Political Punch

Leslie McFall has an interesting way to deal with the so-called exception clause in Matthew 19:9 that appears to allow for divorce and remarriage for marriage unfaithfulness.
He has written a 43 page paper that reviews the changes in the Greek made by Erasmus that effect the way Matthew 19:9 has been translated. I reviewed McFall's paper at
I would love to hear some feedback on this position.

I am getting tired of listening to Christian Women who say they are Christian but yet are also Pro-Choice. They say that no one has the right to tell them how to use T H E I R bodies. Remember, women, Y O U R 'so called' bodies aren't yours, they're G O D S!!!

I watched last nite as Pastor Warren made things difficult for Obama and had given the questions to McCain as it was obvious as he was answering before they were asked. And another thing. I thought we went to church to learn not to discriminate but I was wrong as it is obvious by Pastors question regards the governement monies if he wanted to hire his own people>>> I thought that was discriminating Am I wrong???I don't think so. McCain acted like a little chiild that had to rush to say something for fear he'd get into trouble and what I find amusing is the majority of the people went for the fist pounding yelling when the man didn't even know what he was talking about. He came in with the same dumb stories and all else a quick answwer that showed being well rehersed. Shame on You Pastor Warren. You don't belong behind the pulpit.

All of your comments are so interesting to me.
I really never thought to hold Warren to his comment about adultery. Not my style. I only found myself hoping that conservative Americans might be willing to listen with an open mind to Obama. Somehow it felt as if the deck was stacked against him in the interview....as the crowd and Pastor Rick Warren laughed seemed so automatically receptive to McCain. I do think there is real decency in Obama and a personality about which we might all be proud. I am otherwise very concerned about our status in the world. I wish conservative America could imagine extending their decency and acceptance to Obama.

So... I guess he's saying he can't vote for John McCain, right?

Posted:


Obama supports Israel. Period.

Barack Obama's big speech on Israel is now over, and as expected, the candidate made no secret of his support and dedication to the special relationship between the U.S. and Israel. "My view is that the United States' special relationship with Israel obligates us to be helpful to them in the search for credible partners with whom they can make peace, while also supporting Israel in defending itself against enemies sworn to its destruction," were Obama's words to Haaretz last week. Today, he sounded as strong as Clinton, as supportive as Bush, as friendly as Giuliani. At least rhetorically, Obama passed any test anyone might have wanted him to pass. So, he is pro-Israel. Period.

For all you folks talking about John McCain's past...I would like to remind you of David and how sinned, was forgiven and loved and served God until his death.

Obama does not have a heart for Israel as he called them 'an inflexiable people'. Please remember where we are because of our love for Israel and McCain said he would always protect this country. Obama has given them very little mention but has given favorable remarks to the Palistinians and Hamas.

How about asking McCain if he cheated on both of his wifes, not just the first one. The scuttlebutt here in Arizona is that he “steps out” on Cindy too (or once did before he got too old), hence her battle with drug addiction. I would like to see the interview that Sam Donaldson did with the New Times reporter that he never aired because it put McCain in a bad light. Or, the interview that 60 minutes did that again wasn’t aired because it would be seen as negative to McCain. See, the media addresses what they want to cover, not what is truthful.

Isn't it a sad state of affairs that we have no one to vote for this fall, and not because they did or didn't cheat on their wives? We want to be altruistic but we don't want to give our country away. We want to defend out country but we don't want to send our young men to war because we think we know how their country should be run. Please note that we have not been attacked since 9/11. Are we doing something right? The economy is in deplorable shape. Which of our candidates is going to improve that? I would hope those in government are smarter that I, but am becoming more doubtful by the hour. If someone had a good idea, rather than rooting for the candidate of their party and tearing down the other, I would be more interested in reading these comments.

Warren did not say he could not vote for McCain because of his adultery.

Warren said:

"I think people first need to ask forgiveness and then earn trust back over time. Can trust be re-earned? Absolutely but it takes time."

McCain has said he was wrong for committing adultery. I think Warren would be far more concerned about McCain's non-stop lies in his Obama attack ads. The ads reflect McCain's current character.

Jesus forgave people that committed adultery and every other sin. McCain sins every time he lies, which is in the attack ads and every Town Hall meeting where he lies and distorts his and Obama's tax plan.

In thinking about Rick Warren's comments I am saddened. His comments suggest a legalistic view of the Christian walk. The Bible says that no sin is greater than another sin. Sin is sin. So how does Rick Warren view a man or woman who is divorced and remarried or a man or woman who engages in pornography when the lights are out? Within his comments, where is the Grace that Jesus lived and spoke of?

