<p>Also, the front page NY Times article implying that McCain had an affair with a lobbyist was also big news. The Times didn’t give McCain the same benefit of the doubt that they gave to Edwards.</p>
<p>Zmom:</p>
<p>The NYT was roundly condemned by other papers and bloggers for its shoddy reporting. Perhaps, it decided that, having been burnt, it would wait for stronger evidence this time.</p>
<p>I am disturbed by the idea that time and distance make such a difference. It certainly makes a difference in the coverage of the deed, but not in the deed itself. </p>
<p>What upsets me, as a citizen, is not so much the affair, which is a private matter for the Edwards and for Hunter to deal with. Yhey are not the first or the last to have that experience. What upsets me is that, knowing there was this skeleton in the closet, they, and I do mean they, were reckless enough to go forward with the candidacy. It shows such a deep lack of judgment.</p>
<p>
Oh now I get it - Republicans are ok with the married Republican politicians having extra marital affairs - it’s just the women who get pregnant because of one of the affairs that are unacceptable. So married man having affair acceptable (in all your posts you have never condemned infidelity by Republicans). Unmarried mother of politicians child unacceptable.</p>
<p>That seems a little HYPOCRITICAL to me.</p>
<p>That’s a very good point, marite. I can’t imagine what the thought process was that would have allowed them to go forward with a candidacy.</p>
<p>Agreed Marite and Zoosermom. What a disaster it would have been if he had won the nomination. He had to know this would be likely to come out.</p>
<p>Marite, I completely agree with your post. While I don’t condone infidelity, I see that part as a private matter. But as I wrote on this thread earlier today, it seems purely stupid if you are a politician in the limelight to even risk taking this chance. Then, as you say, AFTER the affair, it is poor judgment to go ahead with the campaign, knowing full well this could come out and if it did, it would be hugely public and bring even more shame to the family and to have to put them through that as well.</p>
<p>Well said, zoosermom (post #14). I agree.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>As many know, I was an avid Edwards supporter, prior to the suspension of his candidacy, so this revelation is quite disappointing for just the reasons marite lists above. :(</p>
<p>I dislike McCain but even I know the answer to this.</p>
<p>McCain uses his military service to illustrate his character; Edwards uses his family life to illustrate his character.</p>
<p>There is a reason why McCain rarely talks about his family life and “family values” and religion.</p>
<p>marite - could you clarify what you mean by time and distance? I can speculate, but would rather hear it in your words.</p>
<p>I heard someone on the TV explain the situation this way:</p>
<p>Every party has its demons. The Republicans like money and the Democrats like sex.</p>
<p>McCain
Guiliani
Gingrich
Fosella
etc
Guess they like money *and *sex. Greedy things.</p>
<p>There are differences. One had multiple affairs while married to a crippled wife and then left her for big money and political connections.</p>
<p>To answer the OP’s question: it’s not.</p>
<p>
You forgot Foley. ;)</p>
<p>Would McCain be getting a free pass if this happened right now (he might get a viagra endorsement but I digress)? Certainly not. If it came out that as recently as 2 years ago McCain was running for office and horizontal bopping some chick it would be just as big of a story. It’s all about timing. </p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/526056-why-so-little-reported-mccain-s-sordid-private-life.html?highlight=mccain+affair[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/526056-why-so-little-reported-mccain-s-sordid-private-life.html?highlight=mccain+affair</a></p>
<p>I would say the issue of his affair (and other stupid things he has done) has been talked about plenty on these boards over the past couple of months. To be honest I didn’t know why he was divorced all those years ago until I read an article posted on here. He has a long history behind him to pick apart. I’m sure not rock will be left unturned.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I respect McCain and do think he is a fairly trustworthy guy, as far as politicians go, but this statement has no validity. That would suggest that every lawyer is a sleaze and everyone that is ex-military is honorable and that just isn’t the case. It makes his supporters look bad to make statements like this.</p>
<p>Id said, “Spoken like a true Democrat.” (in reference to a quote from me.)</p>
<p>FYI for ID. I personally was a democrat for about two minutes this year. In NH you have to declare a party affiliation in order to vote in the primary. (You can un-declare when you leave the polling place.) The reason I was a democrat for about two minutes during the last primary election was so that I could vote against another Clinton. Remember, Clinton is a DEMOCRAT!!! </p>
<p>In point of fact, I have always been a registered Independent, and probably voted for more republicans than democrats over the past years. :rolleyes:</p>
<p>Sorry -Infidelity is one of those non-partisan issues. As shown in this thread, it has crossed all party lines.</p>
<p><<mccain is=“” ex-military=“” and=“” edwards=“” a=“” lawyer.=“” mccain=“” has=“” at=“” least=“” some=“” honor=“” he=“” can=“” fall=“” back=“” on.=“”>></mccain></p>
<p>William Calley and Ernest Medina are also ex-military. </p>
<p>The idea that being in the military <em>necessarily</em> confers “honor” is simply ludicrous.</p>
<p>There are some differences b/w the Edwards’ affair and McCain’s affair:</p>
<ul>
<li>McCain’s affair was over 30 years ago.</li>
<li>McCain was not a presidential candidate at the time.</li>
<li>McCain’s affair was after the husband & wife had lived apart for over 5 yrs.</li>
<li>McCain’s marriage was essentially over before the affair began.</li>
<li>McCain has never lied to the public about his actions.</li>
<li>McCain married his “mistress” and has been married ever since. </li>
<li>McCain’s first wife didn’t have a terminal illness & has gone on to live a full life.</li>
<li>McCain’s first wife has fully supported him throughout his life & never had to publicly play the “humiliated wife” role.</li>
<li>No (possible) “love child” involved.</li>
<li>McCain has never tried to make excuses for his behavior, never pointed the finger at someone else, and has always expressed regret over the situation.</li>
</ul>
<p>I could probably go on, but these reasons are a good start in answering the question of the OP.</p>
<p>It’s NOT ok for McCain & I don’t condone his behavior, but it is clearly a different situation than what Edwards is going thru right now - so much so that it’s not even relevant.</p>
<p>I have difficulty understanding why a candidate’s personal life–and, remember, Edwards is no longer a candidate–plays such an important role here. (The French don’t seem to have the same concerns!) Does it really influence his ability to be President? Policy and, to a somewhat lesser degree leadership skills, seem far more important to me. In my mind the President is comparable to a CEO and personal life doesn’t seem to impact the CEO’s job…</p>