Like many Americans, I was both shocked and disappointed to hear about the John Edwards sex scandal. I had just met Edwards in 2005 and admired his efforts to address some of our nation's most urgent concerns, particularly poverty and the broken healthcare system. As I was watching the CNN headlines on Edwards, I experienced a momentary déjà vu, recalling my sentiments a couple years back when Clinton also admitted to having extramarital affairs. I also had and continue to have deep respect for the former president.

While there is certainly no excuse for infidelity, in both the Edwards and Clinton cases, I did have to ask myself, why does this matter to me?