The Rambling Word Salad That Is Mark Souder’s Resignation Statement
Tangled up in extramarital affairs, politicians tend to be contrite, remorseful, apologetic -- any number of things designed to make them appear humble in the
Jul 31, 2020378.5K Shares6.2M Views
Tangled up in extramarital affairs, politicians tend to be contrite, remorseful, apologetic — any number of things designed to make them appear humble in the face of the intense public scrutiny that inevitably follows. (“If there was ever anything I could take back in my life, this would be it,” Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) saidlast year after finding himself in a similar pickle.)
So it was odd to see the statementthis morning from Rep. Mark Souder, the “family-values” Republican from Indiana found todayto be not as committed to his family as he’d have us believe.
It’s not that he doesn’t start well:
“„It has been a privilege to be a part of the battle for freedom and the values we share.
But then he immediately moves on to imply that the strains of the job — and the sacrifices he’s made for his constituents — led him astray.
“„It has been all consuming for me to do this job well, especially in a district with costly, competitive elections every two years.
“„I do not have any sort of “normal” life — for family, for friends, for church, for community.
That’s followed by a brief shift back to humble-servant mode:
“„To serve has been a blessing and a responsibility given from God.
“„I wish I could have been a better example.
“„I sinned against God, my wife and my family by having a mutual relationship with a part-time member of my staff.
But then he’s back to blaming external factors for the position he’s put himself in:
“„In the poisonous environment of Washington, D.C., any personal failing is seized upon, often twisted, for political gain.
“„I am resigning rather than to put my family through that painful, drawn-out process.
“„Diane and my family were more than willing to stand here with me.
Finally, he accepts responsibility:
“„But the error is mine and I should bear the responsibility …
“„I am so ashamed to have hurt those I love.
But that’s followed by the claim that his resignation is a heroic gesture designed to salvage the policies he advocated in Congress.
“„By stepping aside, my mistake cannot be used as a political football in a partisan attempt to undermine the cause for which I have labored all my adult life.
If there’s a message in all of this contradiction, he doesn’t make it easy to glean.
Paolo Reyna
Reviewer
Paolo Reyna is a writer and storyteller with a wide range of interests. He graduated from New York University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Media Studies.
Paolo enjoys writing about celebrity culture, gaming, visual arts, and events. He has a keen eye for trends in popular culture and an enthusiasm for exploring new ideas. Paolo's writing aims to inform and entertain while providing fresh perspectives on the topics that interest him most.
In his free time, he loves to travel, watch films, read books, and socialize with friends.
Latest Articles
Popular Articles