I’m sad to say that when I read an article or catch a newsflash about a politician cheating on his wife, I’m not all that surprised. Yesterday, when South Carolina governor Mark Sanford admitted that he spent the weekend in Argentina with another woman, calls for his resignation sprang up immediately. Whether or not Sanford survives this scandal is yet to be seen, but when it comes to politicians, how they behave behind closed doors is directly related to their fitness for the job.
When things like this happen, disappointment and disillusionment reign. It’s difficult to read reports of deception and see the wife standing by her husband’s side (although in this case, the Sanfords have been separated for two weeks). I’m all for practicing grace and issuing forgiveness, but when it comes to politics, integrity is a major issue. If the governor (or president or senator or mayor) cannot be faithful to her spouse, then her word loses value and becomes almost meaningless, which even Governor Sanford recognizes.