It is my personal viewpoint that the person who has been tested and has risen above the test is one to be respected. We are all tested by life in different areas of our lives. It is what we do with the test and after we are tested that is valuable for use in service to others.

It would be far more insightful for others if Rick Warren would talk about his personal failings, what he learned from them, how his key learnings helped prepare him for leadership and how those key learnings are sustaining him in leadership. If he has never failed as a human being, then he has no voice with which to speak to others. Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton have a voice for me because they were tested in the public eye both as individuals, as a married couple and as a family. They have remained committed to public life including daughter Chelsea. They demonstrate that Human failing even in a moral sense can be redeemed and used for the public good.

We know of McCain's personal marriage history because it has been exposed to the public. We know of his POW experiences. Does his personal experience set him apart from the "business as usual" Republican Party history of experience? Barak Obama is a man untested in the public eye. We do not know of Obama's personal failings because we do not know Obama. How will he react to pressure that he has not known before? What will he do when he has to compromise with Congress ,the Senate and other political leaders who wield tremendous power both visible and invisible to the public eye? How will he handle the expectations of the minority communities as the first African American President of the United States?

I do not endorse either candidate. I have not made a decision regarding my vote, but those questions concern me, not the marriage history of the candidates or past candidates. It also concerns me that we have one more religious leader who is seeking a personal platform on a national level. I do not know Rick Warren's motivations, but I question anyone who has not fallen or who does not have some failing in their walk with God.

This blog is a wonderful exchange. I appreciate the opportunity to share my views.

Will Rick Warren be asking John McCain about his adultery at Saturday's forum? Will he make it very direct like "Senator McCain, did you cheat on your first wife?"?

A serial adulterer like John McCain admitted to being doesn't just all of a sudden stop.

Infidelity may be "personal", but if a Presidential candidate's spouse was the victim of his/her lies and sneaking, what makes anyone believe without any personal evidence that said candidate, upon becoming President, wouldn't also victimize the American people?

Of course cheaters in the public spotlight want to browbeat others about "privacy". A reason has been brought to light that they are not trustworthy stewards of serious, solemn commitments that call them to think of other people besides themselves.

Meanwhile, most folks I have met or talked with who support cheaters yet have their own "personal" problems with a cheater tell *anyone* who will listen about what an untrustworthy, lying, mean, heartless, selfish rat the cheater is without any regard to their own "private, personal" issues that really should be "no-one else's business".

These people unfortunately are quite hypocritical in that they are selective about whose warts they feel should be publicized and discussed.

This is not about a normal evangelic man who can only think around earning the bread and sharing it. The person in question 'President of USA' has some minimum standards to maintain in their lives and the standards set by Evagelics are high and only who get closer to those standards can win their trust and respect to lead the country, period.

Since we Americans seem to be inordinately interested in the sex lives of politicians rather than, say, their actual record on governance--especially Americans who make a point of touting their Christianity (weird, huh?)--maybe we should try to look at this from a historical perspective. There is a long, inglorious history of sexual misconduct in American politics and it bridges parties equally: For every John Edwards (D) there is a David Vitter (R), for every Mark Foley (R) there is a Bill Clinton (D), for every Gary Hart (D) there is a Larry Craig (R), for every John McCain (R) there is John Kennedy (D),etc., etc. Neither side can claim to have the market cornered on morality and it is hypocritical in the extreme for all these "morally outraged" conservatives to try to do so in response to the John Edwards revelations. "Rafters in your own eyes" and all that, folks.

