On Hardball, Jenny Sanford explains why she can’t vote for Newt Gingrich:
It does call into question his character certainly on the personal side, and as a voter, I encourage people to look at both sides. The personal side and if you’re going to overcome somebody’s moral failings or infidelities, you also have to look at where they stand ideologically and how much does their rhetoric match their reality. In my mind, Gingrich falls short on both fronts, so he wouldn’t get my vote.
We’re all so sophisticated now. The great pro-Newt meme now floating is that Christianity is all about forgiveness. Yes, it is. But isn’t there something…oh forgive me, I’m Catholic, this scripture quoting is so hard. Something about, “First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.” (True, it says nothing about ex-wives, a harder case.)
Truthfully, it’s not about forgiveness. Gingrich did not injure me, he doesn’t require my forgiveness. It’s a judgment about his character and trustworthiness with power that each voter will have to make.
It will be interesting to see if there is any gender gap emerging in the South Carolina vote.