Jenny Sanford is a role model

If you saw my appearance on Friday's edition of "Capitol Journal: Week in Review," you might remember that during the segment on Mark Sanford, I said that after watching the way the Sanfords have handled this situation that Mark Sanford created, South Carolinians may well be wondering whether they had the wrong Sanford at the top of their state ticket.

As her husband has embarrassed himself, their family and her before the world, Jenny Sanford has been an absolute picture of strength and dignity:

I believe wholeheartedly in the sanctity, dignity and importance of the institution of marriage. I believe that has been consistently reflected in my actions. When I found out about my husband's infidelity I worked immediately to first seek reconciliation through forgiveness, and then to work diligently to repair our marriage. We reached a point where I felt it was important to look my sons in the eyes and maintain my dignity, self-respect, and my basic sense of right and wrong. I therefore asked my husband to leave two weeks ago ...

I believe enduring love is primarily a commitment and an act of will, and for a marriage to be successful, that commitment must be reciprocal. I believe Mark has earned a chance to resurrect our marriage.

In the latest reminder of how much I love her work, Gloria Borger expounds in her new column today on how Jenny Sanford has provided a new example for women in the spotlight to follow when their powerful husbands stray:

The accepted political guidelines for jilted wives (see: wives, jilted) have always decreed that the wounded ones be seen, but stay silent. They are the suffering partners willing to literally remain in the picture out of political necessity. Their very presence helps to suggest that this love is worth saving, because this man is so special -- to all of us.

Well, forget it.

In just one week, Jenny Sanford has shifted the paradigm of the political wife.

Faced with infidelity, she did not stand by her man -- literally or in any other way. She did not try to soft-pedal the reality of his behavior. In other words, she did not make his life any easier.

Instead, she told the truth.

I would add only one thing to Gloria's assessment, and that is this: Jenny's example isn't just for spurned political wives. Women in general would be wise to model her response as they face this situation.

You can read Jenny's written statement here, and the fantastic story produced by the Associated Press here. The AP story, especially, is terrific; it captures Jenny Sanford's frustration and the hurt, but also her willingness to forgive her wayward husband, in a way that makes you feel as if you're sitting across from the coffee table from her. If you've heard all the dirt about Mark Sanford -- and there's been a lot of it, so how could you have missed it? -- both are can't-miss items.

Doing the right thing isn't always easy or pleasant. But Jenny Sanford has done, and is doing, it -- and her sons can be very proud of their mom.