Promiscuity and Our Presidents

     Testosterone, that hormone that makes a man a real man, has run wild in our most notable presidents and politicians. In retrospect, I have lost count of the political careers that have been ruined because of infidelity, sex-ting and other sexual dis-function. Although it did not come out until much later, John F. Kennedy was not the faithful husband with the perfect family that I had imagined as a young girl. Supposedly Dwight David Eisenhower was in a relationship with his driver when he was a general. Not only were their rumors about FDR but also about his first lady. I can’t forget Bill Clinton as he made the term “blow job” a household word. 

    As I look back in time to the founders of this great nation, I have noticed that womanizing was not uncommon. This does not  diminish their achievements, just makes them human. Some historians feel that the phrase “George Washington Slept Here” came out of our first president’s need to sleep with slaves as he visited the homes of his friends and associates. There are theories suggesting he died of syphilis.The surname Washington, one so popular in the South, suggests there might be a surprising amount of descendants Martha did not know about.  Thomas Jefferson committed similar infidelities. We have seen living proof of his promiscuity in the discovery of a descendant of his slave, Sally Hemings. whose children he fathered. Then their was Ben Franklin. I have read about his antics in France and the bawdy poetry he wrote to a widow he wanted to seduce. These were great men who accomplished and achieved so much for our country. Is it possible that those testosterone levels are what enabled them to aspire and achieve greatness.

  Europeans have accepted the idea that their leaders will keep mistresses without any repercussions. Is it time for Americans to do the same. Jimmy Carter, who might go down in history as this nations worst president, was a faithful husband. During his presidency as interests rates were through the roof and we had to wait on line to fill our gas tanks, I did not care about his fidelity. 

  When the media goes on the attack, they can usually uncover some dirt. These last months as we were exposed to the indiscretions of Herman Cain, is a current example. The question that remains is not whether Mr. Cain is a faithful husband who respects women, but whether he can do something to bring this country back from the dead. I’d rather judge a candidate on his ideas, than on his Trieste’s. The  profile of an excellent, politician might have to include a bit of  ”playing around”.