Gary L. Bauer

In the following viewpoint, Gary L. Bauer argues that politicians should be subject to greater public disclosure of their private lives in order to ensure that the nation’s leaders are people of good character. The country depends on its leaders to uphold high moral standards and to acknowledge and learn from past mistakes, he contends. Voters should have the right to know what kind of personal background political candidates possess before electing them. Bauer is a former domestic policy adviser to President Ronald Reagan and president of American Renewal, a conservative advocacy organization.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. What examples of public leaders who have revealed private indiscretions does Bauer describe?
2. What point does the author make concerning the argument for full...