Politicians who admitted scandals

Politicians who admitted scandals

Politicians who admitted scandals. Despite his initial claim that his Twitter account had been hacked, Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) has admitted to tweeting lewd photos of himself to women he met online. The congressman also said he had inappropriate online relationships with at least six women Of course, he’s not the first politician to change his story when faced with the truth.

Sen. John Ensign

Former Nevada Republican Sen. John Ensign announced his resignation last month amid a Senate Ethics Committee investigation.

Eric Massa

The former Democratic U.S. congressman blamed his resignation on declining health amid sexual misconduct allegations.

Mark Sanford

The former Republican South Carolina governor said he was hiking but finally admitted to spending time with his mistress in a romantic city.

John Edwards

The former Democratic presidential candidate and senator – who originally denied his affair and out-of-wedlock child – has been inducted on felony charges connected to the scandal.

Newt Gingrich

The former Speaker of the House – and current Republican presidential candidate – admitted to an affair with an aide while attempting to impeach President Clinton for his own indiscretions.

Bill Clinton

Clinton became the second president to be impeached when he was accused of lying about an affair with an intern during a sexual harassment lawsuit.

Mark Foley

The former Republican congressman resigned after he was caught sending suggestive messages to young congressional pages.

Jim McGreevey

The former Democratic New Jersey governor resigned and came out as gay after being threatened with a lawsuit by a former lover.

Kwame Kilpatrick

The former Detroit mayor – a Democrat – served a scandal-plagued six years before stepping down after an affair with his chief of staff was revealed.

Mark Souder

The former Republican congressman resigned after admitting to an affair with a staff member he had appeared with in an abstinence video.

Eliot Spitzer

The former Democratic New York governor stepped down after he was caught hiring a high-dollar call girl.

Source: specials.msn

Cheating politicians

Cheating politicians

Schwarzenegger's affair reminds us of Clinton & other scandals, so here's a primer.

Bill Clinton
Now that former Republican California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has admitted he fathered a secret child , don't worry if you're finding it hard to keep these cheaters' details straight. Trips to South America. Client No. 9. Foot-tapping in the airport bathroom. With so many amorous politicians on the loose, it's easy to get mixed up. So, here's a refresher on some of the biggest recent political sex scandals, beginning with former President Bill Clinton.

When: Depends on the scandal; the Monica Lewinsky  story broke in January 1998.

Infidelity: 18-month affair with the White House intern.

Making it worse: First denied the allegations, then admitted he and Lewinsky had an "inappropriate relationship."

Stand by me: Wife Hillary Clinton initially defended her husband, calling the allegations part of a "vast right-wing conspiracy."

Lost: Impeached  on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice. Watch coverage of the trial.

Yikes! factor: Lewinsky surrendered a blue dress that she said contained physical evidence.

Postscript: Bill stayed in office; Hillary won a Senate seat , lost a presidential nomination and is now secretary of state.

Jim McGreevey
When: August 2004

Infidelity: Had an affair with Golan Cipel, a man who had served as his aide.tos

Making it worse: Cipel denied the affair, saying he had been sexually harassed.

Stand by me: McGreevey's wife, Dina Matos , joined him at the news conference, then later divorced him and wrote a memoir . Watch coverage of the divorce.

Lost: Resigned as governor.

Yikes! factor: His wife said that she did not know he was gay and that he duped her into marriage to advance his career.

David Vitter
When: July 2007

Infidelity: Phone number appeared in the records of a high-end Washington prostitution ring.

Making it worse: Had long championed family values, morality and ethics.

Stand by me: His wife, Wendy Vitter, defended him, saying their marriage was "not perfect." Watch them speak out about the scandal.

Lost: Seemingly nothing; refused to relinquish Senate seat, remains married.

Larry Craig
When: June 2007

Infidelity: Arrested in a Minneapolis airport men's room, where police said he tapped his foot to signal interest in sexual activity. Watch coverage of his arrest.

Making it worse: Police said he handed his business card to the arresting officer and asked, "What do you think of that?"

Stand by me: His wife, Suzanne, held his hand at the news conference. Watch it.

Lost: Didn't quit but decided not to run for another Senate term and left office in 2008.

Eliot Spitzer
Position: Former New York governor, Democrat

When: March 2008

Infidelity: Caught on a federal wiretap in March 2008 arranging to meet a high-priced call girl.

Making it worse: Signed a law raising the penalties for patronizing prostitutes.

Stand by me: His wife looked grim and exhausted at the news conference.

Lost: Resigned as governor.

Yikes! factor: Known as Client No. 9.

John Edwards
Position: Former North Carolina senator, Democrat

When: August 2008

Infidelity: Affair with former campaign videographer Rielle Hunter denied fathering her child.

Making it worse: First denied tabloid reports; later noted that his wife's cancer was in remission at the time of the affair.

Stand by me: Wife Elizabeth Edwards backed him; in her book said she didn't know if he had fathered Hunter's child.

Lost: Could damage a future presidential bid.

John Ensign
Position: Former U.S. senator from Nevada, Republican

When: June 2009

Infidelity: Affair with Cindy Hampton, a former aide.

Making it worse: Hampton was married to a staffer in the senator's office.

Stand by me: Wife Darlene Ensign reaffirmed her commitment to him
Lost: Resigned in May 2011 amid an ethics probe.

Mark Sanford
Position: Former South Carolina governor, Republican

When: June 2009

Infidelity: Affair with Maria Belen Chapur , a woman living in Argentina  he called his "soul mate"

Making it worse: Visited Chapur on Father's Day, leaving his children with his wife of nearly 20 years.

Stand by me: Wife had asked for a trial separation two weeks earlier; issued a statement saying she loved her husband.

Lost: Remained in office through January 2011, amid calls for resignation; stepped down as head of the Republican Governors Association.

Yikes! factor: Disappeared for several days to Argentina, telling his staff he was hiking the Appalachian Trail.