CAROL M. SWAIN OP-ED: Famed Actor Alec Baldwin's Poor Advice To Serial Adulterer Mark Sanford

The law and political science professor at Vanderbilt University and moderate-conservative argues that South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford must resign for going missing for five days due to trans-Atlantic booty call on taxpayers' dime, and that liberal actor Alec Baldwin was wrong to argue the governor should remain in office: "I am sure that Mr. Baldwin means well. His position highlights the values difference between Hollywood and mainstream Americans, some of whom, expect their elected officials to serve the public good while exhibiting high moral standards. This is especially true if the elected official is a conservative Republican who spent much of his life preaching traditional family values while pointing accusatory fingers at other people. In the case of Governor Sanford, he and Newt Gingrich called for President Clinton's resignation in the wake of the Monica Lewinsky affair. Sanford is a Southern Baptist, and he like others place their faith in God's abiding grace. The Bible, itself, is pretty hard on hypocrites and Jesus, himself, comes to the rescue of the woman caught in adultery, telling her accusers let he who is without sin cast the first stone. As the story goes, the accusers drop their stones and fall by the wayside. Jesus tells the woman to go and sin no more. Some of us can agree with Governor Sanford that all men are fallen and in need of a savior. To his credit, Sanford tearfully apologized to the public, and, once caught, confessed his sins to man and, presumably, to God."

Professor Swain continues her commentary: "Now, Governor Sanford needs to go that extra step and remove the stench from his office. It will require more than a simple repayment of taxpayers' money. While defending himself, the Governor made a comparison to the Biblical King David who committed adultery with Bathsheba, and had her husband killed in battle to cover his crime. Nevertheless, David remained a man after God's own heart. The Governor would like us to draw the implication that he did nothing nearly as bad as David. Consider that King David paid a high public price for his sin. So should Governor Mark Sanford. The Bible warns us that leaders and teachers are called to a higher standard. In Luke 12:48, we are told that to whom much is given, much is required. The actions that are required, now, from Governor Sanford and any Christian caught red-handed are confession, repentance, and, I add, resignation."