To what extent is the personal life of a political candidate significant enough to affect job performance?

Question

Everybody's got some skeletons in their closet. Even you, even me.

I don't have an untarnished moral history either, but as far as I know, my boss has never seriously considered firing me for what I do while not at work.

I mean, yeah they're public figures and they have to expect that kind of childish and immature behavior from the unfortunately ignorant electorate. But, as citizens, aren't they entitled to at least SOME degree of privacy?

In what ways does (oh h**l, let's just take a few randomly selected hypothetical scenarios here, shall we) a pregnant teenage daughter, a history of drug use, an affair, or a DUI impact whatever responsibilities an office could require?

Answer 1

I don't think it would have as much impact if it weren't blown out of proportion by the other politicians. Example, There is no reason Bill Clinton should have ever had a court hearing on his sexual relations with an intern. Even if he lied in court, should his s*x life be a federal case? But things like Cheney's daughters or Palin's prego daughter because democrats are not the ones who usually exploit those type of things. If it were to be a democrat though, the republicans would try to make it well known that the person is immoral.  

Answer 2

The personal lives of the candidates' families should be OFF LIMITS.  It doesn't have any bearing on the job they would do in office.  

Answer 3

ONCE YOU BECOME A CANDIDATE FOR THE HIGHEST OFFICE IN THIS COUNTRY EVERY THING IS ON THE TABLE YOUR KIDS YOU PERSONAL LIFE ETC.

Answer 4

Where were you when Bill Clinton was in office?