I distrust the judgment of educated, accomplished men and women, regardless of party affiliation, who seem to be unable to provide leadership for their own hormones, much less the country and who apparently have "consequence understanding disorder" and can't figure out that, as public figures, there WILL be consequences to their philandering. That is why I would not vote for an adulterer--not because of their morality. That is between them, their spouse and their maker. But because you can safely assume that if they lack judgment in one major area of life, they lack it in others, as well. Living in Arizona, as I do, I won't vote for McCain--. He won't get my vote because he displays lack of judgment in other even more important areas. He honestly does not seem to recognize (or care) that his own state consistently ranks among the lowest in education and healthcare in the US and, despite having enormous wealth (all in private hands, naturally, the state is broke because they refuse to collect even moderate income tax--I paid $16 last year), lags embarrassingly in salaries and benefits for average Arizonan's. I hear him sincerely brag about Arizona's medical system, which is without a doubt one of the worst debacles I have run across in 20 years working in the industry and despair that this is his "vision" for America--a land of a small wealthy elite class as oblivious as he appears to be to the realities of normal people, supported by an under-educated and unhealthy majority. I think he is sincere and that is exactly the problem. He doesn't know what he doesn't know. He has been too long in DC and too long insulated from the real world by his wife's enormous wealth. I used to really like the guy, but he demonstrated his willingness to be "just a politician" like the rest of them when he groveled to the current administration--an administration that had spread ugly lies and rumors about him and his famiy--to curry political favor. His own daughter told him that she had "never been more ashamed of him" than when he endorsed GWB, the man whose campaign had smeared his adopted daughter by false allegations that she was a secret love child. That is not the stance of a "maverick" or a man of integrity. That is the behavior of a typical sleazeball politician more interested in winning elections than in public service.

I'm not suggesting Obama is above all the ugliness. We simply haven't heard all there is to hear about him yet, but I have no doubt there are some ugly skeletons in that closet, too. For me, at least right now, it comes down to a choice between someone with demonstrated bad judgment (McCain) and someone whose judgment is really an unknown quantity (Obama). I'm not overly comfortable with either choice, but can't in good conscience vote for McCain after observing his less than stellar governance of the fair state of Arizona for the last three decades.

John Edwards is a non-entity in this election. His political career was pretty much in the toilet prior to this story. Why all the brouhaha?

Doug: You wrote,"Mary: your right, being a POW doesn't justify cheating. But doesn't it justify the man's love for his country?" Answer: No it does not. It isn't like McCain volunteered to be a POW.

Those Christians always looking for perfection knowing it doesn't exist.

"He makes a good point and that's why I don't like Michelle Obama. She lost my trust with those hate filled comments and has done absolutely nothing to earn back my trust." Susan

Come on Susan. You never liked Michelle Obama to begin with. Her remarks have nothing to do with your so called trust issues. Be honest!

Lonestarkaty,

My God, what a GREAT country we would have if it could be filled with more clear thinking, honest voters like you.

The saddest thing about this election is how many people are lying to themselves about themselves and justifying the stupidist rationales for voting or not voting for someone. If it had been Obama who had cheated on his wife 15 years ago I can just hear the chorus who would use it as just one more false justification.

MM:

If you really believe what you just wrote, then maybe you should run for office......Do you think you would do any different or better?

I think Michele makes a good point here:

So, I guess that means he won't be voting for John McCain?

Posted by: Michele | Aug 14, 2008 9:32:22 PM

Fact is, infidelity is a PRIVATE matter. It has absolutely NOTHING to do with how a person will effectively manage this country. It is a sad day when all people care about is infidelity in their candidate's past, rather than where this person stands on issues common to your own personal interests. But then again, when they all lie and cheat and pander to the corporations who give them the most money, they leave us with no alternatives to judge them by. If you honestly think that Obama and McCain are listening to you... WISE UP. Wake up and smell the coffee. Every speech is nothing more than PANDERING to what you want to hear. In the end, they are going to do whatever their biggest corporate contributors want.

tigercub: The Rev said we ask for forgiveness and then earn trust. He didn't say don't trust the ever again. Don't you agree that people should earn trust once they have lost it? That's they way i read his comments.

Funny... I wonder who he'd vote for if his choices were John Edwards, and Richard Nixon? Then, I'm left wondering who he might have cast his vote for in 1996 - could it have been Bill Clinton? By '96 he was an adulterer.

I have some serious concerns about this story...
How can a person truly forgive without forgetting. Jesus said turn the other cheek. I am troubled by the Christian leaders who keep telling us fogive but don't forget. Or forgive and wait for them to re-earn our trust. If that were trule the case we would all be forgiven but none of us would trust anyone else. Is this the Christian state Jesus ushered in with his resurrection? It seems to me a little bit on the hypocritical side, but who am I to judge, I guess I will leave that to the Christian leaders.
Jesus did say let those without sin cast the first stone.

Mary: your right, being a POW doesn't justify cheating. But doesn't it justify the man's love for his country?

For the atheists who don't believe in God, you are in for one big surprise on judgment day. Also, for those of you bashing Rick Warren. This country was built on Christian principles. He is simply stating the obvious. Those without morals do not make good leaders.

I totally agree with you, Gail, and I think Doug also makes a good point. I am much more concerned with how the country is going to be run than about who is sleeping with whom.

