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SOUNDING BOARD: Must we separate candidates' private, public lives?

The Bakersfield Californian

Should perceived moral and ethical lapses in a candidate make a difference to voters? Newt Gingrich almost certainly has the experience to run our national government, but he also has been married three times -- and had an extramarital affair with his current wife, Callista, while still married to his previous wife, Marianne. He was also fined by the House for ethics violations. Should any of that matter? We asked members of The Californian's Sounding Board for their take on the issue.

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SOUNDING BOARD: We've come to expect certain negative behavior

The Bakersfield Californian

Florida voters go to the polls today in what could be a decisive Republican primary election. Many will have weighed this question: Should perceived moral and ethical lapses in a candidate matter? Newt Gingrich almost certainly has the experience to run our national government, but he also has been married three times -- and had an extramarital affair with his current wife, Callista, while still married to his previous wife, Marianne.

Should that matter? We're trying to elect/re-elect a president who can lead us out of these economic doldrums, protect our security and champion American values. Do we also need a marriage role model? We asked members of The Californian's Sounding Board for their take on the issue.

Next on 'Californian Radio': Employment law

The Bakersfield Californian

Editorial Page Editor Robert Price is the host of "Californian Radio" from 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesday on KERN-AM 1180. He'll be discussing employment law, and the lawsuits associated with those laws, with his guest, human resources consultant Robin Paggi.

SOUNDING BOARD: Other US presidents have had moral failings

The Bakersfield Californian

Newt Gingrich almost certainly has the experience to run our national government, but does he have the moral and ethical qualifications? Some would say that's a nonsense question. Others would say it does indeed have relevance that Gingrich, the former House speaker, has been married three times -- and had an extramarital affair with his current wife, Callista, while still married to his previous wife, Marianne.

Is that fair? We're trying to elect/re-elect a president who can lead us out of these economic doldrums, protect our security and champion American values. Do we also need a marriage role model? We asked members of The Californian's Sounding Board for their take on the issue.

JEFFREY ROSEN: Justice is blind, politically

Sunday Forum

Earlier this month, the Occupy movement came to the Supreme Court. To protest the second anniversary of the Citizens United decision, the group called Move to Amend organized demonstrations at courthouses around the country -- including the steps of the high court itself. (The protests began peacefully but ended with 11 arrests.)

Say what you will about the strategy of organizing political protests against controversial judicial decisions, which can be overturned only by constitutional amendment, but one thing is clear: The Supreme Court was spectacularly wrong in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission when it confidently predicted that the ruling would have no significant impact on Americans' confidence in their political system.

MATT JACOBS: US must keep Karzai in loop on talks with Taliban

Sunday Forum

The United States seems poised to begin peace talks with the Taliban, and that worries Afghan President Hamid Karzai. Recently, Karzai's chief of staff declared that his government must be involved in negotiations and would oppose any secret deal between the Taliban and the Americans.

It is easy to understand Karzai's desire to be part of any negotiated settlement of the conflict in his country, but what about the U.S. interest? Might secret, back-door negotiations with the Taliban be useful for the United States?

SOUNDING BOARD: Should Gingrich's private life matter to voters?

The Bakersfield Californian

We are certain to hear more about ethics and morals -- Newt Gingrich's, to be specific -- as the election moves forward, and especially if Gingrich wins the Republican presidential nomination.

Is that fair? We're trying to elect/re-elect a president who can lead us out of these economic doldrums, protect our security and champion American values. Does it really matter if he has been married three times -- and had an extramarital affair with his current wife, Callista, while still married to his previous wife, Marianne?

L. DOUGLAS WILDER: For Romney, Condoleezza Rice is just the ticket

Sunday Forum

In August 2010, I proposed that President Barack Obama replace Vice President Joe Biden on the 2012 Democratic ticket with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. I still think it is the wisest course of action.

And what about the GOP's vice presidential intentions?

WILLIAM LAMBERS: Hunger in America and the 'penny lunch' tradition

Sunday Forum

Hunger is on the rise in America. The Conference of Mayors recently reported that 86 percent of surveyed cities have seen increases in the need for emergency food aid. These findings coincide with a Feeding America report that 20 percent of children in the United States are hungry.

To turn the tide, we need to rekindle the passion and innovation of those who started the fight to end hunger in America more than a century ago.

BILL SCHNEIDER: Happiness is divided opposition

Sunday Forum

Happiness in politics is a divided opposition. That's what Confucius would say if he were around to analyze the race for the Republican nomination. Jon Huntsman is probably saying it in Chinese.

By that standard, the happiest person around is Mitt Romney. He's coasting to the Republican nomination on the strength of a divided opposition. In the Gallup tracking poll, only 30 percent of Republicans nationwide say Romney's their choice. But look at the rest of the field: Newt Gingrich 18 percent, Rick Santorum 17 percent, Ron Paul 12 percent, Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Huntsman in single digits.

JAMES PETERSEN: Was $73B in aid to Afghanistan all for naught?

Sunday Forum

I worked in Afghanistan as an auditor for six months last year and spent another seven months at the Washington, D.C., headquarters of the special inspector general for Afghanistan reconstruction, charged with monitoring aid from the U.S. Agency for International Development, the State and Defense departments and others.

Washington has appropriated nearly $73 billion for reconstruction and development in Afghanistan since 9/11, according to SIGAR's October 2011 quarterly report, up $17 billion in each of the past two years. That's a lot of money for our indebted nation.