Skeptic Project

TPM is pleased to announce the winners of the Fourth Annual Golden Duke Awards! The Golden Dukes are given in recognition of great accomplishments in politics including acts of venal corruption, outstanding self-inflicted losses of dignity, crimes against the republic, bribery, exposed hypocrisy and generally malevolent governance. And The Crazy, of course.

Our judges -- Rick Hertzberg, Susie Bright , Sara Benincasa, Alex Pareene and TPM alum Andrew Golis -- waded their way through all 40 finalists in 8 categories, and came up with their winners.

And, for the first time, so did TPM readers. Those results are also included.

So, without further adieu, the winners:

[To read any judge's statements, scroll to the end and click a judge's name one by one!]

For Meritorious Achievement in The Crazy: Ginny Thomas

Rick Hertzberg: Ginny Thomas
Susie Bright: Ginny Thomas
Alex Pareene: Rep. Louie Gohmert
Sara Benincasa: Christine O'Donnell
Andrew Golis: Ginny Thomas
TPM Readers: Christine O'Donnell

For Unrefudiated Champion of Tea Party Wackiness: Carl Paladino

Rick Hertzberg: Carl Paladino
Susie Bright: Carl Paladino
Alex Pareene: Sharron Angle
Sara Benincasa: Michele Bachmann
Andrew Golis: Carl Paladino
TPM Readers: Rich Iott

For Most Outrageous Election Season Fib Issued By A Politician: Gov. Jan Brewer

Rick Hertzberg: Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie
Susie Bright: Gov. Jan Brewer
Alex Pareene: Gov. Jan Brewer
Sara Benincasa: Sen.-Elect Richard Blumenthal
Andrew Golis: Sharron Angle
TPM Readers: Gov. Jan Brewer

For Most Over-The-Top Campaign Ad: Demon Sheep

Rick Hertzberg: Demon Sheep
Susie Bright: Demon Sheep
Alex Pareene: Melancon Welcomes Illegal Immigrants
Sara Benincasa: Demon Sheep
Andrew Golis: Demon Sheep
TPM Readers: Demon Sheep

For The George Allen Honors For Best Tracker-Captured Freak-Out: Phil Davison

Rick Hertzberg: Carl Paladino
Susie Bright: Phil Davison
Alex Pareene: Phil Davison
Sara Benincasa: Phil Davison
Andrew Golis: Bob Etheridge
TPM Readers: Joe Miller

For Best Scandal -- Sex and Generalized Carnality: George Reker's Altruistic Streak

Rick Hertzberg: Blogger Claims Affair With Gov.-Elect Nikki Haley
Susie Bright: George Reker's Altruistic Streak
Alex Pareene: Eric Massa's Tickle Fetish
Sara Benincasa: George Reker's Altruistic Streak
Andrew Golis: Eric Massa's Tickle Fetish
TPM Readers: George Reker's Altruistic Streak

For Best Scandal -- Local Venue: Bell, CA City Council Salary Scandal

Rick Hertzberg: State Sen.-Elect Brian Nieves Faced Charges He Assaulted Rival's Staffer
Susie Bright: Bell, CA City Council Salary Scandal
Alex Pareene: Bell, CA City Council Salary Scandal
Sara Benincasa: Bell, CA City Council Salary Scandal
Andrew Golis: Bell, CA City Council Salary Scandal
TPM Readers: Bell, CA City Council Salary Scandal

For Best Scandal -- General Interest: RNC's Spending At A Bondage-Themed Strip Club

Rick Hertzberg: Meg Whitman's Maid Scandal
Susie Bright: Meg Whitman's Maid Scandal
Alex Pareene: RNC's Spending At A Bondage-Themed Strip Club
Sara Benincasa: RNC's Spending At A Bondage-Themed Strip Club
Andrew Golis: Rep. Charlie Rangel's Ethics Trial
TPM Readers: RNC's Spending At A Bondage-Themed Strip Club

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