American Political Campaigns

[vidcc]

As the campaign trail hots up the mud slinging and character assasinations have started. As a voter i pay little attention to these and instead concentrate on the policies and ability to do the job.
My question is to Americans mostly but open to all on their own political arena.... would you be detered from voting for a candidate purley on the basis that he/she had an alledged affair ?

[internet.news]

Interesting, yes, policy is important - but I think some parties say they want
to do something but finally would not do it if the win?

[hobbes]

Originally posted by vidcc@13 February 2004 - 20:11
As the campaign trail hots up the mud slinging and character assasinations have started. As a voter i pay little attention to these and instead concentrate on the policies and ability to do the job.
My question is to Americans mostly but open to all on their own political arena.... would you be detered from voting for a candidate purley on the basis that he/she had an alledged affair ?

Well, since marriage is about "trust" and an affair is a violation of said "trust" and a sacred vow, to boot, I think the label of being both untrustworthy and morally corrupt are equivalent to a political execution to the "moral majority".

I certainly have no respect for a man who cheats on wife. If he can't stand beside his wife, how can I expect him not to "cheat" on me?

Gary Hart learned this the hard way.

[Biggles]

Hobbes

Interesting point of view.


I rather like the French attitude that a politician without an illicit partner or two at some point in his career is fundamentally suspect as a human being.

Presumably, this is about the possibility that Kerry may or may not have had an affair with an intern (although I do not know if this was before or after his marriage to his wife - which as far as I can see in the scheme of things is a relatively recent event). The mud slinging over Bill seemed to galvanise support behind him rather than against him. It may actually make Kerry look more colourful and interesting. Who knows, he may be dull and boring and this snippet has been released by his camp to catch the "Bill effect".

[vidcc]

Bill Clinton cheated and although i didn't agree with all his policies he did a good overall job...which to me is what counts.
I too dissaprove of extra marrital affairs but i am looking for ability to do the job, not the ability to keep his zipper done up

[hobbes]

I was just giving the perspective of the moral majority and how it effected Gary Hart's career.

I think that most politicians are lying, deceitful, manipulative sociopaths who promote themselves and their supporters via backdoor payoffs.

I would love to see a single male, who does well with the ladies and thinks church is for "sheep", try and get elected.

[Biggles]

Hobbes


Didn't you just describe Bill? - albeit there is the technicality that he and Hilary are married in some sense (although I am not sure if it is the commonly accepted sense).

I can't remember Gary Hart (he must really have stalled early).

However, I seem to recall Bill had flings before he was elected the first time and his trouser snake problem was common knowledge by the second election. One also gets the feeling that if he had been allowed to stand a third time GW would still be cracking them up in Texas with his witty rejoinders.

[Agrajag]

To me the political views and actions are what is important. The person's record throughout their political life, what they have said and if they have followed up on their promises. I see what you mean about not trusting them if they are marital cheats. However I would rather have a politically honest person who cheats in his private life. Than a pilar of the community who is politically deceitful. That is what I want in my politicians. In the other aspects of life I prefer it if people do not cheat on their wife or husband. If the marriage is over it is over. No problem there, just finish it before starting another relationship.

[fugley]

[internet.news]

Originally posted by Agrajag@13 February 2004 - 19:56
However I would rather have a politically honest person who cheats in his private life.

Surely it's easier to be dishonest in politics and successful than it is to be honest and successful to some degree (unfortunately). To be honest in politics requires a lot of morality and sence of righteousness which is uncorruptable as their career advances. I can't imagine a profile of someone like this cheating on his wife.