Sex scandals are really about everything but sex. They are about the reactions to the scandal. The denials, the cover-ups, the acting and the actors, the defenders, the turnabouts, the exposure, the predicable patterns of response. The way the waves ripple out from the event in the center, crashing into each other and forming other waves.
So there’s no small amount of irony that Rep. Anthony Weiner – a young-ish, ambitious politician on the way up who finds himself in the middle of a currently widening all-American new-media sex scandal – has deep, almost familial connections to the Papa Bear of modern U.S. sex scandals, former President William Jefferson Clinton.
Clinton officiated at Weiner’s wedding less than a year ago…
He’s not exactly the poster boy for matrimony, but former President Clinton got to try his hand at marriage once more this weekend.
Clinton was chosen to preside over the lavish wedding of Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., to longtime Secretary of State Hillary Clinton aide Huma Abedin.
According to a source at the wedding, the former president joked "marrying a politician can be tough because it’s ‘easy to distrust them whatever their religion,’" the New York Daily News reported.
And so it’s not hard to assume that Weiner is going to take some direction from the way President Clinton weathered his own troubles…which doesn’t bode well for any women that Weiner may have been involved with in any way.
The ugly reality is that, time and again, the liberal, Democratic strategy is to not just throw The Woman under the bus, but to then also back the bus up and drive over the body a few times to make sure it stops moving. This misogyny can be committed freely, too, because the liberal, Democratic assassins have the sanctimony of being ‘the party of women.’
Whatever your political persuasion, the most brilliant, searing and honest essay on the Bill Clinton sex scandal was written by the late liberal Marjorie Williams. You owe it to yourself to read the entire thing – seriously, it’s a great, important piece - but here’s how it opens…
OKAY, class, let’s review: The man in question has been sued for sexual harassment over an episode that allegedly included dropping his trousers to waggle his erect penis at a woman who held a $6.35-an-hour clerical job in the state government over which he presided. Another woman has charged that when she asked him for a job he invited her into his private office, fondled her breasts, and placed her hand on his crotch. A third woman conceded to friends that when she was a 21-year-old intern she began an affair with the man - much older, married, and the head of the organisation whose lowliest employee she was. Actually, it was less an affair than a service contract, in which she allegedly dashed into his office, when summoned, to perform oral sex on him. After their liaison was revealed, he denied everything, leaving her to be portrayed as a tramp and a liar. Or, in his own words, "that woman".
Let us not even mention the former lover who was steered to a state job; or the man’s alleged habit of using law-enforcement officers to solicit sexual partners for him; or his routine use of staff, lawyers, and private investigators to tar the reputation of any woman who tries to call him to account for his actions. Can you find the problems with his behaviour? Take your time: these problems are apparently of an order so subtle as to escape the notice of many of the smartest women in America - the writers, lawyers, activists, office-holders, and academics who call themselves feminists.
When news broke that Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr was investigating whether President Clinton had lied under oath about his relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky, or encouraged others to lie, the cacophony that ensued was notable for the absence of one set of voices: the sisterly chorus that backed up Anita Hill seven years ago when her charges of sexual harassment nearly stopped Clarence Thomas’s confirmation to the Supreme Court.
With very few exceptions, feminists were either silent or dismissive this time. "If anything, it sounds like she put the moves on him," said Susan Faludi, author of Backlash. Betty Friedan weighed in, but only to huff her outrage that Clinton’s "enemies are attempting to bring him down through allegations about some dalliance with an intern… Whether it’s a fantasy, a set-up or true, I simply don’t care."
Because of the liberal Democratic street cred on women’s issue, Alpha Male Liberal Politicians attract wide-eyed idealistic young ladies. When I worked at NBC, Senator Barack Obama appeared on The Tonight Show. I saw him in the hallway, said hello and shook his hand. Standing next to me was a girl in her early twenties and her mouth was literally hanging open looking up at Obama. She was quivering. Literally quivering. I’ve seen women around some big celebrities. Rock stars, too. I’ve never in my life seen a sober woman so ready to throw herself at someone. (To his credit, I saw no sign whatsoever that his effected Senator Obama in any way.)
