In the life of a politician, the crud inevitably hits the fan. The cause of the crud varies: sometimes it's a sex scandal, sometimes it's a financial scandal, sometimes it's an influence-peddling scandal, sometimes it's bribery or abuse of power or tax evasion. In all cases, the bottom-line question is: can the scandal-plagued politician remain a viable public figure? If the consensus is "yes," then they usually stay in office and choose to fight on. If the consensus is "no," they're usually toast pretty fast.
Many elements factor in to the consensus, which can form rapidly or take longer periods of time, particularly if the scandal is complicated. Does the wife or partner stand by them, encouraging them to fight back, or does she want out of public life, probably because she never wanted in it? Is the local and/or national press rabidly investigating the story, or are they glossing over it? Are the pol's constituents forgiving or not? Is the trendline moving toward more damaging revelations or is the worst already out? Has the pol said or done anything since the scandal broke that would make a bad situation worse, or has he managed the crisis well?
In the recent past, there have been those who have opted to bow out rather than prolong the public agony: President Richard Nixon, NY Governor Eliot Spitzer, NJ Governor Jim McGreevey, NY Congressmen Eric Massa and Chris Lee, NV Senator John Ensign.
There have also been those who have chosen to stay and fight: President Bill Clinton, SC Governor Mark Sanford, NY Congressman Charlie Rangel, MA Congressmen Barney Frank and Gerry Studds, LA Senator David Vitter, Idaho Senator Larry Craig. So far, embattled NY Congressman Anthony Weiner falls into this category.
The calculations about whether to stay or go are complicated and personal. Sometimes it simply has to do with the character of the pol in question: do they feel a sense of shame, or not?
Shame is severely undervalued in our society. It used to be that newspapers would run photos of prostitutes and their clients in order to embarrass them. It wasn't so long ago that Rob Lowe went underground after his sex tape emerged and Pee Wee Herman sent himself into exile after being caught having solo fun in a dark theater. Now the road to fame often runs through a homemade sex tape that's "leaked" to the media. If Weiner weren't a member of Congress, he could ride this internet sexting scandal all the way to a reality show on E!
Of course, the difference between Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian and Pamela Anderson and Anthony Weiner is that Paris, Kim, and Pamela aren't paid by taxpayers and invested with their trust (thank the Almighty).
There is no easy way out for a pol in a heap of his own self-inflicted trouble. As the Clash so aptly observed, "If I go, there will be trouble/ An' if I stay it will be double."
Gringoman, I don't understand what else it has to take to dump the Weiner! Rep. Lee of the NY 26th had to take his hat after sending a shirtless pic to a Craigslist hottie.
WHY CAN'T THESE GOOPERS MAN THE EFF UP AND DENOUNCE THE DOUBLE STANDARD!!!
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Posted by: Ummahgummah | June 07, 2011 at 12:03 PM
No, on the Right wing political action group. Otherwise known as Foxnews. They stated that it was his choice. No one told him too.
Posted by: jay | June 07, 2011 at 11:55 PM
Hence we are witnessing the rapid decline of the West.
Posted by: DJ | June 07, 2011 at 01:41 PM
Which is why you stated to give it to Mexico.
Posted by: jay | June 07, 2011 at 11:58 PM
Hey LIB, tell us more about the History Weiner knows about... anyone can post anything but I see that u libs never back up what u say.
House of Cards, House of Cards..
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Posted by: Ummahgummah | June 07, 2011 at 02:39 PM
We back up what we say. You people just don't like the truth. As, with Liberator's "polls"
But there is no point in arguing with simple minded folks because they always think they're right. They don't know any better.
Posted by: RafeMasters_76 | June 07, 2011 at 03:03 PM
You noticed that, too? They are more concerning with talkinng about Weiner's weiner!
Posted by: jay | June 08, 2011 at 12:04 AM
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Then why don't all you libs SHOVE THE F*CK OFF where you can Twitter together!
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Posted by: Ummahgummah | June 08, 2011 at 12:07 AM
First you make up "facts" and tell lies, then hide behind name-calling., Next comes the race card...PROVE what you just posted.
Posted by: LongRifle | June 07, 2011 at 03:12 PM
Longrifle, First the make up facts and tell lies is a great Foxnews ploy. Mentioned them saying that Obama's trip to India coulld cost as 2 billion. The name calling?
Look at the names directed at me. Let alone the others.
The race card?
That is very much a topic spoken of by some on the conservative side of the memo.
Generally, I just let them yap, and do their copy-pasty, and scroll awayyyyyyyyyyy.
Posted by: gringoman | June 07, 2011 at 04:32 PM
The copy pasting? Got that ploy from you guys as well.
Posted by: jay | June 08, 2011 at 12:10 AM
maybe they are all alike then, 'cause he sure sounds like Jaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyy
NO LYING PERVS 2012
Posted by: thebuckstopshere | June 07, 2011 at 04:07 PM
And, you guys are not like the 3 monkies? What a laugh!
