Sanford and Ensign called on Clinton to resign after his affair

What’s that old saying about throwing stones and glass houses? It sure comes to mind today. And it relates to President Clinton and two Republicans who just admitted they cheated on their wives.

The Charleston Post and Courier reports that Mark Sanford, as a congressman, called on Clinton to resign when his affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky was revealed. Sanford is now Gov. Sanford. And, as just about everyone knows by now, he confessed today that he had an affair with a “dear, dear friend” in Argentina.

But back in 1998, according to the Post and Courier, he said of Clinton, “Very damaging stuff. This one’s pretty cut and dried.” Calling the overall situation messy, he added: “I think it would be much better for the country and for him personally [to resign]."

John Ensign had similar thoughts back then. Ensign is now Nevada’s junior senator. As the Ticket reported, Ensign's popularity slumped after he admitted that he had an affair with a former staffer.

In 1998 he served in Congress and had this to say to the Las Vegas Review-Journal: "The honorable thing for him to do is to resign and not put the country through this."

No word from Sanford or Ensign on whether either man plans to resign.

-- Steve Padilla

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South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford wipes his tears as he admitted to having an affair during a news conference in Columbia, S.C Wednesday, June 24, 2009. (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain)

Comments

[Half Sigma]

Sanford didn't lie at a deposition about his extramarital affair or otherwise violate any U.S. laws as far as I know.

[joe]

its very sad, but as I recall the issue was not over clinton having an affair (though I'm sure that was an underlying cause) but the fact that he lied under oath to a grand jury! one is a crime the other is an issue moral turpitude. and who knows maybe the governor will yet step down.

[Michael]

Republicans keep bringing up the fact the Democrats have had affairs too. They just don't get the point. Democrats are not pushing the "family values" thing over and over. These same people are the ones who raked Clinton over the coals for cheating on his wife, and saw it as an impeachable offense, but never saw lying and treason on the part of the Bush Administration as rising to that level. Unbelievable hypocrisy.

[Bobby]

At least he didn't LIE about it to the ENTIRE NATION after he got caught!

[Julie Hensley]

Cigars or no? You really think that is the issue? Ummm no, he didn't lie to a grand jury but he sure as heck lied to his constituency over and over again (on the App Trail, whoops, nope I was in South America just relaxing, well whoops no, I was relaxing with a lover of at least 6 months duration). By comparison Clinton had a one night stand.

Let's just agree that people who are willing to break the oaths and commitments to the people they (presumably) love best aren't really the ones to trust with the best interest of a population- the vast majority of whom they have never met.

How about waking up? Is the issue whether the Democrats have "family values"? or if the Republicans are hypocrits? Or is it that we need to expect more of these people (take a look at how many of these folks end up getting re-elected)? I vote for the latter.

This doesn't mean I expect them to be saints but I do expect them to be able to demonstrate that they know how to keep a promise and that lying is not what comes most easily.

[Ivan]

Power, Beautiful woman, erotic fantasy, These guy live it out. Only a few get caught. They don't think of anyone else. Their P_ _ _is takes over and the Brain i goes numb. Hey most politicians have lovers in Europe, they just do. Here they hide and like Newt, Clinton they get caught, but just a few. Remember he puts his pants on the same way as All Men do,...he is no different. Step down Mr. STanford

[Emo]

Have Sanford and Ensign committed perjury?

Who is the GOP pushes "family values"? Is the GOP pushing to make adultry or divorce illegal? Can the left even define "family values"

[Greg]

This most certainly is a political issue when the politicians in questions have made morality and "family values" a front and center topic. These guys are happy to preach to us about our own personal behavior but fail to live up to their own standards.

I personally don't care who sleeps with whom. But make an issue of it and then display horrible hypocrisy, you are toast.

[RNC]

The lies were the major issue, Bobby? So, the hike in the Appalachian mountains...what was that exactly? That's what I thought. Go back to being a good little soldier for the GOP. He's a politician. They all lie and we're idiots for perpetuating this system.

[nomad]

There but for the grace of God go I.

[KerryD]

If Ted Kennedy survived his ordeal with Mary Joe anyone can survive.
Private LIfe has nothing to do with your daily career. I cant believe we waste so much time on smut.
With all lieing and cheating in Washington why bother?

[Liddi]

Sanford is a disappointment for the GOP. I had high "hopes".
You can not however even compare him to Clinton. Clinton was and is a liar through and through. He soiled the Oval office for crying out loud and lied to a grand jury. The values thing with you dems is really telling. I guess if you have no values, cheating, abortion, divorce and so on, is no big deal. With that being said, shame on you Mark Sanford!!

[goodspkr]

One more time for all you libs who can't remember.

Bill Clinton was impeached for lying in a deposition. When he was asked about Monica Lewinsky, he could have done five things only one of which was illegal.

1. He could have told the truth.
2. He could have refused to answer the question and probably lose the case.
3. He could have had his lawyers tie up the proceedings refusing to answer until x is adjudicated.
4. He could have settled the case.
5. He could break the law and lie.

Now with all these choices why did he so quickly settle on the last one.

[Ken]

One more time for all you "conservatives" who can't remember

1. It would never have gotten to impeachment level without the witch hunt that you started.
2. If we're going to talk about lying and not mention GWB then your bias is beyond incredible.
3. Many of the statements made by Sanford, Ensign and the rest regarding Clinton and advising him to resign were made after he was accused of having an affair but BEFORE he was accused of lying to a grand jury.

Selective memory is why we continue to have the same stupid arguments between ourselves over and over. "Your guy" is not much different than "my guy" in the big picture. We need to get over these stupid tit for tat arguments.

Libertarians in 2012! (except they're just as crazy as the rest of them).