On the one hand is husband Bill (brilliant, extroverted, adoring yet philandering) and on the other hand is her national campaign co-chair Antonio Villaraigosa (also bright, extroverted, and yes, well, seemingly adoring). While last names didn’t seem to be a question with the Clintons (w/o divorce) one must wonder how the Villaraigosas will handle this sensitive issue (with divorce) since they combined their names when they wed in 1987: his Villar and her Raigosa. With two teenage children, one can hope the Villaraigosa name prevails. As one who works with the children of divorce on an almost daily basis, my hope is that someone is helping the children through this lest bitterness prevail and history perhaps repeat.

Carla Marinucci, San Francisco Chronicle Political Writer, was quoted as saying, "It’s hardly even soap-opera shocking anymore. Maybe that's because Villaraigosa has joined the increasingly crowded club of big city mayors -- San Francisco's Gavin Newsom, San Francisco's Willie Brown, San Jose's Ron Gonzales and New York's Rudy Giuliani -- who have faced headlines and heat regarding their private affairs while in public office." And those are just the recent ones. Historians continue to make us aware of our long history of philandering first men (although certainly not all).

Barbara O'Connor, professor of political communication at Sacramento State University, says the news about Villaraigosa could be the tipping point: The (publicized) parade of politicians engaged in extra-curricular activities has gotten so crowded in the post-Clinton era that the public has reached a "so what?'' moment. "Politicians are inculcated,'' she sighs. "The public assumes all these guys are up to this.''

NOTE for those with more to do than keep up with these scandals:
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom -- Earlier this year, the divorced mayor admitted an affair with the wife of a good friend and political aide, apologized and underwent counseling for what he said were alcohol-related problems.
San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales -- In 2000, Gonzales separated from his wife of 22 years and admitted to an affair with a 25-year-old staff member.
San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown -- In 2001, the 66-year-old mayor had an out-of-wedlock child with his chief fundraiser, Carolyn Carpeneti, who was nearly 30 years younger. Brown and his wife, Blanche -- who have three grown children -- are still married, although they have been separated for decades.
New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani -- In 2000, the mayor announced at a news conference his separation from his second wife, Donna Hanover, with whom he has two children. After an acrimonious divorce, he married Judith Nathan, whom he called his "good friend.''