One Impeached Scoundrel Inspires Another

This week was the 10th anniversary of the Drudge Report breaking the Monica Lewinsky scandal that led to the impeachment of the adulterer in chief. (historic Drudge post here)

And since the chief villan in that scandal has inserted himself into the presidential campaign, the following is especially noteworthy:

Inside the Beltway
By John McCaslin
Washington Times
January 18, 2008

Ma and Pa Clinton

"Interesting discussion with one of my clients in Texas," a leading political observer in Washington tells Inside the Beltway. "Topic was that Bill Clinton is treating this election as his third, and that the missus looks far less presidential while he grabs more and more limelight on the stage.

"My client was reminded of an old, real-life Texas story of Ma and Pa Ferguson — she being the first woman governor of Texas."

We learn more about Miriam "Ma" Ferguson and her "impeached" other half from Fort Worth, Texas, writer Judy Alter, winner of the 2005 Owen Wister Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Western Writers of America. She wrote that Ma "was a quiet, private person who preferred to stay home in her big house in Temple, Texas, and take care of her husband, raise her two daughters and tend to her flower garden."

"But in 1923, she was elected governor of Texas, the first woman governor elected in the United States. Her husband, Jim Ferguson, served two terms as governor, but during his second term he was impeached, which meant he could not run again for public office. So Miriam agreed to run to clear his name and restore the family's honor."

Hmmm, sounds familiar.

The story goes on to say that Ma served two terms as governor, when she and her husband became better known as "Ma and Pa." Ma's campaign slogan, by the way: "Two Governors for the Price of One."

So that's it!