The Wilbur Mills political scandal provides a snapshot in time of both the political scene of the mid-1970Æs and the character of politicians in general; indirectly, it also reveals the character of the nation that elected these politicians.
I. The Wilbur Mills political scandal
Stopped for drunken driving with Mrs. Battistella in the car.
Subsequent questioning reveals they had been having an affair.
B. Impact on MillsÆ political career
Lost position on Ways and Means Committee
Subsequently reelected but after serving that term never ran again.
C. Difference between the political atmosphere before and after Watergate.
1. Teddy Kennedy and Mary Jo Kopechne
D. Duality/duplicity of politicians and their public.
Responsible in office but engaging in wrongdoing at home.
Acceptance by public indicates a similar dichotomy in their morality.
E. Conclusion: What Americans need to do about it.
The Wilbur Mills political scandal provides a snapshot in time of both the political scene of the mid-1970Æs and the character of politicians in general; indirectly, it also reveals the character of the nation that elected these politicians. The scandal occurred in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal, when the activities of politicians were under much greater scrutiny than before. Mills, a member of the Ways and Means Committee, probably would not have been singled out for humiliation over the incident except that the recent Watergate scandal had aroused the press and caused them to ferret out every dirty detail of every politicianÆs life like never before. In MillsÆ case, this increased scrutiny revealed an extramarital affair that had been going on for some time. In the political environment following Watergate, this was a major scandal that caused great humiliation for Mills and eventually led to his resignation from the Ways and Means Committee. The consequences of his actions, both for hi...