In Europe, and to a lesser extent, Canada, politicians have affairs

[mudesi]

And the people don't care.

The people care more about their roads being paved, their education system being funded, and their health care system being universal and free. They care about keeping their jobs, having a social safety net in case they get unlucky, and having clean air to breathe.

Chances are if Edwards had won the nomination, John McCain would have been handed the presidency today.

That says more about the people than it does about the politician.

[Lost-in-FL]

1. .

BRAVO!!! :applause:

[hobbit709]

2. That's because those countries aren't full of Morality Police types

[DJ13]

3. They also arent prudes and have few restrictions on nudity

Unfortunately our country was first settled by a bunch of uptight religious nutjobs that fled Europe.

[Greyhound]

13. Were kicked out, to be more accurate. They didn't want those nutters around

either, so they dumped them on the unsuspecting Native Americans.

[girl gone mad]

4. So?

[gateley]

5. That's why they were laughing at us during the Clinton hearings. nt

[Spazito]

6. True, as a Canadian, I can attest to that....

private lives aren't our concern UNLESS it affects public policy in a direct way.

[spin]

7. One of the advantages of being a politician...

is the availability of women who are attracted to powerful men.

At an early age, young men find having a impressive car can aid in sexual conquests. Groupies throw themselves at rock stars feet. Men in uniform such as police and military personnel attract women. Sports stars enjoy the same benefit. Bad boys often draw women like a magnet attracts metal.

All very interesting but merely human nature. The Europeans have a more rational attitude toward sex. American citizens are still haunted by Puritanism.

A little tolerance would go a long way. Bill Clinton might have accomplished more if his sex scandal wouldn't have interfered with his presidency.

One exception might occur if special favors were granted by the politician to his lover. Otherwise, what happens in a persons private life should remain separate form his/her professional life. What happens in a marriage should be only the concern of the married couple. If the married partner isn't upset at the behavior of the spouse than it should be no concern of anyone else.

If we weren't as fascinated by marital infidelity, politicians might not feel the requirement to lie about their sexual adventures. Lying only makes the situation worse.

The facts about marital infidelity (sexual unfaithfulness to a spouse) are astounding. Polls show that although 90% of married people disapprove of extramarital relationships, statistics from a national survey indicate that 15% of wives and 25% of husbands have experienced extramarital intercourse. These numbers increase by 20% when emotional affairs and sexual relationships without intercourse are included. Another source, The Monogamy Myth, authored by Peggy Vaughan, approximates that 60% of husbands and 40% of wives will have an affair at some time in their marriage.
http://www.allaboutlifechallenges.org/marital-infidelity.htm

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

19. I agree with everything you have written here.

I think this is the best single post I have read in the entire Edwards discussion.

[Crunchy Frog]

8. I seem to recall that there was a bit of a scandal in Canada

when Margaret Trudeau had sex with the Rolling Stones.

Actually, I don't really remember it, just reading about it some years after the fact, and don't really know much of how the Canadian public handled it. Kind of curious actually.

[Canuckistanian]

10. We were fascinated. But not appalled.

We're still not quite over the Trudeau years. And Margaret was our Crown Princess for a time.

Now, she's regarded as a flake.

[Tindalos]

11. Trudeau was before my time.

IMHO, the Rolling Stones connection made her slightly cool.

Of course, Mr Trudeau was known for liking the ladies himself.

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. When DeGaulle died, both his mistress and wife attended the state funeral

the only ones who were confused where the members of the US Press Corp..

Everybody else went SO?

[Greyhound]

12. Agreed and seconded. While it is in poor taste, it is a personal issue, and irrelevant to his

leadership and political abilities. Once again, our puritanical domination is showing again.

[LeFleur1]

15. A Personal Issue?

I think it says something about character. A person who lies, who cheats, who breaks promises... just isn't up to standard. If other countries want such people to lead them, that's fine, but don't look down your noses at those who don't. There is still something to be said for honesty.

[Greyhound]

16. and that says something about hypocrisy, IMO.

People do what people do and unless you are married to him, it's none of your business.

Was Churchill a bad PM? JFK a bad President? FDR? The examples are endless.

[SalviaBlue]

14. Yes, we know that. However

in America is it the kiss of death. So if you want to play here, you don't do that.


Stupid Man.

DISAPPOINTMENT

[Codeine]

17. So? Things are different here.

Politicians play by different rules. And while I'm inclined personally to the European view the fact is that most people here don't, and John Edwards knows that. To still insist on running was stupid, stupid, stupid.

I am glad my candidate did not win.

[1]

18. i guess if you don't care about dudes fucking around on their wife then you must be cooler than me..

that kind of thing does bother me. it goes to character.

silly me. i'm not as sophisticated as a european or a canadian...

[WeDidIt]

20. This isn't Eurpoe or Canada

Affairs have a bigger political effect in the United States of America.

It's sad, but it's also reality.

[TexasObserver]

21. if Edwards had won the nomination, John McCain would have been handed the presidency