When does politics as usual cross the line into crime?

Over the years, lots of elected officials have been charged with and tried for official misconduct. Some have even been convicted.

Former governor of Virginia Bob McDonnell, a Republican, has taken the stand in his own defense, telling a jury he didn't accept gifts from businessman Jonnie Williams in return for influencing the operation of state government. McDonnell says he didn't do anything for Williams that he wouldn't have done for any other constituent trying to invest in and create jobs in the state. 

In Texas, GOP Gov. Rick Perry has been charged with abuse of power for trying to muscle a county prosecutor out of office after she was convicted of drunken driving. The district attorney in question, Rosemary Lehmberg, is a Democrat. The county where she serves, Travis, is the home of the state government in Austin, so she is responsible for investigating official corruption. Lehmberg is still in office. Perry insists the charges against him are pure partisan harassment.

But there’s no denying that some politicians abuse their office.

Connecticut’s Republican former Gov. John Rowland went to prison in 2005 for essentially putting his office up for sale for over $100,000 in trips and services. Also that year, California GOP Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham pleaded guilty to tax evasion, conspiracy to commit bribery, mail fraud and wire fraud. He spent more than seven years in prison.

But some observers believe Perry’s case has more to do with Texas politics than with any violation of the law. If Perry and others are being pursued for essentially political reasons, can officeholders do their jobs properly without having to constantly look over their shoulders?

We consulted a panel of experts for the Inside Story.