Mark Sanford Wants to Reconcile With Wife

(CBS/AP)  South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford says he still wants to reconcile with first lady Jenny Sanford and doesn't begrudge her for speaking out in a nationally televised interview.

Sanford said Thursday that he knows the affair he publicly revealed in June hurt his wife, who had found out about it in January. The South Carolina first lady spoke to Barbara Walters about it during an interview for an ABC special on the ten most fascinating people of 2009, which aired Wednesday.

"What people didn't know was that I had asked Mark to leave ... Without permission to see his woman in Argentina or to see her anywhere," Sanford told Walters, according to The State newspaper. "And he was to have no contact with the boys or myself for 30 days. And my hope was that he would wake up from whatever he was in the throes of and maybe see what he might lose."

Jenny Sanford said that the governor did not ask her to appear with him during his tearful admission of the affair at a June news conference, and that she would not have done so if he had asked. The State also reported that the first lady is writing a book about the aftermath of the governor's affair.

The Sanfords have said they are trying to reconcile, though Jenny Sanford has more recently described the couple as separated.

"I think the hurdles are significant," she told Walters.

A legislative panel voted 6-1 Wednesday against a resolution to impeach Sanford. Lawmakers voted instead to issue a rebuke tied to the affair and investigations of his travel.

[oldman47701]

Now I'd vote for her ... someone that will not ignore stpudity and stand up for herself...
Jenny >>> good going <<<

[T_Sip]

When I was young I pulled the same stupid stunt as Sanford and lost the love of my life. She never forgave me and moved on. I have regretted it my entire life but it was by my on making and I must live with it.

[democracy1]

Yeah, good luck with that, Sanford!

[stn_sage]

Well...he is not a very good politician or family man and she is not a very good Christian! They're both human beings with their own particular set of problems.

But, I doubt their ability to work out some reconciliation together...it looks like there's so much pain, anger, and recriminations there...that they really need an outside party to mediate a reconciliation if that's what they TRULY want!?

[kansas1946]

Wahhhh...you don't need him Jenny. You are fine on your own. Not only did he cheat on you, he cheated the tax payers of his state, using tax payer money to finance his little trysts. The man has no morals or ethics. What decent woman would want someone like that?

[nirak2-2009]

Having seen his wife Jenny and how strong she is, no way in hell does she take him back. You blew it Sanford!!!!!

[eus109937]

Just another plain, clear as day example that marriage is rarely ever between one man and one woman. Those bigots that vote against marriage equality for gays should really be working on improving heterosexual marriage.

[democracy1]

by robo1415 December 10, 2009 5:59 PM EST
Those totalitarians that constantly want TAXPAYERS to pick up the pieces for the results of the Gay Lifestyle need to learn self-reliance off the public dole.


Please explain how gay people are getting anything from taxpayers?! If anything, they pay the same taxes that you and I do, but do not get the same benefits.

Good grief, can you even SPELL "M-O-R-O-N"?

[environmental_wacko]

People in hell want ice water. Deal with it, Mark.

[FHMullane]

What a CREEP!!!!!!! I hope she does not take him back. The SC legislature gave him their blessing yesterday and he wants his wife back today... what garbage!!

[blindersoff]

He made the situation worse calling the other woman his "soulmate". I hope he's sincere but I doubt he has a sincere bone in his political body.

[Henri_Rochard]

"...I doubt he has a sincere bone in his political body..."

Uh, isn't that a bit of an oxymoron ?? A politician with sincerity? (Unless it's sincere love of money or power.)