Why seek public office?

Power

Ego

Neurosis.

You are talking about 2 separate issues - running for public office and being appointed to a life-time position (SCOTUS).

Politicians run for office because they crave power.

In the case of SCOTUS appointees, anyone who is well qualified for the position can run circles 'round these idiots. Would a 15 year federal judge with Ivy league education really worry himself over what a former pest exterminator might ask him? I think not.

Too funny.

I think the point is that someone sworn to uphold the constitution should have a demonstrated respect for the law, and an issue like hiring illegals to watch your kids shows that, at least at some level, you don't respect the law. 

If you're going to hold a poistion such as Director of National Security, you should be above reproach. If not, don't throw your hat in the ring. 

Yes, but since most of his constituency were either current or former crack smokers themselves, I guess they could identify.

Heh. 

He's an admitted alcoholic and does have a DUI issue on his record (not sure about a conviction), but I don't think he's ever admitted cocaine use.

I do think I read something about him having a special place in his heart for Mexican hookers, though.

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/bushdui1.html 

Jesus would never run for office. He wasn't power-hungry and he was interested in helping people, not helping himself.

A free-thinking, bleeding heart liberal like Jesus couldn't even make it past the primaries!

I don't need to read Stewart's book to know those free-thinking, hemp growing deists would never get elected today.

Although, Jefferson with his eloquent genius would run circles 'round the right-wing nutters like Gimme-a-hit-o-oxy-Limbaugh and Falafel-phile O'Reilly, he would probably think it far, far beneath him to engage in political reparte' with such mentally lazy chuckleheads.

I'll bet there were a fair share of crackheads like Limbaugh back in the Revolutionary day, too,  but history has forgotten them.

Gosh, how freakin' embarrassing. But I'd still buy a book written by him (The Commander and Chief does have access to spell check) over Madonna or Ted Kennedy any day.