Politicians' Personal Lives: Should We Care?
COMMENTARY | Affairs. Pot-smoking. Odd tweets. Strange behavior in college. Politicians from both major parties are often accused (and sometimes guilty) of such behavior. Recently, Herman Cain suspended his campaign after several allegations of sexual assault and one long-term affair. Meanwhile, Newt Gingrich, who has admitted to an affair, is surging in the polls.
Should we care about politicians' personal lives?
I think we should care only if a politician broke a law, and maybe not always then. For example, I was much more concerned about the charges that Cain harassed women than about his affair. The latter is a matter for him, his wife, and the other woman. There doesn't seem to be much of a link between a politician's marital behavior and his (or her) performance in office. Many presidents (of various political views) were not faithful.Some politicians have been accused (or admitted) to smoking marijuana. I can't really get excited about that. So many people have done it!
Worse, though, the media's endless hyping of every aspect of every candidate's personal life cheapens the discourse, discourages good people from running, and distracts from more important matters.
It cheapens the discourse by making the campaigns too much about "he said, she said". If a person broke a marital vow, then perhaps the person's spouse will file for divorce. That can be handled by the legal system, but slowly, and not in the media glare of a campaign.
It discourages good people from running because, well, who wants every aspect of their past gone over with a fine-tooth comb? Even if you've never done anything illegal, never cheated on your spouse .... have you never done anything you regret? Or something you wouldn't want others to know about?
Finally, it is a distraction from the real issues. Politicians make laws and shape policy about how this country will be governed. The media should focus on that. Then we can make our decisions based on their positions on the issues of the day.
Should we care about politicians' personal lives?
I think we should care only if a politician broke a law, and maybe not always then. For example, I was much more concerned about the charges that Cain harassed women than about his affair. The latter is a matter for him, his wife, and the other woman. There doesn't seem to be much of a link between a politician's marital behavior and his (or her) performance in office. Many presidents (of various political views) were not faithful.Some politicians have been accused (or admitted) to smoking marijuana. I can't really get excited about that. So many people have done it!
Worse, though, the media's endless hyping of every aspect of every candidate's personal life cheapens the discourse, discourages good people from running, and distracts from more important matters.
It cheapens the discourse by making the campaigns too much about "he said, she said". If a person broke a marital vow, then perhaps the person's spouse will file for divorce. That can be handled by the legal system, but slowly, and not in the media glare of a campaign.
It discourages good people from running because, well, who wants every aspect of their past gone over with a fine-tooth comb? Even if you've never done anything illegal, never cheated on your spouse .... have you never done anything you regret? Or something you wouldn't want others to know about?
Finally, it is a distraction from the real issues. Politicians make laws and shape policy about how this country will be governed. The media should focus on that. Then we can make our decisions based on their positions on the issues of the day.
DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION:
The Contributor has no connection to nor was paid by the brand or product described in this content.
The Contributor has no connection to nor was paid by the brand or product described in this content.
Published by Peter Flom
I am a statistician, working with a wide variety of clients, mostly researchers in psychology, education, medicine, social sciences and other fields. I also have given talks and written articles on learning... View profile
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7 Comments
Post a CommentI agree with your argument, but only to an extent. Because politicians are so adept at putting up false faces to the public, about the only way to evaluate and understand a person's character is through their personal lives. That doesn't mean a politician's "indiscretions" should disqualify him or her from office. But how does the person deal with the issues? Are they truthful or do they try and hide the facts? I believe that aspect of a politician's personal life is important. Herman Cain continues to prevaricate and tell half-truths; Gingrich seems to have come clean. Perhaps that's why Cain is on the sidelines while Newt leads the GOP pack (at least for now...)
Yes, it's more important to know how they're going to try to help our country. How involved are they. in politics---not the silly stuff.
I agree with you -- we have to expect real people with real issues, but the important issue is how would they serve as our representative?
well written - thank you
I don't believe that there is a person in this country that can run as president if these petty things are going to bounce them out. If someone digs far enough into anyones past thay can find things that can be balooned into something. Nice work.
I feel that a person's ethics in leading their own life does show their character clearly. It does influence how I perceive a candidate and whether I would vote for them or not.
Worse to me is when they lie about it....at least come clean once the truth is exposed.