Why Do Politicians Cheat?

Analysis: Ego, Risk-Taking Tendencies May Trump Possible Career Damage, Media Scrutiny When It Comes To Cheating On Spouses

(AP)  What is it with philandering politicians?

Why do men in power - the ones on pedestals - think they are above us and can get away with cheating on their spouses, particularly when media scrutiny is so intense and peccadilloes are arguably more politically damaging?

There's a long list of those who thought they could jet off to Argentina, or cruise on the Monkey Business, or check into a hotel under an assumed name or use an escort service and never get caught, never have to come clean.

The names quickly come to mind. South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., Sen. David Vitter, R-La., former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., one-time Democratic presidential hopefuls John Edwards and Gary Hart, former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, ex-New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, current New York Gov. David Paterson.

These days, the fallout can run the gamut. It can doom a career, like former New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey, or unleash the fury of a special prosecutor, leading to impeachment like then-President Bill Clinton.

This wasn't always the way it was. There are politicians, presidents even, who did the dalliance dance privately and didn't pay publicly, John F. Kennedy and Franklin D. Roosevelt included.

No more.

It's a different world. A public that feeds on the exploits of Paris, Lindsay and Britney documented in the tabloids, glossy magazines and at-your-fingertips Internet has developed an insatiable appetite for scandal.

That makes it all the more inexplicable that these men, and they are almost universally men as politics remains mostly a man's game, tempt fate. And, particularly, men with presidential aspirations.

One possible explanation, said Stanley Renshon, a political psychologist at City University of New York: "Narcissism is an occupational hazard for political leaders. You have to have an outsized ambition and an outsized ego to run for office."

Or, perhaps, think you can stray from your marriage without consequence.

"I think too often, and for me in the political process, you begin to think of yourself as master of your own universe and your own set of ethical structures, your own sense of decision-making," McGreevey, who resigned amid a scandal over his admission of a homosexual affair, said Thursday on NBC's "Today" show.

To be sure, politicians don't necessarily have different reasons for cheating than non-politicians, and they don't necessarily cheat more often.

The difference: "They live their lives more in a fishbowl, and that has responsibilities and costs with it," Renshon said, adding that an adulterous politician doesn't just betray his family's trust, he also betrays the public's trust.

Indeed, when politicians get caught, they do so in extraordinary fashion and their actions raise questions about their judgment, character and integrity as a leader.

If they can lie to their loved ones, who is to say they won't lie to everyone else? If they can't stay faithful to their marriage vows, who is to say they'll stay faithful to their oaths of office? And if they have secrets in their private lives, who is to say they don't have secrets in their public lives?

"It does matter in public perceptions," said Stephen Wayne, a Georgetown University government professor who has studied political psychology. When it comes to the highest positions in politics, he said, "We want to figure out who acts as a model for others."

Presidents, senators, congressmen and governors who have extramarital affairs flunk that test.

On some level, it's easy to see why they cheat.

Fred Greenstein, a Princeton University professor emeritus of politics, suggested adrenaline as the common denominator, saying, "For some individuals, the excitement of illicit sexual activity might feed the same desire" as "the excitement of politics."

There's also a clue in the kind of people drawn to politics.

These are men who love themselves deeply, need to be recognized and relish approval. These are men who adore getting praise and who often are surrounded by swarms of sycophants. These are men who, in some cases, need to exercise power and sometimes can become drunk from it. These are men who think the rules don't apply to them and who think they're untouchable.

As leaders, these are also the type of men who are likely to break promises, manipulate and cut corners. They probably are big risk-takers. And they're prone to thinking of themselves first.

Just ask their wives, their mistresses - or the security details that often are privy to indiscretions.

Not a year seems to go by without a Washington sex scandal, and both Democrats and Republicans are guilty.

Last year, Edwards, Vitter and Spitzer came before the public to admit they erred.

