One of the things that can end a political career very quickly is a sexual scandal–of any kind.  Republicans seem to have learned that lesson only too well.  There is an article in The Hill today stating that “The Ohio Republican (John Boehner) privately told a handful of male Republicans to avoid getting drunk and partying with female lobbyists at after-hour parties on Capitol Hill, according to a July report in the New York Post.”

According to the article:

“Rep. Zach Wamp (R-Tenn.) won’t meet with women behind closed doors on Capitol Hill, fearing how staffers and aides could perceive it.

“”It was Bill Graham’s policy, and if it’s good enough for Billy Graham, it’s good enough for me,” Wamp said.”

This policy may seem a little awkward, but I am totally in favor of it.  There is nothing wrong with bringing two or three members of your staff along to any meeting with a member of the opposite sex.  To do otherwise is to invite gossip or worse.  It is a shame that we live in a world where either would be a problem, but the fact remains that we do live in that world.

Billy Graham stated at one point that he would not even walk into a supposedly empty hotel room without a member of his staff.  That protected him from any appearance of scandal or wrongdoing.  That policy served him well–there was never even a hint of scandal associated with his name. 

Congress might be more respected by the average American voter if its members chose to avoid even the appearance of misconduct.