Objectively, I think we have to answer ‘yes.’ The fact is that many don’t.

There are dozens of politicians and public figures in this country (Ottawa has more than a few) with known-but-officially-unknown personal problems. It is why afterall, Frank magazine was loved and hated in its hay-day. It remains the only place that stories of this type were generally printed.

Putting aside the dubious ethics of the man and woman involved, The Star made a call with this story. And it is an unsual call to have made given all precident of how this subject matter is dealt with by Canadian media.

It may have worrisome ramifications for our public debate in this country.

Plainly, my opinion is this – he’s been in public office for years now, he knows the drill. Why he (or Tiger Woods or any man or woman cheating on their partner) would send text messages or leave voicemails is beyond me – it’s called a paper trail, people!

A lot of people have also been saying that Mel Lastman, who was mayor when his scandal broke, was not treated the same way Giambrone’s is. If I remember correctly, Lastman owned up to the affair, and the resulting (now adult) almost immediately as soon as the press got wind of it. I can’t help but wonder how different the Giambrone reaction would have been today if his statement had owned up to the affair, and the misdeeds instead of calling it an “inappropriate relationship” and a “mistake” that didn’t go beyond texting.

That being said, I think The Star was good to go with this story, assuming all of Lucas’ evidence added up.

Would any media outlet say no to what Ms. Lucas offered them? It appears that there is verifiable documentation that the Star could have vetted with its lawyers. They contacted Giambrone, who confirmed that he had an “inappropriate” relationship.

Ian, I think you’re missing one alternative for Giambrone. Suspend the campaign, admit that he committed a major falsehood in his personal life, move on, and if he’s able to return to politics in the future, then he can.

It’s not like the TTC doesn’t need strong leadership.

If citizens are complaining about the quality of their politicians, than look no further than this story, and ask themselves, what sane person would want to go under such scrutiny? This unnecessary focus on the personal lives of politicians, I believe, keeps good people from running for political office. I think Adam is a great politician, and I hope that he can weather this storm and become Toronto’s next mayor.

Like all races where there is a Liberal in the running, the Toronto Star has picked its side. Not much anyone can do about that. The people who own the paper get to decide what slant they put on it. Nothing new there.

But what is new is that the Toronto Star appears to have crossed the Rubicon as far as making personal lives of those seeking or holding public office a public issue. Until now, Canada’s news agencies have been of the opinion by-and-large, that what goes on in the bedrooms of politicians is off limits. The rule being that if it doesn’t impact their jobs it doesn’t impact the news.

But with this article, has the Toronto Star gone too far? In an effort to sell papers and ad space – and perhaps advance their point of view – are Canada’s media-owning corporations poised to subject Canadians to the politics of personal destruction that blights US politics?

If so, how can we stop it?

Adam has built up a lot of political capitol and now seems to be spending it fast. That is never good sign for a political career. I think this campaign has about 1 month to get back on track.