Dear Governor,

I hope with all my heart that the rumor I heard about you is not true! Despite your denial, this rumor still has people in and out of your state whispering, and, I’m told, the local media in a quandary, trying to figure out how to handle this delicate and alleged situation.

If true, you realize you will have bought yourself a one-way ticket into the gutter with Edwards, Sanford, Spitzer, et al.

If true, you realize you will devastate a party, a state, a nation, and, most importantly, a family.  And, you will send your opponents and detractors into fits of ecstasy.

If true, you realize everything you have ever accomplished in your distinguished career will be irreparably tarnished, including the many valuable contributions you surely still have left to give to this country.  Any hopes for the White House or other related offices will also be finished.  Flushed, flushed, flushed!

If true, you realize everything people have ever admired about you and your work will be spat back in their faces.

If this rumor is true, Governor, I hope your wife rolls out The Jenny Sanford Blueprint for how to handle devastating betrayal with dignity and grace, and then steamrolls right over you with it.  Because things like this simply cannot be tolerated any longer from our public officials.

However, if this rumor is not true (Fingers crossed!), let it be a cautionary reminder to all that in this great nation of ours we are still innocent until proven guilty, even on the public stage and in spite of the hype that often engulfs situations like this.  And, let it be a warning to any politicians out there who are engaged in these types of shenanigans for real that they will be caught, which never ends pretty.

Always the optimist, I will give you the benefit of the doubt until I see hard proof convincing me otherwise, because I prefer to focus on the goodness in people.

Governor, I want nothing more than to let this ugly story fade from my memory as simply one more vicious tactic concocted by overzealous adversaries in the game of politics, and can only hope this slow-bleeding rumor does not turn into a full-blown hemorrhage.

But, whatever comes, I offer you this…

Peace & Love,

J.

P.S.  To the person, whoever and wherever you are, who leaked this story in the beginning:  If you are lying and purposely set out to hurt the Governor by contriving this tale, I hope you realize that you represent the worst type of filth amidst a country trying to move forward in the dawn of a new era.  On the other hand, if true, your victory will not go unnoticed.  After all, one thing is certain…Time will tell…

John Schlimm is a member of one of the oldest brewing families in the United States, meaning he sees life through sudsy, gold-colored glasses.

A former celebrity publicist, educator, and artist, John is the award-winning author of several books, including his latest, Harrah’s Entertainment Presents…The Seven Stars Cookbook as well as The Ultimate Beer Lover’s Cookbook (named “Best Beer Book in the U.S.” and “Best Beer Book in the World” by the international Gourmand Awards).

Join John on Facebook.com/JohnSchlimm and Twitter.com/JohnSchlimm.  For more information, please visit www.JohnSchlimm.com.