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The Top Five Scandal, Divorce or Remorse Stories, From Abramoff to Sanford

1 year ago
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Prison. Scandal. Adultery. Delusion. Death. Divorce. Remorse. And always, reinvention.

It's been quite the year for denizens of the Republic of Dish, including a quintet of individuals or couples seemingly poised for next acts in 2011.

Washington uber-lobbyist Jack Abramoff is writing a book about influence peddling, a subject he knows intimately. He left prison in June after serving 42 months for corruption and fraud, did another six months of work-release at a Kosher pizzeria in Baltimore, and is now on probation. Abramoff, who lives outside Washington, is not using a ghostwriter, a source tells me. Yes, Jack "crossed the line" nearly half the time he spent working as a Republican fixer/fundraiser/lobbyist. But the majority of his wheeling and dealing was "business as usual'' legal. In other words, the system stinks.

"Who better than he to tell you why so-called reforms won't work?" asked the source, hinting at "other options" in Abramoff's future beyond the book. Yes, the fledgling author saw both "Casino Jack" films, the documentary as well as the Kevin Spacey feature about his exploits. His Facebook page could use updating.

Long-suffering Elizabeth Edwards, estranged wife of two-time (and two-timing) presidential candidate John Edwards, died of cancer Dec. 7, leaving behind three children. Her death came weeks after her husband's (possibly) former mistress, Rielle Hunter, hit Hollywood seeking romance. The National Enquirer -- which broke the oft-denied story of the politician, the paramour, and their love child -- reports Hunter hoped to contact old flames Matt LeBlanc and John Cusack. Though John Edwards assured Elizabeth he'd quit seeing Hunter, Elizabeth told People last summer she didn't completely believe him. He reportedly visits Frances Quinn Hunter, age two.

A far more serious potential problem for Edwards is legal: Two ex-aides from his 2008 White House campaign recently talked to the ongoing federal grand jury probing whether he improperly diverted campaign funds to Hunter.

Al and Tipper Gore had already celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary when the former vice president and his photographer/mental health advocate wife announced their amicable split via e-mail. The news brought gasps of disbelief and dismay from millions of strangers, even as close friends insisted there were no third parties, just late-in-life marital ennui.

Last summer, Seattle police declined to re-open an old case involving allegations that Gore made improper sexual moves on a hotel masseuse who'd told her story to the Enquirer. The globe-trotting Nobel Prize and Oscar winner continues to warn against climate change.

Michaele and Tariq Salahi, who will be eternally known for allegedly breaching security at the Obamas' first White House state dinner in 2009 and refusing to discuss it on Capitol Hill in January, promise a "really huge" new venture in 2011. "It has something to do with retail," was all Michaele -- whose infamous red sari fetched $7,000 at an autumn charity auction -- would tell me.

As for "The Real Housewives of D.C.," in which costars dissed the Salahis with overt and subtle barbs, the Bravo cable network hasn't announced a second season. Michaele said the couple would be "surprised" if they were dropped, never mind that Cat Ommanney, the tart-tongued Brit, threatened to quit the show if the duo returned.

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford's second term ends next month and already the conservative Republican has given $250,000 in surplus campaign funds to charity. The big question is what's next for the once-rising GOP star forced to confess a long affair with his Argentine "soulmate" after sneaking off to Buenos Aires for a springtime tryst. No word yet.

Meanwhile, ex-wife Jenny Sanford, mother of the couple's four sons, won plaudits for bolting rather than standing by her mate. She wrote "Staying True" about the ordeal and started to date again. Nothing serious so far but she did tell Dr. Phil, "I just have to make sure I pick someone who maybe loves me back."
Filed Under: Republic of Dish, Analysis

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37 Comments

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mcskeechy

Gov Sanford, I hear Charlie Rangel rents his Dominican bungelow cheap. Maybe you could meet there.

December 31 2010 at 12:18 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
vervillev

Another below the belt hit piece by a liberal writer for a liberal news source. The writer didmisses so many scandals that have occurred with the left and harps on the sins of the right. If it's not sex ,it's race. It's never anyting of true substance as true substance is an alien quality in the mind of a liberal

December 31 2010 at 4:58 AM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
pmbalele

Please do not blame Mark Sanford. When he abdicated his duty as governor to visit his beau in Argentina he had already been born-again as Christian fundamentalist. I am surprised he cried when after being caught cheating. I think he faked it. He should have called Newt Gingrich as consultant in such affairs.

December 31 2010 at 3:02 AM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
ROSEBUD

Cry me a river, Sandord...how could anyone BE so full of themselves? You just spent the last 5 days crying....waaaaaah...crying for what or whom? Your midlife crisis? Is your midlife crisis more special and hurtful than the next guys...because you just spent the last 5 days crying?!! O, I see...that makes your crisis special. The only thing special about your adulterous mid-life crisis is NOTHING. N O T H I N G. And your career is over. O V E R. You and your ***** are yesterdays news.

December 31 2010 at 1:49 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Tim

Don't forget about John Kasich (recently and narrowly elected for Governor of Ohio) who was easily manipulated by and chose to cower down to his dangerous deceivers at Worthington Christian Schools (WCS) and Grace Brethren Church (GBC) who deliberately put Kasich's very own daughters and thousands of other children in danger with several repeat child molesters, led into temptation to molest again, while deceiving and defrauding we parents (including John and Karen Kasich) about it as revealed on the Internet webs sites at www.NotKasich.com and www.ABCsOfBetrayal.com with irrefutable and overwhelming evidence.

December 31 2010 at 1:18 AM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
pjchilds

So is there a reason why the two Republicans in this article are identified as Republicans, yet the word Democrat doesn't even appear in this article one time though there are six Democrats mentioned. Weird.

December 31 2010 at 12:50 AM Report abuse +3 rate up rate down Reply
thetravelmaven

I think that we must, as a society, decide whether or not we care about the private lives of our leaders. I fear that we're missing out on some great leadership, and I'm sure that many would be political superstars are terrified of past, current and future ghosts who are waiting to fly out of the closet the minute they get involved in a campaign. They're so frightened about their personal lives being exposed, that the real political talent won't run...and consequently, won't help our country to rebound, and to once again...become the pillar of strength that we were. Why do we have to ask these people to be held accountable for their private and very intimate lives? I would much rather have a great leader who just happens to be a lousy husband...than the other way around. Come on...this isn't personal...it's business. The most important business...the survival of our country. Let's allow our politicians and leaders to do whatever they want in their bedrooms...if they can demonstrate the ability to lead, and successfully govern. Otherwise, I can promise candidates that honor marital vows...but don't have a clue as to how to go about leading this country back to square one.

December 31 2010 at 12:25 AM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply
rockymtn1500

Our elected officals don't pass laws, the lobbyists do. They own America and we allowed it. Many of our weak politicans have sold their soul and their country for money, power and votes. They can't even be trusted by their family, let along an entire nation !

December 31 2010 at 12:24 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
pjchilds

Typical misleading headline blares out Mark Sanford whining 'I Just Spent the Last 5 Days Crying', yet the article doesn't even mention the jerk until the 11th paragraph.

December 31 2010 at 12:19 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
whittleigh

In my opinion I think our country should go back to the days when Adultery was a crime. Men should go to jail for destroying the family unit and those women who get into bed with married men after serving time behind bars should have to wear the Scarlett letter and be humiliated in public.
And thank you "Politics Daily" for the new approach to commenting!

December 31 2010 at 12:10 AM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply

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