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SALT LAKE CITY — Even though plenty of politicians are accused of being corrupt, greedy or unfaithful to their spouses, political analysts say morals are still important to American voters. So why are some politicians able to ride out potential scandals while others aren't?
Political analysts say voters still want to back a candidate with good morals. University of Utah Political Science associate professor Tim Chambless says this was evident in 2006 when many voters across the country felt their members of Congress were corrupt at the time.
"The polling data indicates that four out of 10 individuals who self-identified as evangelicals were so upset with Republicans in Congress that they voted for the Democrats, or they did not vote," he said.
Individuals who commit wrongdoings and are genuinely sorry for what they've done can be forgiven.
–Tim Chambless
Few things can rock a candidate's bid to elected office like a good, juicy scandal such as marital infidelity. But does that mean that a candidate has to stay completely sin-free to get votes? No. It just means voters want a candidate to own up to whatever he or she did.
"Individuals who commit wrongdoings and are genuinely sorry for what they've done can be forgiven," Chambless said.
There are examples, or at least accusations, of unfaithful politicians on both sides of the political aisle. Take, as an example, two of the people who ran for the Republican nomination. Herman Cain's quest for the presidency ended after he was accused of sexual harassment. These are claims he denied, yet they led to his candidacy coming to a screeching halt. Whereas Newt Gingrich has admitted his past infidelity was a mistake. He gained popularity is some polls, and even won the South Carolina primary.
"[The voters were] working off the assumption that no human being is perfect, that everybody sins," Chambless explained. "The important thing is that after sinning, [Gingrich recognizes] the sin and asks for forgiveness and tries to go forth and sin no more."
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Of course, contrition doesn't work for everyone. Former lawmakers like Eliot Spitzer and John Edwards committed serious acts of immorality and apologized, but their political careers are essentially over. Meanwhile, former President Bill Clinton gained support from voters in his party after admitting to inappropriate behavior while he was in office.
Infidelity isn't the only kind of immorality voters care about.
"When we talk about wrongdoing with imperfect human beings who are involved in public life, so often, that wrongdoing deals with money," Chambless noted.
He believes many voters may become disinterested in someone like Donald Trump if they feel he's greedy.
