Open Thread (7/11/2008)

JimTurpin is talking about ILLINI PUNDIT and CAPITOL FAX on His show this morning.

How many months did John McCain cheat on his first wife -- the one that stood by him when he was a POW -- before dumping her for an ultra-rich 25-year-old?

"I spent as much time with Cindy in Washington and Arizona as our jobs would allow," McCain wrote. "I was separated from Carol, but our divorce would not become final until February of 1980."

An examination of court documents tells a different story. McCain did not sue his wife for divorce until Feb. 19, 1980, and he wrote in his court petition that he and his wife had "cohabited" until Jan. 7 of that year -- or for the first nine months of his relationship with Hensley.

Although McCain suggested in his autobiography that months passed between his divorce and remarriage, the divorce was granted April 2, 1980, and he wed Hensley in a private ceremony five weeks later. McCain obtained an Arizona marriage license on March 6, 1980, while still legally married to his first wife.

Until McCain filed for divorce, the Reagans and their inner circle assumed he was happily married, and they were stunned to learn otherwise, according to several close aides.

Source.

John McCain. Man of integrity.

Oh no, we will never hear the end of this. It's ok IP go ahead have your day.

I thought only Republicans cared about such passe things as marital fidelity - why is the LA Times so worked up?

but the only people I've ever known to cheat in a marriage happen to be Republicans.

 How about these ? Elliot Spitzer, Ted Kennedy, Jesse Jackson, John Kennedy, Robert Kennedy.

Oh How could I forget Bill Clinton, and FDR !

 How about these ? Elliot Spitzer, Ted Kennedy, Jesse Jackson, John Kennedy, Robert Kennedy.

Gregg:  Are you implying that Xian personally knows these people?  Or do you really want to run down the list of elected officials who have a problem keeping it in their pants (or their own bathroom stall)?

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At some point we have to trust the government. - redstatewannabe on 2008-06-12 at 1:14pm

Yes, that's totally true, I wish I had been thoughtful enough to mention that this occurs in both parties:

Valueing marriage is not a partisan issue.

Oh wait, I did.

Well, since there are two meanings to "know", I suppose I should have clarified:

Incidentally, given the divorce rate, I must run in unique circles, but the only people I've ever known to cheat in a marriage happen to be Republicans.

Oh wait, did that too.

I think when discussing the traditional definition that would be another question unless Obama has changed his stance on that too.

Which traditional stance are we talking? The one without people the wrong colors or the one with the pre-pubescent teens? I'm not a big fan of most of the traditional definitions and really thought no one was.

Xian-I am not sure what you’re talking about but most people really have not had a problem figuring out marriage until now, Obama sure wants to change that though.

I'd love to see yoru souce on this.  Really, I would.  Considering our divorce rate over the past several years, I'd say that 50% of those who get married have a big problem figuring out marriage.

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At some point we have to trust the government. - redstatewannabe on 2008-06-12 at 1:14pm

Yes, and a few centuries ago, most people knew that marriage was between a white man and a white woman. How's that working out?

No, you are. You were the one demanding a return to "traditional marriage". Can't you see how that might have something to do with "color"?

If you are going to demand that my wife and I's marriage be disrespected, naturally, I'm going to oppose you.

 Maybe for the majority of the country's history, you would have been allowed to marry. It's hardly ridiculous for me to urge you to acknowledge that not everyone would have had your fortune.