Biggest Scandals Of The 2016 Democratic Presidential Candidates

: 2016 : Presidenbial Candidabe SCANDALS Meel The DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES BERNIE SANDERS U.S. SENATOR, VERMONT HILLARY CLINTON FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE FORMER SENATOR, NEW YORK SCANDAL: SCANDAL: His political stance Sending sensitive emails from a private account "What I had done was allowed, it was above board. But in retrospect, as I look back at it now, even though it was allowed, I should have used two accounts. One for personal, one for work-related emails. That was a mistake. I'm sorry about that. I take responsibility." DETAILS: He's an Independent (and self-described "democratic socialist"), and he's running as a Democrat. IS IT A BIG DEAL? Yes, if his politics are too left-wing for you. DETAILS: Clinton used a personal email account, instead of a government email account, to conduct business as Secretary of State. She claims none of her emails contained classified SCANDAL: Making controversial statements information at the time she sent or received them. DETAILS: In a 1972 newspaper column, Sanders wrote a passage about men and women's sexual fantasies, including rape. He was also criticized for appearing to defend Veterans Affairs after CNN reported that at least 40 veterans died while waiting for care at a Phoenix VA Hospital. IS IT A BIG DEAL? Use of a personal email address to run government business is not banned outright by the State Department, but it's definitely discouraged. However, the scandal could be a big deal on the national security front. Clinton turned over her server to the FBI, so we have to wait and see what they find. So far, hundreds of emails have been retroactively classified. IS IT A BIG DEAL? Yes, especially if you already think Sanders' socialist stance also makes him a Communist. SCANDAL: Benghazi attacks DETAILS: On Sept. 11, 2012, a U.S. ambassador and three other Americans were killed after an attack on the American JIM WEBB embassy in Benghazi, Libya. Clinton and the Obama administration were questioned about alleged security failures that failed to prevent the attacks. FORMER U.S. SENATOR, VIRGINIA SCANDAL: Alleged nepotism IS IT A BIG DEAL? After a two-year investigation, Clinton was cleared of any wrongdoing. However, no presidential candidate wants to be held responsible for a national tragedy. The scandal has added plenty of fuel to anti-Hillary sentiments. DETAILS: Like Rubio, Webb has employed many of his relatives. His PAC has paid more than $90,000 over several years to his wife and daughter and wife for working as his website managers and designers. SCANDAL: IS IT A BIG DEAL? Reports of nepotism can be damaging, but Webb's not a big name right now. Webb's spokesman defended the payment, saying their work was "real and provable." Allegedly receiving illegal donations DETAILS: The Clinton Foundation confirmed it received as much as $26.4 million in previously unreported payments from universities, corporations, and foreign governments. Some of the payments were made while Clinton served as Secretary of State. MARTIN O'MALLEY FORMER GOVERNOR, MARYLAND IS IT A BIG DEAL? It could be. Clinton Foundation officials claim the money was filed as "revenue" (for speeches made by the Clintons), not as donations. "Revenue" or not, the big question is, did any of the money influence Clinton's decisions at the State Department? SCANDAL: Cheating rumors DETAILS: Before O'Malley ran for governor, rumors spread that he was cheating on his wife. Turns out, the rumors were circulated on conservative websites by a campaign operative to Robert Ehrlich, Maryland's then-governor. LINCOLN CHAFEE IS IT A BIG DEAL? No. O'Malley publicly denounced the rumors, and Ehrlich's operative was fired. FORMER GOVERNOR, RHODE ISLAND SCANDAL: Switching political parties DETAILS: He served as a Republican in the U.S. Senate (to fill his late father's seat), then as an Independent governor of Rhode Island. LAWRENCE LESSIG LAW PROFESSOR, HARVARD IS IT A BIG DEAL? Not unless you're worried he'll flip flop on his campaign stance. SCANDAL: Running as "referendum president" DETAILS: Lessig wants to reform America's system of campaign finance. He wants to serve as president until his package of government reforms are passed, then let his VP take over his office. SCANDAL: Low approval rating as governor DETAILS: IS IT A BIG DEAL? It's not scandalous. It's just unconventional. And if he wins, you better hope you like his VP. After leaving office as governor (and losing his bid for reelection) in 2013, Chafee had a 25% approval rating. IS IT A BIG DEAL? It could be, if voters want a president with a high approval rating. Are you hiding any scandals? www.instantcheckmate.com Kcheckmate INSTANT IMAGE SOURCE: https://commons.wikimedia.org