Now that former Republican California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has admitted he fathered a secret child, don't worry if you're finding it hard to keep these cheaters' details straight. Trips to South America. Client No. 9. Foot-tapping in the airport bathroom. With so many amorous politicians on the loose, it's easy to get mixed up. So, here's a refresher on some of the biggest recent political sex scandals, beginning with former democrat President Bill Clinton.
When: Depends on the scandal; the Monica Lewinsky story broke in January 1998.
Infidelity: 18-month affair with the White House intern.
Making it worse: First denied the allegations, then admitted he and Lewinsky had an "inappropriate relationship."
Stand by me: Wife Hillary Clinton initially defended her husband, calling the allegations part of a "vast right-wing conspiracy."
Lost: Impeached on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice. Watch coverage of the trial.
Yikes! factor: Lewinsky surrendered a blue dress that she said contained physical evidence.
Postscript: Bill stayed in office Hillary won a Senate seat lost a presidential nomination and is now secretary of state.
Jim McGreevey
Jim McGreevey
Position: Former New Jersey Gov., Democrat
When: August 2004
Infidelity: Had an affair with Golan Cipel a man who had served as his aide.
Making it worse: Cipel denied the affair, saying he had been sexually harassed.
Stand by me: McGreevey's wife, Dina Matos joined him at the news conference, then later divorced him and wrote a memoir.
Lost: Resigned as governor.
Yikes! factor: His wife said that she did not know he was gay and that he duped her into marriage to advance his career. See them together.
Postscript: McGreevey enrolled in divinity school at General Theological Seminary.
David Vitter
David Vitter
Position: Former Louisiana senator, Republican
When: July 2007
When: July 2007
Infidelity: Phone number appeared in the records of a high-end Washington prostitution ring.
Making it worse: Had long championed family values, morality and ethics.
Stand by me: His wife, Wendy Vitter defended him, saying their marriage was "not perfect." Watch them speak out about the scandal.
Lost: Seemingly nothing; refused to relinquish Senate seat, remains married. See photos of the couple.
Yikes! factor: The madam of a high-priced brothel called him "one of the nicest and most honorable men I've met.
Postscript: Won his 2010 re-election campaign.
Larry Craig
Larry Craig
Position: Former Idaho senator, Republican
When: June 2007
Infidelity: Arrested in a Minneapolis airport men's room, where police said he tapped his foot to signal interest in sexual activity. Watch coverage of his arrest.
Making it worse: Police said he handed his business card to the arresting officer and asked.
Stand by me: His wife, Suzanne held his hand at the news conference. Watch it.
Lost: Didn't quit but decided not to run for another Senate term and left office in 2008.
Yikes! factor: How did he explain how his foot touched that of the undercover cop in the next stall?
Postscript: Craig started a consulting group.
Eliot Spitzer
Eliot Spitzer
Position: Former New York governor, Democrat
When: March 2008
Infidelity: Caught on a federal wiretap in March 2008 arranging to meet a high-priced call girl.
Making it worse: Signed a law raising the penalties for patronizing prostitutes.
Stand by me: His wife looked grim and exhausted at the news conference.
Lost: Resigned as governor.
Yikes! factor: Known as Client No. 9.
Postscript: Wrote a column for an online news site and co-hosts a CNN show.
John Edwards
John Edwards
Position: Former North Carolina senator, Democrat
When: August 2008
Infidelity: Affair with former campaign videographer Rielle Hunter denied fathering her child.
Making it worse: First denied tabloid reports; later noted that his wife's cancer was in remission at the time of the affair.
Stand by me: Wife Elizabeth Edwards (now deceased) backed him; in her book said she didn't know if he had fathered Hunter's child.
Lost: Could damage a future presidential bid.
Yikes! factor: National Enquirer caught him visiting Hunter at a hotel; published photo of him allegedly holding the baby.
Postscript: Andrew Young, Edwards' aide who initially claimed to be the child's father, reportedly has book deal.
John Ensign
John Ensign
Position: Former U.S. senator from Nevada, Republican
When: June 2009
Infidelity: Affair with Cindy Hampton, a former aide.
Making it worse: Hampton was married to a staffer in the senator's office.
Stand by me: Wife Darlene Ensign reaffirmed her commitment to him.
Lost: Resigned in May 2011 amid an ethics probe.
Yikes! factor: Ensign claimed that Cindy Hampton's husband had demanded money.
Postscript: May face criminal charges.
Mark Sanford
Mark Sanford
Position: Former South Carolina governor, Republican
When: June 2009
Infidelity: Affair with Maria Belen Chapur, a woman living in Argentina he called his "soul mate"
Making it worse: Visited Chapur on Father's Day, leaving his children with his wife of nearly 20 years.
Stand by me: Wife had asked for a trial separation two weeks earlier; issued a statement saying she loved her husband.
Lost: Remained in office through January 2011, amid calls for resignation; stepped down as head of the Republican Governors Association.
Yikes! factor: Disappeared for several days to Argentina, telling his staff he was hiking the Appalachian Trail.
Postscript: Stay tuned.
