Political Sex Scandals: David Wu Resignation Far From The First, Won't Be The Last (PHOTOS)

Yet another politician fell victim to a sex scandal Tuesday, as Rep. David Wu (D-Ore.) announced that he would be resigning in the wake of an allegation that he had engaged in an unwanted sexual encounter with an 18-year-old.

While sex and American politics have mixed, often controversially, pretty much since the beginning of time, it's hard not to notice that the last few years have seen an unusually high number of public scandals: 14 high-profile cases have come to light over the past five years, with 7 ending in resignations.

What's the reason for this spate of sex scandals? A new class of hypersexual or careless politicos? A media aided by new investigatory tools and driven by a tabloid-obsessed public? Something else?

Below is a list of the most notorious political sex scandals over the last decade. Which is the most shocking?

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David Wu's Alleged Teen Encounter

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On July 26, Rep. David Wu (D-Ore.) announced that he would step down pending the conclusion of ongoing negotiations to raise the debt ceiling. Wu, who had fielded prior criticism for erratic behavior in the run up to his successful 2010 reelection -- he emailed staffers a picture showing him wearing a tiger costume -- is currently facing allegations that he engaged in an unwanted sexual encounter with an 18-year-old. Wu has claimed the action was consensual.

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On July 26, Rep. David Wu (D-Ore.) announced that he would step down pending the conclusion of ongoing negotiations to raise the debt ceiling.

Wu, who had fielded prior criticism for erratic behavior in the run up to his successful 2010 reelection -- he emailed staffers a picture showing him wearing a tiger costume -- is currently facing allegations that he engaged in an unwanted sexual encounter with an 18-year-old. Wu has claimed the action was consensual.

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Sex Scandals

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Comments

[ggs83]

02:10 PM on 07/27/2011

you forgot Ensign--maybe the worst of all

[Arrech]

12:21 PM on 07/27/2011

Horny dudes.
No horny gal?

[angelavictoria5]

11:09 AM on 07/27/2011

Stay away from the children or anyone who could even remotely be your offspring's age. Any fool knows that!

[Pollytiques]

10:32 AM on 07/27/2011

They are all shocking. And why isn't the pimp during Mark Foley and the case of the page boys ever mentioned? But my biggest concern is...WHY haven't all of them been forced to resign or impeached? WHY doesn't a committee...if you can find enough honest people in Washington to even make a committee...go through every single Representative and Senators personal life with a magnifying glass and every one that doesn't measure up to job of deciding other people's very LIVES..pay the consequences..And some teeth put into vetting every one that ever runs for office in the future. We are not talking about some minor thing here...we are talking about honesty at every level. If a person isn't honest about one thing, they aren't likely to be honest about anything..And someone that's a liar and a cheat certainly has no business handling the tax payers money or lives.

This includes the people that God has been speaking to..telling them to run for office..telling them to start wars for any reason etc..they have to have PROOF..that it was the "real" god instead of that's picture is on dollar bills..

[arliobserver]

08:03 AM on 07/27/2011

Nothing has changed - for apparently about 25% of politicians the attraction of the occupation is to extend control over other people. Some get their libido confused with their power to make things happen. Victims have less fear of speaking up - because as a society we are learning not to stigmatize the victim. The rituals that many politicians participate in - like the ritual sacrafices and nude dancing that goes on in the Grotto in Cali - make me wonder about their sanity. Is the purpose of the conclave to share an experience that most normal people would find repugnant - so as to make a bond based on the potential for blackmail ?? Perhaps so.

[PrimoPablo]

05:09 AM on 07/27/2011

What is the difference between an "unwanted sexual encounter" and rape? Oh, I get it. The former is what it is called when you are a politician.

[acatsblack]

08:07 PM on 07/26/2011

Why no Front Page?

[Kathryn Talbert]

08:05 PM on 07/26/2011

God, can these jackwagons get any dumber?