Thread: Sex Scandal and Resignation

So, I am curious as to peoples opinions around here about Sex, Scandals, and Resigning.

I'm sure by now that most of you have heard that about Congressman Weiner and his inappropriate twitter activities. As far as is publicly known right now, he never came into physical contact with the women.

According to most Republicans, he should resign because it is not appropriate for a Congressman. Any campaign contributions Weiner made is tainted money, and if it is not given back to Weiner you are condoning his actions.

He didn't break laws (as of known right now). Didn't pay for sex through a prostitution service. He didn't campaign on his superior morals and sanctity of his marriage.


How many of us remember the David Vitter sex scandal?

Turned out he was on the phone records multiple times for a Prostitution Service. Shortly after this was discovered, Vitter came out and announced it and apologized.

No major players in the Republican Party (from what I can find, please if you can prove me wrong, do) called for him to resign, and actually gave him support. And no call for giving back campaign contributions to Vitter (however, I can't seem to find if anyone did or not).

He payed for sex. Broke the law. And also campaigned on the sanctity of his marriage and family values. So also a hypocrite.

How are these situations so different that Weiner is having many people demanding he resign, but Vitter doesn't need to?



What am I missing here? I feel there must SOMETHING I am missing here that makes them so much different.

Or is it really true that "It's O.K. if you are a Republican"?

My question is, just b/c he's a politician why should his actions be considered inappropriate. He engaged in an act that was sexual in nature and between two consenting adults. Why is this fantasy morality bar higher for him than the millions of others that have done this. Just because he's a politician? Silly. If it comes out that he broke a law I will change my opinion.

To me it speaks to "conduct not becoming". You don't take sincere marriage vows then engage in that kind of behavior and not expect consequences if you get caught. THEN, to lie about it...that's the kicker. Openly lying to the media and citizens is not conduct which becomes an elected official.

But it's a lot like college football...It is LIKELY that many college football programs cheat, but getting caught/lying about it is the kiss of death. (See: Ohio State/Jim Tressel)

I'm searching around the Vitter Wikipedia page and as far as I can tell, he never openly lied about it. He was doing business with the DC Madam, Hustler called his office to ask about it, and the following day he issued a statement admitting and apologizing for it. Also, the phone records were from 5 years prior...so it looks like he used the service, and at some point stopped...

Wiener went off the deep end when he claimed he was hacked, that these were fake, that he gets Wiener jokes a lot and that he wasn't going to dignify it, blah, blah, blah. He covered it up. And what have we learned? It's seldom the crime, but the cover up that gets you in trouble.

So if a reporter came up to you and asked you about your sex life, you would be obligated to answer?

If no, why should an elected official be obligated?

I agree with Consultant pretty much. I could care less that he cheated, but I do care that he was so eager to lie.

The only way it should matter is if he did it on "company" time or equipment. If not what he does on his personal time, as long as it is legal, should not matter.


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What I dont get is, many of his own party want him to resign. So what if he is newly wed, maybe they swing. As long as its two consenting adults, I dont care who or what is being talked about, photoed, or poked.

Was it a bit foolish as a politician to let pictures like these get out. Yeah sure it was. From what I have heard, there was nothing criminal going on. Let him get off how he likes.

Originally Posted by triggerhappy2005

So if a reporter came up to you and asked you about your sex life, you would be obligated to answer?

If no, why should an elected official be obligated?

Because they are elected officials, the most public of public figures on Earth. Tell me you understand the difference in expected privacy of a United States Senator and the average private citizen...

Elected officials have a lower threshold of expected privacy than Hollywood celebrities.

Why do we have high expectations of conduct for Military Officers? It's the same reason as this is so "outrageous".

Like I said...the pictures and public ridicule he's subjected to are punishment enough FOR THE ACT itself...but lying about it, after facts have been presented...claiming hackers are responsible, etc, that's the unforgivable crime.

And before you bring up examples of Republicans lying, I am not going to argue that 2 or 3 or 6 wrongs make a right...im just talking about THIS instance.

Vitter never lied about it.

Wiener did.