“Well there’s no question in my view that one of the ways you instill family values is by having the White House be a place that demonstrates family values,” Romney said earlier this week.

At a forum hosted by the George Bush Presidential Library earlier this year, a young man began the question and answer portion by energetically praising Romney’s values and integrity. Romney responded with the quip, “That’s my son, by the way.”

Anyone who comes within arms length of the Romney campaign will notice the prominent role that his wife and sons play in his life. It is also apparent to anyone willing to scratch the surface that they have the kind of love and respect for their father that makes them willing to be an enthusiastic part of his bid for the presidency. What parent doesn’t want their sons, or daughters, to have that kind of confidence in them?

Romney continued his comments by saying, “And… I think during the last Clinton presidency the White House did not demonstrate that in a way that was helpful to our nation’s culture.”

Almost anyone old enough to vote will remember the nationwide refrain in the late 90s that went something like this: “Well, maybe he isn’t a good person in his private life but he’s doing a good job as president.  And his personal life is none of our business anyway.”

I heard this sentiment repeated so often that I wondered if people were actually trying to convince themselves. After all, Clinton’s personal life caused him to commit perjury, encourage others to perjure themselves, obstruct justice in a case against him, and be impeached by the Congress of the United States. It has also been suggested by commentators like Rush Limbaugh (actually, he’s the only one I know of first hand but I believe he makes a valid point) that the lack of personal integrity in Clinton’s life both before and during his presidency made it difficult for him to aggressively command the armed forces and counter the terrorist threat against our nation. *

These serious consequences were in addition to the fact that the Clinton escapades were reported with lavish detail throughout the nation, leaving a trail of disgrace and depravity surrounding the White House where we once had thought to shelter dignity. Romney, of course, realizes the enormity of leading a nation by example. He continued in his remarks, “you’re gonna be under a microscope and at least during the time you’re in the White House you ought to live by a high standard, because the world is looking at you, you’re representing not only yourself but your country.  And the kids of America are looking at you.” In this election we can decide much about the future of our nation’s families. How will we define marriage and family? What will we teach our children about morality and personal responsibility? What limits will we place on the sanctity of life? With these issues at stake, we couldn’t do better than to elect a man who has pledged to lead the crusade for family values by example.

*This is in reference to commentary done on the Rush Limbaugh show around the time the film “The Path to 9-11” aired on ABC in 2006. Comments were based on information quoted from Richard Clarke’s book “Against All Enemies: Inside America’s War on Terror.”