There’s something about the musky combination of power, prestige and claims of doing good for all the people (but especially the poor and disenfranchised with voter registration cards) that is irresistible to certain women. It’s primal. And so they flock, and she’s thrilled to become a political insider by just allowing a politician to get inside her. But it’s a snare. As soon as the going gets tough and the spotlight becomes too hot, the woman usually learn they’ve been used like a tissue.
Modern history has taught that if you’ve going to fuck a powerful Democratic politician, keep some DNA as proof. A blue dress, a love child…something. Because he’s going to deny deny deny and make you out to be a crazed stalker, which you’ll have a tough time denying, really. Professional operatives will quietly regale reporters on background with stories of your wide eyed past and after all, you approached HIM. Benefit of the doubt will go to the man in the suit, especially when his slightly stiff (but brilliant!) wife stands by her candidate. But if you have some DNA that you’re willing to produce when it all gets too crazy, he’ll cop. He’ll have to. We’ve all seen too many episodes of CSI.
Right now, even the yet-unproven accusations about Rep. Weiner don’t rise to the level of a physical affair. Maybe none of these caveats and warnings apply to the Congressman or anyone he knows. For their sake, I sure hope they don’t.
But Weiner’s casual denials, disinterest in investigation and his desire to get away from the distractions to focus on important issues A, B and C (good writing – do things in threes) should give some pause. It’s classic Clinton so far and as long as Democrats have dicks. it’s foolish to ignore that pattern.
This totally explains French politicians. Even Arch-Conservatives there are liberals. Is it any wonder they go to such extreme lengths in harassing women?
Wait, guilt by association now? Who were John Ensign’s BFFs in the governement? What about Mark Foleys?
Notyouagain,
Its not guilt by association. That would have happened the day after weiners wedding.
This is guilt by photographic evidence. Slight difference, I know.
mark, did you read the same article I did? The whole argument is basically “Clinton lied, therefore Weiner must be lying too”.
I guess that means all republicans should stay away from public bathroom stalls.
By the way, any comments on why Drudge won’t touch this “sex scandal” with a ten foot pole?
No, the argument is not ‘Clinton lied, Weiner is lying”
Are you too dumb or too biased?
I don’t know Drudge. Why did CNN pick up the story? Touche, douche!
Here’s another question to ponder. How many times have the FBI or police been called on to investigate a twitter hack? Please be specific. I can only find one and it was when President Obama’s twitter was hacked, and it was the French police who did the arresting.
Really Lee?
“And so it’s not hard to assume that Weiner is going to take some direction from the way President Clinton weathered his own troubles…which doesn’t bode well for any women that Weiner may have been involved with in any way.”
Why should we assume that?
“Why did CNN pick up the story?”
Did you read the CNN story? Because it ends like this:
Last year, Breitbart posted online a heavily edited and incomplete video of a speech by U.S. Agriculture Department employee Shirley Sherrod that suggested she refused to offer her full help to a white farmer. Sherrod was forced to resign, but a full version of the speech showed that Sherrod had assisted the farmer, who later came forward and credited Sherrod with helping save his farm.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack later apologized to Sherrod, and President Barack Obama called her.
Sherrod has filed a civil suit accusing Breitbart of defamation, false light and infliction of emotional distress, according to a statement issued by the law firm representing her.
Not exactly a glowing endorsement for the veracity of Breitbarts claims.
Its going to be interesting to see how she is treated going forward. She got a little taste of how vicious things could be when it was implied early on that she may have been behind the alleged hacking. Right now she is being painted as the victim in the narrative, but we know how quickly that can change.
I’ve been thinking about the “boyfriend” tweet. I know when this came out amongst all the other evidence it was another thing that made you go “hmmm.” But I never quite saw it as a declarative statement of fact and I believe her explanation. Why? Because I follow lots of female hockey fans on twitter that say the same thing of their favorite players. I myself have been known to refer to actors/famous people who my friends are fond of as their boyfriend/girlfriend. It really is a meaningless statement outside of the context of everything else that has happened.
