Cal Thomas ... January 1992 ... on rumors of infidelity

[zbdent]

Of course, it was a Democratic candidate, Bill Clinton ... I wonder if Mr. Thomas will be remembered for shedding some light on why infidelities of a candidate may matter now ...

"The third issue is whether adultery is relevant to a presidential campaign. Adultery is just one of many of the character issues that Democrats have failed to successfully address in recent campaigns. Democrats and their defenders on the interview shows dismiss many of these character issues as irrelevant, but many Americans regard them as not only relevant, but critical in the battle against rampant social problems ranging from AIDS to crime, declining test scores among students and integrity in government."

...

"If a man or woman breaks one of the most solemn vows one person can make to another, it is fair to ask wheter other promises concerning the economy, the environment and the poor will be kept, and on what basis are we to believe that such promises will be honored? Is there a standard politicians can swear is greater than that applied at most marriage ceremonies ("before God and these witnesses ... forsaking all others ... 'til death do us part&quot ?"

[rhett o rick]

1. Mr. Thomas is a republicon. I think adequately covers hypocrite. nm

[Warpy]

2. I actually don't think affairs are a big deal

and I don't think having something on the side in a marriage particularly carries over into one's professional life.

What I do think matters is when an adulterer walks away from his "until death" vows time and time again, replacing woman after woman like so much used Kleenex. That does say a lot about his character (and yes, it's usually men in politics although women in films do the same thing) and about how he views half the citizens in the country he wants to legislate, adjudicate or run as an executive.

I don't trust serial polygamists any farther than I can throw a grand piano, in other words.