[Williams]

Question: I understand so far it's an affair and the woman left the country, but what are the "shocking" stories beyond that which threaten to make Kerry "implode." So far we see reference to an "intern." Frankly, if the affair is over you need an explanation of why this is a problem that disqualifies him from office. I'm not being jaded about the affair itself, but there needs to be some additionally troubling circumstance that affects him as a public official.

[Rome2000]

there needs to be some additionally troubling circumstance

Fleeing the country to Africa after a reporter asks her about Kerry qualifies.

Especially afetr "I never heard of Botox" Kerry's upcoming denial.

All of the rat canidates are perverted socialist baby killing com symp socilaist scumsuckers, it doesn't matter who they put up.

[Beck_isright]

"Question: I understand so far it's an affair and the woman left the country, but what are the "shocking" stories beyond that which threaten to make Kerry "implode." So far we see reference to an "intern." Frankly, if the affair is over you need an explanation of why this is a problem that disqualifies him from office. I'm not being jaded about the affair itself, but there needs to be some additionally troubling circumstance that affects him as a public official."

Answer:

[Sonny M]

Question: I understand so far it's an affair and the woman left the country, but what are the "shocking" stories beyond that which threaten to make Kerry "implode." So far we see reference to an "intern." Frankly, if the affair is over you need an explanation of why this is a problem that disqualifies him from office. I'm not being jaded about the affair itself, but there needs to be some additionally troubling circumstance that affects him as a public official.

As the saying goes, if the guy can lie to his wife so he can bang interns, what makes you think he will tell YOU the truth about anything to become president.

Besides that, part of his campaign has to do with honesty and character, at one time presidents were supposed to act like role models, if he wants to say that he is a womanizer, fine, then voters can decide if they want to trust him (something his own wife can't do), and he can say honesty is not a qualification to holding office.

[Starboard]

Frankly, if the affair is over you need an explanation of why this is a problem that disqualifies him from office.

So serious character flaws in the person who occupies the highest office in the land are not a problem with you?

[Political Junkie Too]

if the affair is over you need an explanation of why this is a problem that disqualifies him from office.

Compare and contrast.

As a campaign issue, President Bush would probably ask Americans if they want a return to the days of sex scandals and distraction in the White House, or if they want the adults to remain in charge.

It is easy to presume that one caught cheating is more likely to cheat again than one who has never cheated before.

Compared with Kerry's flip-flops on issues based on the prevailing sentiments, and now his allegations of cheating, it is easy to ask if he really stands for anything, including his marriage vows, his votes in Congress, his ability to negotiate with foreign leaders on our behalf, etc.

-PJ

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Would you have made the same argument regarding WJC?

[MattAMiller]

Kerry's front runner status isn't built on his being good at anything in the first place. He's only doing well because he's seen as electable. Anything could pop the bubble. I don't know if this will do the trick, and I'd still be betting on Kerry at this point. But any doubts about Kerry's electability could snowball.

[SauronOfMordor]

If it was just an affair with an adult woman not his wife, it's going to be no big deal, post Clinton.

The tidbit about her fleeing to Africa, homeland of Kerry's wife, raises some possibilities, though. If the woman/girl in question was one of his wife's relatives, the women won't like it.

And if it's one of his wife's two stepdaughters from her first marriage, the women will freak (witness what happened to Woody Allen, post Soon-Yi)

[CurlyDave]

...but there needs to be some additionally troubling circumstance that affects him as a public official.

A. Being Bobbited by Theresa would disqualify him.

B. A credible threat of a divorce of a sitting President would be entirely unprecedented. I doubt he could be elected without his wife's support on this & I have seen little mention of her as being supportive.