Civilized said:
I don't see any reason why today's male politicians would be commiting more acts of infidelity than they have in past generations, so the only explanation is that the media and those who are close to the politicians are more likely to expose their affairs in public. These kinds of stories have been much more frequent in the post-clinton period, due to (1) the clinton scandal set the standard for the virtual elimination of the privacy of public figures in these matters, and (2) for any given sex scandal, half of the polarized electorate will be ruthless in their condemnation of he-who-is-scandalized.
With that said, any case like this where public funds were a part of the cover up is certainly a public issue in any era.
From the subject line, I was kind of expecting to hear Ensign's girlfriend was pregnant.
There's different ways to respond to someone else's sex scandal:
1) Sanctimonious condemnation. This actually isn't polarized by political party. Ensign on Craig, "embarrassing not only to himself and his family but to the U.S. Senate." Edwards on Clinton, [he] "has no credibility left." The hazards are obvious, but common sense seems a little less abundant in politics, nowadays.
2) If you can't say anything nice about someone, don't say anything at all about them. Even if you detest their behavior, at least the apology was nice. Sen DeMint on Vitter, "It's a huge moral failure that reflects on the whole body. And for that he's very sorry." Sen Cornyn on Ensign, "He's apologized to his constituents and his colleagues and acknowledged a grave error." (Sometimes, people are even gentle on sanctimonious airbags.)
3) If you can't say anything nice about someone, don't say anything at all about them. Obama on Edwards, "I really haven't seen the details of it, so I don't know what's going on. I'm a little in the dark." Sen Kyl on Ensign, "I'm not going to say anything." Sen Grassley on Ensign, "It would be intellectually dishonest for me to comment."
4) If you can't say anthing nice about someone, talk about their family instead. McCain on Spitzer, "I was just watching, as all of you have, this information about the governor of New York. I don't know what to make of it—our prayers go out to his family." Hillary Clinton on Spitzer, "I obviously am sending my best wishes and thoughts to the governor and to his family."
5) If you can't say anything nice about someone, defer to a higher power. Sen Bayh on Clinton, "Ultimately, he will be judged for his sins by that tribunal before which we all must stand one day. But we must apply a mortal, constitutional standard here." (on why not to impeach Clinton).
6) Say something nice about them - or at least stand by your man. Gore on Clinton, "The president has denied the charges, and I believe it."
7) If you can't say anything nice about them, then speak softly and carry a big stick. Gingrich on Clinton, "I think every citizen ought to slow down, relax, and wait for the facts to develop. When we know, then is the time to comment." (Gingrich led the impeachment effort.)
8) If you can't say anything nice about them, then speak in limericks. Kerry on Vitter:
"There once was a man named Vitter
Who vowed that he wasn't a quitter
But with stories of women
And all of his sinnin'
He knows his career's in the—oh, never mind."
