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Posted on 07/31/2002 9:08:07 PM PDT by Torie
What the Senator Did Not Say
For violating ethics rules, Senator Robert Torricelli of New Jersey faced the music this week but proved he doesn't really know the tune. Even as he said he agreed with the findings of the Senate Ethics Committee, he continued to deny that he had done anything wrong.
The committee report stopped short of saying specifically that Mr. Torricelli had accepted valuable gifts from David Chang, a New Jersey businessman who is now serving an 18-month prison term for making illegal contributions to the Torricelli Senate campaign in 1996. But the report made it clear there was considerable largess floating around. Mr. Torricelli's sister and his former girlfriend got expensive jewelry, his office was outfitted with expensive artwork and the senator himself got a big-screen television and stereo, although he later reimbursed Mr. Chang for the wholesale price. The committee ignored claims that Mr. Torricelli had received money and expensive clothing, saying the evidence was conflicting.
The committee report, while muted, was still a stunning rebuke, delivered only a few months before fall elections in which control of the Senate may hinge on whether Mr. Torricelli can win re-election. If he wants to put the Chang episode behind him, the first thing he should do is hold a press conference in which he answers any and all questions about his behavior. The voters have a right to know, for instance, why Mr. Torricelli brought Mr. Chang along to a meeting with the South Korean prime minister, and to hear him answer charges by a former American ambassador that Mr. Torricelli embarrassed the embassy by lobbying hard for Mr. Chang's business interests.
Mr. Torricelli should also stop fighting the disclosure of a letter from federal prosecutors that summarizes their findings after a four-year investigation. That letter, given to the Senate after prosecutors decided not to seek an indictment of the senator, is under seal in federal court. Several news organizations, including The New York Times, are seeking its release. The senator argues that releasing it would violate his privacy.
Voters will have to judge not only how serious Mr. Torricelli's misbehavior was, but whether he will steer clear of these conflicts in the future. History suggests that when it comes to ethics, the senator has trouble navigating learning curves, and his speech to the Senate was not heartening. Essentially, Mr. Torricelli delivered a mea culpa without the mea. He accepted the committee's judgment that he had violated the Senate rules, then reminded his colleagues that "it has always been my contention that I believe that at no time did I accept any gifts or violate any Senate rules." He left it to his audience to figure out whether that meant the committee was wrong, the contention was wrong or the senator's unwavering belief in his own innocence was wrong. But there is something wrong somewhere, and so far Mr. Torricelli has done nothing to identify exactly what it is.
The mainstream media has already forgotten this episode. They're already gearing up for another slam against President Bush, Attorney General John Ashcroft, or any Conservative Republican - like Sen. McCain -
That's the essence of Clintonism, isn't it? The Demo/Commies have perfected that one, haven't they?
How many times have we heard Clinton and the Democrats say "Ah accept full responsibility"?
And how many times have they avoided the consequences that come with "full responsibility"....???
If I was David Chang - I'd be heading to the nearest phone to call my lawyer for being in jail illegally!!!
If there was nothing wrong - he should not be in jail!!
Funny there's no 'leak' when it comes to a corrupt Democrat!! If he had been a Republican, this letter would wind up 'seeing the light of day'!
Actually, if Mr. Torricelli was expelled, the Democrats would not lose control of the Senate. Governor McGreevey (D-NJ) would just appoint another democrat to fill his seat.
This wasn't true about a year ago, when New Jersey had a "Republican" Acting Governor, but it's true now.
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