He's a lot more romantic than any of the other political scandal types we've encountered in the past 30 years. On the opposite end of the spectrum is Larry Craig, I guess; with his "wide stance".

Certainly, a dalliance with an Argentina hottie displays much more class than trolling for rough trade in airport washrooms.

Wait. We're giving the guy mad props for philandering? Romantic is good. Sanford is a politician, which means before this was public we knew he had some serious charm and some ability to be dishonest. All he's done here is proven both with some flowery language. Would we be talking about any of this if his romantic email correspondence had been with his wife? THAT should be news.

I think what bsharporflat is getting at is that Sanford appears to have made a real emotional connection with his mistress. I don't think that excuses his abandoning his job and his family on Father's Day weekend to fly to another continent for a little Latina action. Perhaps it is more romantic than anonymous BJs from another dude in an airport restroom. And I think it's safe to say that Bill Clinton didn't regard Monica any another other than a talking blowup doll.

I don't buy that he deserves credit for it, though. Politicians in general tend towards the more narcissistic personality types. They'll do what they think they can get away with and tell themselves whatever they want to in order to justify it to themselves. Maybe Sanford convinced himself he was having a grand romance. But while he was flying down to Buenes Aries, he was probably thinking mainly of his own desires. He certainly wasn't thinking of his family. Or his responsibilities as governor.

I think that if he flew off to be with his "true love" he would, in a way, deserve credit. Not as much who actually married his "true love", had 4 kids with her, and stayed with her, but all the same humans are people too.

But that is not what he has done.

After knifing his wife and kids in the back, and in secret to preserve his political carreer, he now throws his "true love" under the bus too, so he can continue to be governor and--who knows; see the Newtser--still have a shot at the presidency.

What a creep.

Well, yes, but a ROMANTIC creep. Again, the contrast is Larry Craig. You think he bought flowers and candy for his toilet stall lovers?