However, my gut feeling (and this is pure speculation) is that if something inappropriate was going on, that that is the kind of statement that would get the congressman’s attention. “oh hey who is this girl that called me her bf, she’s kinda cute, let me follow her.” I think this is important for 2 reasons. If they stick to the victim narrative they will use this to show how stupid the conservatives were for latching onto a statement that was obviously a joke. If they decide to turn on her, it will become ammo to show she fixated/stalked the congressman. Now I have trouble seeing the latter happening in this case, but based on the history here, you never know.
What she said:
“I am a 21-year-old college student from Seattle. I have never met Congressman Weiner, though I am a fan. I go to school in Bellingham where I spend all of my time; I’ve never been to New York or to DC. The point I am trying to make is that, contrary to the impression that I apparently gave from my tweet, I am not his girlfriend. Nor am I the wife, girlfriend or mistress of Barack Obama, Ray Allen or Cristiano Ronaldo, despite the fact that I have made similar assertions about them via Twitter.”
Notyouagain,
I read the same artice. You’re acting as if there was no tweet, and everyone is treating weiner bad because he’s friends with bill clinton. If that were the case, wouldn’t obama fall under that category? Is anyone accusing obama of cheating on his wife? No. So this isn’t about blaming all democrats because they’re associated with Clinton.
The difference between foley, craig, and sanford and weiner, clinton, and fwank, is the defense. No one was out there defending mark sanford for cheating on his wife. No one was defending mark foley when he was emailing underage mail staffers. However, take Portland Oregon mayor, democrat Sam Adams. He fucked a 17 yr old intern while he was running for mayor, and he’s still mayor. Defended by the rank and file.
Or are ou too dense to see that?
*are YOU too dense. Fuckin android keyboard.
“If that were the case, wouldn’t obama fall under that category? Is anyone accusing obama of cheating on his wife? No. So this isn’t about blaming all democrats because they’re associated with Clinton. ”
Is Breitbart accusing Weiner of cheating on his wife? Do tell.I’d like to see them come right out and say that.
“No one was out there defending mark sanford for cheating on his wife.”
Hmmmm.
http://www.redstate.com/dan_perrin/2009/06/24/yes-i-am-defending-mark-sanford/
“Sam Adams” why go all the way back to a small time mayor when Arnold was elected by the “rank and file” after a couple of women accused him of groping them. Turns out Arnold was indeed doing a lot of groping.
Well I stand corrected on sanford. I’ve never heard of that blogger before, and that defense was ridiculous.
As far as whether weiner cheated, I know if my wife found out that I had sent a pic of my cock outlined underwear to a 21 yr old across the country, it wouldn’t matter if I had stuck it in her. Hell, it wouldn’t matter if I had never met the girl in person. I would be a cheater. Because when you’re married, intent also matters.
Arnold cheated on his wife. That’s a bastard thing to do. Sam Adams fucked a minor in the ass. That’s an evil thing to do. In fact, when checking the laws, being an asshole husband isn’t a crime. Fucking underage boys is a crime. And that criminal is still mayor. And “small time” isn’t exactly what Portland is known for.
Now, for weiners defense, he’s claiming that someone broke the law to attack him, and he’s not filing charges yet. If someone broke into your house and planted a bunch of women’s underwear in your bed to get your wife to believe you were cheating, would you laugh it off, or would you use every legal avenue to make sure your name is cleared?
Answer, if you’re a democrat politician, you just wait for notyouagain to fight your battles for you.
“Now, for weiners defense, he’s claiming that someone broke the law to attack him, and he’s not filing charges yet. If someone broke into your house and planted a bunch of women’s underwear in your bed to get your wife to believe you were cheating, would you laugh it off, or would you use every legal avenue to make sure your name is cleared?”
If my last name was Weiner, I would laugh it off. Do you really not get the connection between somone thinking it would be funny to hack Weiners account to post a picture of a Weiner?