Who the heck is Rick Warren and why should I care what he thinks?

Ron Paul would be the only candidate that fits Pastor Warrens criteria, yet he was branded a nut, and did not appeal to the majority of Americans. Though not perfect the Dr/US Representative has is very intelligent, well read, honesty , integrity, Faithful to his spouse, has a great record of working for the people. I don't think this is what America really wants or he would have at the very least been taken more seriously.

I understand that some might want to paint everyone with the same broad brush in that cheating is a trust issue. To say that one cannot vote for John Sydney McCain III because he cheated is in the hands of the voter. That this man Warren is so influential to evangelical voters may sow more doubt in their minds about McCain. This is another area where McCain has problems. No one under 55 trusts him so he has to run a negative campaign against Obama. His campaign has and will always be about what we should NOT do as opposed to what we CAN do together as a nation. That kind of tied old politics is not what the country needs. Forget that he cheated on his wife but remember the negativity spewing from his campaign.

If everyone wants to deal with adultery issues, then JOHN MCCAIN is fair game! I wish they would all say "it is none of anyone's damn business" and stay focused on the real issues that plague us-Healthcare, Energy, War, etc. What a waste of time, but I guess the media has nothing better to do and the public is fixated on this nonsense. I wonder how people would respond if they were "outed" for things they do in their personal lives?

OSURubydoo said: I'm glad so many people know about McCain's philandering because he certainly hasn't been outed by the media the way Edwards or Clinton were.

I think it's because McCain's infidelity was 30 years ago. Clinton cheated and lied to all of us on national TV while shaking his finger to protest his innocense. Edwards situation just came to light. I'm not condoning McCain's actions but I would hope he has grown a bit since then. Hope that answers your question.

I am not voting for Sen. McCain. It is not because of his past. It is clear to me that he's caught in a time warp. He is technologically challenged.
I am a spiritual person and I will leave it up to my maker to forgive Sen. McCain for his transgression.
What I have a problem with is Sen. Obama has been politically active for almost 20 YEARS, as a community organizer, and as he worked his way through the city and state gov't of
IL. I truly believe that if there were issues about his moral creditibility the CLINTON's would have found them.
I have never expected my candidate to "Walk On Water". The only misstep I have seen in regard to women was a remark to a reporter "sweetie" and thank the Lord, I hope we have gotten past it. I believe Sen Obama has shown a great deal of respect to Sen. Clinton & Sen. McCain for their respective careers.
This election is about the 21st Century and I truly do not believe that Sen. McCain has the ability to juggle all of the NEW and constantly changing circumstances.
I know this forum will be about faith.
Sen Obama has faith. He is a bi-racial child that has dealt with an absent father, a atep-father who took him out of the country, he spent time with his grandparents and went through some tough teens years, he went through college on scholarships and paid back his student loans and has watch his mother navigate the health insurnace system and die of cancer. He believe in hard work and he beileves in this country and that it can be better from the bottom up. What elese do you want to know? He is not a Rock Star. Whether he eat eggs or grapefruit or romaine or arugula I don't care.
He has certainly called it inregard to the economic problem we are now facing because we INVADED another country. Afghastan asked for our help Iraq didn't.
I am an American FIRST!!! not a rep or dem or a liberal or conservative.

I don't know whats worse - pop star religous figures claiming to represent the humble and meek king Jesus or the unrepentant here who deny Gods rule over their lives and despise even the mercy He shows to such wicked sinners.

I wonder if Mr Warren would vote for someone who has remarried? In many peoples eyes that is adultery. Is this another case though of the religious right being hypocritical and viewing the left through different eyes as they do the right?

I'm glad so many people know about McCain's philandering because he certainly hasn't been outed by the media the way Edwards or Clinton were.

I think this is an excellent answer. However, for Benjamin, he did say trust can be rebuilt. If McCain cheated on his first wife, that would have happened over 30 years ago. I think McCain has had ample time to rebuild some of that trust.

Not saying that I'm going to vote for him, but my reasons don't include infidelity from 30 years in the past.

I guess McCain is also out of the question too.

I am from NC and voted for Edwards for Senator and supported him for President. I also voted for Clinton twice. However, after learning the truth of their affairs I would (relunctantly) have hard time ever voting for either again. It is simply a matter of trust. How can trust thse guys to ever tell you the truth when they can't even be truthful in their personal lives? Clinton and Edwards let us down and left many of their supporters heartbroken.....And before Republicans once again begin to gloat their leader's (McCain's) hands are not clean either....To me it is simply a matter of who can you trust...Unfortunately, in politics, the answer may be no one...

