Senator Meredith's sexual relations with a teenager feels especially odd given he is a religious leader. 

I wonder what the young woman felt toward him - then and now? Should we simply presume that while a 16 year old might be old enough to drive she simply could not comprehend sex? That seems patronizing without knowing the individual.   

If he impressed her in part by using his Senate office, then he has abused that office IMHO. That would be no different than a school teacher hinting at better grades in return for a sexual relationship with a student, and we know what would happen to them if caught.

Although it has not been claimed this was illegal, it would obviously be unpopular with an already very critical general public. I agree with his attorney that Meredith may well be sacrificed to clean up a long tarnished image of the Senate, and yes, that could be seen as unfair.

Still, one has to wonder what on earth was this guy thinking...