The New York Times published an article insinuating that Republican Presidential Candidate John McCain had an improper relationship with a female lobbyist and as a result of that inappropriate relationship, McCain may have dolled out favors on the behalf of that lobbyist' clients.

McCain to his credit, or perhaps to the credit of his political advisors, wasted no time in responding.



Obviously damage control and political expediency were fresh in the mind of the McCain camp. McCain has insisted that he has not been involved with this woman and has had no improper relationship...but this begs the question: Does it matter...

The press certainly has no shortage of stories related to unscrupulous politicians who have been caught with their pants down, but does it matter, does it have any affect on the voters, do voters even care and should they care.

Naturally, the answer is complicated. Is it of concern to John Q? Probably not, after all do the private indiscretions of a public figure require public scrutiny. Certainly people who have made such decisions shouldn't be held to a separate standard than any other...but a legitimate case can be made for the argument that such people can't be trusted, that such actions reflect squarely on their character and their ability to lead. Perhaps what happens in the bedroom, even of a president or other prominent political doesn't have an impact on their ability to govern or does it?

Think of marriage as a contract, in a way a marriage is a contractual obligation between two parties. Perhaps the most important contract a person can be party to. If one of those two parties engages in an affair or some other type of adulterous relationship, it could be argued that said person has violated that contract. They have also demonstrated they are untrustworthy and furthermore, if a person violates such an intimate trust with perhaps the most important person in their life, can anyone truly believe that they can be trusted with the reigns of government? If you will betray your closest family members who's to say where your loyalties lie in times of crisis.

Surely, the answer to that question will vary for every voter, but it must weigh on the minds of many. The fact of the matter is character DOES matter. No one would feel comfortable entrusting our government with someone who can be bought and paid for at the drop of a hat or with an unscrupulous liar can an adulterer, the ultimate betrayer be much different?