Sanford to Wife: Let Me Have This Affair

Gov. Mark Sanford not only had an affair, he asked his wife to condone it, she says. In an interview that ended in tears, South Carolina first lady Jenny Sanford told the AP that he had asked permission to visit his mistress after Jenny discovered the affair. "I said absolutely not. It's one thing to forgive adultery; it's another thing to condone it," she said. "He was told in no uncertain terms not to see her."

When the governor disappeared last week, Jenny "was hoping he was doing some real soul searching somewhere and devastated to find out it was Argentina." He had sworn to end the affair. "I believe he has," said the first lady, who plans to focus on their four sons. But "we'll just see what kind of spirit of reconciliation he has himself." Separated for 2 weeks now, the couple have gone to counseling. "It's hard to find out your husband is not who you thought he was." (More Mark Sanford stories.)