Here we go again! Another male politician has done the unthinkable, cheated on his wife. And once again she stands by his side as he offers a “heart-felt” apology.
New York Governor Eliot Spitzer is the latest philanderer. He's accused of spending as much as $80,000 on several high priced call girls. He reportedly even had a romp with one on the night before Valentine’s Day.
Spitzer’s wife, Silda joins the likes of
Hillary Clinton (I’m sure everyone’s familiar with Bill Clinton’s sexual escapade in the Oval Office)
Dina McGreevey – the wife of the former New Jersey governor who admitted to having an affair with a man,
Suzanne Craig – the wife of Idaho Senator Larry Craig who was caught in a sex sting in an airport bathroom and
Carlita Kilpatrick – the wife of Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick who had an affair with his chief of staff.
Why? Why do they stand by these men’s sides during an obviously embarrassing and painful time?
The tribune has an interesting article about that very question. Click here to read it.
Kathleen Gilbert, an associate professor of family studies at Indiana University tells the Trib:
"Even if they want to kill him, they're there."What these women are going through is probably "pretty horrifying," says Gilbert, but their options are few: "Just try to put yourself in their shoes and think of all these years you have portrayed a public role. In some ways, it becomes automatic. This is what you do. You're a good soldier and you go in and you play the role."
Many political spouses are impressive figures in their own right, including Silda Spitzer, a Harvard-trained lawyer.
Experts offered a wide range of reasons why a political spouse might choose to undergo the humiliation of a public appearance in behalf of her husband: the alleged indiscretion might be a first stumble, the wife might be planning divorce but want the best possible settlement, or she might be deeply invested in her husband's political agenda.
I’m not married, so I can’t honestly say what I would do if I were in these women’s shoes. But one thing is for sure; his sleeping arrangements would be VERY uncomfortable for the foreseeable future.
