"What is it with Republicans lately? Is there something about being a leader of the family-values party that makes you want to go out and commit adultery?
They certainly don’t have a lock on the infidelity market, and heaven knows we all remember John Edwards. But, lately, the G.O.P. has shown a genius for putting a peculiar, newsworthy spin on illicit sex."
Obviously concerned with a possible Mitch Daniels candidacy, Collins pointedly observes:
"Daniels is apparently worried that a presidential run might prove embarrassing to his wife, who ditched him and the kids and ran off to California to marry a doctor and then later recanted everything and came back. I think it is pretty safe to say that this topic might come up."
I suppose Collins thinks there is no need to rehash the Monica Lewinsky affair, or to examine the current living arrangements involving the Clintons. Yes, I'm certain they're the ideal couple.
No need to mention former New York Governor and Attorney General Eliot Spitzer and his trysts with high-priced prostitutes.
No need to mention former New York Governor David Paterson, who acknowledged having extramarital affairs.
No need to mention former New Jersey Governor James McGreevey and his extramarital affair with a male employee.
No need to mention Congressman Barney Frank and his relationship with Stephen Gobie (see: http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/03/who_is_barney_frank.html).
I could continue ad infinitum; however, perhaps it is wiser to refer those who are interested to a Newsweek article entitled "Sex Scandals Through the Years: Both Parties Even" (http://www.newsweek.com/blogs/the-gaggle/2009/06/25/sex-scandals-through-the-years-both-parties-even.html).
Of course, if the Democrats formally decide in Charlotte to run in 2012 as the "non-family-values party", I suppose that their pecadilloes will be exempt from criticism by the American electorate.
Are marital infidelity and sexual indiscretion peculiar to politicians, or are they part and parcel of the human condition?
"Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn!"
Mitch Daniels in fact decided not to run for precisely this reason.
ReplyDeleteKudos, I guess to some Democratic opposition research. We don't even know who's responsible.
They scared him out of the race by threatening to really embarrass his wife more than what had happened when he ran for Governor of Indiana.
You know, half hour nationally syndicated evening TV shows, national magazines with her face on the cover, variant versions told to the National Enquirer, the Star and other supremarket tabloids etc.
And for the most part they wouldn't even have to lie.