Five Amazing Political Comebacks

1 year ago

Politicians who went from disgraced public figure to treasured leader.

Comebacks of the political or entertainment realm tend to puzzle audiences. They’ll ask, “How is it that this person came back from that?”

Singer Chris Brown can enjoy pop music success after his violent fall from grace. Actors can land Oscar-winning roles after a string of low budget flops. Politicians can become better known for their work after leaving office in scandal.

These phoenix moments happen, I think, because the sorts of mistakes made by these public figures are relatable. While not everyone will sympathize, a good portion of the public can look beyond a figure's transgressions if it appears image rehabilitation is attempted in earnest. A full recovery doesn’t always happen, but any progress helps in a state of infamy.

Here are five examples, in no particular order:

MARION BARRY

He’s D.C.’s “mayor-for-life.” (Granted, you may have no clue who this guy if you were born in the 1990’s.) Marion Barry was first elected mayor of the nation’s capitol in 1979. After enjoying great success and popularity in his first term, the two terms drew nasty criticism and questions of Barry's drug abuse. A videotaped FBI drug sting caught the Barry in the infamous “b*tch set me up” moment. After a 6 month federal jail, the ever-popular Barry later went back to mayoralty and serving on D.C.’s city council.

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BILL CLINTON

It was Lewinskygate to bring down the nation’s 42nd president. Bill Clinton enjoyed popularity as a well-liked, personable politician in the early 1990’s. His tryst with a 25-year-old White House intern turned the people’s house – and Washington’s political establishment – upside down. When the dust settled, Clinton finished his second term in office and launched some of the most impressive humanitarian efforts attempted by former U.S. presidents. The Clinton Global Initiative was key in mobilizing aid to Haiti, following the massive earthquake in 2009.