Mark Sandford; Redemption/Re-election

MARK SANDFORD is running for election and seeking redemption.

"The disgraced ex-South Carolina governor is back on the trail seeking forgiveness for the sins that caused his political career to collapse in spectacular fashion four years ago: The mysterious days-long disappearance, the lies about hiking the Appalachian Trail and the extramarital affair with an Argentine woman that splintered the Republican’s picture-perfect family and shattered his presidential aspirations.

“I’m not in any way unaware of how I’ve let you down. I’m not in any way unaware of my well-chronicled failings as a human being,” Sanford told a Hilton Head Island Republican group last week, in the first public speech of his campaign. “But I am equally aware that God forgives people who are imperfect.”"

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2013/02/the-mark-sanford-confessional-campaign-87411.html#ixzz2KY7ybAHB

At times like this, one wishes for god like knowledge to judge the heart and motives of Mark Sandford.

I certainly believe in forgiveness; I'm in constant need of it.  But it's also easy to be a little cynical about a politician who failed miserably, lost his source of status and income and now asks for forgiveness and re-instatement.  His abandoned wife, Jenny Sandford, has not spoken yet, maybe never will.  

Sandford puts forth an interesting doctrinal statement that is true but incomplete.

"....God forgives people who are imperfect."

A)  I believe that statement is true --

B)  But there are often long lasting consequences that follow moral failings ( sins).

He and Jenny are divorced and he intends to marry the Argentinian lady with whom he had his affair.  I don't know him, I don't know her but I am uneasy about his continuing the relationship with the woman of his affair.  I'm not sure it shows good judgment.   The odds of them having a lasting marriage are pretty poor.  She will be in a very difficult position; the   "home-wrecker" wife of a high level politician.  I suspect the gossip and innuendo will be be difficult and ongoing.  It can take years to live something like that down.  His political enemies will forever use it against him as they embarrass her.  

Then there is the wife he has betrayed, Jenny.   Bright, very attractive, appears to be quite the lady.   You think to yourself, "Who in their right mind would leave her?"

Of course we do not know the details of their relationship; we don't know where all the fractures were but it does appear, she was/is a stand-up lady.  

At least on the surface, Mark Sandford continues to make bad choices; not working to save his long marriage to his wife and the mother of his children, but instead chasing a Argentinian lady who's moral compass appears somewhat suspect.

Based upon current available information, I don't think I could vote for him  But then again I have my own skeletons.

UPDATE:  Jenny Sandford has spoken - in fact wrote a book.  Here's one review.

http://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/doublex/2010/02/jenny_sanfords_gentle_revenge.single.html