"Angry" S.C. 1st Lady: I May Forgive Him

Jenny Sanford Says It's Up to Her Unfaithful Husband to Save Their 20-year Marriage

(AP)  South Carolina's first lady says Gov. Mark Sanford's actions are "inexcusable" but she is willing to forgive him.

Jenny Sanford on Thursday made her first public statement since her husband revealed in Associated Press interviews that he believes his Argentine mistress is his soul mate but he is trying to fall back in love with his wife.

In her statement, Jenny Sanford says it is up to her husband to save their 20-year marriage. She says she is still angry with him and he will deal with the consequences of his actions for a long while.

The first lady says Mark Sanford must regain the trust of his family and the people of South Carolina, but she makes no guarantee he will be able to do it.

The governor plans to leave Friday morning to spend the holiday weekend with his wife and four sons in Florida.

Jenny Sanford issued the following statement Thursday:

"The last week has been very painful for me, my family and for the people of South Carolina. However, throughout this terrible ordeal, the incredible outpouring of kindness, support, and prayer I've received from countless friends and folks I have never even met has been truly uplifting. I appreciate that more than I can say. Please know that my sons and I are doing fine, given the circumstances. We are surrounded by friends and family, and we will make it through this. I believe it is how we respond to the challenges we face in life, and what we learn from them, that is most telling about who we truly are.

There is no question that Mark's behavior is inexcusable. Actions have consequences and he will be dealing with those consequences for a long while. Trust has been broken and will need to be rebuilt. Mark will need to earn back that trust, first and foremost with his family, and also with the people of South Carolina.

The real issue now is one of forgiveness. I am willing to forgive Mark for his actions. We have been deeply disappointed in and even angry at Mark. The Bible says, "In your anger do not sin." (Psalm 4:4) In this situation, this speaks to the essence of forgiveness and the critical need to channel one's energy into positive steps that uphold the dignity of marriage and the family, and lead to reconciliation over time. My forgiveness is essential for us both to move on with our lives, with peace, in whatever direction that may take us.

Desmond Tutu said "forgiveness is the grace by which you enable the other person to get up, and get up with dignity, to begin anew." Forgiveness opens the door for Mark to begin to work privately, humbly and respectfully toward reconciliation with me. However, to achieve true reconciliation will take time, involve repentance, and will not be easy.

Mark showed a lack of judgment in his recent actions as governor. However, his far more egregious offenses were committed against God, the institutions of marriage and family, our boys and me. Mark has stated that his intent and determination is to save our marriage, and to make amends to the people of South Carolina. I hope he can make good on those intentions, and for the sake of our boys I leave the door open to it. In that spirit of forgiveness, it is up to the people and elected officials of South Carolina to decide whether they will give Mark another chance as well."

[whitemale08]

South Carolina was one of the only states that didn't sign for the stimulas money which would've forced them to go with carbon-swaps-taxes.

[myopinionpal]

I'm wondering if that trail Sanford was supposed to have been on ran all the way up to Alsaka both Gov.Palin and Sanford didn't want any the stimulus money but maybe each other.If Gov. Sanford keeps on spilling the beans it may come out. is this the reason Palin is quiting ?

[John_Merritt]

Really? Your mind works overtime, give it a rest; because a mind is a terrible thing to waste.

[cbsantispin]

Jenny Sanford is a loyal and devoted wife who gave her husband 4 beautiful sons and also sacrificed to advance and promote her man. A lot of men would kill for a wife like that, Jenny Sanford is obviously the power and engine behind that marriage, but then most good wives are. Gov. Mark Sanford should wake up and smell the coffee and realize that Jenny Sanford who gave birth to his 4 beautiful sons is his real soul mate, not his piece of a s s on the side. Many men whose women were close to Gov. Mark Sanford will probably be questioning their women trying to find out if Gov. Sanford crossed the line with them. How can any man feel comfortable leaving their women alone with Mark Sanford after all this drama?

[nirak2-2009]

People make mistakes but I am afraid Mark Sandford overstepped.
Jenny, you can do better than that. Don't be a FOOL

[ryan_heart]

Mr. I am not a crook = Mrs. I am a GOP moral role model wife

They are highly calculating vile political animals. Its funny and scary at the same time - to watch people believe what these people say at face value. I propose the marriage was "semi-open" and damage control talking points speeches and real-time contingencies were well coordinated every day. They are good Lying Political geniuses! I feel it.

[hamiltongrad]

If a woman does not meet her man's needs, what is he to do ?

This man has found his soul mate, doesn't he deserve to be happy too ?

We just hope that the ex is not vindictive and does not have an anger issue over this.

[Slrman]

If he truly feel this woman is his "soul mate" he'll bite the bullet, divorce his witch and go for the happiness of his soul. In the end, he'll be happier, healthier, and live a better life. He has no political career now anyway, so go for the gusto.

[ClaudiaW2010]

He was missing for five days when he had work to do. He is now self-absorbed in philosophy about what a man's worth is, what turns him on, etc...His wife bores me with her convenient (financially rewarding) victimization. He did not accomplish his job as governor, he is not only distracted from his gubernatorial duties, he is gladly escaping them. These two people bore me and they are irrelevant and useless in the governence of ANY state. Oh, yeah,, and monogamy is baloney. You knew that before you married.