This month alone, it has been Ensign and Sanford, two Republicans who have mentioned as possible 2012 presidential candidates as the out-of-power GOP seeks to rebound.

Those dreams are probably over, and the double disclosures of infidelity also may have brought short-term embarrassment to a party searching for a new leader.

Said Todd Harris, a Republican operative, "If this was supposed to be our farm team, we'd better start looking for a new farm."

[merletrutled]

I find the wives at fault in this political mess. None of these politicians was sorry for their acts at the time they was doing it. They are sorry only because they got caught and if not would continue having their love affairs regardless. I still think some still do and it is agreed upon by the spouse since personal time is hard to come bye when you in the public eye. I believe some men and women both. I do not seperate by gender get so comfortable to fame and fortune they forget the person that brought them that lifestyle and leave them to wander off. Im only mad at these politicians for apologizing. I would tell the public please find someone that works better for you in certain departments to make up for the spouse lack or will to make sure they are taken care of. I dont believe a politician or any human being for that matter got up one day and said they was going to cheat on their partner. It is mitigating factors that so many want to rule out so they look like they are right. Im actually sick of it. I think a less stressful politician makes better decisions than one that is stressed because judgment can be clouded if their personal needs are not being taken care of. I blame those partners for not giving their spouse those quality times when they have every opportunity to do so instead of being another image worrying about the media take on you. Politicians needs spice and love in their marriage and some look like they dont even know the meaning of it anymore. It is not our job to take the human side out of people no matter their job discription. If you ask all these politicans why they cheat. I guarantee along the reasons would be similiar to why others have cheated. How about we touch on those instead of pointing the finger. I can say this over and over again. What you wont do another person will and that is all thats happening here in these situation. I cant stand how the Governor of S.C wife is acting. She knew about this for months and wants to act like she is all innocent. I hope the reporters check her background as much as him. I think in most cases it is two parties doing dirty whether consenual or not and just one gets caught because the camera is on them and not on the other. I think politicians should all just come out one day and say who has and has not been cheating and why? If you get their answers. Im sure it is going to all be in common. I think we need to stop blaming the cheaters and start blaming the ones that are the key points of responsibility for them not to cheat. Its my opinion but I believe in the long run each politician has made me right. So tell the Governor of S.C to stop crying and if he is having a good time with Argentina keep doing so and put a ultimatum on your wife to step up or step out of your life. You didnt cheat or do what you did for no reason. Stop blaming yourself and start blaming each other. If you wife doesnt want to take any responsibility than you need to leave her a lone and be happy with the woman thats been doing her job.

[jxknowles]

Every office I ever worked in had some type of illicit affair running like a soap opera. Most politicians don't cheat, lie and steal. The few bad apples spoli the whole bunch sometimes.

[CLoverNYC1]

Because they can.

[John_Merritt]

It is most certainly not endemic to politicians. Anyone that holds the promise of 'opportunity' for someone else will always be the target for others. The Republicans nned to re-group because if I did not know better, it appears that the 'best and the bright' might be getting picked off by the wiles of others? It is almost like others are feasting on their weak points and eliminating them one by one. Watch out Romney and Jindahl. I know that you guys will be much harder to nail down because you have what it takes to be great contributors to this country. Heck, you already have. Just watch out for those people who call you friend, or nuzzle up to you and your families. That is really sad when I have state things like that.

[John_Merritt]

Ego, availability, opportunity, low moral standards, little commitment or dedication to family, selfishness, pride, do you want me to continue?

[toldyouso29]

They cheat because for years they operate in an atmosphere where what they do is excused, covered up, ignored and they are above the law or not held to it--such an atmosphere eventually spreads to their own moral code and what they have been doing to others for years--they begin to do to their own families. A cannibal may start out eating enemies--but as time wears on, they may make enemies of friends so that they may eat them--and in bad or harsh times, such a being would have no qualms in cannibalizing their entire family. And once gone, perhaps even starting to eat on themselves.