Allegations of sexual misconduct can taint, or even terminate, a politician’s career or term in office. In 1992 and 1994, Bill Clinton’s image became tarnished in the minds of many Americans after allegations surfaced that as Arkansas governor he had had an extramarital affair and had sexually harassed a woman in his Little Rock hotel room. In 1995, Bob Packwood resigned after serving twenty- seven years as a U.S. senator amid charges that he had sexually harassed several female staff members.

Accusations such as these raise the question of whether sexual behavior is a proper litmus test of politicians’ character and ability to serve the public. Many Americans believe that sexual conduct is less important than other criteria—or is even totally irrelevant—in judging a politician’s character. For example, according...