The resignation of Senator Craig this past weekend got me thinking about political hypocrisy and how rampant it is in America.Now, I don’t condone what Senator Craig allegedly did in any way, shape, or form, but I do find it interesting that he had to pay such a high price for his actions. It wasn’t all that long ago that the President of the United States admitted to having an affair, with an intern, and he was basically slapped on the wrist (so much for that vast Right Wing Conspiracy, Mrs. Clinton). Now, you could argue the legality of the President’s actions (and other alleged actions against other women) until you’re blue in the face, I think we can all agree that it wasn’t the wisest action. Still, the President escaped pretty much unscathed.Fast forward to 2007, where Senator Craig is forced to resign for actions that belied his espoused beliefs. How many countless times have we seen public figures mess up and we’re told how we need to forgive them and help them change, get better, etc. I didn’t hear too much of that kind of talk regarding Senator Craig over the last week.Senator Craig probably did the best thing by stepping down and hopefully dealing with the ordeal he has put himself and his family through. It’s just interesting to see how things play out depending on what political party you belong to.
Hi Jared. You’re right – Clinton’s actions were extremely unwise. But, I don’t know that I would say he escaped unscathed or with only a slap on the wrist. He was almost impeached; it just didn’t pass through both the House and the Senate. (It passed in one and not the other, but I can’t remember which passed it and which didn’t.)
What I think is most unfortunate about Craig, and also with Clinton, is that a lot of people make generalizations about a political party as a whole based on the actions of one. (This statement isn’t directed at you or anyone specifically, really more the media.)Craig’s actions were his and his alone and should not be assumed to be representative of his entire party, just as Clinton’s shouldn’t be either.
Sara, you definitely have a valid point. The same can be said for religious groups, athletes, etc. Their actions are theirs alone.
It just seems that when when a Republican makes a mistake like this, they are hit much harder than their Democrat counterparts, but that is life.
Thanks for the comment!
Ah, sex, politics and religion. Where would we be without them?
I think it all started with Adam and Eve. One lousy apple and look at their punishment.
I think they were Republicans,too. . .