Wonkette
Over at “The List,” the WaPo’s awkward discussion forum, they’ve published their “Top 10 Sexual Politician Scandals.” Yes, yes, stop the clamoring, I’ll just tell you: It’s #7. You are talking about the 1831 Petticoat Affair, right? Oh. Anyway, full list after the jump.
10. “Gropegate.” Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Cali.) admitted groping women early in career (2003).9. Gary Hart’s affair with model Donna Rice, ruining his very promising run for the Democratic nomination for president (1988).
8. Alexander Hamilton-Maria Reynolds affair (1797).
7. The Petticoat Affair or Eaton Affair involving a sex scandal and the resignation of much of Andrew Jackson’s cabinet (1831).
6. Rep. Mark Foley; (R-Fla.) accusations of sexual harassment of underage congressional page (2006).
5. The Wayne Hays-Elizabeth Ray scandal. The Washington Post broke the story quoting Elizabeth Ray, Hays’s (D-Ohio) former secretary, saying that Hays hired her on his staff in order to serve as his mistress. (1976).
4. The 1983 Congressional Page sex scandal - the House Ethics Committee recommended that Rep. Dan Crane and Rep. Gerry Studds be reprimanded for having engaged in sexual relationships with minors, specifically 17-year-old congressional pages (1983).
3. Chandra Levy scandal, involving Rep. Gary Condit’s (D- Cali) affair with Levy and then her mysterious murder (2001).
2. Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho) - Bathroom sex solicitation scandal (2007).
1. Monica Lewinsky, a scandal involving a President Clinton’s affair with an intern (1997).
So with a few exceptions, politicians didn’t have sex until the 1970s. And all s!nark aside… was the Larry Craig scandal… um… really that important? We should keep writing about that one.
