If there’s one thing that we learned from the Bill Clinton/Monica Lewinsky scandal, it’s that America is willing to give a second chance to a cheating politician.
Mark Sanford, the South Carolina governor who suspiciously disappeared only to reemerge and admit to an extramarital affair with an Argentine woman, is back. The cloud surrounding his scandal led to issues over misusing public funds for personal matters, and his resignation as chairman of the Republican Governor’s Association. But after winning a special election this past May, Sanford, who is currently engaged to the one-time mistress Maria Belen Chapur, is now a member of the House of Representatives.
On a similar note, New York Congressman Anthony Weiner found himself in the middle of a sexting scandal in 2011. After initially denying having sent inappropriate sexually explicit photographs via Twitter, Weiner ultimately admitted to his actions and subsequently resigned from Congress.
Weiner reemerged politically in 2013 with an eye on becoming the next mayor of New York City. In fact, Weiner, who has consistently been supported by his wife Huma Abedin, a former aid of Hillary Clinton, was doing favorably in the polls.
Then new information was brought forth. It appears that much like his political career, Weiner’s sexting situation did not end in 2011 following his resignation.
Despite the humiliation of losing his job in public office and in spite of his marriage, which remained intact, Weiner had continued to contact/sext with women via the internet, this time under the alias of Carlos Danger. Weiner admits that his problems continued into the summer of 2012 and he subsequently resigned from the race.
When asked what he would do next by reporters, he allegedly responded by raising his middle finger.
