Markup View

Author: Fanra

Jun 19th 2011 at 2:23:18 PM

RealLife:  U.S. Congressman Duke Cunningham.  Cunningham criticized President Clinton for appointing judges who were "soft on crime". "We must get tough on drug dealers," he said, adding that "those who peddle destruction on our children must pay dearly."  He favored stiff drug penalties and voted for the death penalty for major drug dealers.

Four months later, his son Todd was arrested for helping to transport 400 pounds of marijuana. Todd Cunningham pleaded guilty to possession and conspiracy to sell marijuana.  At his son's sentencing hearing, Cunningham fought back tears as he begged the judge for leniency.  Cunningham's press secretary responded to accusations of double standards with: "The sentence Todd got had nothing to do with who Duke is. Duke has always been tough on drugs and remains tough on drugs."

Actually, thinking about it, this might be more '''{{Hypocrite}}''' then this trope.  Duke was likely even afterwards to insist that his son was "different" and wasn't really a drug dealer, while still insisting on harsh penalties for others.