Replies

I don't agree. Unless it can be shown that his private behavior substantially affected his service as Governor, then it's his private business. It's unseemly to be going through someone else's dirty laundry, political opponent or no. And 'destroyer of families' etc., well that was the same dirty trick that was pulled on Henry Hyde during the impeachment trial. It was low then, and it's low now. It's 2003, not 1903, and adultery is par for the course in this day and age. In the context of a 50% national divorce rate, you only look like a fanatic trying to pursue this, and may in fact cause a backlash by people who judge (rightly in my opinion) that the governor's opponents play dirty.

The Clinton situation was completely different. Not only was it clear that it did in fact affect his performance in office, but there were the additional violations concerning sexual harassment, perjury, and obstruction of justice at a minimum, not to mention violation of his oath of office and his 'wag the dog' pinprick attacks on empty terror camps.

In the context of a 50% national divorce rate, you only look like a fanatic trying to pursue this, and may in fact cause a backlash by people who judge (rightly in my opinion) that the governor's opponents play dirty.

You really are choosing to be ignorant about this, aren't you? Republicans aren't pursuing some sort of sordid investigation, this was all from Wise himself and the AP. The PEOPLE OF WEST VIRGINIA have reacted very negatively to his adultery and many have said they will not vote for him in 2004.

You don't care about morality, but thank goodness West Virginians do. They don't want to settle for a 50% divorce rate, and they know the difference between Henry Hyde having one affair 30 years ago, reforming his ways and being faithful ever since, and Bob Wise setting a terrible example to the citizenry as the governor.

the governor's opponents play dirty.

The governor's opponents, at least those with any affiliation whatsoever with the Republican Party, had absolutely nothing to do with this. A Charleston newspaper dug up the story that the Gov was cheating on his wife with a married state employee with whom he had traveled to Europe, among other places. A reporter interviewed the woman's husband, and the rest is history. The governor's office released the emails to the press. This guy's hanging himself, no need for his enemies - such as they are - even to get involved.