Judicial Watch Announces List of Washington's "Ten Most Wanted Corrupt Politicians" for 2008

Judicial Watch, the public interest groupthat investigates and prosecutes government corruption, today released its2008 list of Washington's "Ten Most Wanted Corrupt Politicians." The list,in alphabetical order, includes:

Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY): Let's start with the fact that HillaryClinton is constitutionally ineligible to serve as Secretary of State inthe Obama administration. According to the Ineligibility Clause of theUnited States Constitution, no member of Congress can be appointed to anoffice that has benefited from a salary increase during the time thatSenator or Representative served in Congress. A January 2008 ExecutiveOrder signed by President Bush during Hillary Clinton's current Senate termincreased the salary for Secretary of State, thereby rendering SenatorClinton ineligible for the position. (Congressional "fixes" do not addressthe constitutional issue. Her appointment would be in violation of theU.S. Constitution.) And then, of course, there is the long history ofcorrupt behavior that follows Hillary wherever she goes, includingChinagate, Filegate, pardons for terrorists, pardons for cash (for herbrothers), White House fundraising coffees, Whitewater, Travelgate lies,doing business with the State of Arkansas while her husband was governor,Web Hubbell, smear campaigns, false financial disclosure forms, John Huang,Chinese generals, the Lippo Group, paid sleepovers in the Lincoln Bedroom,cattle futures fraud, and stealing White House furniture. (This corruptionis still going strong. In 2008, Hillary also received an illegal foreigncampaign contribution in the form of a fundraising concert by music iconElton John.)

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT): Question: Which member of the U.S. Senate tookthe most campaign money from corrupt institutions Fannie Mae and FreddieMac? Answer: Chris Dodd, Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee. Giventhis fact there is little reason to wonder why Senator Dodd blocked reformproposals for Fannie and Freddie, calling them "ill advised." Dodd'swillingness to protect Fannie and Freddie would alone merit a spot on the"ten most corrupt list," but there is much more. Dodd was also nabbed foraccepting preferential treatment and loan terms from Countrywide Financial.The Connecticut Senator admitted earlier this year that he was told in 2003when he refinanced two properties that he was being placed in Countrywide's"VIP Program," but said he believed this was simply a courtesy that hadnothing to do with his position in the U.S. Senate. This is either ablatant lie or horribly naïve for a man who has served in the Senate formore than 25 years and currently chairs the Senate Banking Committee thatregulates the mortgage industry. We're not buying it. More