June 25, 2009
Sito Negron's talk radio program was once called "Music and Politics" because the two are so intertwined. In fact, many songs from the 1960s until today have a political message, either subtle or overt.
But there is another connection to politics that has become a bigger part of the political landscape. It's sex, which these days seems to go hand-in-hand with politics.
Once again we have been treated to yet another political sex scandal involving an elected official who can't seem to control his sex drive. The all-to-familiar script has become a political cliche these days. This time it's the Republican governor of South Carolina, Mark Sanford.
He is a strong fiscal conservative whom the GOP was grooming for a possible presidential bid in 2012. But Sanford found himself in the media storm as he went through the usual checklist that you are obliged to do these days when you get caught with your pants down ... literally.
Held a press conference? Check.
Expressed the appropriate amount of remorse, a la Jimmy Swaggert? Check.
Held back a few tears? Check.
Apologized for hurting people? Check, except for the fact that he mentioned the proverbial other woman first, then the people of South Carolina, and eventually his wife and sons.
Had the nerve to quote from the Bible? Check.
And finally,
Asked the media for privacy? Check.
GOP potential presidential contenders are dropping like fat guys in an aerobics class. At the rate the GOP is going these days, the only marriages that seem to be working are gay marriages, so maybe the party of "family values" might want to rethink its stance on that issue.
Extra-marital affairs are by no means something the Republicans have cornered the market on, it's just that they are so self-righteous about their sexuality and values. Seriously, how long can you tout family values while you are in the closet, harassing Capitol pages, or running around the hemisphere catting around on your wife?
Its not like the Democrats don't have their own scum bags. U.S. Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) cheated on his wife, while she was suffering from cancer! There's a special place in hell for people like that.
The political reality is that sex has been a part of politics since the beginning of politics. It takes a certain amount of confidence and charisma to run for office and those traits, coupled with power, allow some older, usually balding and usually over-weight guys to get a lot of action around state and the national capitol.
If there's one thing I've learned being a political blogger during election season, it's that people are not shy about dropping information to me. I follow up on stuff and if it's something that is relevant and can be independently verified, then I usually write something about it. But I know way more about political beings in this town than I ever write about because I don't always think it's relevant to debates on policy or vetting candidates.
The No. 1 piece of "dirt" that people like to slip to me is about sex. Who's getting it, who's not, who's a playboy, who's cheating on their spouse, and who is gay.
The really bad part about sex scandals in politics is that it makes people become even more cynical about their representation, perhaps unfairly so. I've never found myself weighing a candidate's sexuality when I cast a ballot. But to some perception is reality and politicians across the board are negatively impacted.
Especially when it comes to local elected officials. All politics is local, and local politics around here is as tribal as it gets. But people don't consider the ramifications of their insatiable desire to spread chisme about a political foe. Whether warranted or unwarranted, when that type of stuff gets around, it impacts a marriage and sometimes a family. It's hard enough as it is being with a political animal in this town. You have to go to events, you have to interact with the opposite sex, and there is usually a fair amount of alcohol in proximity.
If someone is doing something they shouldn't be doing, it will come out on its own. But for some reason, we like to fan the flames. Again because perception becomes reality.
Speaking of Perception
I know I am going to be raked over the coals for this next part, but someone needs to say something. As you know, I spend a lot of time at political events and functions in this town and make a lot of observations. I don't always write about them right away, sometimes ever. But I do my best to remember details.
I attended an election night celebration earlier this year and I saw a former appointed official in attendance, Tanya Loya. You remember her, right? She is the teenager who was appointed to the Socorro Independent School Board because the elected member quit the job.
She's a bright young lady who has the potential to have a political career someday. Hopefully not someday soon because she's got some growing up to do. She's just a year older than my oldest kid and I feel like someone has to take this young lady aside and give her some advice. Perhaps an older and established female elected official or mentor.
She attended the party wearing a very tight-fitting white or creme-colored dress. Since she had already left office after deciding not to run for the seat, I never wrote about it. But then I noticed she's still maintained a presence in the local political universe which made me pay a little more attention to her.
Monday was the inauguration for the city and Loya was in attendance. Why is this even mentioned? Because she was dressed completely inappropriately for the event. She was wearing short Daisy Duke-style denim shorts.
Some people attend major political events just for the sake of being seen in attendance. She should've considered that before showing up in booty shorts. I've talked to some sources close to Loya who told me that they were approached by several people at the reception who expressed concern at her apparel.
Here's a political lesson that she should learn before she continues her career in politics.
If you want to be taken seriously, give people a reason to take you seriously. Dressing in booty shorts isn't going to get you taken seriously.
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Abeytia writes the Lionstar blog and is a political animal who spends way too much time traveling the wilds of El Paso politics. Reach him at lionstar@thelionstarblog.com.