I started this thread as a way to express what is political but historical. I am going to fire the opening shot with a scandal that was one of the first.


Presidential sex scandal
Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings

President Thomas Jefferson was accused in one of the first sex-scandals in Washington. Sally Hemings, Jefferson’s slave, gave birth to a son, Easton Hemings, who was listed as "white" according to the 1830 Census.

Editorial printed in the Boston Gazette:

Thou Sally, thou my house shall keep,
My widower’s tears shall dry!
My virgin daughters - see! They weep -
Their mother’s place supply.
Oh Sally hearken to my vows!
Yield up thy sooty charms -
My best beloved! My more than spouse,
Oh! Take me to thy arms.

Notice that even then editorials were scathing. ( well for the times anyway)

The reason this thread is titled Scandals throught Presidential History is so we could discuss any scandals that either was Presidential or effected a campaign or the President in any other way.
So I have to break open an old wound that has been buried well.
First off why is it that we let Edward Kennedy sit on ethics commitees and take part in any investigations.
He is a man who should have served time for voluntary manslaughter back in 1969.


Here is a short on the incident.

Ted Kennedy's Chappaquiddick – 1969

On the evening of July 19, 1969, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts drove his Oldsmobile off a wooden bridge on Chappaquiddick Island, drowning his passenger, a young campaign worker named Mary Jo Kopechne. The senator left the scene of the accident, did not report it to the police for many hours, and according to some accounts considered concocting an alibi for himself in the interim.

At the time, Kennedy managed to escape severe legal and political consequences for his actions thanks to his family's connections (which helped to contain the inquest and grand jury) and to a nationally televised "Checkers"-like speech broadcast a week after the accident. But virtually no journalist who has closely examined the evidence fully believes Kennedy's story, and almost 30 years later, the tragedy still trails the senator, with aggressive press investigations revived in five-year anniversary intervals.

Probably more than any other single factor, Chappaquiddick – a frenzy without end – has ensured that Ted Kennedy would not follow his brother John to the White House.

Very interresting topic, Only a Kennedy could have gotten away with this horrible event. When you see Teddy on these committees isn't it a joke ?? Ever heard the story about the time down in Palm Beach when Teddy pulled his pants down in a Local public bar ?? Maybe John Kerry will pick Teddy to be his running mate !

Originally posted by TMW1956
Very interresting topic, Only a Kennedy could have gotten away with this horrible event. When you see Teddy on these committees isn't it a joke ?? Ever heard the story about the time down in Palm Beach when Teddy pulled his pants down in a Local public bar ?? Maybe John Kerry will pick Teddy to be his running mate !
I didnt care for JFK but I liked Bobby and really dont like Teddy. Every time I see him I want to call the police, reminds me of the drunk dockworker who urinates on the side of the bar and screams about how bad the world is. He is an Irish Stereotype, and that is sad.

No insult to the Irish intended as I am part Irish and Scotish

True...I totally agree with the Ted Kennedy scandal - he should most definitely have been prosecuted. At least Clinton had just oral sex - nobody died for chrissakes. He's the hypocrite near the top of my list.

Don't be so sure that your boy klinton doesn't have any skeletons in many closets. klinton cut a wide swath through Arkansas long before he became a daily news item.

With big brother St John the Kennedy being blown away in Dallas, the non-living legend Joe having bought it in WWII, and then dear RFK catching his bullet, there was simply no way that bufoon Teddy was going to be prosecuted for anything. And he still looks like the town drunk.

King Franklin Delano Roosevelt, (oh, excuse me... that's Prez F.D.R.) even had his dalliances spoken about...in whispers -- don't let closet queen J.Edgar Hoover or his boys catch wind of anything being said out loud ... or in print.