I Can't Believe I Have to Type This

I just read, courtesy of Roger Ebert courtesy of The Guardian, allegations of philandering and drug use by Sarah Palin In Joe McGuinness's new book, The Rogue: Searching for the Real Sarah Palin. This comes on the heels of revelations, yesterday, that she once schtupped some basketball player when he was in college and she was a half-assed sports reporter on an Alaskan TV station. And here's the surprising thing I have to say about it: I don't care.

Whatever I think of Gov. Palin--and that is little enough indeed--I can't see what it matters whether she did some blow or banged her husband's business partner or didn't.  Those are things that are personal and immaterial.  Assuming that she is planning on running for President, and I assume no such thing, all that matters is how she has conducted herself in terms of governing and what her--God help me for allowing that she has one--philosophy of governing is.  All else if dross.

So far, this book is coming across as if it were written by the staff of The National Enquirer or one of those other not-quite-good-enough-to-be-fishwraps.  I hope there might be something more substantive in it, but I'm not exactly holding my breath.

Character assassination is not justified, even when it is used against someone who has built her career by defaming others.  Our political discourse--in both directions--should be better than this.  Tell what someone is likely to do in the future, not who she has done in the past.