So why is it such a big deal for a politician to have an affair?

[Tumbulu]

Is it anywhere near starting a war without provocation? Or the other hundreds of thousands of things the wrong wing does every day!?

I am sick of it- it is part of the apologizing that the dems always do. Move on, it is personal, not political. I still want him for Attorney General.

The capitalist culture uses sex to sell everything, overstimulating everyone. I wish John Edwards would sue the advertisers for the effect of overstimulating people's sexual desires. If folks use sex to see stuff, let them pay for all the child care and parents time off taking care of sick kids and the rest of it. Or at least for birth control.

[NJmaverick]

1. It's only a big deal when a Democrat has one

Republicans do it all the time, and there is hardly ever a problem.

[MorningGlow]

2. Because people love to be judgmental and love to hate

They love to tear down people they put on a pedestal, even if it hurts their own cause--and the louder and more vicious the better, especially if they can get their knives in faster than the next person. And it's even better if they get to be fickle as part of the deal. "That guy I used to defend with my life when he seemed perfect? Yeah, he can go to hell as far as I'm concerned, because he acted HUMAN and made a MISTAKE. Never mind that he owned up to it and apologized (even though he owes no-one an apology except his wife and his children)--this is UNFORGIVABLE (even though it pales in comparison to the war crimes or sexual deviances of others)."

Sorry, but I'm SO irritated by the Dem reaction to Edwards' affair--can't help but be sarcastic and bitter.

[asteroid2003QQ47]

3. If the capacity to empathize is important, then...

Oscar Wilde bespoke volumes-

"Those who are faithful know only the trivial side of love: it is the faithless who know love's tragedies."

[Arugula Latte]

4. The thing that galls me is his lack of judgment -- thinking this wouldn't come out.

I mean, just think if he'd been nominated. Jesus! After eight years of hell, for him to jeopardize the Democratic party like that and our chances in November -- THAT is what I find unforgivable. And I was originally an Edwards supporter.

[Fire Walk With Me]

5. Our "leaders" are supposed to represent our finest characteristics and potentials.

Instead, they represent the reality.

[redqueen]

6. Primarily because most people in the US get their "news" from the M$M.

The M$M, as everyone here should know very well by now, will make hay out of this kind of thing when it's a Dem politician involved in the affair.


If it's a one-time drunken mistake... it'd not be such a big deal. The pol could just apologize for the mistake, and move on.

Affairs are another matter entirely... they aren't so easily explained away as mistakes to everyone. They require careful planning, repeated betrayal of those who trust and love them the most, etc.