Greg_Groogan's Blog

Better than 70% of Americans believe politicians lie about their accomplishments.

It's a conclusion THEY come by honestly.

I reported the Rasmussen Report findings and provided two examples of truth-challenged politicians seperated by 15 years in an effort to provide context.

In 1992 as a protege of Governor Ann Richards few had brighter political prospects than Texas Railroad Commissioner Lena Guerrero.

But then her political opponents first uncovered than strategically leaked the fact that Guerrero's claim of having graduated from University of Texas ( Phi Beta Kappa no less) was a lie.

Despite a hasty resignation and an earnest apology the public career of the talented woman from the Rio Grande Valley was crushed and crushed for good.

Fast forward to the rough and tumble run for the presidency in 2008.

One time frontrunner Hillary Clinton claims, repeatedly to have landed in Bosnia under "sniper fire" and scampered to safety.

Noone even questioned what the heck she was doing landing an aircraft carrying her teenage daughter anywhere near hostile gunfire.

Video tape and a slew of eye-wittnesses have since confirmed the extraordinary degree of exaggeration committed by the former first lady.

At first, she blamed the mistake on fatigue. That lasted until the same peril-filled account was recalled at other campaign events.

Did the lie end her career ? Hardly. Damage sure, but the story lasted only a few news cycles.

Could it be the Rasmussen numbers explain why ? They tell us Americans have come to expect their leaders to play fast and loose with the facts. Hillary just confirmed what they already believed.

And so the candidate stumps on. Worst case scenario - a return to the United States Senate and perhaps another shot at the big prize in 2012. 

Lena Guerrero should be so lucky.