At each public appearance, standing dutifully by his side, was his wife Silda.

As the sordid details leak from the federal wire tap and case investigation, can you not help but imagine what all this must be like for her? The mother of three, betrayed, who must play the governor's loyal wife in public. Would you be able to hold it together, walk before a room of hounding reporters and stand by your man?

Certainly, she's not alone.

Dina McGreevey even managed a few smiles as her husband, then Governor of New Jersey, publicly announced he was gay and unfaithful 4 years ago. The two separated in 2004 and remain in the midst of a bitter divorce.

Oh the list goes on. The question is, does the duty of public servitude extend to the spouse so much so, it supersedes your gut reaction? Years ago, I was talking with a co-worker about infidelity and she said she wouldn't outright leave her husband if he was unfaithful. Her reasoning? She said marriages don't fall apart in a vacuum and if he was ever tempted to stray, there must have been something she did, or didn't do, to make him even consider being unfaithful. I had never thought of it that way before.

I like to think my marriage of nearly 7 years, built on a relationship that's lasted almost 16 years, could withstand any temptations or challenges. We've been together most my life and I suppose part of that confidence is knowing we hold true the same values and morals. I don't mean to sound naive, but I also realize we're not living a life filled with as much temptation or scrutiny as others under a more public eye. Athletes, actors, musicians, politicians all exist in a day to day, driven by power and surrounded by excesses and corruption kinda life. It's almost a sad inevitability those marriages face more challenges, though not impossible to remain faithful and loyal in positions of great power, I'm sure the weight and burden of it can be more than unbearable.

If you were Silda Spitzer, would you have walked away, or would you stand by your man?

Email me, ncrites@kpho.com