Saturday, October 14, 2006

Ney pleads guilty--but doesn't resign

Yesterday Republican Congressman Bob Ney pleaded guilty to conspiracy and making false statements. That makes him the first GOP legislator to admit to being the recipient of disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff's influence-buying. I doubt he'll be the last.

But he has not resigned his seat in the House of Representatives just yet, much to the embarrassment of the Republicans. The last thing they need is a walking, talking reminder of the moral bankruptcy of so many in their party. If they aren't taking extravagant "gifts" from lobbyists, they're sending sexually suggestive messages to teenaged Congressional pages--or covering up the sending of the messages.

White House Press Secretary Tony Snow said that Ney's crimes are "not a reflection of the Republican Party." Maybe they're not a reflection of the Republican Party--I'm pretty sure bribe-taking isn't an official plank in their platform. But it is a reflection of the Republicans--the fact is, their party does seem to attract an awful lot of miscreants.

More good times for the Democrats.

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