Politicians strive to control the message. Teenagers and young adults are not known for their ability to stay on script.

From City Hall to the White House, politicians of all parties and persuasions have had to deal with unwelcome headlines covering the foibles of a wayward child, whether it be a misbehaving preteen or a lawbreaking young adult.

Rudolph W. Giuliani was no longer mayor of New York City when his daughter, Caroline, was arrested on charges of stealing $100 worth of cosmetics from a Sephora store in Manhattan. Al Gore was also out of office when his son, Al Gore III, was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana — twice.

But President George W. Bush was newly installed in the White House when his daughters, Jenna and Barbara, were arrested and accused of trying to order margaritas at a restaurant despite being under the legal drinking age.