I absolutely agree with Scuba. The idea that "character" does not matter is so '90s and old it's almost a joke. The reasons Scuba cites are key--the possibility for extortion or blackmail being only two. There is no one I know holding any type of key or critical position in government or industry for whom this behavior would be tolerated without the possibility of serious consequence. Why should any individual seeking the Presidency be held to a difference standard?
Furthermore, this is not an issue of "being holier than thou." The standard should apply to all--including me, you, anybody.
As to the Hillary position and "why" Bradlee knows not the reasons for general dislike, I can cite at least three irrefutable points: (1) why should we trust her judgment when she failed the most basic test in understanding and defending an overtly philandering husband, and then playing dumb? What makes anyone think that this behavior qualifies her for anything? Do people really believe that she can compartmentalize her personal versus professional behavior effectively after all that had happened in the Clinton administration?; (2) she proposes an increase in entitlements without first assessing whether such increases can be addressed by auditing what's going on "inside our own house" (i.e., the Congress and the Federal Government). She proposes increases without first addressing waste, fraud, and abuse which could more than make up for the concomitant increases in proposed taxation which will most assuredly accompany her healthcare initiative; and, (3) she possesses no experience in ANY role as a chief executive anywhere.
While it is true in the past that Senators have attained the office of the Presidency (Jack Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson being two), it is also true that in the past 30 years those who have attained the office (even the womanizing Clinton) have held a position as a chief executive, even of a state.
For those who argue that this is not an important prerequisite, I challenge that your inexperience in these matters leads you to a lack of understanding as to its importance. I will go head-to-head with anyone who argues otherwise.
I absolutely agree with Scuba. The idea that "character" does not matter is so '90s and old it's almost a joke. The reasons Scuba cites are key--the possibility for extortion or blackmail being only two. There is no one I know holding any type of key or critical position in government or industry for whom this behavior would be tolerated without the possibility of serious consequence. Why should any individual seeking the Presidency be held to a difference standard?
Furthermore, this is not an issue of "being holier than thou." The standard should apply to all--including me, you, anybody.
As to the Hillary position and "why" Bradlee knows not the reasons for general dislike, I can cite at least three irrefutable points: (1) why should we trust her judgment when she failed the most basic test in understanding and defending an overtly philandering husband, and then playing dumb? What makes anyone think that this behavior qualifies her for anything? Do people really believe that she can compartmentalize her personal versus professional behavior effectively after all that had happened in the Clinton administration?; (2) she proposes an increase in entitlements without first assessing whether such increases can be addressed by auditing what's going on "inside our own house" (i.e., the Congress and the Federal Government). She proposes increases without first addressing waste, fraud, and abuse which could more than make up for the concomitant increases in proposed taxation which will most assuredly accompany her healthcare initiative; and, (3) she possesses no experience in ANY role as a chief executive anywhere.
While it is true in the past that Senators have attained the office of the Presidency (Jack Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson being two), it is also true that in the past 30 years those who have attained the office (even the womanizing Clinton) have held a position as a chief executive, even of a state.
For those who argue that this is not an important prerequisite, I challenge that your inexperience in these matters leads you to a lack of understanding as to its importance. I will go head-to-head with anyone who argues otherwise.