| Jamie Dupree |
Democratic Ethics Haze
If you would have told me a week ago that we might have a sex harassment scandal on our hands in Congress and that three different people would be chairman of the most powerful committee in the U.S. House, we would have had a big laugh.
But that's what Democrats have right now.
After Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY) stepped aside as Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday, the new acting Chairman only lasted 24 hours, as Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA) resigned the post after it became clear that he didn't have the support of the panel's Democrats.
Why? Well, Stark is known as somewhat of a hot head, who has had ethical brushes himself - more than enough to make it possible that he could create a political hot potato of his own making before Election Day.
So Stark pulled himself out, and now the new Chairman is Rep. Sander Levin (D-MI), not someone that we would expect (in the Press Gallery at least) to have any wacky skeletons in his closet.
But you never know.
Meanwhile, the fallout continued over Rep. Eric Massa (D-NY), who suddenly announced on Wednesday that he would not run for a second term in his House seat, officially blaming his health.
"Mr. Massa called me yesterday and said that he had been diagnosed with cancer," said Speaker Nancy Pelosi, telling reporters that she had not heard any rumors about Massa's troubles until after their phone conversation.
The Speaker acknowledged something about the Congress, that it is often "Rumor City" about members and their personal peccadillos, but she said her knowledge about Massa was nothing until his retirement announcement.
As for Massa, he stayed out of sight on Thursday, as the married father of two missed every vote that was cast yesterday.
During that time, the House Ethics Committee weighed in, issuing a terse statement that lent more credence to some of the reports about allegations of misconduct, possibly involving the Congressman and a junior, male staff member.
"The Committee, pursuant to Rule 18(a), is investigating and gathering additional information concerning matters related to allegations involving Representative Eric Massa," the panel related.
That seat was going to be tough for Democrats to keep in November.
Now, it's a big chance for the GOP to gain back another seat, as they try to win back the House.
After Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY) stepped aside as Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday, the new acting Chairman only lasted 24 hours, as Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA) resigned the post after it became clear that he didn't have the support of the panel's Democrats.
Why? Well, Stark is known as somewhat of a hot head, who has had ethical brushes himself - more than enough to make it possible that he could create a political hot potato of his own making before Election Day.
So Stark pulled himself out, and now the new Chairman is Rep. Sander Levin (D-MI), not someone that we would expect (in the Press Gallery at least) to have any wacky skeletons in his closet.
But you never know.
Meanwhile, the fallout continued over Rep. Eric Massa (D-NY), who suddenly announced on Wednesday that he would not run for a second term in his House seat, officially blaming his health.
"Mr. Massa called me yesterday and said that he had been diagnosed with cancer," said Speaker Nancy Pelosi, telling reporters that she had not heard any rumors about Massa's troubles until after their phone conversation.
The Speaker acknowledged something about the Congress, that it is often "Rumor City" about members and their personal peccadillos, but she said her knowledge about Massa was nothing until his retirement announcement.
As for Massa, he stayed out of sight on Thursday, as the married father of two missed every vote that was cast yesterday.
During that time, the House Ethics Committee weighed in, issuing a terse statement that lent more credence to some of the reports about allegations of misconduct, possibly involving the Congressman and a junior, male staff member.
"The Committee, pursuant to Rule 18(a), is investigating and gathering additional information concerning matters related to allegations involving Representative Eric Massa," the panel related.
That seat was going to be tough for Democrats to keep in November.
Now, it's a big chance for the GOP to gain back another seat, as they try to win back the House.
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