The Bulwark ·Behind the news
Character Matters—for the Other Party
by Joe Perticone
Published 2026-06-02 19:01:05+00:00
Why does a candidate’s character only seem to matter when they belong to the other party?
0:00 / 11:55 · Narrator Rasalgethi
Context
In this piece from 2 June 2026, the focus stays on the flexible nature of political morality. While voters often claim to value integrity, the responses from Capitol Hill suggest a more transactional reality. By examining the scandals surrounding candidates Graham Platner and Ken Paxton, the piece shows how character often becomes a secondary concern when a seat in the Senate is on the line. The tension here isn't just about simple hypocrisy; it's about the calculation that policy goals justify almost any personal failing, provided the candidate belongs to the right party.