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Democrats self-destructing over ethics |
2009-02-19 |
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Obama administration and the new Congress are quickly handing over to Republicans the same "culture of corruption" issue that Democrats used so effectively against the GOP before coming to power. Freshman Sen. Roland Burris, D-Ill., is only the latest embarrassment. Senate Democrats accepted Burris because they believed what he told them: He was clean. Burris now admits he tried to raise money for Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who authorities say sought to sell President Barack Obama's former Senate seat. "The story seems to be changing day by day," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said Wednesday. The political mess for the Democratic Party, however, isn't Burris' conduct alone; it's the pattern that has developed so quickly over the past few months.
The No. 2 Senate Democrat, Richard Durbin of Illinois, expressed his anger about the Burris case Wednesday while he was on an official visit to Greece. "I do believe that the public statements made by Mr. Burris to this point have raised questions ... as to the nature of his relationship with the former governor and the circumstances surrounding his appointment," Durbin said. Reid said in Nevada, "Now there's some question as to whether or not he told the truth." Where to go next? Reid had no answer. "What I think we have to do is just wait and see," the Senate leader said. Senate Democrats now may be trapped in their own ethics system. Disciplinary action against a senator usually requires a long investigation by the Senate's ethics committee. While a preliminary inquiry on Burris is under way, that's only the first early step. And, with ongoing criminal investigations in Illinois, the committee probably would have to postpone any action -- as it usually does -- to avoid interference. In 2006, Republicans lost control of the House after Democrats effectively used a "culture of corruption" theme against them. The final scandal broke shortly before the election, when it was revealed that then-Rep. Mark Foley, a Florida Republican, sent sexually suggestive e-mails and explicit instant messages to teenage boys who had served as House pages. Republicans were further harmed when it was disclosed that several of their members were aware of the problem and failed to take action. Democrats, who've been in control of both Congress and the White House less than two months now, are lucky on one point. The next congressional election is nearly two years away. |
Posted by:GolfBravoUSMC |
#7 In 2006 the refrain about the Trunks and the Culture of Corruption was not about the behavior of the Trunks, rather it was a complaint about amateurs doing it. |
Posted by: Procopius2k 2009-02-19 21:16 |
#6 Ethics? We don neeedd no steenking ethics. |
Posted by: JohnQC 2009-02-19 17:38 |
#5 Unlike the Repubs, the Democrats do not have a "culture of corruption" . . .because there's nothing cultured about them. |
Posted by: Frozen Al 2009-02-19 16:59 |
#4 Lucky for them their voter base decides how to vote based on handouts, not ethics. |
Posted by: Zhang Fei 2009-02-19 14:40 |
#3 "The story seems to be changing day by day What Idiot said this, of course they lie to cover their lies. (ETC,ETC) |
Posted by: Rednek Jim 2009-02-19 12:42 |
#2 Democrats self-destructing over lack of ethics That's better... |
Posted by: tu3031 2009-02-19 12:18 |
#1 How can you self destruct over what you do not have? |
Posted by: newc 2009-02-19 11:56 |