Breathtaking Personal Douchebag

Perknose

Forum Director & Omnipotent Overlord
Forum Director
Oct 9, 1999
46,839
10,591
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http://salon.com/life/scott_lee_coh...broadsheet/feature/2010/02/05/scott_lee_cohen

If the long, long, long list of stories about Scott Lee Cohen are true, he's got the fondness for steroids of a Mark McGwire, the domestic abuse track record of a Charlie Sheen and the eye for hookers of an Eliot Spitzer. But wait! There's more! He's had tax troubles! His ex-wife accused him of adultery! Truly, the Democratic nominee for Illinois lieutenant governor appears the very definition of a Frankendouche.

The contender, who just won his nomination on Tuesday, should have been having a banner week. But then a series of stories in the Chicago Tribune shone a spotlight on his less than savory history.

Gov. Pat Quinn has called for his new running mate to step aside, saying in a statement that "These are disturbing allegations. Domestic abuse has no place in our society much less in public office.
"
But Cohen, who has spent about $2 million on his campaign, is no quitter. On his Web site he says, "I have no intention of stepping down or stepping aside."

A pawnbroker and political novice who's never held office before, Cohen got a taste for public service after last year's Rod Blagojevich debacleRod Must Resign campaign. That's right, he got his start trying to oust another local fuckup. inspired him to create a
His ex-wife Debra York-Cohen, who has publicly -- and bafflingly -- supported him in his campaign, has also in the past accused him of being a not too shabby 54 grand behind in his alimony and child support payments. But that's practically one of his more endearing acts. In 2005, she filed an order of protection against him -- though she recently stated, "At the time, he was going through a different phase. He was a different person than he is now."

In her divorce papers, however, she claimed he was abusing steroids and "as a result he has an erratic, explosive temper." How erratic and explosive? She continued, "On May 9, 2005, after having confessed to several affairs he had, he tried to have sex with me, and despite my refusals, he tried to force himself on me until I pushed him away and emphatically told him no. In fact, I had been having family members, including my mom and sister, stay with me for the past several weeks because I'm afraid to be home alone with him."

In response, Cohen stated in his petition for visitation rights to his four children that "Although I may have taken steroids and or performance enhancing drugs in the past I have not utilized any of these drugs in the last two weeks … Although from time to time I have screamed and yelled at my children, that is my parenting style and my prerogative. I have never abused my children, I have never hurt my children and I have never done any harm to them." Unless, of course, you consider screaming and yelling abusive.

But Cohen's drama wasn't over when the marriage was. Five months after the divorce papers were filed, he was arrested on domestic battery charges when his then-girlfriend accused him of pushing her against a wall and pulling a knife on her. According to the police report, she had mild scars on her neck and hands and a bump on the back of her head.


The girlfriend, by the way, was a prostitute he met while she was working in a massage parlor. He now claims he didn't know her curriculum vitae included happy endings, and though he decorously describes their relationship as "tumultuous," categorically insists he never abused her.

Appearing on "Chicago Tonight" Thursday to defend his candidacy, an agitated-looking Cohen defiantly stated, "I ran for the office, I won, I signed up for this. I will not step down. I did nothing wrong," adding self-deprecatingly, "I don't believe I'm an embarrassment to the ticket."

Cohen insists that he's been open about his past transgressions all along. Steroid abuse, domestic abuse arrest, financial woes, and prostitute dating aside, just don't call him a liar. But given how his version of those events differs from his divorce and arrest papers, given, in fact, his own apparent obliviousness to the severity of his actions (hint: screaming and yelling is not a parenting "style"), one has to wonder if the would-be lieutenant governor is not being entirely frank -- with himself. "I think you'll find I've been the most honest, open, forthright candidate that's been out there," he told "Chicago Tonight." Maybe nobody else in the viewing audience believed it. But at that moment, Scott Lee Cohen seemed utterly, chillingly confident in the sincerity of Scott Lee Cohen.

Wow. I'm kind of speechless. How did a guy with this kind of track record manage to win a major party, state-wide primary?

How? D:
 

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
66,068
14,481
146
I just saw this story on the news. I'm amazed that the Republicans hadn't brought this up during the primaries...unless they WANT a sleaze-bag on the ticket to help ensure that they win the governorship.

Illinois is sure giving Louisiana a run for the "Most corrupt state" title...

(and just goes to show...corruption is rampant in politics...on both sides of the aisle.)
 

Robor

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
16,979
0
76
JFC this guy could take John Edward's (the 'psychic') Biggest Douche In The Universe title.
 

cubby1223

Lifer
May 24, 2004
13,518
42
86
Here's the thing, he disclosed this information before he began running. Hell, the criminal record is public information, readily available for anyone who knows how to form a simple google query.

None of the other Democratic candidates cared to look into the issue. The media didn't give a shit during the primary campaigns.

Now that he won the nomination, he should stand aside? Sorry, that doesn't work either.



I just saw this story on the news. I'm amazed that the Republicans hadn't brought this up during the primaries.

It's not up to the Republicans to run campaigns against the Democratic primaries. If they did, you guys would be on this board complaining they're unfairly attacking Democrats or something.
 

Lemon law

Lifer
Nov 6, 2005
20,984
3
0
IBTrolls.

Can't run from the truth liberals.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The problem with the soccerballtux contention is that the GOP has perhaps more douchebags. And as we run from the truth that we need effective government more than partisan bickering, we hide from the more important truth.

United we can stand and divided we will all fall. There is always a certain douchebag fraction defective, but once exposed, they are toast.

Cheer up, now exposed, Gov Sanford and John Edwards can no longer even run for dogcatcher. And now for a total douchebag, add the name of Senator Shelby.
 
