The scandal over Representative Anthony Weiner’s inappropriate online interactions with a series of women—coupled with allegations that former presidential candidate John Edwards used campaign money to hide an extramarital affair and the fact that California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger fathered a child with one of his employees—raises the question, How can voters get a better idea of the behavior and even the intelligence of those who seek to represent them?

The Nation’s Melissa Harris-Perry joins MSNBC for her “Soundoff” segment to explain that with the surge of technology and information, voters are attracted to people who do well on television or who can connect with voters in ways that are not necessarily policy driven.

—Sara Jerving