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n. The granddaddy of the modern political scandal. Also used to refer to scandals similar to Watergate. For the press to compare a scandal to Watergate, the following conditions must be met: 1) It must be of national importance. 2) It must involve the executive branch in some way. 3) Someone outside the media must refer to it as "a new Watergate" or, "the next Watergate". 4) Should increase angry rants against the people involved by at least 20%. If a scandal meets three of these conditions, it may be be given the suffix -gate but the word Watergate must remain out of the article. If it meets two of these conditions, it may be given its own name, such as "Iran-contra affair". If it meets only one of these conditions, it is refered to as "standard political procedure".
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