Posted on 05/06/2006 5:25:55 AM PDT by Libloather
Scandals may blunt Dem attacks on GOP
Analysts say recent allegations erode Democrats' hopes to claim the moral high ground
By BENNETT ROTH
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle Washington Bureau
May 5, 2006, 11:15PM
WASHINGTON - For months, congressional Democrats have accused Republicans of fostering a "culture of corruption" that led to the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal as well as the bribery conviction of Rep. Randy Cunningham of California.
But the Democrats' plans to use corruption as a campaign issue have been undercut by the highlighting in the last few days of questionable conduct in the party's own ranks, according to political experts.
Larry Sabato, a political science professor at the University of Virginia, said the spotlight on alleged Democratic transgressions makes it hard for party leaders to take the moral high ground.
"It's over for the Democrats on corruption," he said.
This week, a Kentucky businessman pleaded guilty to charges that he paid Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., and his family more than $400,000 in bribes.
Rep. Alan Mollohan, D-W.V., recently relinquished under pressure his seat on the House ethics committee after the development of allegations that he steered federal spending on special projects to friends and former staffers.
On Friday, a different type of errant behavior by a Democratic lawmaker — partially admitted rather than merely alleged — was on display in the case of Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., son of Sen. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts.
Kennedy announced he was again checking into a drug rehabilitation program after an early morning car accident.
Capitol Police on the scene said they suspected the congressman had been drinking and that they were ordered by superiors to escort Kennedy home without giving him a breath test. Kennedy, who acknowledged a longtime addiction to prescription drugs, said he has no recollection of the accident.
Evoking past scandals
In the public's mind, the incident may prompt recollections of other personal scandals among the Kennedy clan.
Voters are making no distinction on ethics between the political parties, Sabato said.
"They look around and see congressmen behaving badly," he said. "Some are Democrats and some are Republicans. They are inclined to say, 'a plague on both of your houses.' "
Fortunately for Democrats preparing for the November congressional elections, Sabato said, they can fall back on several issues — the war in Iraq, rising fuel prices and immigration — that have been causing grief for the GOP.
House Democratic leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif, who frequently blasts Republicans, saying they create a culture of corruption, said this week that Jefferson's legal problems would leave her party's political standing untouched. Unlike the Abramoff scandal, she said, his case involves the behavior of an individual, not misconduct by a network of lobbyists, lawmakers and congressional aides.
"That's his business; that's not ours," said Pelosi, standing in front of the sign proclaiming "Honest Leadership, Open Government."
Pelosi, however, was quick to distance herself from Jefferson, saying the House Ethics Committee should investigate the allegations swirling around him and that he should be penalized if found to have broken the rules.
Federal investigators have been looking into whether the congressman took bribes in return for helping secure federal contracts for a broadband technology business owned by Vernon Jackson, the businessman who pleaded guilty. Jefferson has denied any wrongdoing in the case.
Pelosi stands by Kennedy
On Friday, Pelosi also praised Kennedy for his decision to seek treatment, saying he showed "honesty and courage."
The Capitol Police were involved in another recent incident involving a Democrat, Rep. Cynthia McKinney of Georgia, who hit an officer with her cell phone when he sought to stop her for bypassing a security checkpoint without identification.
Republicans have seized on Democratic malfeasance as evidence that the out-of-power party lacks credibility as it scolds on corruption.
"The only thing one can call Democrats on the ethics issue is hypocrites," National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Carl Forti said.
Norman Ornstein, a scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, said Republicans may be able to neutralize the "culture of corruption" rap unless the Abramoff investigation produces a wave of major indictments.
Abramoff, who pleaded guilty in January to corruption charges, lavished trips and gifts on lawmakers, including Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Sugar Land, whose ties to the former lobbyist contributed to his decision to resign from Congress. Two former DeLay aides have pleaded guilty to charges related to the scandal.
Polls suggest public apathy
Ohio Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio, is being investigated by federal officials in connection with favors he allegedly did for Abramoff after going on a junket with the lobbyist. Ney's former aide, Neil Volz, is also a target of the probe and has been in negotiations with prosecutors.
Cunningham's bribery conviction was in an unrelated case and involved gifts he received from a defense contractor.
Republican leaders sought to inoculate themselves against corruption charges by pledging bold lobbying reform at the start of this year.
However, this week the House narrowly passed a weakened bill that focused mainly on more financial disclosure by lobbyists. Many lawmakers balked at stiffer reforms, saying their constituents were not pressing them about the political scandals in Washington.
A Pew Research Center poll conducted in April found that only 14 percent of Americans were paying close attention to DeLay's decision to step down compared to 43 percent closely following Iraq.
"At this point it (corruption) is not a front-and-center issue the way that gas prices or Iraq or even immigration is," said Carroll Doherty, a pollster at the center.
There hasn't been much said about good ole Harry Reid through all of this.
It seems he must be in the clear, seeing as how the Abramoff scandal only involved Republicans?
Um...
I haven't my Ash Alert handy... where's DonMorgan at?
Ash! Welcome back! We knew you couldn't resist coming back!What no enlightening comments on your party of hypocracy? Boy if it was a Republican, you'd be all over it. Your slipping Ash. You becoming conservative!
With this Kennedy thing, and the clintons trying to stop the re-election of Kurt Weldon Rep. of PA. ; the trial of Peter Paul against the clintons....the reminders of what the kennedy family is....and I hear that Nevada isn't to happy with dirty hairy and his buddy Jack Abhamoff...and William Jefferson of LA......hummmm... very interesting indeed....oh yeah and Cindy McKinny....etc.etc.etc.
Why are the Clintons trying to stop the re-election of Kurt Weldon??
Yes but it was the "culture of corruption" created by the republicans that made these democrats do these terrible things wasn't it?
Seeing you here brings back memories of A+Bert
Thats a shame. Its always fun with you here ash! Your the only lib that has the balls to not post and run!
Hey - at least drinking and running into things is a way RATS can get their agenda on the front pages...
The Rats always have and always will self destruct just as they think they have something on the Republicans because all they know how to do is run with the moment without a plan.
say what you want ash, We know the tiger by his stripes
ouch!
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