Democrats and Republicans

[Archae]

The biggest difference between democrats and republicans:

Democrats

Let's see now, Anthony Weiner?
Pretty much faded into the woodwork.

Gary Condit?
Likewise.

Republicans

Newt Gingrich
Running for president, says he should be taken seriously.

David Vitter
Still in the US Senate.

And now this pervert...

Ex-Governor of South Carolina Joins Fox News

By JIM RUTENBERG

Former Gov. Mark Sanford of South Carolina may have not have been able to run for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination after his 2009 cheating scandal, but he will at least get to talk about the campaign on national television – as a paid contributor on Fox News, the Caucus has learned.

A network spokeswoman confirmed that Mr. Sanford, once considered a potential Republican presidential contender, has signed on with the network. While he is certain to appear prominently at the debate Fox News is holding in South Carolina in January, he will appear well before that and will stay on with Fox even beyond the general election.

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/21/ex-governor-of-s-carolina-joins-fox-news/

[Cirque du So-What]

1. Well, I wouldn't characterize it as the biggest difference

but it's definitely indicative of a double standard. I don't mean to start a flame war by mentioning this, and I'll put out this disclaimer that I'm a big fan of Sen. Ted Kennedy, but I'm frankly amazed that he was able to keep his career intact in the aftermath of you-know-what, especially considering the time period in which it occurred - when this was arguably a more puritanical society. I have to wonder whether Sen. Kennedy benefited from the same factors that provide 'immunity' to various & sundry Republicans nowadays - namely a veritable bottomless pit of power & influence.

On a related note...some Republicans - namely those who ran afoul of society's mores with same-sex relationships - did not receive the same second-chance shot at political rehabilitation. In fact, I consider the fate of those caught having illicit same-sex relationships practically banishment to outer darkness - a double standard within a double standard.

Another thing: although Gary Hart never ran for political office again, he retained a certain amount of power and influence through his association with the Council for Foreign Relations, so he must have had sufficient clout to avoid outright ostracism.

[Archae]

2. Not all same-sex sex scandal people go into hiding.

Look at Ted Haggard, Billy Hargis before him, and lately "get rich with Jesus" preacher Eddie Long.

http://americanloons.blogspot.com/2011/08/242-eddie-l-long.html

[Cirque du So-What]

3. Those guys all had their 'come to Jesus' moments

and, by gawd, people bought it!

[Firebrand Gary]

4. Thats a referendum on Obama.

Lmao

Bill Clinton once carried Louisiana, it will be a very long time before that happens again. George W purposely failed during Katrina, the United States does not make mistakes of that magnitude by accident.

That was one way of growing the electorate in Texas.

Conspiracy theorist? Yea, probably. But again, the US does not make mistakes on that level by accident.

[Kalidurga]

5. I think the basic difference is on social issues...

on more cynical days I think there are just minor differences. But, then I look at the GOP clowns running for President and I can honestly say if anyone of them said what they say as a Democrat we would look at them like they have 3 heads and they would very likely be asked nicely to leave the party. As it is they carry the Republican brand and which is short hand these days for "I'm coo coo cachoo"

[Firebrand Gary]

6. So yesterday I was watching

Morning Joe and there was a question posed to Joe about that "crazy factor" in his parties Presidential hopeful's. Joe began to make a comparison, he actually went there. Joe basically said what you just said in a mocking reference to his own party. The question was something like "Why is it the Democrats do not have the same problems as the GOP" Joe basically said that there in no way our party would stand for it and referenced our intellectual standard.