I suppose that it has to do with the fact that we want to look up to and respect our leaders, that we hold them to a high standard. And we should strive to have leaders that are smarter, better, more ethical and more committed. It just doesn’t seem to work out that way.
Personally, I think that it does matter. If an elected official is willing to cheat on a spouse, have a dalliance with an underage page, have bathroom hookups, or any of the myriad other ways in which our leaders disappoint us, then it shows that they’re 1) stupid enough to think that they won’t get caught in spite of being a public figure and 2) are willing to lie and/or cheat.
Sure, they’re human. Everyone makes mistakes. But I want a leader doesn’t make me question their intelligence and moral fiber. And these “slip ups” are even more egregious when the elected official has railed against lax morals, decaying society, or a threat to marriage – so many are so clearly hypocritical.