In politics, character does matter
Campus Times
September 13, 1996
Dick Morris, Bill Clinton's political adviser, has a liaison with a prostitute.
Presidential candidate Bob Dole states his belief, which has been medically
refuted, that tobacco is not an addictive substance in order to win tobacco
industry money. What do these "personal choices" have to do with
the positions these men hold in the United States government?
Everything. The American people trust the president and his advisers to
make decisions for an entire country. What a government official does in
his personal life directly affects his political life. With news of alleged
scandals plastered on the front of tabloid newspapers such as The Star,
and even the Los Angeles Times, how can a politician keep his focus on the
country?
Granted, politicians have always been embroiled in personal scandal. As
far back as 1833, Andrew Jackson came under attack for being married to
two women at once. Even Benjamin Franklin was a known womanizer. But in
this day and age, news travels faster and is more comprehensive. More people
have access to both the personal and political details of government officials,
and are able to use this information to make informed choices.
In 1976, Ways and Means Chairman Wilbur Mills was pulled over by police
with stripper Fanne Fox in his car. Later he lost the chairmanship. Also
in 1976, Rep. Wayne Hays' mistress, Elizabeth Ray, revealed she could not
type but was receiving a $14,000 a year salary. Hays was forced to resign.
In 1988, Democratic hopeful Gary Hart was forced out of the presidential
race after daring reporters to "follow" him, only to be spotted
with Donna Rice in his apartment.
Then there was Sen. Ted Kennedy. In 1969, he and a woman named Mary Jo Kopecke
left a party together. Driving drunk, he rolled his car into Lake Chappaquiddick.
He escaped the accident, but left his alleged lover to drown. He did not
contact police until the following morning after he had discussed matters
over with his lawyer.
It is only natural that a country should hold government officials to higher
standards than average citizens. They have the responsibility of choosing
what is right for an entire nation, not to mention the astronomical salaries
they they are paid for making these decisions. We deserve a government that
puts the people first and abides by the same morals that they openly support
and enforce on the public.
Sex and infidelity are not the only issues that destroy character. Take
Richard Nixon and Watergate, for example. The President of the United States
hid knowledge of the break-in at Democratic headquarters from the American
people. Although he claimed to have taken no part in the break-in, he knew
of it after the fact and successfully hid it from the public for more than
a year. His role as president was to stand as the voice of the American
people, but how could he speak only partial truths to the very people who
trusted him with their country?
More recently, there is Sen. Bob Packwood, who documented his many affairs
in his diary since the 1970s. He admitted to his "sexual addiction"
and was forced to resign. And last, but not least, the latest scandal in
the White House involving presidential adviser Dick Morris. On the evening
of Aug. 22, he was caught in his hotel room with call girl Sherry Rowland,
with whom he had been enjoying a year-long relationship.
People should be the main concern of a president or senator, not his personal
life. With election time here again it is important for the public to realize
just how important character is in a presidency. If the people do not trust
a candidate's morals, how can they trust him with their nation?
If the public wants a candidate with values they can agree with, they should
begin looking at their own vote. In the American political system, the people
have the power to send the message that character is important. Regardless
of which candidate they choose to lead their country for the next four years,
the American people should select their candidate based on moral views as
well as political beliefs.