Politics Daily
Inside Politics Daily
Scott Brown and the Palin Path: Will He Choose Brassy or Boring?
Democrats Leave Health Care Behind for Jobs, Toyota, Gays in Military
Murtha Turned Against War, but Not Grab-While-You-Can Politics
Rep. John Murtha, Advocate for Pa. District, Pentagon, Dies at 77
Liz Christman, Enemy of the Passive Voice, Who Rocked Some Jaunty Hats
Is Obama's Search for 'Common Ground' Real?- Tim Tebow's Brilliant Fake Leads to Pro-Life Score
'Snowmageddon' in D.C. -- The Politics, Talk Shows and Snowball Fights Go On
Sarah Palin Serves Tea Party Delegates Red Meat and Certainty
My Left Breast Put Fancy TSA Scanner to the Test
From a Grass Roots Tea Party, a PAC Blooms
At Nashville Tea Party: Saving the Country, Waiting for Palin
Jenny Sanford Tells All, but Have We Heard Enough?
You may have heard that Jenny Sanford, the wife of South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, is writing a book. A deal from Ballantine Books (a Random House imprint) to publish your "inspirational memoir" isn't quite the same as having a trouble-free marriage. But it's a consolation prize of sorts, especially since the governor's deal for his own book on fiscal conservatism fell apart.
Her timing is fortuitous, as the announcement came in the same week a fictional version of the implosion of a political marriage debuted on CBS. In "The Good Wife," Julianna Margulies and Chris Noth play a particularly photogenic ripped-from-the headlines politician and betrayed wife. Forced to earn a living, she returns to lawyering and solving complicated courtroom puzzles.
A book is a lot less complicated, though the Sanford story – with its international flavor and weepy press conferences – is more dramatic than anything a scriptwriter could dream up. The publisher says Sanford "will grapple with the universal issue of maintaining integrity and a sense of self during life's difficult times."
"She wrote the proposal herself and it's very good," said Carol Schneider at Random House. "She will probably be working with a collaborator on the entire book -- more of a time issue than anything else because we want to get it out." The book is due out in May 2010.
Everyone pretty much knows the rough outline of the real-life story. Smart, Georgetown-educated, Wall Street VP marries and shapes the career of an up-and-coming GOP politician, touted as a presidential hopeful. Then he disappears for five days, and – when backed into a corner – confesses to an affair with an Argentine soul mate. Wife and governor try to work it out, they say, though she and the four sons move out. Now he fights appeals from his own state party to resign and waits for the results of an ethics investigation looking into travel expenses.
Jenny Sanford's choice is a valid one, of course. It's become the go-to move for wronged spouses, and a well-written book will prove once again that she's the Sandford with some sense. She apparently has always been a take-charge person. What I'm trying to figure out is the inspiration part. In a statement from the publisher, she writes: "Since June, I've been urged to tell the story of who I am, what I believe, and how I came to solidify those beliefs in my life, specifically through my marriage and the political life that has paralleled it. I would like to show others how important it is to stand firm on one's principles, stay true to oneself, and respond with grace and honesty to whatever hurdles may come."
Unless you're a high-profile political wife whose husband has "issues," I'm not sure what the attraction will be. Jenny Sanford earned respect when she refused to stand by her man during his brutal public mea culpa or provide him with cover during his absence from state business.
But by May of next year, the public may be a little tired of both Sanfords, especially if another scandal grabs the headlines and "The Good Wife" is picked up for a new season. Well, cynically speaking, a little fresh blood -- or an Emmy -- could help book sales.
PD toolbar!
and download the new Politics Daily toolbar!
-
PRINT
-
IM
-
E-mail
5 comments
+ add your own
Mary C. Curtis
Mary C. Curtis, an NPR contributor based in Charlotte, N.C., was previously a writer and editor for The New York Times and the Charlotte Observer... more
Comments (5)
Sara
9:17PM Sep 23rd 2009
Personally I think it is disgusting how she is carrying on about her husband. She never lets a week go by that she is not out making headlines. I would not read the book for anything. She has no respect for the people of SC. I would read the book by the mistress though, she probably has more interesting things to say than Jenny. She probably knows all the back yard players from SC.
RATE THIS COMMENT:
(-3)
(-3) 
HUNNER
9:45PM Sep 23rd 2009
The mistress has signed a lucrative book deal vividly describing in minute details their sexcapades. A DVD shall be released following a book tour.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-2)
(-2) Ace
10:07PM Sep 23rd 2009
Sara, what is disgusting is how a devious married people having affairs can be. How a official can get "lost" for days in another country and not be censured over it. How a man who is in a secret society can have those help him hide his affair, everyone speak about God and descerate vows, laws and promises. Sara, I don't want a book from the mistress, nor do I want one from Mrs Sanford or one from Mr Sanford. But Mrs Sanford is no the guilty one. and I laugh about your quote about her not having any respect for the people of SC....seriously, are you on Mrs Sanfords staff?
RATE THIS COMMENT: (1)
(1) Jade
12:35AM Sep 24th 2009
One thing for sure... Sanford, is no Chris Noth... Jenny is no slob but... Haven't they already told everything? What about the children?Since he claimed the other woman, is his "Soulmate." Jenny should kick him to the curb... This really is funny or interesting... Now aoub that Hunter cow... She and Big Hair boy, should both check into the Bates Motel...
RATE THIS COMMENT:
(0)
(0) normsimp
10:14AM Sep 25th 2009
Does Michelle Malkin want it both ways or is it that she does not want some kook to kill her or her family.
In this climate of do not criticize President Obama or we will get you retorts being issued from the the Whitehouse and friends, it just encourages those on the edge to step over it.
In this climate of do not criticize President Obama or we will get you retorts being issued from the the Whitehouse and friends, it just encourages those on the edge to step over it.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (0)
(0) Add your comments
Woman Up on Facebook
Now Commenting
- nofauxbama on:
Insurgent Debra Medina Shakes Up GOP Governor Race in Texas - Jude on:
Sarah Palin's 'Death Panels' Wins Politifact 'Lie of the Year' - William Bischoff on:
Obama's Approval Rating for Handling the Economy Reaches a Low - dollhouserose on:
My Left Breast Put Fancy TSA Scanner to the Test - Jude on:
In Defense of Desiree Rogers - kimstarr on:
Liz Christman, Enemy of the Passive Voice, Who Rocked Some Jaunty Hats
Submit Your Favorite Links
No.
Props
Props
- 49
- 29
- 39
- 30
- 34
- 25
Follow Politics Daily
Other News
- Pork is in the eye of the beholder
- GOP dusts off Bush playbook
- Colbert takes on Palin's "hand-o-prompter"
- State Farm: we warned government on Toyota in 2007
- Rich Lowry's brain
- Sarah Palin Must Heed Yogi Berra
- Meg Whitman Is the Anti-Palin
- Democrats Fault Rahm Emanuel on Health Care
- Mystery Bush Billboard Appears
- Bad News for Dems: Murtha Seat Now a 'Toss-Up'
- Iran on the Brink
- The Race Card and the Jackson Doctor
- What's Wrong With Skinny?
- The World's 12 Most Fashionable Hotels
- Oscar's Diva Smackdown!
- Toyota Recalls 437,000 Prius, Hybrids Globally
- U.S. Army Launches Attack on Afghan Taliban Stronghold
- GOP Wary of Health Trap
- Iran Begins Making Highly Enriched Nuke Fuel
- Planned Parenthood Pushes Intensive Sex Ed for Kids
Politics Daily More Links