SUB-ROSA NEWS

Some of the News
That may be True

ENSIGN PARENTS DONATE TO SANFORD PARAMOUR

Michael Ensign, father of embattled Senator John Ensign, disclosed today that he and his wife had made gifts to the mistress of South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford. The gifts, in the form of travelers checks in $12,000 increments, had been mailed to Argentine reporter Maria Bellen Chapur and her family.

Mr. Ensign explained that the gifts were just part of the pattern of generosity that had earlier led them to offer gifts to videographer Rielle Hunter, whose affair with Senator John Edwards had engendered so much sympathy on their part.

While well known for its philanthropy, the Ensign family has apparently turned down the request from the city of Los Angeles to help pay for the extra security needed for the Michael Jackson memorial.

PALIN IN 2012

For presidential aspirations in 2012, South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford is toast. The man Maureen Dowd refers to as the tango dancing alter ego, Marco, cheated on his wife, left his state untended and lied about his whereabouts and then followed all this with sappy, almost lovelorn, statements and interviews. It would take a long time, if ever, to forget and forgive this behavior.

Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin is no stranger to sappy statements and odd behavior. In a rambling announcement containing strange references to such things as basketball point guards, she tried to explain her decision to resign as governor later this month. Among the reasons, if they can be called that, she gave was that, as a lame duck, she would be just spinning her wheels. If that were true, maybe all lame duck officials should resign.

Her resignation may well not be a wise decision. However, she does not leave Alaska untended and she is right that her national prominence and media attention does serve as a distraction to Alaskan governance. Better she should have then just said that she wanted to devote her time and attention to the pressing issues facing our nation. Then she could give the speeches, do her much needed policy homework, and raise the money she needs for herself and any future campaign.

And I hope that she does campaign in 2012. Much as I disagree with her views on women's reproductive rights, gay marriage, sex education, and fiscal policy, I think that she brings excitement and fun to a campaign. I do think she will run if for no other reason than RNC Chairman's statement that she can't.

I would so much look forward to the debates. "Governor, may I call you Sarah?"