Should a Political Career be Over if a Politician has an Affair?

Hello to all,
Although I agree to “answer to God and family only”, to continue the sentence, if a politician, who is voted into office by the people of the USA, should have to account for himself.
Theoretically, if a politician or public office holder does have an affair, then perhaps he is “bored” at home, but, if that is reason enough, then the question is “Is he bored with his representation of the people who voted him in to office, citizens follow these people closely.

I believe that it is a matter best left to the family of the adulterer. It really isn’t any of our business. Even though, when you think about it, it does say something about a persons character if he/she is running around sleeping with anything that will hold still long enough. It also says something about the character of a person if they are abusive. Such extreme character can effect policy and policy does effect us. A person of really poor character is probably more apt to get involved in shady deals and care about only what will benefit themselves - not what is good for the country as a whole. Edwards doesn’t appear to be one of those extreme characters - he appears to be a human being who handled a situation that appeared during a crisis period in his life in an inappropriate manner. McCain on the other hand, appears to be a borderline extreme character holding it all in with the help of others. Makes me wonder when he will crack and how it will effect us all if he makes it as President.

You miss the point. It’s not about the affair. Yes, for some it might be. Even you indicate it was wrong. What it’s really about is the lying, deception, misuse of funds, etc.

What so many do not understand is that when you put yourself out there for public office, there is an inherent trust given by everyone. Regardless of any one person’s morality, there remains a common good. I would strongly suggest that even if so many of us do have affairs, there remains the “common good,” that it is not right.

Bottom line, whether you or anyone else likes it or not, each and every one of us has the right to make up our own mind about any candidate. Does not mean that decision is always correct. I may even be an elitist, because I truly believe that no one should vote unless they complete understand the issues and make intelligent and wise choices. Now what percentage of the electorate do you think qualifies?

Just part of the price we must pay to keep a ‘democratic,’ system. Possibly that explains why our ‘founding fathers’ created a ‘republic.’ Our political system is simply a ‘hybrid’ that tries to morph the best of both concepts. So just like the electoral college may not be understood by most, the ‘freedom’ to allow us to ‘judge’ candidates is a fundamental key to why our system works!

If that were the case, Gary Hart, Rudy Giuliani, John McCain et al would not have been a candidate, and William Jefferson Clinton would not have been a two term president.

Once someone decides they are the best person in the country to be president and tosses their hat into the ring, they lose a pass on behavior like this. Yes, people cheat on their spouse. If it was only that we might be “Clintonized” enough to let it pass. But once you start looking at giving good paying jobs to someone who has no experience and his wife fighting for her life, for most it’s a no brainer.

He was a VP candidate, wanted the big chair and still pulled this crap. If you want to equate McCain’s conduct after coming back from his stay in the Hanoi Hilton before he was in the public eye to this, fine.

Edwards was, and is, an empty suit. He had money, fame and ambition. This wasn’t a one night stand. Look how he got nailed. I don’t want this moron anywhere near making decisions that affect me.

Yelling at people isn’t the same as screwing someone while your wife is fighting for her life, then pulling his dumbass retreat to the men’s room in a panic. His wife had known about his cheating, had forgiven or at least decided to ignore it. All he had to do was stay away. He’s an idiot.

Short answer:
Yes, if that politician is telling the world he is a moral icon and criticizing others with less than perfect moral score.
Otherwise, what matters is his/her performance and HONESTY (very difficult for politicians)

Before they run…No

During or After they run and/or hold office –boot them the hell out. We don’t need immoral people in positions of power when their current morality and ethics are in question.

I DO think it is vital to put the situations in context and time period to make this judgment. No one is saying we need perfect people as everyone has PAST issues or situations. But, if these same people are having problems NOW then they simply should NOT be allowed to represent the public’s interests when they cannot be focused on public good.

It’s really that simple..no one needs to judge them…just get them out so they can deal with their personal issues and get them resolved. Then, perhaps, they can run again at a later time when things are resolved in their personal lives.

peace!