Press: Stepping Over The Bounds

The Miami Herald's stories about Gary Hart and Miami Model Donna Rice provoked intense debate about how far the press should go in reporting about the private lives of public officials. Last week brought the first clear sign that a new epoch is indeed aborning: the Cleveland Plain Dealer drew on unnamed sources to report that two-term Ohio Governor Richard F. Celeste, 49, has been "romantically linked" to three women other than his wife of 25 years, Dagmar. In the ensuing tempest, the Plain Dealer argued that the expose was justified because Democrat Celeste, although not a presidential candidate, was considering becoming one. Earlier in the week, the Plain Dealer pointed out, Celeste had assured reporters in response to a question that no, he would not face any Hart-like problems if he ran.

The Celestes refused comment. "Our personal life is our personal life, and it's between me and Dagmar and our kids," said Celeste. Said Dagmar, who has joked with reporters about the rumors of her husband's affairs in the past: "The greatest gift you can give if you love somebody is forgiveness."