You’ve probably heard the news of South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford admitting to infidelity and leaving his state to visit Maria Belen Shapur, a mystery woman in Argentina. We’ve all seen these scandals before and you know that the Media loves these stories, but the truth is that politicians are supposed to be held to a higher standard. The irony of Governor Sanford’s admission to having an extramarital affair is that he was vehemently for the impeachment of then President Bill Clinton during the Monica Lewinsky sex scandal.

My take: Don’t throw stones when you live in a glass house!

And without further ado … Here’s the list of the Top 5 Cheating Politicians:

Bill Clinton

We all remember that one quote that got this smooth-talking, Saxophone-playing former President into trouble, “I did not have sexual relations with that woman…Ms.  Lewinsky.” He then later famously retracted that statement in a later speech saying, “Indeed, I did have a relationship with Ms. Lewinsky that was not appropriate. In fact, it was wrong.”

Eliot Spitzer-

Former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer was known as the “Sheriff of Wall Street” as he policed the banking institutions and prosecuted white-collar corporate fraud. Yet, he was linked to a prostitution ring and was known as “Client 9″, a client who had relations with Ashley Dupre at the Emperors Club VIP. He then resigned as Governor on March 12, 2008.

Mark Sanford

South Carolina Republican Governor Sanford was best known as ardently supporting the impeachment of President Bill Clinton saying at the time, “I think what he did was reprehensible…I feel comfortable with my vote.”  Sanford most recently opposed President Obama’s Economic Stimulus Plan and there was talk of him being a strong contender for the 2012 Republican ticket. Sanford was later found to have been having an affair with a Maria Belen Shapur, an Argentinian woman, after having been MIA from the state for five days.

John Ensign

Nevada Senator John Ensign also recently admitted his extramarital affair with Cynthia Hampton, a woman on his campaign staff.  He said at a press conference:

“Last year I had an affair. I violated the vows of my marriage.  It is the worst thing I have ever done in my life. If there was ever anything in my life that I could take back, this would be it.”

Jim McGreevey

Former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey came out of the closet in August of 2004, admitting he had an extramarital relationship with a man and resigned from Political office.

He said..
“At a point in every person’s life, one has to look deeply into the mirror of one’s soul and decide one’s unique truth in the world, not as we may want to see it or hope to see it, but as it is.  And so, my truth is that I am a gay American.”

(Photo By: Gov and Shankbone)