Political wives handle things differently when they find out their husbands have strayed. Some hold their husband’s hand. Others take a hike. Some write books.

Jim McGreevey’s wife stood by her man as he announced he’d be standing by other men in the future. Eliot Spitzer’s bride looked like she hadn’t slept in a week, but there she was when he angrily confessed to being a “john.”

Suzanne Craig wore huge sunglasses to conceal her puffy, tear-soaked eyes, but stood next to Larry. David Vitter’s wife actually took questions from reporters when he admitted to getting a “massage” from an escort.



Heck, even Hillary Clinton continued to dance with Bill, even when she knew he was looking over her shoulder for younger partners.



John Ensign’s wife issued a statement saying their marriage is “stronger than ever,” but avoided being seen at his big announcement. Gavin Newsom was divorcing his wife when sleeping with someone else’s. Neither showed up at his press conference.

Elizabeth Edwards got a book deal, but didn’t take the shame of sitting in front of the cameras when John bit his lip to say he’s sorry.

Many political affairs yield many different reactions from the wives. Unfortunately for the ladies their shame is public and America always looks to them to see how they’re going to react. Will she stick with the dirty cheater or kick him to the curb? If she stays, is she weak? If she goes, does she lack the ability to forgive? It’s really a no-win situation. Unless you’re Jenny Sanford.

Her solid career on Wall Street shows she’s no chump and probably has more to do with her husband’s political success than he does. So how would an accomplished, intelligent woman respond to her husband’s South American tryst? Perfectly.

Mrs. Sanford was nowhere to be seen during the governor’s rambling press confessional. But that doesn’t mean she’d fled. Instead she released a statement saying she was willing to work on forgiving Mark if he was truly serious about humbly reconciling. But after 5 months of work it appears as though he’s not willing to do that so she told him to leave. The couple has four sons and she wants them to know she has “dignity, self-respect,” and “a basic sense of right and wrong.” Perfect. Those young men will now know what to look for in a future wife, and how to treat her when they have one.

When a political spouse violates their marriage vows that doesn’t mean the violator can expect his mate to face the cameras with him, but that also shouldn’t mean an automatic divorce. Marriage, whether public or private, is tough and mistakes are going to be made. But Jenny Sanford’s strength is to be admired. She’s willing to let Mark back into the house as long as he’s willing to work hard to earn her trust back. If not, she wants him gone so her boys know that unrepentant infidelity shouldn’t be tolerated. Since we know this won’t be the last politician to stray let’s hope political wives in the future take her lead when figuring out how to respond to one of the toughest times in their lives.