In a time marked by scandal and distrust of political figures, the Center for Governmental Studies sought to define the role of character in politics through a national symposium hosted at the University Monday and Tuesday.
Larry J. Sabato, Center founder and government and foreign affairs professor, said he organized the conference "to present [character] with the layering and complexity that it deserves."
The two-day symposium consisted of keynote presentations and panel discussions by political figures, members of the media and intellectuals. Many high profile members of political life also participated, including former Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr and former U.S. Congressman Robert Livingston (R-LA).
The recent Monica Lewinsky scandal and President Bill Clinton's impeachment were prominent topics in most panel discussions.
In his speech Monday, Starr defended his investigation of Clinton, which he referred to as the "recent unpleasantness."
He also spoke about his feelings regarding the case. "I don't like the fact that I was dragged through this," he said. "I wish the President was truthful and saved us all" the trouble.
He added that all people have faults, but those in public offices should still be required to honor the "public compact with the people."
Livingston also recounted a personal experience related to the nature of character in politics. For the first time, he spoke publicly about when he resigned as Speaker-elect of the House of Representatives in light of an extramarital affair.
By resigning in the midst of Clinton's impeachment charges, Livingston hoped he would serve as an example for the actions he thought the President should also take, he said.
"I was prepared to show [Clinton] that it was possible, and I did it," he added.
Many other panelists also said they felt character is important for voters to consider when judging political figures.
Voters "have made it very clear that what they are looking for is integrity," said Patricia Ireland, president of the National Organization for Women.
But other panelists stressed that while character is important, the public must never forget that political figures, as regular people, do have some faults.
The important test is whether or not a person still can perform his civil duties despite possessing flaws, said Cheryl Mills, former White House deputy council.
Sam Dash, former chief counsel of the Senate Watergate Committee, said he believes the public often misjudges a politician's character by using an unfair scale set by the media.
"We are not called to walk around with giant magnifying glasses looking at every infraction," said Jean Bethke Elshtain, professor of social and political ethics at the University of Chicago.
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