2008 canidates and marriages - the party of family values???

blackredyellowblackredyellow Posts: 5,889
edited March 2007 in A Moving Train
After the Gingrich admission of his affair during the Clinton impeachment and Guiliani's famous troubles I did a little research on the top 5 candidates (ranked by the national journal) and their commitment to the institution of marriage. Kinda funny how the party of family values compares with those liberals and their lack of morals.


Republicans:

John McCain - 1 divorce
Rudy Giuliani - 1 annulment, 1 divorce, an alleged affair with his communications director and an affair with the woman who would become his 3rd wife.
Mitt Romney - still with first wife
Sam Brownback - still with first wife
Newt Gingrich - divorced first wife while she was recovering from cancer and refused to pay alimony or child support. Divorced second wife while having an affair with a staffer who became this third wife.

Totals: 4 divorces, 1 annulment and 3 reported affairs


Democrats:

Hilary Clinton - still with first husband
Barak Obama - still with first wife
John Edwards - still with first wife
Bill Richardson - still with first wife
Chris Dodd - 1 divorce

Totals: 1 divorce
My whole life
was like a picture
of a sunny day
“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”
― Abraham Lincoln
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments

  • Alex_CoeAlex_Coe Posts: 762
    So what. Just becuase you have a divorce doesn't mean you have no moral fiber. It means you married a psychopath.
  • Alex_Coe wrote:
    It means you married a psychopath.

    Yes, every republican candidate that had a divorce is totally innocent and just married the wrong person. Critically think much?
  • down_skidown_ski Posts: 328
    What in the fuck does this have to do with anything?

    What can i say, The Newt is a ladies man. That Gingrich, so hot right now
  • Bu2Bu2 Posts: 1,693
    Thanks for doing the homework and surprising me with your findings. It would make a good op/ed letter to your local paper, btw.
    Feels Good Inc.
  • hippiemomhippiemom Posts: 3,326
    Alex_Coe wrote:
    So what. Just becuase you have a divorce doesn't mean you have no moral fiber. It means you married a psychopath.
    I know, it's so sad ... all those poor women marrying psychopaths.
    "Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." ~ MLK, 1963
  • tooferztooferz Posts: 135
    how do we know the dems just haven't been caught yet? perhaps republicans just suck at keeping secrets.
  • RushlimboRushlimbo Posts: 832
    Wonder how many abortions the Repubs have been involved in as well. I bet it's very high. I bet one of them has fornicated with someone of the same sex as well.
    War is Peace
    Freedom is Slavery
    Ignorance is Strength
  • lucylespianlucylespian Posts: 2,403
    tooferz wrote:
    how do we know the dems just haven't been caught yet? perhaps republicans just suck at keeping secrets.

    It's when people keep claiming to hold teh moral high ground when they have demonstarted to have no right to it that is a big issue here.

    Conservative parties everywhere claim to be the keepers of "family values". This is a fascinating insight into the dubious nature of those claims.
    Music is not a competetion.
  • floyd1975floyd1975 Posts: 1,350
    Rushlimbo wrote:
    Wonder how many abortions the Repubs have been involved in as well. I bet it's very high. I bet one of them has fornicated with the opposite sex as well.

    I'll bet all of these married guys have fornicated with the opposite sex. That may be the first thing you've ever said that is right.
  • tooferztooferz Posts: 135
    It's when people keep claiming to hold teh moral high ground when they have demonstarted to have no right to it that is a big issue here.

