Candidates Discuss Why Politicians Cheat
In November, Americans decide whether Barack Obama or John McCain becomes the 44th President of the United States. In the series "Presidential Questions," CBS News anchor Katie Couric asks questions that move the candidates well beyond the usual sound-bites. Some questions concern policy. Others are more personal. All will give you a better sense of who these men are - and what has shaped them. What follows is Couric's question - and the candidates' full answers.
Katie Couric: Why do you think so many prominent political figures risk so much by being unfaithful to their spouse?
Barack Obama: I have no idea, because my attitude is the more I'm in public, I mean, I don't even want to pick my nose, you know. It's, I mean, I'm assuming everybody's watching.
And it's just an interesting - I'll leave that to the psychologists. But I find that, the more I'm in the public eye, the more I want to make sure that people know that ... there's no gap between who I am and the face I'm presenting to the world. You know, you want to, you want people to know that what you say is what you mean and that's who you are.
John McCain: I don't know, Katie, and I don't understand people's personal lives. And so I can't comment on that. I think it's something that I am not really running for president to address, and I can't comment on it.
Couric: Isn't it bizarre, though, when you think about it, Senator? Elliott Spitzer, recently John Edwards, President Clinton. I think it's very befuddling to many people in this country.
McCain: Yeah, but I also am reminded of the biblical admonition about "judge not." And so I really don't make any comments about that because, frankly, I want to be a good president and try to lead an honorable life.
And I've been an imperfect servant and so I'm not judging.