John Edwards: "Yep, I am indeed a liar and a giant douchebag!"

[Caliga]

The embezzlement of campaign money is bad but the rest of it - why is it even relevant? It's the guy's private life.

It shows the American public that Edwards has no self control, poor judgment, zero loyalty to the people who care about him, and is a shameless liar... traits we don't really like to see in our elected officials.  Strangely, many still exhibit those traits anyway.  Actually, maybe we DO like to see those traits in our elected officials after all. 

[jimmy olsen]

The embezzlement of campaign money is bad but the rest of it - why is it even relevant? It's the guy's private life.

It shows the American public that Edwards has no self control, poor judgment, zero loyalty to the people who care about him, and is a shameless liar... traits we don't really like to see in our elected officials.  Strangely, many still exhibit those traits anyway.  Actually, maybe we DO like to see those traits in our elected officials after all. 

The public perception of his wife as nice and loyal is also a huge strike against him for his behavior.

I'm sure that one of the main reasons Clinton got away with his cheating was many people thought Hillary was a shrill bitch and they couldn't possibly love each other.

[DGuller]

The public perception of his wife as nice and loyal is also a huge strike against him for his behavior.

I'm sure that one of the main reasons Clinton got away with his cheating was many people thought Hillary was a shrill bitch and they couldn't possibly love each other.

Interestingly enough, the public perception appears to be greatly mistaken.  The book that's about to come out is not nice to her, according to those who read the advance copy.  That's the second book in a row that's not exactly extolling her virtues.

[jimmy olsen]

The tape has been given to the FBI.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0210/32611.html

[Caliga]

The tape has been given to the FBI.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0210/32611.html

Cool.  That means I'll be downloading the torrent next week. 

[Razgovory]

The tape has been given to the FBI.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0210/32611.html

Cool.  That means I'll be downloading the torrent next week. 

Why the fuck would you want to see that?

[The Brain]

Surprised? You're talking to the world's greatest Matt Ramsey fan.

[CountDeMoney]

I really wish people would leave him alone.

[jimmy olsen]

Why?

[Martinus]

Why?

Because it's his private life and he did not do anything illegal? 

[Eddie Teach]

In some states adultery is illegal. 

But I wish people would leave him alone just because I'm tired of hearing about it.

[Caliga]

Because it's his private life and he did not do anything illegal? 

Misuse of campaign funds is a variety of fraud and thus illegal.

[Sheilbh]

The embezzlement of campaign money is bad but the rest of it - why is it even relevant? It's the guy's private life.

His behaviour was at absolute odds with his public image - he made a deal of being the loyal husband supporting his wife with cancer, for example. 

Edit:  Also I don't like this private life stuff.

[DontSayBanana]

Because it's his private life and he did not do anything illegal? 

Public officials are elected on the basis of character and trustworthiness as much as anything else.  If you're going to run for political office, you need to be prepared to live in a glass house.  If that elected official's judgment is that questionable in private matters, how can you trust that it'll be any more reliable in public affairs?

[Martinus]

Because it's his private life and he did not do anything illegal? 

Public officials are elected on the basis of character and trustworthiness as much as anything else.  If you're going to run for political office, you need to be prepared to live in a glass house.  If that elected official's judgment is that questionable in private matters, how can you trust that it'll be any more reliable in public affairs?

Disagree. I much prefer the European culture of politics to the puritan Anglosaxon one. Public officials should be judged on the basis of one thing only: competence (including past track record in performance of the duties). Their non-office-related conduct should only matter if it involves a criminal activity and/or misuse of power.

Of course the fact that he used campaign funds etc. is another story whatsoever, but the fact that he had an extra-marital affair and a kid with his mistress should be nobody's concern.