    Conservative parties everywhere claim to be the keepers of "family values". This is a fascinating insight into the dubious nature of those claims.

    it lists hillary as still with first husband but we "know" her husband cheated. how do we know the others haven't cheated or their spouses haven't? we don't. we don't know the whys of any of those relationships. we don't know if the wife wanted it because she couldn't handle the pressure of public life or that he caught her cheating and kept it private n divorced her. there are at least 4 sides to every 'political' divorce...his, hers, the media's and the truth. so which is more along the lines of family values? divorce or remain with a cheater or put up with any other fuckery? point being that in general, marital status doesn't really justify nor void their claims of morality except in extreme cases.

    now rudy n newt seem to be into serial marriage and general assholedness. so if rudy n newt are talking about morals, yeah they have no right. the majority of those listed? we still don't know. so, as to this being insightful, not really. 2 out of 10 politicians n those being newt n rudy are really no surprise.
  • soulsingingsoulsinging Posts: 13,202
    tooferz wrote:
    it lists hillary as still with first husband but we "know" her husband cheated. how do we know the others haven't cheated or their spouses haven't? we don't. we don't know the whys of any of those relationships. we don't know if the wife wanted it because she couldn't handle the pressure of public life or that he caught her cheating and kept it private n divorced her. there are at least 4 sides to every 'political' divorce...his, hers, the media's and the truth. so which is more along the lines of family values? divorce or remain with a cheater or put up with any other fuckery? point being that in general, marital status doesn't really justify nor void their claims of morality except in extreme cases.

    now rudy n newt seem to be into serial marriage and general assholedness. so if rudy n newt are talking about morals, yeah they have no right. the majority of those listed? we still don't know. so, as to this being insightful, not really. 2 out of 10 politicians n those being newt n rudy are really no surprise.

    newt was the chief crusader for family values in the 90s. following shortly in his footsteps was ted haggard. you might remember him as the guy recently disgraced for doing crystal meth with male prostitutes in his hotel room.

    point being, the people using "family values" for political gain dont give a flying fuck about moral values and are simply using it to manipulate voters who would otherwise never vote for them becos their policies fuck them on a daily basis. the sooner these voters wake the fuck up and realize they're being played, the better off we all will be.
  • tooferztooferz Posts: 135
    newt was the chief crusader for family values in the 90s. following shortly in his footsteps was ted haggard. you might remember him as the guy recently disgraced for doing crystal meth with male prostitutes in his hotel room.

    point being, the people using "family values" for political gain dont give a flying fuck about moral values and are simply using it to manipulate voters who would otherwise never vote for them becos their policies fuck them on a daily basis. the sooner these voters wake the fuck up and realize they're being played, the better off we all will be.

    my point was that the stats posted really aren't anything you can base an opinion on. we still don't know who's fucking who, who's snorting coke off a male hooker's dick while his wife's at home, or who's only having sex with his/her partner. mostly all it states is that rudy n newt are major offenders. but that in itself is by no means anything new. personally, i don't believe much out of any politicians mouth.
  • RushlimboRushlimbo Posts: 832
    zstillings wrote:
    I'll bet all of these married guys have fornicated with the opposite sex. That may be the first thing you've ever said that is right.

    Thanks for finding that Matlock.
    War is Peace
    Freedom is Slavery
    Ignorance is Strength
  • my eyes are bleeding...
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  • qtegirlqtegirl Posts: 321
    Not only that, but the reps are the ones who want to deny gays the right to marry citing the "sanctity of marriage". Come on! If marriage is so holy, why don't they demonstrate it! Cheating, getting divorced, annulments*, etc. doesn't really uphold that notion, does it?


    *btw, Rudy married his cousin, he claimed he didn't know they were closely related, and got the annulment after 14 yrs of marriage - or something like that, I don't have time to look up the exact facts.
  • Senator McCain has acknowledged having extramarital affairs after returning from Vietnam.
    "Of course it hurts. You're getting fucked by an elephant."
  • puremagicpuremagic Posts: 1,907
    tooferz wrote:
    how do we know the dems just haven't been caught yet? perhaps republicans just suck at keeping secrets.


    That's why we have Gonzales heading the Justice Department. They'll find or fabricate the dirt, Karl will see to that, because he's still pissed at the coverage of Newt and Cheney having homosexuals in their families.
    SIN EATERS--We take the moral excrement we find in this equation and we bury it down deep inside of us so that the rest of our case can stay pure. That is the job. We are morally indefensible and absolutely necessary.
  • I think it pathetic that we're even talking about this. I understand where it's coming from. The Reps are guilty of running on 'family values' and 'morals. So yeah, it makes them hypocrites. But you don't accomplish anything if you engage in the same sleazy tactics and mudslinging that you hate coming form them. All that does is excuse this kind of behavior and makes it even more acceptable. What does being divorced have to do with being a good leader? Is it that hard to talk about the real issues instead of just glossing over them so we can go dig up some more juicy dirt??
    If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.

    Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
    -Oscar Wilde
  • normnorm Posts: 31,146
    I think it pathetic that we're even talking about this. I understand where it's coming from. The Reps are guilty of running on 'family values' and 'morals. So yeah, it makes them hypocrites. But you don't accomplish anything if you engage in the same sleazy tactics and mudslinging that you hate coming form them. All that does is excuse this kind of behavior and makes it even more acceptable. What does being divorced have to do with being a good leader? Is it that hard to talk about the real issues instead of just glossing over them so we can go dig up some more juicy dirt??

    Amen. We are living in a tabloid world so it doesn't surprise me in the least when this is brought up. Kinda sad. :(
  • Alex_CoeAlex_Coe Posts: 762
    Yes, every republican candidate that had a divorce is totally innocent and just married the wrong person. Critically think much?

    No, you should be thinking. The last thing we need is more amateur politicians thinking less.
  • hippiemomhippiemom Posts: 3,326
    I think it pathetic that we're even talking about this. I understand where it's coming from. The Reps are guilty of running on 'family values' and 'morals. So yeah, it makes them hypocrites. But you don't accomplish anything if you engage in the same sleazy tactics and mudslinging that you hate coming form them. All that does is excuse this kind of behavior and makes it even more acceptable. What does being divorced have to do with being a good leader? Is it that hard to talk about the real issues instead of just glossing over them so we can go dig up some more juicy dirt??
    I don't care if a candidate has been divorced 10 times and has a dozen girlfriends or boyfriends on the side. It's none of my business. But when said candidate runs around flapping his pie hole about family values, as Newt has, then he makes it everyone's business. I say if they shut up about it, so should everyone else. But if you're going to make family values a cornerstone of your campaign, you'd better have some.
    "Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." ~ MLK, 1963
  • hippiemom wrote:
    I don't care if a candidate has been divorced 10 times and has a dozen girlfriends or boyfriends on the side. It's none of my business. But when said candidate runs around flapping his pie hole about family values, as Newt has, then he makes it everyone's business. I say if they shut up about it, so should everyone else. But if you're going to make family values a cornerstone of your campaign, you'd better have some.

    I'm just not a fan of negative campaigning. It diverts attention from all the important issues and makes a mockery of our already pathetic election process. I say make them look foolish by not dropping down to their level.
    If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.

    Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
    -Oscar Wilde
  • hippiemomhippiemom Posts: 3,326
    I'm just not a fan of negative campaigning. It diverts attention from all the important issues and makes a mockery of our already pathetic election process. I say make them look foolish by not dropping down to their level.
    I understand what you're saying, I'm not a fan of it either, but I can see where it would be very hard not to call someone on their rank hypocrisy. I wouldn't necessarily fault a guy who tossed a line into a speech. I do find the Springeresque TV ads very distasteful and don't vote for people who use them.

    I don't know, I guess it's a thin line. I'm thinking if I were a candidate getting hammered on "family values" by someone who doesn't value his own family, I'd have a really hard time not saying anything about it. But I definitely understand where you're coming from.

    Politics is a nasty business.
    "Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." ~ MLK, 1963
  • hippiemom wrote:
    I understand what you're saying, I'm not a fan of it either, but I can see where it would be very hard not to call someone on their rank hypocrisy. I wouldn't necessarily fault a guy who tossed a line into a speech. I do find the Springeresque TV ads very distasteful and don't vote for people who use them.

    I don't know, I guess it's a thin line. I'm thinking if I were a candidate getting hammered on "family values" by someone who doesn't value his own family, I'd have a really hard time not saying anything about it. But I definitely understand where you're coming from.

    Politics is a nasty business.

