The public is still trying to ascertain what exactly went through the mind of Eliot Spitzer – now infamously known as “Client 9” – when ordering a call girl from the International Emperors Club at a lavish rate of $4,300.

Known as an ethical crusader, Spitzer fought corruption in the city of New York. As a former prosecutor, his knowledge of the very electronic and surveillance tools that brought about his downfall was expansive. In 2007, he signed a law to lengthen jail time for customers of prostitutes, from three to a possible 12 months.

Spitzer prosecuted prostitution and served to fight corruption, which earned him his hardline reputation – one that’s reflected in his grandiose statement: “I’m a f______ steamroller, and I’ll roll over you.” Despite his strong public anti-prostitution stance, however, investigators believe he spent up to $80,000 on escort services over several years preceding and following his appointment as governor.

It was this exhibition of rank hypocrisy and disregard for the rules he himself brought about that facilitated his downfall. His ability to execute correct political judgement may not have been hindered by his extracurricular activities, but the public and media reserve no tolerance for disingenuous leaders.

Spitzer had shown himself to be not averse to harsh judgement of others in public life either. Speaking of Michael Bloomberg, mayor of New York City, over a policy dispute, Spitzer claimed Bloomberg was “wrong at every level – dead wrong, factually wrong, legally wrong, morally wrong, ethically wrong”.

For a governor who freely dishes out accusations of moral and ethical breaches, it’s startling to see the same standards did not apply to his own personal undertakings. It’s not to say that personal lives should be a determinant of political success. It is, however, fair to conclude that the enforcer of a standard must abide by that standard to maintain any credibility or integrity in office.

The whirlwind romance of French President, ‘speedy Nicolas Sarkozy’, to ex-supermodel turned singer Carla Bruni attracted its fair share of criticism and media coverage. Meeting 11 weeks before their marriage, and only divorcing his second wife last October, Sarkozy’s personal decisions have become the subject of media and public scrutiny.

Unlike Spitzer's illegal activities, however, divorce, marriage, and love are simply components of everyday life. To suggest Sarkozy's character, ability, and judgment are weakened by his experiencing these things, is to suggest a politician must be of an inhuman nature to successfully administer his position of power. Humans are fallible, and will make mistakes.

However, it should be recognised that he who sets the rules must abide by them. Where personal dealings interfere with or directly contradict the very core of political undertakings, integrity is shattered.

The political judgment of Spitzer and Sarkozy may not be affected by their personal decisions. It is, however, the hypocrisy demonstrated by Spitzer that particularly offends.

A deceitful attitude shouldn't be stood for in public representatives. They may effectively govern well, but the constituents that voted them in can and will just as easily bring them down.