Scandals may matter less, analyst says

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens isn't the only congressional member seeking re-election clouded by scandal, a review of members' blush-producing actions indicates.

Stevens, R-Alaska and the longest-serving Republican in the Senate, was convicted of failing to report more than $250,000 in gifts and home renovations on his Senate financial disclosure forms. Rep. Tim Mahoney, D-Fla., has admitted to extramarital affairs as he seeks to keep his seat. Louisiana Democratic Rep. William Jefferson, meanwhile, has been charged with accepting bribes, USA Today reported Wednesday, citing the three as examples of scandal-tinged campaigns.

Do these lapses in judgment matter? Historic presidential campaigns may make candidate indiscretions less significant than they were in 2006, experts said.

"Voters are paying attention to the presidential race to the exclusion of other developments," said David Wasserman, who tracks House of Representatives races for the non-partisan Cook Political Report, pushing ethical matters "pretty far down the list of priorities for voters."

That hasn't always been the case, Wasserman said.

In 2006, Curt Weldon, a 10-term Republican from Philadelphia, faced a strong opponent when the FBI raided his home. Although Weldon was not charged, he lost the election 56 percent to 44 percent.