    Agreed. I know I'd have a hard time, as well. I'm just very wary of this 'make you look worse than me' style campaigns we've all come to know so well.
    If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.

    Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
    -Oscar Wilde
  • normnorm Posts: 31,146
    Agreed. I know I'd have a hard time, as well. I'm just very wary of this 'make you look worse than me' style campaigns we've all come to know so well.

    The sad part is I don't foresee this ever changing. I really hope it does but I think people will start to think of elections like American Idol. One big reality show. :(
  • cutback wrote:
    The sad part is I don't foresee this ever changing. I really hope it does but I think people will start to think of elections like American Idol. One big reality show. :(

    Maybe it would stop if one or both parties decided to make being against negative campaigning part of their platform. But what really bothers me is, both parties are really quite similar when it comes down to it. There is never any real change. And they use this negative campaigning to draw attention away from this fact so they don't have to answer the tough questions or really say anything about how they will actually change this country for the better. They just use buzz phrases to get applause and tell people what they want to hear then get in office and end up doing just more of the same old crap for the next 4 years.
    If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.

    Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
    -Oscar Wilde
  • normnorm Posts: 31,146
    Maybe it would stop if one or both parties decided to make being against negative campaigning part of their platform. But what really bothers me is, both parties are really quite similar when it comes down to it. There is never any real change. And they use this negative campaigning to draw attention away from this fact so they don't have to answer the tough questions or really say anything about how they will actually change this country for the better. They just use buzz phrases to get applause and tell people what they want to hear then get in office and end up doing just more of the same old crap for the next 4 years.

    I'll let someone smarter convey my thoughts. :)


    You say you want a revolution
    Well, you know
    We all want to change the world.
    Tou tell me that it’s evolution,
    Well, you know
    We all want to change the world.
    But when you talk about destruction,
    Don’t you know that you can count me out.
    Don’t you know it’s going to be alright,
    Alright, alright.
    You say you got a real solution
    Well, you know
    We’d all love to see the plan.
    You ask me for a contribution,
    Well, you know
    We’re doing what we can.
    Ut if you want money for people with minds that hate,
    All I can tell you is brother you have to wait.
    Don’t you know it’s going to be alright,
    Alright, alright.
    You say you’ll change a constitution
    Well, you know
    We all want ot change your head.
    You tell me it’s the institution,
    Well, you know
    You better free your mind instead.
    But if you go carrying pictures of chairman Mao,
    You ain’t gonna make it with anyone anyhow.
    Don’t you know it’s going to be alright,
    Alright, alright.
  • "Of course it hurts. You're getting fucked by an elephant."
  • cutback wrote:
    I'll let someone smarter convey my thoughts. :)


    You say you want a revolution
    Well, you know
    We all want to change the world.
    Tou tell me that it’s evolution,
    Well, you know
    We all want to change the world.
    But when you talk about destruction,
    Don’t you know that you can count me out.
    Don’t you know it’s going to be alright,
    Alright, alright.
    You say you got a real solution
    Well, you know
    We’d all love to see the plan.
    You ask me for a contribution,
    Well, you know
    We’re doing what we can.
    Ut if you want money for people with minds that hate,
    All I can tell you is brother you have to wait.
    Don’t you know it’s going to be alright,
    Alright, alright.
    You say you’ll change a constitution
    Well, you know
    We all want ot change your head.
    You tell me it’s the institution,
    Well, you know
    You better free your mind instead.
    But if you go carrying pictures of chairman Mao,
    You ain’t gonna make it with anyone anyhow.
    Don’t you know it’s going to be alright,
    Alright, alright.

    Who said that? ;)
    If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.

    Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
    -Oscar Wilde
  • VictoryGinVictoryGin Posts: 1,207

    oh but that guy has charisma and that is apparently now a bad thing. so nevermind anything he actually says about anything.

    "Everybody has personal issues," Obama said. "And I think, ultimately, what people want to know is what are you going to do on behalf of the American people -- and that's how it should be."
    if you wanna be a friend of mine
    cross the river to the eastside
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