The Family Factor in Politics

No doubt about it: Everywhere you look, elected officials – and those running for office – have been scrambling to patch up troubled marriages or put a good spin on infidelity, divorce, or the problems of their kids. (Rudy’s kids are estranged from him; both Giambra and Brown have had teenage sons get in trouble with the law this year.)

All this makes one question very important as we head into national and regional elections: Does a person’s marital status – and family cohesiveness – matter anymore to voters?