Jenny Sanford? I'll Have What She's Having
Melinda Henneberger
Editor in Chief
Posted:
08/18/09
Dearest Ria, I am sorry to inform you that I am among Jenny Sanford's legion of admirers – and am even more impressed after reading the interview she gave Vogue re: her roving rogue.
First, on the most superficial level, heartbreak never looked so good; did she just get back from Rancho la Puerta or what? (If you didn't know better, you might even say now there's a woman in love – and if she isn't, then here's hoping, because I agree with the friend who was quoted as saying she deserves her own darn soul mate.)
What I admire even more, though, is the classy way she's refusing to play the victim or cast the mistress as the bad guy – in marked contrast to more classically trained feminists such as Hillary Clinton and Elizabeth Edwards.
I can't say that I agree with Mrs. S on one word of this folderol: "Midlife aging is different for men than for women," she told Vogue. "Mark is worried about what his next job is. He worries about making money, running for office again, his legacy. I know my legacy is my children. I don't worry about that."
And some of the other stuff she spilled just plain old makes me sad: "We weren't madly in love, but we were compatible and good friends," she said of their courtship. "I like to think we balance each other out. I am a conservative at heart, but I'm not passionate about ideas like he is. I am better at making the trains run on time." (Paging Miss Nehring, Miss Cristina Nehring.)
But whether or not we think trespassers like Michael Vick or John Edwards should get a second chance in life – and I do say yes, only and I mean only because of that ultra-annoying "forgive us as we forgive those . . . '' thing – Jenny Sanford actually deserves one.
First, on the most superficial level, heartbreak never looked so good; did she just get back from Rancho la Puerta or what? (If you didn't know better, you might even say now there's a woman in love – and if she isn't, then here's hoping, because I agree with the friend who was quoted as saying she deserves her own darn soul mate.)
What I admire even more, though, is the classy way she's refusing to play the victim or cast the mistress as the bad guy – in marked contrast to more classically trained feminists such as Hillary Clinton and Elizabeth Edwards.
I can't say that I agree with Mrs. S on one word of this folderol: "Midlife aging is different for men than for women," she told Vogue. "Mark is worried about what his next job is. He worries about making money, running for office again, his legacy. I know my legacy is my children. I don't worry about that."
And some of the other stuff she spilled just plain old makes me sad: "We weren't madly in love, but we were compatible and good friends," she said of their courtship. "I like to think we balance each other out. I am a conservative at heart, but I'm not passionate about ideas like he is. I am better at making the trains run on time." (Paging Miss Nehring, Miss Cristina Nehring.)
But whether or not we think trespassers like Michael Vick or John Edwards should get a second chance in life – and I do say yes, only and I mean only because of that ultra-annoying "forgive us as we forgive those . . . '' thing – Jenny Sanford actually deserves one.