But, interseting how you try to explain how several people can have the same way of thinking. When, some of you are like siamese twins.
Posted by: jay | June 08, 2011 at 12:14 AM
I'm actually getting a kick out of the sheer stupidity behind their comments and points they try to make. Quite the spectacle...
Posted by: RafeMasters_76 | June 07, 2011 at 04:36 PM
That's their,"personal agenda"
Posted by: jay | June 08, 2011 at 12:15 AM
The REAL tea party slogan:
NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION!
Posted by: jay | June 08, 2011 at 12:20 AM
Then why don't all you libs SHOVE THE F*CK OFF where you can Twitter together!
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Posted by: Ummahgummah | June 08, 2011 at 12:07 AM
All you guys want to talk about is Weiner's weiner.
Count the comments on that subject on the memo. No, what can your side do to win the election. Little on what candidates are best. Just weiner's weiner.
Posted by: jay | June 08, 2011 at 12:23 AM
weinergate tweets
http://iowntheworld.com/blog/?p=79154
boy what a poster child for virtue
NO PERVS 2012
Posted by: thebuckstopshere | June 08, 2011 at 12:32 AM
weinergate tweets
http://iowntheworld.com/blog/?p=79154
boy what a poster child for virtue
NO PERVS 2012
Posted by: thebuckstopshere | June 08, 2011 at 12:32
Count the comments on that subject on the memo. Not, what can your side do to win the election. Little on what candidates are best. Just weiner's weiner.
Posted by: jay | June 08, 2011 at 12:23 AM
Posted by: jay | June 08, 2011 at 12:43 AM
weiner's weiner nor his party has any relish for me....I'd be hard pressed to consider voting for an embarrassment such as a tweeting dick........anybody who could must be hard up........a liar, a cheat, a PERV...
let's see if the party leadership can get a hand on this
whack job...........
NO PERVS 2012
Posted by: thebuckstopshere | June 08, 2011 at 01:32 AM
one word: WITHDRAW
http://weaselzippers.us/2011/06/07/un-treaty-looks-to-gut-americans-second-amendment-rights/
NO RINOS 2012
Posted by: thebuckstopshere | June 08, 2011 at 01:36 AM
weiner's weiner nor his party has any relish for me....I'd be hard pressed to consider voting for an embarrassment such as a tweeting dick........anybody who could must be hard up........a liar, a cheat, a PERV...
let's see if the party leadership can get a hand on this
whack job...........
NO PERVS 2012
Posted by: thebuckstopshere | June 08, 2011 at 01:32
Then, why this obsession on the memo about weiner?
Why not have conversations about what faces the country?
Instead, just a bunch of "weiner" jokes.
Posted by: jay | June 08, 2011 at 01:44 AM
because weiner is a national embarrassment.........& it feels good to catch one of these entitled pricks with their pants down..........this tweeting dick has voted for some of the most expensive & expansive legislation in the present administration........if you don't get the comic relief for the masses go tweet yourself.....political parody has been some of the most useful messaging over time, versus scumbags tweeting......oh you better believe we are going to make the most of this lying, cheating, perv.......
imo what faces this nation, as I stated previously, is guys like weiner, their smugness, their sense of entitlement & that their behavior is above reproach & the rules do not apply to them......
if you don't like the conversation, beat it........
NO PERVS 2012
Posted by: thebuckstopshere | June 08, 2011 at 02:08 AM
just for Jay............
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-sb8e3P4LM
tweet, tweet little birdy..........
NO PERVS 2012
Posted by: thebuckstopshere | June 08, 2011 at 02:19 AM
He's back....
casting doubt on Obama's phony long form birth certificate.
http://patriotupdate.com/7786/trumps-back-casting-doubt-on-birth-certificate
Posted by: xbjllb | June 08, 2011 at 07:05 AM
"Put THAT Wiener in yer pipe and smoke it, libs!" - UG
If there's ANYONE around here OBSESSED with smoking wieners, that would be you.
Posted by: xbjllb | June 08, 2011 at 07:05 AM
"At least he didn't send it to a dude like some conservatives have been known to do." - Rafemasters_76
SOME?!?!?!? You mean most.
"I'm actually getting a kick out of the sheer stupidity behind their comments and points they try to make. Quite the spectacle..."
Welcome to the MonicaMemo alternate universe...
Posted by: xbjllb | June 08, 2011 at 07:07 AM
"LOL...You are relentless...Gotta love that." - longrifle about UG
What's to love about a whore making a buck? Unless of course you're the john.
Posted by: xbjllb | June 08, 2011 at 07:09 AM
What do FRANKS and WEINERS have in common?
REELECTION.
Posted by: xbjllb | June 08, 2011 at 07:12 AM
"JAY seems to have disappeared and the X-lax is worn out like a spent scumbag" - UG
No, UNLIKE you whores who are paid by Obama to troll this place 24/7, we have actual real lives apart from this hellhole.
