Why Gavin's "Mistake" Matters

I must respectfully disagree with Ms. Huffington.

The fundamental mistake that San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom made is that he breached the core criterion of political life: maintaining loyalty. In politics, loyalty is paramount. Without loyalty, without the bond of trust that political partnerships engender, an elected official is incapable of building consensus and, ultimately, governing.

And for an elected official to be so outrageous as to betray the confidence of the person most dedicated to maintaining his position is unconscionable. That Gavin would be so indiscreet as to sleep with the wife of his campaign manager, during his campaign, is staggering.

No one would suggest that Gavin is a paragon of sexual restraint. This is a man who, a few months ago, began an intimate relationship with a 20 year-old waitress he met at a restaurant. For situations such as that, Ms. Huffington is correct -- such things have little impact on his capacity to govern, and should not be made into tabloid fodder.

In this case though, Mayor Newsom betrayed the trust of a person whose life was dedicated to advancing his political career. It can be said, without hyperbole, that such behavior casts a pall over the image that Gavin has worked hard to establish -- that of a young, vibrant, problem-solver. We're left with the petty image of a man willing to score with any woman that comes along, regardless of relationship.

And to those in the business of building policy through consensus, Gavin Newsom has raised a bright, red flag.