When it comes to leadership, integrity is paramount. In modern society, this fact is often ignored, as are facts in most forms. “Everyone lies,” the loud majority decries, frequently voting for unqualified men with questionable character, one of whom recently nominated another unqualified man of questionable character to the high rank of Secretary of State, continuing in the recent trend of making a mockery of the United States government and those it serves. The argument here is that the nominated party’s only proven flaw, besides his lack of qualifications and knowledge of the role for which he has since been shamelessly confirmed, is his adulterous behavior, pointing to his infidelity in two of his marriages.

One might say that what a man does in his home is not a reflection on his professional judgment. However, a leader’s personal actions often mirror their professional conduct. Men who cheat on their spouses, for example, demonstrate a pattern of lying and manipulation that is not limited to their personal lives. This behavior often extends into their public duties, leading to corruption and unethical practices. Here are some notable examples of politicians whose infidelity was accompanied by other serious misconduct.

Mark Sanford: The former Governor of South Carolina was involved in a high-profile scandal when he disappeared for several days, claiming to be hiking the Appalachian Trail, while he was actually in Argentina with his mistress. This deception not only betrayed his family but also the public trust. Sanford was later found to have used state funds for personal travel, further highlighting his unethical behavior.

John Edwards: The former U.S. Senator and Vice Presidential candidate admitted to having an extramarital affair and fathering a child with his mistress. Edwards was later indicted on charges of using campaign funds to cover up the affair, demonstrating how his personal dishonesty extended into his political career.

Eliot Spitzer: The former Governor of New York resigned after it was revealed that he was involved in a prostitution scandal. Spitzer, who had built his career on fighting corruption, was investigated for potential misuse of campaign funds, showing a stark contrast between his public persona and private actions.

Anthony Weiner: The former U.S. Congressman was involved in multiple sexting scandals. Weiner’s personal indiscretions were compounded by his conviction for transferring obscene material to a minor, for which he served time in prison. His actions not only betrayed his family but also violated the law.

John Ensign: The former U.S. Senator from Nevada admitted to having an affair with a campaign staffer. Ensign was later investigated for ethics violations related to the affair and for attempting to cover it up, further illustrating how personal misconduct can lead to broader ethical breaches.

These examples underscore the importance of integrity in leadership. When politicians engage in infidelity, it often signals a deeper propensity for dishonesty and corruption. The lying and manipulation involved in cheating on a spouse cannot be compartmentalized, and such behavior inevitably seeps into their public duties, making them unfit to lead. No, it’s not “just” infidelity. How a man treats the women in his personal life is a clear testament to how he will behave in his professional life.