Just thought of something: It’s a funny quote, and I think very accurate in its appraisal of the homophobia that is still a big factor in electoral politics.

But the political life of Edwards points to something else. Sex scandals might bring down politicians, perhaps fatally, in terms of public opinion. They may even lose an election. Or — in the case of a male politician — they may be let off the hook by the persistent and atrocious sexist notion that boys will be boys.

But the coup de grace usually comes when boys will be thieves. Edwards is seving a 10 year prison sentence for federal racketeering charges.