The departure of Jim Johnson from the Obama campaign is a good proxy for a more general issue facing all candidates seeking national office.

Putting aside for the moment that illustrious group we call elected officials who serve in the Public Sector (PbS), is there anyone from the Private Sector (PvS) who could withstand the intense media coverage of their lives and emerge as clean and ethical as Mother Theresa?

And is that what is required nowadays?

Successful inhabitants of the PvS have often been called upon to tread a very thin line between maximizing the profitability of their enterprise and adhering to a strict and obvious moral code of ethics. Often a deal can only be made if a couple of toes briefly cross that line and dip into the water of moral ambiguity, the rationale often being "business is business."

We're not talking about egregious violations of ethics, let alone violations of the law. Those certainly are, ipso facto, disqualifiers for government service. And this piece has nothing whatever to do with Johnson specifically.

What rational person, which the PvS is largely composed of, unlike the PbS, what rational person would want all their actions scrutinized by a bunch of gotcha-journalists?

I'm reminded of a story that Lincoln allegedly told about himself.

He told the story to a young aide. Lincoln told this young man that when he--Lincoln--was a State Legislator in Illinois he was visited in his by a representative of a railroad company because there was a bill before the Legislature that could prove to be a windfall to the railroad if it passed. Lincoln was on record opposing the bill.

The railroad guy took a seat across from Lincoln at the great man's desk and began talking. "I understand that you do not favor the bill. I also understand that State Legislators are not very well paid, the railroad understands that as well....So, I've been authorized to make a contribution to you in the amount of $5000 cash, to show how much my company would appreciate your support."

Lincoln sat silent, staring at the man.

"Of course, $5000 doesn't go very far in these times, so, in addition, we have already printed 10000 shares in our company registered in your name...."

Lincoln sat silent. Not a word did he say.

"Oh...I almost forgot," said the railroad guy, "we've also opened a bank account for you in Switzerland and await your word before we deposit $25000 in gold into that account...."

Suddenly Lincoln jumped out of his chair, strode around his desk, grabbed the railroad man by the scruff of his neck and physically ejected him from the office.

"Why, Mr. President," the young aide asked, "did you take action at that particular moment?"

Lincoln smiled at the young man and said simply, "Because he was getting too close to my price."

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Doubtful. I'm sure some pathetic white or candy-a*s minority would fabricate some farcical nonsense about Lincoln being a secret slave owner with a black mistress.

Could Abe survive today? Weren't they pretty rough on him back then? The Union wasn't always winning, and Abe wasn't exactly a popular guy from what I understand.

I agree. This type of stuff goes back all the way to Washington. Some things have gotten worse though. It use to be up to around 20 years or so that to be Indicted was like having the Black Plague in terms of social acceptance (only mobsters, suspected Communists, swindlers, etc. were ever indicted). Now it is almost as if its a requirement if someone wants to be the a Party's "political commando."

I look at it this way. Today we have the internet, which basically records everything typed down in an article, opinion, or even a forum. Because now we have access to all of that we can see ALL the opinions of everyone, and of course they are not always in favor of a person or issue.

In the past, all that is basically preserved and readily available to the public are the major newspapers which, unless they took a stance on an issue, would bascially keep a neutral stance on a person or issue. It is not until you start doing some research at the local library and have access to, say, the preserved issues of highly opinionated local newspaper of an area, that you will see the same type of stuff that we are seeing now.

Just look at Samuel Adams. He was not only the father of the American Revolution but also the father of American Political Spin! Look up his writings and you will see the same exact tone when you visit a right or left website/blog.

As to Abraham Lincoln, yes he was villified in the South AND in the North during his presidency up to his assassination.