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Eliot Spitzer resigned after he was caught paying a very expensive prostitute, but now is considering running for New York City comptroller. Anthony Weiner famously texted images of his package and then bowed out of politics only to return as a contender for mayor. Perhaps they were both inspired by Mark Stanford, now a representative from South Carolina, but once a governor gone “hiking” with his Argentinian mistress.
"Americans are puritanical!" is how most Europeans explain this seemingly inexplicable cycle of sex scandal, public confession and resignation from political life.
When it comes to American politics, however, sex is not so much puritanical as it is modern. Here's how it happened. The Industrial Revolution gave birth to new classes, especially middle classes. These new classes no longer proved their worth merely through the accumulation of wealth because they wished to distinguish themselves from the upper classes. Middle class men proved their worth through success in the market and bodily discipline. In other words, modern middle class men not only had to work hard in the market, they had to show that they controlled their bodily appetites. Modern sports were invented and made an integral part of education. New dietary restrictions were followed in the name of Graham and Kellogg. And most importantly, sex outside of the conjugal bed- whether in the form of going to a prostitute or homosexual liaisons- became illegal and a sign of serious moral failing.
Throughout the 20th century, politiicians had to become increasingly disciplined in their bodies. In tact and at least seemingly monogamous marriages were required. Exercise and other forms of bodily control became serious issues in political campaigns. Remember talk about Bill Clinton’s addiction to junk food? Or Barack Obama’s cigarettes? And so, when politicians fail to display bodily control and have an affair or pay a prostitute or tweet their package, they have no choice but to apologize and disappear from public life.
Until now. Suddenly Americans are rather French about our politicians. Or even, gasp, Italian. We forgive their extramarital affairs as if they have nothing to do with being a good leader. It is as if we Americans can accept that a politician can be a competent leader and an absolute dog. How utterly continental.
