It's very simple: Elected officials aren't allowed to cheat, sext, or do anything

[fried eggs]

else that causes the public to wonder if he or she can be trusted. As a private citizen, we can do whatever the hell we want; but that freedom no longer exists once elected. Anyone who is uncomfortable with that double standard should not run for office.

[Bonobo]

1. Penises are filthy things.

Shame, shame, shame.

[Cali_Democrat]

9. LOL....wuh?

[MrSlayer]

2. Tell that to Senator Vitter.

Calling whores from the senate floor and being into infantism didn't stop him from continuing his career.

Tell that asshole Mark Sanford as well. Fuck, the cheating was the least of his transgressions.

These meaningless sex scandals only seem to matter when it's a Democrat doing it. Particularly a liberal firebrand or Wall Street cop.

I personally couldn't care less about what Weiner did. He didn't even get to fuck anyone for Christ's sake.

[99Forever]

3. That only applies to Liberals and ...

... Progressives. Turd Way, Blue dogs, Repubs and Teabaggers are exempted.

I really despise "moralistic" hypocrites.

[elehhhhna]

6. YEP. Dems only.

[fried eggs]

13. I agree that there is a huge double standard when it comes to liberals vs. repubs

but that just means dem politicans have to be EXTRA careful. There's no point in whining about how repubs get away with it. Smart politicians know the double standard exists, and act accordingly.

[99Forever]

15. Who's whining?

It's past time to stand up to the self-righteous dickheads, who are more than likely banging someone they shouldn't be, and tell them to mind their own fucking business. Until that happens, this shit will keep being used by establishment ASSHOLES to make sure Progressives and Liberals NEVER get a seat at the table.

[NightWatcher]

4. If they've got skeletons, they've got reason to be blackmailed

I don't care what they do at home, but if knowledge of it can be manipulated into political favor, we've got a problem.

[truebluegreen]

7. If we didn't concern ourselves about sex skeletons

we'd have a bigger choice in politicians.

Personally I don't give a rip about any legal thing consenting adults do on their own time.

[cbayer]

5. Or, people with serious compulsions don't make good elected officials.

When people continue certain behaviors despite very serious personal consequences, they most likely have an irresistible compulsion to do so.

If they will ignore the personal consequences, they are likely to also have grossly impaired decision making abilities when it comes to other things.

[quaker bill]

8. More precisely, they are not allowed to be caught doing such things

only a small slice gets caught, and usually(but not always) they are done when it happens.

[Safetykitten]

10. Uh, ok. There is something wrong with him and he needs help.

I am still a big fan of the guy. Caught once? Ok. Twice, sorry. He needs to be out of the race so he will not be caught the third time. He is a punch line now.

[KoKo]

11. Well..(I'm sure I'm the Minority Opinion) here on DU...but I agree!

There's just too many problems with Politicians who can be compromised when they lead these Secret or Double Lives.

We are in perilous times...and that an Elected Official could be Blackmailed (given NSA Spying...they all probably are) or caught up in some situation where the legislation they promised gets compromised and then WHERE ARE THE VOTERS? Down the river to drown.

I think our Politicians should be accountable for their "extracurricular behavior." They should be held to a higher standard because the "Trust of the People" is in their hands.

Now the Koch Brothers and Big Corp. elected folks...we expect to be the worst of the worst.

But, NOW is the time to HOPE for BETTER.

[99Forever]

16. "Caught" doing what?

Having a sex life?

What is wrong with that?

Self-appointed moralists suck.

[Arctic Dave]

12. I see we have newbie moralist spike today.

Have fun.

[HappyMe]

14. Oh boy.

So they have to be squeaky clean and perfect.

No thank you. I prefer a real person, flaws and all.