10 Biggest Scandals In American Politics

Made famous by George W. Bush, the line-in-the-sand declaration turned Internet meme, "We don't negotiate with terrorists," was first uttered by Republican favorite Ronald Reagan in the 80s.

Only problem though was his administration did negotiate with terrorists in a scandal now known as The Iran-Contra Affair.

What happened is a case study in why no one trusts the CIA. To secure the release of American hostages, weapons were sold to the then radical Iranian government. These "profits" weren't exactly above the board so the money was distributed to anti-communist guerilla fighters in Nicaragua called the Contras in direct violation of legislation passed by Congress.

Several high ranking members in government were charged and convicted, but the scandal was never tied directly to Reagan himself, which is probably why George Bush senior won the election in 1988.