South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford's tearful admission about his extramarital affair before reporters at a news conference Wednesday was just the latest incarnation of the philandering politician's public apology.
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South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford's elaborate admission about his extramarital affair before reporters at a news conference was the latest incarnation of what is becoming routine: the philandering politician's public apology.
But while some of those elected leaders emerged from the initial scandal relatively unscathed, ABC News contributors Sam Donaldson and Cokie Roberts told "Good Morning America" today that they are betting Sanford won't be so lucky.
While the admission of an extramarital fling was damaging in itself, the teary, drawn out and detailed way in which Sanford announced his affair with a mystery Argentine woman known only as Maria was the real killer, both Roberts and Donaldson said.
"It will sink him," Roberts predicted.
"Mark Sanford's press conference was bizarre to say the least," Roberts said, adding that the subsequently released e-mails between the lovers "were just laughable."
The emails provided intimate details of their passion in which Sanford confessed to feeling like a teenager and rhapsodized over details like Maria's tan lines.
Donaldson was put off by the fact that Sanford took questions about the romantic getaway and gave out details.
"He's a cooked goose," Donaldson said, adding that he prefers the method of admission favored earlier this month by Sen. John Engisn, R-Nev. , which included a brief statement and a quick exit.
"You admit you're the scum of the earth, you apologize to everyone," Donaldson said.
Roberts praised the behavior of one member of the Sanford family, the governor's wife Jenny Sanford.
"At least we did not have the sight of Mrs. Sanford standing behind him," Roberts said. "That always kills me."
One thing the sex scandals have in common is how they have a way of resurrecting past apologies.
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