The Party of Family Values?

Now I must admit, I've never liked the Republican Party. I'm a Democrat, a so-called "bleeding heart liberal," and can't stand much of what the GOP has on its platform. But with all of that aside, I keep wondering how the GOP can hope to stand for "family values" when it's top politicians keep having affairs and furthermore lying about them.

Of course, the Democratic Party doesn't have a perfect record when it comes to extramarital relations. Everyone knows about Bill Clinton, so I need not spend any time talking about the whole Lewinsky business. And of course, on a more recent note, John Edwards, a man whom I once supported for President, cheated on his wife--a wonderful woman who is still battling cancer.

HOWEVER, this whole Mark Sanford business is completely ridiculous. For those of you not 100% familiar with the story Mr. Sanford, the Republican Governor of South Carolina left town, in what he claims was a stress-relieving trip following the end of the legislative session. Fine, take some time to blow of steam. This move seemed completely legitimate, especially when he said he was spending a few days hiking on the Appalachian Trail. Then, however, he just vanishes. Four days later his staff leaks the fact that he was not, in fact, hiking, but instead was on a trip to Argentina. Weird, but I've seen weirder things. The best part was yet to come. Turns out, Sanford wasn't just going down to see Buenos Aires, he was going to see his mistress. Yes, his mistress.

So, just a week after Nevada Senator John Ensign admits to sleeping with a campaign staffer, a governor, and the Chair of the Republican National Committee drives a government vehicle to the airport, leaves it there, and flees to another country to see a woman who is not his wife. Wow. Both men, among other things, were looking at possible runs for the White House in 2012. No more.

While I'm not saying that all Republicans are cheating scum-bags I do wonder what message this sends to the nation. As a keen political observer it may something different to me than it does for the rest of the country, but I feel that being a party whose core champions "family values" especially in terms of gay rights and a woman's right to choose, having its stars getting caught in affairs can't be good for their image.

Time will only tell.