Okay, so our generation has received a lot of flack for not being able to form real, long-lasting relationships, thanks to technology and archaic dating rules about college that span from the 1500′s. But here at CollegeCandy, we’d like to give a big smooch of thank you to the politicians who have set the standard for the foundation of great relationships. It’s people like them that give us faith that men can be intelligent, sexy, and cheaters – a three in one. In light of the accusations Al Gore has currently received, here are the 5 lessons these politicians have taught us in love, life and relationships. Thanks, ya’ll.

John Edwards: Keep everything under wraps, I mean everything. Totally okay to be having other relationships, just gotta make sure your significant other doesn’t know about it. I mean, the baby.

Mark Sanford: When married life gets tough, go to an exotic place to relax, unwind and meet the love of your live. Just don’t tell everyone and vanish in plain sight. It’s sooo mysterious and just plain sexy.

Larry Craig: Don’t let jet lag take the spice out of your love life. Take advantage of unique situations, like the ability to hook up in airport bathrooms. It’s convenient and adventurous – knock two birds with one stone.

Al Gore: Don’t let a sexual moment slip you by! Take a moment to appreciate the fact that someone is touching your naked body. Do them a favor and touch them back.

Elliot Spitzer. Having trouble meeting people? Have no fear, for $10K a night, you could have a companion to eat dinner with, talk to, and you know, do other stuff.

Hugs and kisses, these politicians sure have taught us valuable lessons in life and in love.

Thanks to Jezebel for keeping us up-to-date on how Al Gore destresses when saving the world gets too overwhelming.

Whew! What a year, right? We saw it all: Britney’s bald head, governors getting it on with prostitutes, a new Facebook, the collapse of Wall Street, the rise and fall of Sarah Palin, a horrifying plane crash that killed some and spared others, the election of our first black president (!!), lots of young mommies, and a whole lot more that I drank too much to remember.

Things were busy over here, too. We discovered the guys not worth holding onto, and the perfect vibrator that is. We began to understand why crazy sex positions are totally worth it, and why sex on the beach is a must-do for 2009.

We found a totally hot new band that will change the way you think about music, learned the 14 truths about men, and laughed with the funniest ladies out there.

We found out that guys get Brazilians (?), argued the merit of leggings, and filled our entire closet with new clothes….for free!

We took our first trip to the gyno, learned a ton of new euphemisms for sex, and sought out some not-so-obvious places to meet a man. We looked back at our favorite things from middle school.

We hated/loved Facebook.

And we dipped our toes in the Cougar pool.

2008 was a good year. Here’s hoping 2009 can be as much fun (both in the bedroom and out of it).

Jesse Jackson is still not an Obama fan…like, at all

And the Justin Timberlake backlash has begun!

Models may be pretty, but they sure are dumb

Maggie Gyllenhaal is awesome, Letterman is a creep

This totally looks like my favorite new web site!

Ashlee Dupree has ruined more than Elliot Spitzer’s good name

But…the Jobros…are so adorable and wholesome! How dare you not like them!

Deleted scenes from Wall-E

Religion 2.0

“There is more to kissing than just shoving your tongue in and letting it lay there.”

Kathryn Heigl needs to go. Perhaps one of these ways would be best?