The Top 10 Political Scandals

It seems like the only time people are glued to the television is when a political sex scandal is on. After the broadcast is done, many of us rush to computer to type it in, and comment on blogs and news articles. What is it about a high standing political figure involved in a sex scandal that grabs our attention? Maybe because he seemed like such a good guy, or maybe it was because he was the President. Below are a list of the top 10 political sex scandals and a short review of the books written about them.

10. In the 1987 election, Gary Hart was the number one man for the Democratic Party until the now infamous photo of Donna Rice sitting on his lap was released to the press. She was also the woman that people claimed they saw leaving his house. About one week later, Hart dropped out of the race. In December, he re-entered the race and proclaimed, "Let's let the people decide!" After only gaining 4% of the votes, he dropped out of the race again. Although Hart has written many books about his political ideals, he has yet to write an autobiography or a book about his extramarital affair with Donna Rice.

9. Moshe Katsav, the Israeli Premier, was forced to step down from office when women employees accused him not only of sexual harassment, but also rape. He pleaded not guilty, and said that it was opponents trying to get his position of leadership. Since the evidence and accounts of the victims were so numerous he was found guilty. A political scientist named Paul Apostolidis co-authored the book Public Affairs: The Politics of Sex Scandals, which not only has Kastav's story but many others. It shows in depth research and gives an insider's view into the politics behind the many of the famous sex scandals throughout history.

8. The Larry Craig Gay Sex Scandal made headlines in 2007 when he was arrested for supposedly soliciting gay sex in a men's bathroom. He served twenty eight years in national politics, eighteen of which he served in the Senate. Larry Craig is currently writing a book about his past mistakes, although he claims the book is aimed less at his life and more at a view inside the mistakes of Congress. The book highlights the turmoil he and his family went through after the arrest, as well as detailing the incident that took place in the men's restroom.

7. Eliot Spitzer. Remember him? He was the governor of New York that was labeled "Client-9" because of his seven or eight aliases used when he visited prostitutes in the Mayflower Hotel. The two television shows, Castle and Law & Order aired episodes based off of the scandal. "The Manhattan Madam, " a book published by none other than Spitzer's favorite prostitute, Kristin Davis. The book gives an insider's view into the industry of sex, drugs, and prostitution in the United States. In her book she writes, "James was getting rough and too aggressive with the girls-repeatedly pressuring them to do things they didn't want to do." Her book is available online through Amazon.com and Kristin Davis's own website, http://www.manhattanmadam.com/

6. Although not from the United States, Silvio Berlusconi, the Prime Minister of Italy, is a sex addict. In fact, Mr. Berlusconi made no secret of his love for sex. Many girls, including Barbara Montereale, have come out and spoken about the nights they spent in Silvio Berlusconi's mansion in Rome. Some girls even have proof: video recordings, audio tapes, and photographs. The Prime Minister is said to have exchanged sexual favors for funds for a building project. The Veronica Trend, written by Maria Latella, is a book that uncovers that people in Berlusconi's circle urged him to join a sex addiction clinic. Later in the book, Latella gives suggestions and foresees the possible outcomes if the Prime Minister attends the clinic. She claims that he could "rediscover himself", but even she has a few doubts. She laughs, "Italian men, especially older men, see a cure for sex addiction as an alien Anglo-Saxon concept, a bit of a joke - something an American celebrity like Michael Douglas might need but not an Italian."

5. Franklin Roosevelt was another figure of leadership caught in the midst of an extramarital affair. He married his cousin Eleanor Roosevelt in 1905, but shortly after started a sexual relationship with Lucy Mercer. Lucy Mercer was Eleanor's secretary at the time. The affair only lasted a short time, until Franklin Roosevelt hired a twenty three year old Missy LeHand in 1923. Even though it is only circumstantial evidence, many believe that she was Roosevelt's personal mistress. FDR and Lucy: Friends and Lovers, is so far the one of the best books about the love life of Franklin Roosevelt. This book delves deeply into the personal lives of both people and relates a terrific narrative. The book can be bought at a local bookstore or at Amazon.com

4. The Sally Hemming's Sex Scandal supposedly happened between Thomas Jefferson and a woman named Sally Hemmings. It is also rumored that she gave birth to Jefferson's child. This sex scandal was the first scandal that did not make it to trial. Jefferson never responded to any of the rumors that were thrown his way. In Defense of Thomas Jefferson is a book written by William Hyland Jr. who claims he can prove that Sally Hemmings children are not related to Jefferson at all.

3. Jeremy Thorpe, leader of the British liberal party in 1967, was not only an Oxford graduate but also an Etonian graduate. He was just thirty eight years old when he became the leader of the liberal party, but just two short years later, a man came out who claimed he and Thorpe had been lovers. At that time, homosexuality was illegal in Britain so the story made headlines. Thorpe was also accused of hiring a hit man to kill his lover to keep him quiet. He was tried for conspiracy to murder, but was not found guilty. After that, his political career was at an end. An interesting book about Thorpe is Rinkagate by Simon Freeman and Barrie Penrose. The scandal is also referred to as the British Watergate. The book gives a brief biography of Thorpe and concludes with the scandal, trial, and outcome. You can purchase the book at Amazon.com.

2. Warren Harding, our 29th President, was the only President in our history whose sexual affairs led to the extortion of a major political party. While in office, Harding had sexual relations with Nan Britton who was thirty years younger than him. Later, Britton claimed to have his child. Warren Harding also had more than a decade affair with his close friend's wife. In 1923, he died mysteriously from poisoning. Rumors say that it was his wife Florence, tired of his gallivanting. In History Laid Bare: Love, Sex, and Perversity from the Ancient Etruscans to Warren G. Harding, Richard Zacks gives insightful detail and thought about the sex scandals from ancient time all the way to our 29th President. He also outlines the accounts given by Britton about her and Roosevelt's night of Presidential sex.

1. The Lewinsky Scandal, which dealt with the sexual relations between former President Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky, an intern. Although the President was impeached, he was acquitted. A Vast Conspiracy by Jeffrey Toobin, is a book about the sexual encounters between Bill Clinton and Lewinsky. The book takes the side of the President, putting him in the good light, while making Monica Lewinsky look like obsessive.

List of Sources: 1. William Hyland, Jr. http://www.booktv.org/Program/10891/In+Defense+of+Thomas+Jefferson+The+Sally+Hemmings+Sex+Scandal.aspx In Defense of Thomas Jefferson 2.Gary Hart http://www.cudenver.edu/Academics/Colleges/SPA/FacultyStaff/Faculty/Pages/GaryHart.aspx School of Public Affairs 3. Statesman Staff http://www.idahostatesman.com/244/story/393558.html Craig to write book on experiences of last year