@ehBeth,
While I'm sure the media would have reported the story if it consisted simply of an announcement by Sanford that he had cheated on his wife, what makes this a larger story than the infidelity of Senator John Ensign are the circumstances leading up to Sanford's announcement
I haven't seen if all the facts have come out, but it appears obvious that Sanford told everyone that he was going on a hiking trip in the Appalachians so that he could meet his mistress in Argentina. While in Argentina, he must have been recognized by someone who would very likely report his presence to the media.
First reaction: Make up the ridiculous story that he changed his mind about the hiking trip, wanted to go somewhere exotic, and spent his time driving, alone, along the Argentine coast.
Second reaction: Recognizing the ridiculous story would never bear up under scrutiny and coming clean about the affair.
Another reason for the size of the story is that Sanford was clearly positioning himself for a presidential run in 2012, which leads one to wonder:
If someone makes the decision to at least position himself for a presidential race, and goes to the troubling of developing a detailed plan and starting to build an organization, wouldn't you think they would be willing to keep their fly zippered for a few years?
This has happened with such frequency that there must be a correlation between planning to become president and cheating on one's wife.
It has sunk Sanford as it sank Hart. It almost sank Bill Clinton and it could easily have sunk John Edwards if the timing had been a bit different. Lord knows how many other candidates have dodged the bullet of revelation.
I think the common characteristic is narcissism, and it is almost a prerequisite for running for an elected position.
While infidelity doesn't speak well for anyone's character, there is a measure of arrogance and reckless audacity that is troubling in someone we hope to trust as a leader.
I'm sure there are theories that these qualities make for good leaders, but does anyone know how many of our presidents were unfaithful to their wives?
I think Clinton was the only one who admitted it, but it seems widely accepted that both JFK and FDR had affairs while in office, and that both Jefferson and LBJ cheated on their wives.
Carter only cheated on his wife in his heart, and Nixon probably only had sex twice in his entire life - both times with Pat. Lincoln should have cheated on his wife if he didn't, and Andrew Jackson married a woman who was having sex with him when she herself was married to someone else.
And as for the hypocrisy of Republicans.
Why is it not hypocritical for a Democrat to cheat on their spouse? Because that sort of behavior is expected of them? Because they never criticize anyone's morality?
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