resume!
He *really* thought he would emerge a hero by trying to pay down state debt with stimulus funds, and then, failing that, thinking he could push aside hundreds of millions, on principle alone. He didn't care that he was intentionally hurting the people who needed it the most.
Now he's lovesick, sunk and broke, I suspect. Jenny controls the purse strings. I bet she's been giving him lunch money for years.
Next stop?
Two weeks at sex addiction sleepaway camp! Or maybe he's texting Californication's David Duchovney for marital advice.
July 1, 2009 4:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sweet Molly -- I think you're close. It's summer in South Carolina. What would a conservative Christian in any circumstances do other than book a week at St. Christoper's sleepaway camp for arrested development wingnuts? We'll see.
July 1, 2009 6:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, Seabrook Island would be the best place for the Governor to get away from his dreamy thoughts. Mel Gibson has been known to play golf right next door at Kiawah. The two could pray together, and share a rustic room at Camp St. Christopher's.
July 1, 2009 6:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
You may be right, Daddy-O, that Sanford's outpouring of confessions is calculated, and perhaps further revelations will substantiate that. At the moment, though, they strike me as the helpless floundering of a creature caught in a net and finding himself more and more trapped the harder he struggles.
I doubt that he has only a single motive, or even knows what all his motives are, but I sense an obsessive, even self-destructive need to confess to more transgressions than any of the rest of us want to hear about, almost as a form of self flagellation. Certainly, if it's purely calculated, it's probably a bad tactic. The response of SC Republicans suggest they see him as a liability, and the more he talks, the stronger that perception grows.
July 1, 2009 5:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ah I think he lost it.
He is lost and he is aching and he cannot find his way home.
And when he was sane, I hated the son of a bitch anyway.
I do grieve for his wife and children however.
July 1, 2009 5:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
You guys could be right (and the acknowledgement of that little idea is what separates us from the neocon species).
What I'm thinking is this: I have seen many times that a Republican bares his soul, and the conservative religious right backs him to the hilt.
Unless he's gay, of course.
BTW, anyone else finding it impossible to post HTML links? All of a sudden? Maybe I accidentally clicked on a button I shouldna. Ideas? Or is it working for you guys when you post?
July 1, 2009 6:08 PM | Reply | Permalink