Top 5 Most Outrageous Political Videos of 2009

Politics in 2009 was pretty serious business, except when it wasn't. Some serious moments made for amusing parodies; others remind us that there can be an absurd quality to high-profile transgressions, criminal acts, and even death.

So, please take a step back from the contentious nature of politics to enjoy some year-end, bipartisan, moments courtesy of YouTube.

1. "Don't Call Me Liz," as re-enacted on Keith Olbermann's show


The e-mail chain between Elizabeth Becton (aka "Don't Call me Liz!") -- the scheduler for Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.) – and a Democratic lobbyist's assistant was shocking because of Elizabeth/Liz's reaction. Keith Olbermann introduced a word-for-word, though over-the-top, re-enactment by the MSNBC staff, making the real-life lack of etiquette by a well-paid government employee a deservedly viral phenomenon.

2. Gov. Mark Sanford's tearful press conference about his Argentinian escape to visit his lover


When Republican Gov. Mark Sanford (R-S.C.) disappeared for a several days in June, his staff thought South Carolina's chief executive was hiking the Appalachian Trail. It turns out that he was in Argentina, visiting his mistress.

In a train wreck of a press conference, Sanford waxed poetic for 10 minutes about childhood hikes on the trail and the outdoors before finally admitting that he had cheated on his wife Jenny Sanford with María Belén Chapur. Despite tears and a dashing South American tan, Sanford got no points from viewers, especially when he said the affair was due to "the whole sparky thing." UGH.

3. Rep. Joe Wilson Yells "You Lie" at President Obama during Capitol Hill speech


During his health care pitch in September, President Obama told a joint session of Congress: "Those reforms I propose would not apply to those who are here illegally." Suddenly, the words "You lie!" rang out -- to which Obama calmly replied, "Not true."

I concede that Rep. Joe Wilson's outburst was disrespectful and rude. But with modern political events so perfectly choreographed and predictable, the spontaneous reaction by the South Carolina Republican on live TV was entertaining to watch.

4. Tareq and Michaela Salahi Wedding


The infamous White House State Dinner crashers -- Tareq Salahi and his wife, Real Housewives of DC wannabe Michaela Salahi -- were not yet globally infamous when they posted this video of their wedding on YouTube.

The video features lilting piano music in the background and a cheesy "Love is Forever" title page, 28 matching blonde bridesmaids and doves flying around downtown D.C. And now there may be a question of how much of the wedding they did or didn't pay for. The video says it all about these two world-class social climbers who have been sued over 30 times since 2004, according to a fantastic three-part series in the Washington Post.

5. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee Seeks to Pass Law to Glorify Michael Jackson


Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) is renowned as one of the biggest self-promoters in Congress -- and that's saying something. But Jackson Lee outdid herself when she showed up to speak at Michael Jackson's memorial service. In her speech, she held up a framed copy of her congressional resolution honoring Jackson as a "Global Humanitarian."

When she got back from her L.A. trip, Jackson Lee introduced HR 600 "Honoring an American Legend and Musical Icon" in the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Despite opposition by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and much of the American public, the irrepressible Jackson Lee insisted she would fight for passage of the absurd legislation.

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