The LA Times constructs a timeline that implying John McCain wasn't just committing adultery, he even managed to marry his second wife before divorcing his first. Well ... probably not. The key phrase is here: "McCain obtained an Arizona marriage license on March 6, 1980, while still legally married to his first wife." The thing is, in most states there's a difference between a marriage license—something you need if you plan on getting married shortly—and a marriage certificate or marriage registration—which signifies an actual marriage. Now, the particulars will depend on state law at the time in Arizona, but as the Maricopa County Clerk of the Court's web page happily tells us, a number of standard documents such as proof of a blood test and a divorce decree from your previous marriage are not required to obtain a license. at least today.
Now, none of these details change the basic facts, which is that McCain started ... um ... "courting" Cindy Hensley for almost a year prior to his divorce, then married her very shortly afterwards. Family values!
Obviously based on our posting about the same article two minutes apart we are proving that we really do not belong to any organized political blog.
Posted by: Sir Charles | July 11, 2008 at 08:39 AM
No, but really. People don't know that a marriage license doesn't mean you're married yet? (I guess we're document nerds in the immigration biz.)
Posted by: Ursula | July 11, 2008 at 10:12 AM
Certainly not us Volvo driving, latte-sipping, eyebrow piercing unmarried secular urban progressives.
Posted by: Nicholas Beaudrot | July 11, 2008 at 12:44 PM
Nick:
You are right, but it does lead someone to wonder just how long he was courting Cindy. I mean, how many people get married again a week or so after the ink is dry on the divorce of a previous marriage? It really does go back to his lack of character.
Posted by: Joe Klein's conscience | July 11, 2008 at 10:18 PM