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Look at how many political sex scandals we've had in recent years. This list is all off the top of my head, not even a 10 second google search required. (hence spelling may be suspect in some cases).
Sen. Bob Packwood
Pres. Bill Clinton
VP Al Gore (Oregon massage scandal, in case you forgot)
Sen. John Edwards
Sen. Larry Craig
Sen. David Vitter
Sen John Ensign
Sen Gary Hart
Rep Newt Gingrich
Rep Bob Livingston (was to have replaced Newt as speaker)
Rep Anthony Weiner
Gov. Elliot Spitzer
Rep David Wu
Gov Mark Sanford
Rep Mark Foley
Rep Barney Frank
Gov Arnold Schwarzenegger
Mayor Rudy Guiliani
Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick
Mayor Gavin Newsome
Mayor Anthony Villaragosa
Thanks to DNA evidence, we're even going back in time now to impugn people like Thomas Jefferson. One thing obvious about the list is that as time goes on, the frequency of scandals has increased. Where that trend leads is anyone's guess.
When Herman Cain first started his campaign, one thing I noticed was how few successful business execs there are who enter politics. Out of all the serious presidential candidates in my lifetime, Steve Forbes is the only other one I recall. It is likely that the potential of sex-based journalism weighed heavily in the decision of Mitch Daniels not to run.
And in hindsight now we see exactly why. Why would anyone who has made a few million dollars want to go through what Cain went through. Nobody in their right mind. We're getting to the point where all major candidates are lifelong political people. And for that matter, all people with either attenuated sex drives and/or the deviousness of a fox to be able to keep it all under wraps.
Think about this, especially those of you on the left--if FDR had been running today, it is unlikely that he ever would have survived sex scandal journalism. I don't know if it's going to bring down the country, but it's not tough to envision a scenario where it hurts us.
It should be obvious from the post, but maybe I should clarify--my question is really not will sex scandals per se bring us down, but the excessive reporting thereof.
The frequency hasn't increased, just the reporting of them. By most accounts the Washington press corps knew about Kennedy's various dalliances and kept quiet. Many also suspected that Eisenhower had been involved with Kay Summersby while FDR died with his mistress after going on vacation and leaving Eleanor in DC.
Harding was widely suspected of having fathered at least one illegitmate child and Grover Cleveland claimed paternity and paid the 19th Century version of child support.
So no, these scandals won't bring down the Republic. They just make citizens into cynics and tar all elected officials with an undeserved reputation.
I second that. Even the suggestion of it seems preposterous.
Seldom do I agree with you but this is one of those times.
America is a great country but more people need to understand we are a great country not because of our politicians but in spite of them. Best way to view an aspiring politician is he's a sleaze bag. Why else would he want a career in politics, to help the people?
They are all greedy and they will grab anything not nailed down but that isn't so bad if you know it going in.
Our government spends twice the amount of money it should and all I can say for that is we should all be happy we aren't getting all the government we are paying for.
What happens when no one will bother running for office anymore. I think that is the question that is being asked.
H
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