If Pastor Warren is true to his word, then he cannot vote for McCain, who, I believe, admitted he fooled around while married to his first wife. That sounds like adultery to me.

We have a separation of church and state doctrine in our nation. The Bible is also clear on what is Cesar's and what is God's. Why are Evangelical leaders and kleig light mega church televangelists so intent on trying to make the two compatible - they are not, should not and will not be if this nation is to survive. And surprise, surprise Christianity is not the only religion in this nation. If "moral" issues were the determining factor of whether someone should be or remain as President we would never have had a single one for four years. If the good Rev has time on his hands - I can supply him and his congregation with a mind-boggling list of things to tend to in the vineyard, and a discussion of which one of the candidates is more acceptable to the flock wouldn't come close to making it.

What about McCain and his messy divorce?? He treated his ex-wife like a piece of disposable garbage.

I have no respect for the way he handled his ex-wife and family.

People will do anything for power and money. McCain is far from a role model in my opinion.

Exactly why this woman would never vote for McCain. His behavior towards his first wife was atrocious and he is on the record for being atrocious to the mistress he married too. gag

There is no seperation of Church and State in the constitution. Check it out for yourselves.

JMC is a cheater and he left his wife while she was in the hospital after she waited for him all those years..... So i take it this guy wont vote for him either, Right?

Funny how the same people that are calling this man hypocritical are the same ones that defended Clinton. Whos's the hypocrite?

Oh they all have something to hide. Even Obama. The guy is not a god and never will be. Neither is McCain. These people do not think like the rest of us. They think they can do anything and not get caught. Well they will and life goes on. Who cares? Lets talk about the issues and not what goes on in their personal lives.

Then he can't vote for McCain OR Obama.

He will have to vote for...

RON PAUL!

Pastor Warren is absolutely correct in his statement once they are biblical, sorry if they are people out there that do not agree. A liar and adulterer in public office, makes good common sense,right.
When a nation doesn't understand what is right from wrong, this nation is in deep trouble.

John McCain and John Edwards both have something in common now. They are both adulterers. Let's now forget McCain's past! :-)

Who cares what an evangelical pastor has to say? I just get sick and tired of their holier-than-thou attitude.

What ever happened to seperation of church and state? I am already tired of the canidates running around with their pandering. Let's cover all issues that affect everyone and not just special interests.

143 days??????????

The man didn't say he wouldn't vote for Edwards. He said we would have a hard time voting for him. I'm sure if Edwards shared 90% of the same beliefs as Warren he probably could still support him. Why are so many of you attacking this man for stating his views on this situation. I don't even know him but it's not like he's attacking Edwards. I'm not sure why some are calling him a hypocrite. Sad how many nasty, cynical people there are in this country. Edwards has other issues that make me sick, this being the least of them. It is dispicable that a man cheats on his wife, and even more so on his terminally ill wife. That being said i would much rather vote for a man that cheats than vote for a man that seriously dislikes his own country. I'll let you determine who i mean.

I look into Rick Warren's eyes and I see...D-E-V-I-L.

Christian leaders need to be careful of what they say. Pride, as we all know goes before a fall. And denouncing your brother publicly invites others to be critical of you. So I hope Rev. Warren never steps out of line. Since no one is perfect, it'll happen sometime.

I don't like what Edwards did. But it IS difficult to be a man in power with women throwing themselves at you.

With a 50% divorce rate in the US, and a large portion of those due to unfaithful spouses, seems to me like there are a great many hypocrites out there crying foul. How many cheaters are FIRED from their jobs?

Even though he cheated on his wife, if he were running I'd vote for him tomorrow. A mistake doesn't make you a ruined person. His wife forgave him, and he didn't leave her. Newt Gingrich served his wife divorce papers in the hospital while she had cancer! He bit the bullet, told his wife, she forgave him, and that's good enough for me.

Should be good enough for Rev. Warren too.

My fellow Evangelicals,
We cannot be hyporcrites. We cannot point our fingers at Bill Clinton and John Edwards then say nothing about John McCain.
We must support people who live according to scripture. We cannot in good faith support John McCain.

I am so happy to hear that he can not support McCain. I hope other evangelicals follow suit.

I guess it looks like Warren will be voting for Obama, then....

McCain has cheated on his wife multiple times, and has admitted so in his book.

