(via here)

At the core of the Sanford and Ensign episodes is the cloud of “hypocrisy” that hangs over any Republican who strays from the bonds of their marriage. (Quickly forgetting that all who commit adultery are hypocrites, having taken a solemn vow of marriage.) Because Democrats are perceived as more socially libertine, they get off easier.

This is a structural disadvantage that, on the margins, hurts Republican officeholders, forcing them into resignation or disgrace more easily than their equally adulterous Democratic counterparts.

Simply put, it is a strategic error to sanctify the idea that it’s worse when Republicans cheat. The hypocrisy charge exacts a double penalty on Republicans where none exists for Democrats — first, in the accusation of hypocrisy itself, and second, in the media whipping social conservatives into a frenzy in a bid to belatedly “enforce” their moral code — exactly the thing the secular media believes you shouldn’t do 364 days out of the year — to hound a Republican out of office.

Some will argue that conservatives should enforce a higher standard upon themselves. In cases of corruption or illegality, I have agreed. The stench of systemic corruption can be grist for severe electoral losses, as it was in 2006, and from a party-strategic perspective must be purged immediately. But adultery is different — a human failing that strikes Democrats and Republicans equally, and one in which there is a certain presumption of privacy unless there is illegal behavior (Clinton, Spitzer) or it affects job performance (Sanford).

I agree with some of this.  Certainly it seems to me that Republicans are held to a higher standard because of the perception that the party is the party of morality.  You’d think the Republicans would try to play up that fact to voters somehow.  “Hey, you’re voting for two broken human beings here.  The other guy’s party doesn’t seem to care much about his character and has demonstrated time and again that they are willing to look the other way if this guy turns out to be a total douche.”

But then again, since Repubs have wasted so much energy on defense of these charges again and again (seems like theres one after another), they never really have an opportunity to make that case.

I still think he should resign.  There’s something to be said for protecting that dignity of the party.