Honor and Cherish?

Today I want to shed some "lyte" on infidelity.  In just one week, two high profile, presidential hopefuls, Senator John Ensign (R-NV) and Governor Mark Sanford (R-SC) have been forced to admit to extramarital affairs.  Ensign was tipped off by Faux News that the jilted husband was threatening to go public, Sanford tried to slip away to see his Argentinean mistress and was met by a member of the media when he landed at the airport.  Stunning examples of the dichotomy of integrity that exists in our fourth estate today.

But I don't want to discuss the journalistic ethics of Faux News, that is a rant for another day.  What I want to examine is why do famous politicians cheat?  There is a long and storied list of senators, representatives, governors and presidents that all share one thing in common:  they got caught.  Starting with Gary Hart and ending (for now) with Mark Sanford, most of these privileged, white men have seen their political careers explode with the airing of their dirty laundry.

Why would they take such huge risks?  Surely by now it is known that no one who is a public servant is ever out of the public eye.  John Kennedy wouldn't have lasted 48 hours in today's 24/7 news cycle.  So what is so important about some strange, that you would put your life's work in jeopardy?

I asked an expert on the male psyche, my husband.  He postulates that for most of these men, sex with your spouse is just too tame.  He may be on to something.  Politicians are by nature gamblers.  They willfully expose themselves to risk every two to six years by running for reelection.  Perhaps they feel the need to recreate the high of campaigning by schupting on the side.

Also, most politicians have massive egos.  Let's face it, in any marriage, the "OMG, you're so awesome!" stage is short-lived at best.  I have always suspected that reason men leave their wives for younger women isn't for the perky breasts, but the nubile mind.  Younger women have lower standards.  It is easy to impress a 22 year old if you have a cool car and can pay for drinks.  A 42 year old who has been washing the skid marks out of your shorts for two decades has decidedly higher benchmarks.

Or perhaps these men are simply human.  Infidelity has been around almost as long as fidelity has been.  But why is it always men who are caught?  Quick, name one high profile female politician who has been caught getting her kitty polished.  I'm waiting.......