Sanford’s downfall may boost Pawlenty’s post-retirement political future

The stunning downfall of South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford — and earlier, another Republican pol, Sen. John Ensign, who also fessed up to marital infidelity — “creates more oxygen” (in one wag’s words) for a 2012 presidential run by Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who rarely fails to mention how “hot” his wife is.

The Fix’s Chris Cillizza sizes up the situation this way:

Right off the bat I would say the elimination (or close to it) of Ensign and Sanford as 2012 candidate helps candidates like Romney, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as it effectively narrows the field and creates more oxygen — in the press, in money circles, in the talent race — for them.

Columnist Nick Coleman saw a Pawlenty angle too, with the Mrs. in mind, in a Twitter message:

Fortunately, our MN governors are known to have “smoking hot” wives, if they say so themselves. No Argentinian firecrackers need apply.