I assume the lawyers will be using every legal avenue to see if it will be possible to go after the people who attempted to turn this hack into a “sex scandal”. That means Breitbart may have another legal boo boo to clear up.
So again, I ask you, is Breitbart accusing Weiner of cheating on his wife?
Nope. He’s reporting that weiners twitter sent a weiner pic. The cheating accusation stands on its own.
And if my last name was penispicture, I would still be fucking pissed that someone was trying to fuck with my marriage.
But maybe you’ve never been married. Or perhaps (and I’m only assuming you’re a male) you’re the type of guy who thinks its okay to send dick pics to someone other than your wife.
But what is clear is that you think Mark Sanford, Larry Craig, Mark Foley, and Arnold Schwarzenegger are the scum of the earth for what they did. The difference between me and you is I DON’T GIVE A SHIT WHAT PARTY THEY’RE IN. I agree that those guys are scum. But scum knows no party.
And your sheeply defense of all things leftist will be your own downfall. But I guess your standards only work when you double them.
Actually, I’m a woman. I don’t think Mark Sanford, Larry Craig, Mark Foley, and Arnold Schwarzenegger are scum ,human foibles cross party lines, I do think they are flaming hypocrits though.
All four of them pushed the GOPs “Family Values” agenda,whatever that means.
And yeah, I’m married. I’m pretty sure my husband would believe me over Breitbart, and I’ll bet Weiners wife does too. Breitbart’s got an agenda here.
Tangent: The picture is not funny and not overly lewd. It looks like something a teenaged boy hastily sent to a teenaged girl as part of an “I show you mine, you show me yours” dialog.
Why would a hacker send that for a picture of a Weiner?
My apologies for the gender assumption. And breitbart only reported that his twitter tweeted a weiner. In fact, the original story even includes weiners defense. The problem here is, you’re blaming breitbart for what weiner (or his hacker) did. He’s only reporting the story.
You’re also aware of John Edwards family values stance? Why don’t you list him with the flaming hypocrites? And while we’re on it, are you saying that weiner and clinton don’t promote family values? That seems like an odd trait for a politician to have.
The girl sounds like, if she is the girl, she’s all-in for a coverup. Read the whole thing she wrote, it’s not coerced. Either it was a hack (entirely possible, but it wasn’t Breitbart who hacked Weiner’s account, that assertion is so dumb I don’t even know where to start) and she’s sincere, or she’s 110% down with deny, deny, deny.
Mark,
Good points. Hypocrisy (especially on Family Values) only counts if it’s a Republican, but any Democratic politician who has betrayed his marriage vows is just as much a hypocrite. Clinton never said he was for open marriage. I’m pretty sure Edwards never argue that cheating of your spouse was okay, and, hey, well all do it. Why, I’m doing it right now! Ergo, they are hypocrites like Schwarzenegger or Mark Sanford (for who hypocrisy doesn’t do justice to the Epic Love Story Mark Sanford apparently thought he was involved in). Although both Edwards and Newt can be members in good standing of the My Wife Has Cancer and I’m An Unforgivable Self-Centered Creep, Please Smack Me Club.
Whatever this is, I don’t think this is going to be an example of left-wing misogyny of convenience. All I’m saying.
so why does lee act like only liberals/democrats cheat? lee talks as if only democratic politicians take advantage of their status to get laid. and why does he spend his entire memorial day weekend obsessing over something that hasn’t even been proven yet?
does he go apeshit and devote entire weekends over republican sex scandals?
honestly, i don’t really understand why he spends so much time kissing andrew breitbart’s ass. are they dating or something?
Go read my piece on the blog about I don’t think it’s D/R issue…
But what I point out in THIS artcle — that is
I, for one, look forward to the day when our news outlets and talking heads do something other than check their Twitter feed to see if there’s a story to tell.
