Narcissism in the Public Eye

Senator Edwards has now admitted he had an affair with someone employed by his campaign. I don't particularly care one way or another about Senator Edwards and his extra-marital relationships, other than what it says about him. What I did find interesting was the paramour's assessment of Senator Edwards. According to a story on FoxNews, she described Senator Edwards as "a man fighting between his ego and his desire to serve the world." Sounds to me like that could be a description of a lot of political-types we've elected to office, including at least one of the two Presidential candidates. Finding a humble man (or woman) in Washington DC calls for the skills (and lantern) Diogenes used to find a truthful man.

I also found it interesting that Senator Edwards tried to blame the affair on his "becoming a national public figure." He said that being in the public eye gave him "a self-focus, an egotism, a narcissism that leads you to believe that — that you can do whatever you want. You're invincible. And there — and there will be no consequences." I guess you have to be somewhat narcissistic to go into national politics these days, but our politicians should never be given the chance to develop the belief that they're invincible and can do whatever they want. Once politicians start believing their own press releases, they become dangerous. I know I wouldn't want a national leader, or a leader at any level, who has such a lack of judgment.