Feb 10, 2000
30,029
67
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What a strange situation.

The first thing you see on his campaign website is the following:

“I have no intention of stepping down or stepping aside. When the facts come to light, after my ex-wife and ex-girlfriend speak, the people of Illinois can decide, and I will listen to them directly. I am asking my ex-wife and ex-girlfriend to come forward and to talk with the media. There are questions, and I will provide all answers honestly and openly. I only ask for time to do the interviews. 2005 was a difficult time in my life. I was going through a divorce, and I started running with a fast group. I was in a tumultuous relationship with the woman I was dating. We had a fight, but I never touched her. She called the police, however, she never came to court, and the charges were dismissed. I realized this relationship was not healthy, I ended it, and we parted amicably.”

WTH does that even mean? This guy appears to be in his 50s, but he's blaming his troubles on "running with a fast crowd"?
 

Robor

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
16,979
0
76
What a strange situation.

The first thing you see on his campaign website is the following:

“I have no intention of stepping down or stepping aside. When the facts come to light, after my ex-wife and ex-girlfriend speak, the people of Illinois can decide, and I will listen to them directly. I am asking my ex-wife and ex-girlfriend to come forward and to talk with the media. There are questions, and I will provide all answers honestly and openly. I only ask for time to do the interviews. 2005 was a difficult time in my life. I was going through a divorce, and I started running with a fast group. I was in a tumultuous relationship with the woman I was dating. We had a fight, but I never touched her. She called the police, however, she never came to court, and the charges were dismissed. I realized this relationship was not healthy, I ended it, and we parted amicably.”

WTH does that even mean? This guy appears to be in his 50s, but he's blaming his troubles on "running with a fast crowd"?

Looks like he's trying to blame everyone else for his own failures. How he got where he's at with all of that baggage is really amazing. They couldn't find someone as/more qualified who's not a big douche?
 

cubeless

Diamond Member
Sep 17, 2001
4,295
1
81
Illinois is doing the same thing as Massachusetts, handing the major positions over to the Republicans.

is this part of the vast left-wing conspiracy? it's truly an insidious plan y'all have crafted - be so corrupt and venal that your voters pick repubs and you can then go back on the offensive...

hey, wait a minute!!! you guys must have stolen the repub handbook!!!

priceless...
 

cubby1223

Lifer
May 24, 2004
13,518
42
86
Doesn't this situation just prove that most voters don't do any research on the candidates before voting?

But either way, shouldn't it be our right as free Americans, to elect who we want? Or else choose to not vote for who we do not want?

It is interesting the idea of the people choosing a candidate, *then* the party coming back and saying "Sorry, you are not capable of choosing your representative, so we will choose the candidate for you." That's not fair, either, is it?

This was the discussion on WGN radio this morning, and it's funny, a liberal Democrat called in, complaining that our Republican candidate for U.S. Senate needs to be more truthful himself about his past. The issue? An internet blogger "rumor" that he is gay. Now this liberal called into the show demanding he either address this issue or else he should not be allowed to run for office!

Are we putting too many restrictions on who can and who cannot hold public office? We need the best people who can get the job done - not just simply the most boring person in the group. Just my opinion.
 

OutHouse

Lifer
Jun 5, 2000
36,410
616
126
Doesn't this situation just prove that most voters don't do any research on the candidates before voting?

i blame the party for allowing one of its members with such a shaded background to run in the first place.
 

RyanPaulShaffer

Diamond Member
Jul 13, 2005
3,434
1
0
Remember, this was the result of a primary election. So if Illinois has a closed primary like many states (does it?), then it was exclusively Democrats involved with the choice.

Chicago style politics, baby.
 

Skitzer

Diamond Member
Mar 20, 2000
4,414
3
81
Illinois is sure giving Louisiana a run for the "Most corrupt state" title...

(and just goes to show...corruption is rampant in politics...on both sides of the aisle.)

Louisiana ain't got nothin' on Illinois ;)
 

dmcowen674

No Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
54,889
47
91
www.alienbabeltech.com
Louisiana ain't got nothin' on Illinois ;)

I've lived in both places now and I would have to agree.

Louisiana is small potatoes compared to the corruption in Illinois.

These guys are openly giving billions and billions to the corporations just like Obama has. Oh that's right, this is where Obama learned how to do it.

It's OK, it pisses off the Republicans royally. Mission Accomplished :)
 

Robor

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
16,979
0
76
I've lived in both places now and I would have to agree.

Louisiana is small potatoes compared to the corruption in Illinois.

These guys are openly giving billions and billions to the corporations just like Obama has. Oh that's right, this is where Obama learned how to do it.

It's OK, it pisses off the Republicans royally. Mission Accomplished :)

What pisses off (R)'s? Corrupt (D)'s or giving money to corporations? I fail to see either making them angry.
 

waggy

No Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
68,143
10
81
Did you say the same thing about Massachusetts?

don't beleive i did. i do not and have not lived in Massachusetts so don't know the political history as well.

IL i so strongly for the dems. what scott did is minor compared to selling CDR licenses or Blago trying to sell Obama's seat.

hell there was one lady from Cicero that was stealing millions and purchased a GOLF course in WI. you know what people were mad at? the fact she purchased land in WI and not IL.

long as you are a dem you can damn near get away with murder in il.
 

earthman

Golden Member
Oct 16, 1999
1,653
0
71
The guy's behavior has nothing to do with politics, it's just a symptom of our society at large. Most of our politicians are just mediocre personalities churned out by the machine anyway, why would it be surprising that they take drugs, cheat on their wives, abuse their children, or any of the other things that so many red-blooded Americans do?