Two wrong reactions to Mark Sanford

Since the bizarre story of Gov. Mark Sanford has unfolded in the news, individuals from both sides of the political spectrum have reacted wrongly. At some point we moved away from seeing people in the spotlight as actual people, but merely pawns to play for political gain.

Conservatives
Thankfully, most have moved past making excuses for Sanford as he continues to open his mouth and heap more shame on himself and his family. But the initial reaction by many was to explain away his indiscretion or to compare it favorable with other scandals, mainly involving Democrats.

No, it doesn't make Sanford any better that he did not lie under oath about his affair. No, it doesn't make it any better that the woman was not 20-something. No, it doesn't make it any better that he is "in love."

You cannot say that "character matters" until it doesn't. You cannot say that someone's private values affect their public policy until it doesn't. The fact that Sanford espoused values with which you agreed does not mean he is immune from the standards that we sought to apply to liberal politicians.

Liberals are right that the hypocrisy angle makes it worse. When you campaign on family values, proclaim support for traditional marriage, espouse conservative opinions, it makes it deepens the wound when you fail to live up to those standards.

Liberals
As much as it may benefit you politically to see a conservative Republican go down in flames, the man has a family who was deeply hurt by his personal failings. Glee is not an appropriate reaction.

Immediately after the news broke, I saw a liberal South Carolinian basking in congratulations for having "called it" by making a joke early on about how she prayed that Sanford would be found in the arms of a prostitute. She was elated at the news. Meanwhile, Jenny Sanford was releasing a statement about how she was trying to move forward with her and Mark's four sons.

A liberal news commentator reported and discussed the affair with such elation that a blogger at one of the most far left sites took him to task for his lack of decency. Meanwhile, Sanford's family was trying to escape the media glare and work their way through the traumatic situation.

There is room for the political analysis of this situation. There is even room for Democrats and liberals to explain how this benefits them political, but the human aspect should always be kept in focus.

One political result is not the repudiation of the ideas and policies which Sanford supported and voiced, anymore than Bill Clinton's various issues negated his politics. People stand and fall on their own. Sanford cheated on his wife. Limited government and lower taxes did not.