tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8267169573527833860.post1763881199213313496..comments2023-03-22T12:42:19.362-05:00Comments on Platform Magazine Blog: Dirty Little Secrets: Political Scandalsplatformadminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10242992478081152121noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8267169573527833860.post-4978945018583761312008-04-30T14:00:00.000-05:002008-04-30T14:00:00.000-05:00I agree with the previous comment. Political figur...I agree with the previous comment. Political figures should not have to volunteer every detail about their extra-marital activities to the public just because they are running for office. Unless it is illegal, such as prostitution or sexual harassment as in the cases of Foley and Spitzer, a politician’s personal affairs are not the business of the public. I don’t think it was necessary for Paterson to confess his sins before taking office because they have (or shouldn’t have) any bearing on how well he can run the office of governor. <BR/><BR/>I also believe that it was a bad PR move. While it may seem like the noble route to put everything out in the open, all Paterson’s confession did was make his constituents think less of him. Now, instead of noting his achievements in politics, the media and consequently the public are only focusing on his less-than-appealing character flaws. Cheating on your spouse is not a crime (unfortunately) and therefore is not something that should hinder whether or not a politician is elected to office. <BR/><BR/>You also have to consider whom else his public confession may affect: his wife and children. If his wife already knows about his unfaithful activities and has decided to forgive him privately, why should she need to relive that humiliation and be subjected to public ridicule? The point is, private, family affairs, as long as they are not illegal, should remain just that: private. <BR/><BR/>- Katie DagefordeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8267169573527833860.post-39922305261065164652008-04-28T14:12:00.000-05:002008-04-28T14:12:00.000-05:00While I am not one to condone extra-marital affair...While I am not one to condone extra-marital affairs, I will note that political leaders of today have it a lot harder than their predecessors. Presidents of the past did not have to worry about extensive and sometimes invasive investigations into their personal lives by reporters. I certainly do not believe (and know) that Clinton was not the first president to have an affair, but he was one of the first, (if not the first) to go on the stand about it. While I do hold a person's character into account when selecting a new candidate for a position,once he or she is in office I would rather focus my attention on their decisions with regards to running their office or running the country rather than their bedroom behavior. I personally would rather their personal lives stay personal, because so long as they make sound political decisions that benefit the public, I don't care what they do behind closed doors. I look to others as my moral compass not politicians, I just want them to do their jobs and do them well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8267169573527833860.post-9917306923500903172008-04-02T13:57:00.000-05:002008-04-02T13:57:00.000-05:00Wow Taryn, well written! I didn't think of the sit...Wow Taryn, well written! I didn't think of the situation that way. Politicians who don't even have enough self-control to stay out of trouble have no business making decisions for the rest of us.<BR/><BR/>-SavannahAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8267169573527833860.post-63193989066448852912008-03-26T14:04:00.000-05:002008-03-26T14:04:00.000-05:00I think it says a lot about the state of our count...I think it says a lot about the state of our country that the response to sex scandals performed by our elected officials is simply a sigh. So, do constituents care about the personal lives of our leaders? I don't know abut mainstream America, but as for me, the personal life of a candidate is one of my most important voting criterions. <BR/><BR/>The best public relations tactic when dealing with personal scandals is exactly what Paterson did. Transparency tends to work. However, this is the best post-scandal tactic. I am a firm believer that information such as sex scandals should be admitted by the candidate prior to the election, not when the position is being filled. After all, in a courtroom is the evidence not released before the verdict is made?<BR/><BR/>As Savannah said, the best idea is to simply not engage in shady activity. I think people who have little self-control in their personal lives do not act as good examples. Why should these individuals represent us and make decisions for us? Furthermore, if these politicians' wives can't trust them, why should we? Individuals who engage in extra-marital relations have proven that they are not to be trusted in a personal relationship; therefore, I find it difficult to trust them in a political realm.<BR/><BR/>-Taryn ElyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com