The Eleventh Commandment

“Don’t get found out” is the Eleventh commandment. In private life, men and women all too often get themselves into difficulties by breaking it. The breach will cause embarrassment, occasionally family break-up and perhaps a prison sentence but the glare of media publicity is unlikely. However, when people in public life break the Eleventh and are caught out, the heavens open as the media descends, eager to reveal people’s weaknesses.

Four years ago, Virginia governor Bob McDonnell was selected to give the Republican response to President Obama’s 2010 State of the Union address. Just eighteen months back, McDonnell’s rapid rise accelerated when he was tipped for the Vice-Presidential spot on the 2016 national election ticket. However, he now faces federal corruption charges, along with his wife, Maureen. A few weeks ago, the wheels fell off the McDonnell bandwagon as evidence emerged of a murky relationship with a wealthy Virginia businessman. Allegedly, it’s the old story of a politician crossing the line when wealthy donors help in an election and offer the politician a dream life style financed by suspect funds. The American media headlined the story for days.

Of course, McDonnell is not the only politician currently in the firing line. Chris Christie is caught up in a scandal concerning the lane closures on the George Washington Bridge. Criminal investigations continue against Christie aides and David Wildstein, a former aide and friend, has alleged that Christie knew of the plot before the event. Christie, of course denies this and Wildstein, who will probably be charged with a crime, may be just trying to save his skin. Whatever, the front runner in the race for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016 has fallen and the media is enjoying the schaudenfreude.

As prosecutions of politicians make such juicy news, I researched the post-WW2 record of federal legislators, senior members of the judiciary and senior federal administrators who broke the Eleventh and were convicted of crimes involving corruption. Considering the number of careers entailed over this period, there have been comparatively few prosecutions and, save for a few instances, there is little or no connection between those convicted and the President they served. The current and previous presidents’ records are interesting.

The Obama administration record is not unblemished. So far six men are in the frame including Jesse Jackson Jr., (D-IL) who pleaded guilty to wire and mail fraud. Louisiana Federal Judge Thomas Porteous (D), a Clinton appointee, was impeached, convicted and removed from office on charges of bribery and lying to Congress.

Obama’s predecessor, George W. Bush, faced a White House scandal which went all the way to Vice President Dick Cheney’s office. Lewis ‘Scooter’ Libby, Cheney’s Chief of Staff, was convicted of perjury and obstruction of justice in the Valerie Plame affair. Libby was sentenced to 30 months in prison and fined $250,000. His sentence was commuted by President Bush.

During the same presidency, master-lobbyist Jack Abramoff’s was convicted of attempting to influence Congressional action concerning U.S. immigration and minimum wage laws. Several Congressmen were convicted in the scandal, including Bob Ney (R-OH) for conspiracy and making false statements, as a result of his receiving trips from Abramoff in exchange for legislative favors.

The Abramoff scandal has not resulted in a reduction of lobbying influence. Lobbying remains a sore in Washington. It remains the major business of the city, not legislating.

Since the 1970s, three presidents have had to face the full glare of the media as a result of falling foul of the Eleventh. Nixon resigned over the Watergate affair to escape a Senate trial after the House had impeached him. Clinton faced the ordeal of a Senate trial after he was impeached for lying. The lie related to conduct in his private life, whereas Nixon covered up and lied blatantly about the dirty tricks practised by his people. Interestingly, several of Clinton’s Republican prosecutors admitted to affairs in their private lives during the Senate trial.

Ronald Reagan, who still rates highly as one of the most effective presidents, was very lucky to escape impeachment. He broke Acts of Congress in the scandal known as Irangate and lied about it. Just read the Tower Report and Reagan’s subsequent apology:

“A few months ago, I told the American people I did not trade arms for hostages. My heart and my best intentions tell me that’s true………..but the facts and evidence tell me it is not. There are reasons why it happened but no excuses. It was a mistake.”

There was no political will to impeach this very popular president.

Looking at the three “impeachments”, I conclude that the process is more political than legal. But what stands out in my memory is the almost total paralysis of the US government as the scandals were played out in the media and Congressional hearings. For the time being, those who revel in the excitement of seeing political mucky-mucks brought to justice, will have to rely on the prosecutors picking the lower branches of the scandal tree. Currently, there is nothing alleged against President Obama and his colleagues to suggest any of them have fallen foul of the Eleventh Commandment.

But in America, one never knows, until the fourth estate goes public.