I’m pretty tired of hearing about politicians getting embroiled in sex scandals as bread and circuses for the masses. I don’t think Rep. Lee (R-NY26) should’ve resigned over sending a pic to some lady on Craigslist. I don’t care that Senator Craig (R-ID) had a “wide stance” in the restroom. I don’t give a shit that Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Cuhlifornia) made a Junior with his cleaning lady (see what I did there?). I don’t care that Bill Clinton (D-First black president) dipped his cigar in what is arguably the least sexy sex scandal in all of D.C. history. I’m completely uncaring that a trial lawyer named John Edwards (D-Elbonia) did the naughty with some twit while his wife was checking out the chemo ward. I was honestly cheering Gov. Sanford (R-Argentina)-his cojones have got to be bigger than bowling balls. Newt (?-Mars) I can take or leave-yeah, he ditched his ailing first wife, but his third wife is ghastly, so I’m imagining that’s the price he pays.
As for Rep. Weiner, I hope that it’s a case of some nutjob trying to screw with his reputation. I like him as a person (from his public persona-which, let’s be honest, is what anyone but a select few knows, so don’t claim to be above it all by simply holding him to higher standards than, say, Rep. Preston Brooks). If he really did do this awful, horrible, sinful thing, I still don’t give a shit, because he’s not married to me. Instead of asking me why I don’t care, perhaps you should be asking yourself why you DO care. I hope the answer doesn’t unsettle you too much.
My rage tank is empty. You’ve driven it all out of me, you Twitter-based “news” organizations-you CNNs and MSNBCs and Andrew Breitbarts and Bob Cescas and Lee Stranahans and Think Progresses. Now I read all those feeds just so I can figure out why everyone else in the country is wandering around with a scowl and clenched fists.
This country has a ~40% divorce rate (for first marriages, 60% for second, and 75% for third). If 1/5th of all Congressmen are divorced or cheating on their wives/husbands, then it sounds an awful lot like representation to me. That said, I think it’s about time for rage-generating “reporters” and “commentators” to keep their noses out of an elected official’s pants. It’s creeping me the fuck out. Can you do that for me? Or are you just being so loud about it because Andy B got some liberals all toasty-collared and you wanna get in on some of that hot liberal throat-fuck action?
Keep feeding the people their bread, Lee. Keep turning the gears of rage, keep generating book sales for your friend. Whatever. Keep fighting the good fight-trying to make people who are ideologically different from you feel inferior because of their beliefs-oh, and drop Andrew Breitbart’s name into every post, if possible.
Finally, for what it’s worth, Lee, “yet-unproven accusations” is about the most ignorant thing I’ve seen you write here, and I’ve read every word you’ve blogged over the past several years. All accusations are unproven. That’s why they’re accusations. Can we keep that straight?
Sincerely,
A Fan, Despite What You Might Think
Thanks, Kevin Willis. The media always pretends there’s no hypocrisy when Dems behave badly because, I guess, they’re the cool kids who can’t, by definition, behave badly. It’s always been a bunch of nonsense for the reason you point out i.e. on the issue at hand, marital fidelity, there is no difference between the stated beliefs of the two parties.
Moral of the scandal: Never twitter a bimbo, drown ’em in a Buick so there is no one around to contradict your alibi.
Stephen says, “I don’t care that Bill Clinton (D-First black president) dipped his cigar in what is arguably the least sexy sex scandal in all of D.C. history. ”
That was not the issue. The issue was that he did it in the Oval Office while (at times, according to testimony) conducting official business and then later perjured himself in a sexual harassment lawsuit. Good old Wilbur Mills had the strength of character to be caught by the Capitol Police drunk in a public fountain frolicking with his semi-nude secretary. That is a scandal I can tolerate.
Thanks for using better words than I could find, Kevin Willis. I’m absolutely blown away every time I hear the “well republicans stand for family values!”
To stephen:
Here’s why it matters: if they’re willing to destroy the spouses that they took vows to honor and cherish, it kinda makes them not so trustworthy. Especially when it comes to, I don’t know, vowing to uphold the constitution. How about this? If they’d do it to the people they love, what makes you (the voter) think you’ll get any better from them? They’ll fuck your comatose grandmother right in front of you while they pull the plug.
Now, do people fuck up? Yeah, we do. Sometimes, things happen, and you do something stupid. What happens next decides it all: repent, or repeat?