And are working on REAL business.
Posted by: xbjllb | June 08, 2011 at 07:23 AM
Hence we are witnessing the rapid decline of the West.
Posted by: DJ | June 07, 2011 at 01:41 PM
Which is why you stated to give it to Mexico.
Posted by: jay | June 07, 2011 at 11:58 PM
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Jay,
Look up the word CONTEXT; read it; try your very hardest to comprehend it; then get back with me.
ps
Look up Western Civilization in your encyclopedia too.
When I said "West", clearly it was Western Civ. I was referring to.
Context, Jay, context!
Posted by: DJ | June 08, 2011 at 07:26 AM
What do FRANKS and WEINERS have in common?
REELECTION.
Posted by: xbjllb | June 08, 2011 at 07:12 AM
--------------
Translation: They both have a morally degenerate constituency.
Posted by: DJ | June 08, 2011 at 07:31 AM
Weiner's a good man, and Nazis can never abide a good man.
Nice try, anti-semitic stormtroopers.
Unfortunately, your racism is clear for everyone to see.
You really do make your own beds.
Posted by: xbjllb | June 07, 2011 at 06:17 PM
------------------------
HAHA! If the Nazis were advocates of gay rights and gay marriage, you'd be screaming: HEIL HITLER!
C'mon, X-lax, admit it!
X-lax OWNS the "mark of Cain"
Posted by: DJ | June 08, 2011 at 07:38 AM
"C'mon, X-lax, admit it!" - DJ
No thank you, advocating the suicidally impossible is YOUR job.
Posted by: xbjllb | June 08, 2011 at 08:41 AM
What do FRANKS and WEINERS have in common?
REELECTION.
Posted by: xbjllb | June 08, 2011 at 08:42 AM
.
I don't think that degenerate numero uno is getting re-elected. They might just re-district him out of orifice..
Heck, even Hairy "don't call me" Reed is throwing him under the proverbial bus.
Degenerate numero dos is from - as DJ pointed out - one of the most degenerate perverted districts in America.
Seems like the X-lax endorses such dignified activities as running a male prostitution service and farming marijuana out of a Congressman's house as befitting the office.
POSTER BOYS
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Posted by: Ummahgummah | June 08, 2011 at 10:20 AM
if you don't like the conversation, beat it........
NO PERVS 2012
POSTED BY: THEBUCKSTOPSHERE | JUNE 08, 2011 AT 02:08 AM
--
Thank you! For stating the OBVIOUS!
BEAT IT LIBS!
WAR ON ERROR 2012
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Posted by: Ummahgummah | June 08, 2011 at 10:21 AM
Look up Western Civilization in your encyclopedia too.
When I said "West", clearly it was Western Civ. I was referring to.
Context, Jay, context!
POSTED BY: DJ | JUNE 08, 2011 AT 07:26 AM
--
Lost cause. Clearly a product of the UFT-infested public school system.
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Posted by: Ummahgummah | June 08, 2011 at 10:24 AM
.
The libs are desperately spinning WEINERGATE away from what it reflects: THE DOUBLE STANDARD applied to the demonRATS.
THAT is the true outrage of this story.
Other than that it is so putrid that all one can do is laugh.
The RATS send a number of numbskulls and perverts into what uses to be a hallowed institution back in the days when Western Civ - look it up, GAY - was celebrated, rather than reviled.
Now the RATS are buy defiling the Congress. AND the Presidency.
DISGUSTING
WAR ON ERROR 2012
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Posted by: Ummahgummah | June 08, 2011 at 10:30 AM
I hear even Monica Lewinsky is planning to vote Republican in the next election.
It seems the Democrats left a bad taste in her mouth last time....
Posted by: TonyD95B at June 7, 2011 9:48 PM
Posted by: Ummahgummah | June 08, 2011 at 10:31 AM
.
Remember the Bama drama concerning his use of a Blackberry:
http://blogs.wsj.com/juggle/2008/11/18/no-blackberry-for-obama-setting-crackberry-limits/
Hmmmm....
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Posted by: Ummahgummah | June 08, 2011 at 10:34 AM
Look up Western Civilization in your encyclopedia too.
When I said "West", clearly it was Western Civ. I was referring to.
Context, Jay, context!
Posted by: DJ | June 08, 2011 at 07:26 AM
You did state that the southwest should cede to Mexico. Ummah said that it should be done with our military.
Posted by: jay | June 08, 2011 at 07:25 PM
I'm actually getting a kick out of the sheer stupidity behind their comments and points they try to make. Quite the spectacle...
Posted by: RafeMasters_76 | June 07, 2011 at 04:36 PM
Noticed it didn't take you long to discover what some of us have known for a long time.
Posted by: jay | June 08, 2011 at 07:36 PM