Feet of clay, judgment to match

I'm not going to spend much energy on the news that former Democratic Party presidential candidate John Edwards had an extramarital affair with a campaign worker -- I'll simply offer the perspectives of two sharp political strategists.

First, Democrat Paul Begala:

"...this is not a sin unique to politicians. It even happens to preachers, it even happens to teachers, it even happens to football coaches. It happens, you know, all across our culture."

"...there's a larger loss of faith in institutions, whether it's big business, whether it's certainly in this government. But keep in mind, you know, John Edwards did not order that anyone be tortured. He did not violate the Geneva Convention. He did not forge a document to lead us into a war. He cheated on his wife."

And from Republican Alex Castellanos:

"This is not just an issue of human perfectibility. We all fall short.

"It is an issue of trust and trust in our leadership."

"We live in a culture where you go into an elevator and you punch those 'close door' buttons and you kind of think they're phony. The thermostats in office buildings now, you know, some are fake."

"We live in a culture where we're increasingly distant from reality. Country Crock spread, it's not from the country, it doesn't come in a crock. One name, two lies.

"And increasingly, we're looking for what's real in our culture. And I think especially in an uncertain time like this, you know, how can you believe the promises?"

Revelations about what a politician does in the bedroom, per se, don't sway my voting decision.

I do, however, place a high value on sound judgment -- and for me, speaking as a citizen, the significance of Mr. Edwards’s personal indiscretion pales in comparison to his stunningly poor judgment.