[jincstress]

She was using the Hillary playbook. She knew all along what he was up to-probably even arranged it sometimes. These women understand that with powerbrokers come an extra dose of testosterone and they learn to embrace it. Comes with the territory. She sees their marriage as a political partnership. I think at this point he just wants out.

[toldyouso29]

South Carolina's first lady says Gov. Mark Sanford's actions are "inexcusable" but she is willing to forgive him.

Jenny Sanford on Thursday made her first public statement since her husband revealed in Associated Press interviews that he believes his Argentine mistress is his soul mate but he is trying to fall back in love with his wife."

And she SHOULD forgive him..but should she stay with him? Up until he made the comments about destiny and standing before God and his choices and his soul mate--I would have said the marriage can be saved--but Jenny Sanford is deluding herself if she thinks taking him back and a few I'm sorries and counseling will save this marriage. Because IF Sanford truly believes Maria is his soul mate, then his wife is not only second best--she is truly the third wheel and his marriage is the ball and chain. Rest assured that he will sneak and see Maria and the affair will continue--because as Sanford said, at the end of the day, regardless of career or marriage or vows or political aspirations or even God--he cannot and does not feel he can pass up the chance to be with and have his "soul mate" and when he looks at Jenny--surely all he will see is a being who just does not get it and who is keeping him from his true love..... so sad....wake up Jenny.

[Sloughfoot]

It must be the money and the fame for she can not be this big of a fool.

[toldyouso29]

She is the one with the money. She financed him through school, finaced each Congressional run and bankrolled him for the governorship. Jenny is from the Skil family--you know the ones that make power tools, she had the money and she basically bought him and helped him financially, if he leaves her, he will get nothing, wonder if Maria will be so romantically in love with him if he is just a nobody with no job and no money.

[hamiltongrad]

Obvioulsy, he deserves 1/2 of the total family property, including the business, even it has to be sold so he can have what is rightfully his. If she in vindictive or tries to "hide" company assets, there should be hefty penalties against her, and possible jail. IT is time that women stepped up to the plate to meet their responsibilities.

[formrusmcsgt]

If Evangelicals "wised up" as you recommend, they wouldn't be Evangelicals any more.

[pensacola8-2009]

It is incredible that Jenny Sanford is considering forgiving and remaining faithful to her marriage. Ultimately, the person with the most baggage to carry is the Governor, himself. The people of South Carolina will have to decide to do with their elected hypocrite governor.

The people of South Carolina deserve to have a better governor who serves the needs of their state without scandalous distractions.

Evangelicals need to wise up and realize their political endorsement over superficial criteria can easily blow up in their faces.

[pjk12354]

Jenny,

Take it from a divorced guy who has been through this crap.........you will never be able to fully trust him again.......

[formrusmcsgt]

Agreed. Once they cheat they show their colors. Only a fool and/or one with no dignity whatsoever would ever do so.

She appears to be both.

[formrusmcsgt]

Too bad the headline can't speak the truth as in "Common S.C 1st Lady.....".

Any woman who takes a man back after infidelity is about as common as they come.

Same for a man taking back a wife who's cheated.

[midwestkris]

While either forgiveness or reconciliation is hard, and may not happen, I have a lot of respect for those who at least try. "For better or for worse" is not a trivial promise, and while it may not always be possible to live up to that promise, I have a great deal of respect for those who make the effort. Marriage is never easy, and it takes hard work. Mr. Sanford may not be willing to try, and Ms. Sanford may find she is unable to stay in the relationship even if she is able to forgive.

[formrusmcsgt]

Sanford wanted his cake and eat it too and was too much the coward to leave one relationship before starting another.

Jenny obviously doesn't mind having a publically-proven coward as a husband.

Must be the perks..... and she has no more dignity than he.

[pvperson3]

Sanford is a slime, but if his wife wants to keep him, well that's her misstate and business. But, his refusal to accept the money was self publicizing and grandstanding to the GOP base, plain and simple, then his disappearance to visit his mistress was the icing on the cake. THIS MORON NEEDS TO GO!

[creeper00]

I sure as h*ll wouldn't forgive him. Bad enough he's a philandering SOB. Worse to have him blathering all over about what a "love affair" it was. I guess you'll put up with a lot to be a First Lady.

[cs4466]

She just doesn't want to lose her free ride. LOL! She deserves him. And he deserves her. Talk about your nasty disfunctional neocon relationship! Doesn't look like "love" was ever a factor here.

[jawswife]

You can forgive, but never forget !!!!!! He commented that he is trying to fall back in love with his wife... If I were her I'd tell him to move on. No woman needs that kind of crap. Once a cheater, always a cheater. Just ask Elizabeth Edwards... Forgive him, tell him to catch the first plane back to Argentina, pick up the piece's and move on. This makes you the bigger person, and him the piece of crap he truely is.............

[formrusmcsgt]

She won't because she has no more dignity than he.