Cheap Shot at Saturday's Debate?

Watching Saturday's debate, there was one question that raised my eyebrows a bit. ABC's George Stephanopoulos, the debate moderator, and the man who ran the Clinton war room that told Americans to look the other way with Bill Clinton's marital fidelity challenges, raised the issue of whether or not voters should consider marital fidelity when selecting a candidate for the presidency.



It's very sad that a national news network would take time away from the most important issues of this country like the economy, unemployment and National Security, to set up a pitch and give every candidate the opportunity to take a shot at Newt Gingrich, the current front runner, and the only candidate who has been married more than once. It was quite obvious, as they went round-robin to each candidate, and the network split-screened their comments with Newt Gingrich's facial reaction/body language. The only one who took the bait was Rick Perry, but everyone else handled their response in a graceful manner, as did Newt Gingrich, speaking of how he has reconciled his past and aged in such a way where past personal transgressions are now irrelevant.

Americans appreciate when their politicians offer a mea culpa and show a true reconciliation. Newt's reconciliation is clearly documented and his statements on the matter as well as his actions in rediscovering religion, converting to Catholicism and living its teachings should be evidence enough that he has come to terms with his past and has moved forward.

In the end, we have very big issues that will be surrounding this presidential campaign such as stalled economic growth, consistent unemployment and an incumbent that seems detached. To borrow a phrase from a friend, when we look at how he has personally dealt with it along with comparing it to the larger issues at hand,"Newt Gingrich's baggage can be carry-on, rather than needing to be checked."