Sometimes a respected political career is ruined or tainted by an adulterous affair, leaving the politician remembered for the wrong reasons. More importantly for us, it often enriches the English language in the process.
In 1983 Liberal Member Michael Hodgman called PM Bob Hawke a “retired boudoir bandicoot”. Bill Clinton may have been a fine President but his Presidency will forever be remembered for his 1998 words “I did not have sexual relations with that woman.” And who will forget 1993’s Camillagate, with Charles declaring “I'll just live inside your trousers” and stating that he wanted to come back as Camilla’s tampon. Shakespeare would be envious.
In June 2009 it was the turn of Mark Sanford, the Governor of South Carolina. Mooted as a future Presidential candidate, Sanford became Governor in 2002 after serving 5 years in Congress.