I agree completely. I will never vote for John Edwards or John McCain. They promised "... in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, 'til death do us part" before God and the woman they supposedly loved most. Then they trampled all over those vows. All of McCain's campaign promises mean about as much to him as his wedding vows.

He will not be voting for McCain then!!Not only is John an adulterer, he is a gigolo, as she supports him!Some guy he am.

What will Rick say at the judgement of the righteous about even granting Obama any type of venue?

Not even going into the fact that he supports abortion though the total pregancy; Obama has fought for and advocated the murdering of children born alive after an attempted abortion.

Or will that be the judgment where Jesus says "I never knew you"?

Dennis Wrote: Anyone can accurately quote As an atheist who spent my first 30+ years as an active Christian and church leader, I probably understand the Bible better than most Christians.

Somehow I doubt that or you would have a little better understanding of the judgement and forgiveness process.

I hope Pastor Warren preaches that this weekend when the fellas are there to talk with the evangelicals. Senator McCain is another confessed adulterer. Is it different if you marry the girlfriend? I hope not. Given the conditions under which Senator McCain left his first wife (and the number of times he cheated on her), perhaps there will be mass evangelical movement away from McCain. Otherwise hypocrisy reigns in the land of evangelicals... just like I thought. Pastor Warren is right. I'll forgive them, but not trust them. (Not trusting McCain has been second nature since he was a member of the Keating 5.)

Ask yourself this Rick Warren - Would you vote for someone that has no problem having a running mate that is "pro-choice"?

Frances:

You mean this isn't a Totalitarian state under GWB????

Evangelicals seem so ready to throw the first stone. This self-righeous pastor is labelling Edwards and adulterer. People in glass houses should not throw stones. What are we gonna find out about this guy? Maybe he has some skeletons in his closet.

John Mccain cheated on his first wife after she had an auto accident!

And Rev. Wright is NOT Obama. He is another person. I'm a Catholic, but believe in a woman's right to choose, as well as God's love for all people, of all sexual orientations. So even though I listen to the homilies of priests, I do line line up rank and file with all of their opinions. Many are like me. Find someone who has heard or seen Obama speak, think or act in a racist way, stop trying to Swift Boat again!

I'm also getting pretty tired of this whole Obama swift-boating effort. Black politicians in Chicago are of course going to be dealing with radical elements and fringe personalities, it's part of the landscape. Most people understand that. And people- black, mostly- have also been making fun of these fringe personalities ever since Good Times and Sanford and Son went on the air. It's a familiar part of our culture, like the hippy movement. Quaint, yes. Scary? Give me a break.

OKAY, IF YOU WOULDN'T VOTE FOR AN ADULTERER, WHY VOTE FOR MCCAIN? IF YOU ALL REMEMBER, IN THE LATE 70'S MCCAIN LEFT HIS THEN WIFE AND HIS CHILDREN BEHIND TO BE WITH HIS NEW WIFE CINDY. IS THIS ADULTERY? I THINK THE ANSWER IS PLAIN AND CLEAR.

Ooooh, just read that Lawrence thinks that 'almost every man and every woman cheats in and out of marriage' - really? 31 years and still not cheated.... I also know that of all my woman friends, not one has cheated. My husband's clean, too (I know, I only have what he says, but I trust HIM). I think you just need new friends!

Perhaps the good pastor should re-read John 8:1-12.

I am not religious, but cheating does happen in relationships and is truely a reprehensible act. If you can't keep it in your pants and resist temptation when you say "I do" then don't get married in the first place. I think what upsets me most in the case of Edwards/Newt/McCain is that they cheated on a very sick spouse who needed their love and unconditional support. They did it at a time when their significant other was at their lowest low. McCain is now suddenly a good guy because he paid for his past wife's medical bills? I think not. Does cheating happen? Yes. Does that mean we, as a nation, should normalize this activity? Nope.

Marriage is a microcosm for politics. America, while not in its lowest low, is having some hard times. We need someone strong on the policy to begin the process of bringing us out of deficit and stengthening this country from the ground up. How would we feel if a politician cheated on their promises for this country? Cheated on their oath to its people? We need someone dedicated who can uphold their commitment to the American people and be strong in the face of temptation and the easy road.

If I can't look towards you to make it work in your personal life, I certainly don't want you taking risks with mine.

Mariann Pepitone What makes the Obamas racist? I hear the accusation bandered about, but I hear nothing specific. What did he/ she say or do that makes them racist to white people?

What the heck is a 'true American'? That's so silly. You're making this up.