Are we too obsessed with the personal morality of our political leaders?

Question

Or do they reflect our society in general more than we would like to admit?

Answer 1

Americans are a bit too prudish about moraility.  They will bash other political leaders without realizing that they, too do stupid things at times.

There are too many examples of such hypocrisy.  Newt Gingrich and d**k Cheney bashed the g*y lifestyle and soon thereafter close relatives of theirs (Newt's sister, d**k's daughter) came out to announce they were g*y.  Alan Keyes daughter did the same when her dad ran as a conservative for the GOP back in the early 2000s.  Edwards criticized Clinton for his affair and then had one himself years later.

Answer 2

Not an issue for me; we have bigger problems.

Answer 3

I just think that many great leaders of the past, of all nations, would not have even been elected to begin with if subjected to the media scrutiny the politicians get now.

Churchill wouldn't be "charismatic" enough, Roosevelt not healthy enough, Kennedy (yes, I said it, Kennedy) wouldn't have passed the former girlfriends vet check, the list goes on and on.

At some point common sense has to kick in that they're human and only as good as the team of people they choose to have around them.

Answer 4

To me, their personal morality would affect the way they run the country, among other things.  So, no, we are not obsessed, just wanting to know the kind of morals they have.

Answer 5

I don't think so.  If a man, or a woman cannot be trusted to keep a contract with their spouse, they are not trustworthy to run a government or to legislate the activities of others.

Answer 6

I'm so over all of this stuff.

Answer 7

I think so...people spend more time looking at personal choices leaders make and how they live their own lives, than their stands on issues and choices they make for those they represent. More attention should be paid to those things since they affect us sometimes very directly. *shrugs*

Answer 8

The morality of a political leader show his/her character.  

Answer 9

On the contrary, we are far to oblivious to the connection between personal morality and Character. Character is what is important, morality is an indicator, but far from being either irrelevant or the same thing.  

Answer 10

Neither.  

Morality cannot be compartmentalized into personal and private areas.  Someone is either honest or a liar.  We have a right as citizens to expect honesty from our leaders.  It reflects our being imperfect humans and I have no problem admitting it.