My buddy Kent made an observation yesterday about differences in treatment of Republican vs. Democratic scandals from the MSM and the public in general.
Culture of corruption? Sure, the Republicans have had some bad apples like DeLay, Craig, Foley, Cunningham and Rinzi. But there's a key difference. Republicans go to jail. Republicans get harsh media coverage, but when their names are cleared, like in the case of DeLay and when charges aren't filed, as in the case of Foley, nary of mention of it is ever made.Obviously he leaves out quite a few scandalized Republicans as I reminded him in the comments section and I have no clue what he's talking about DeLay being cleared, but the whole thing made me think of Republican Senator David Vitter and his ties to illegal prostitution and his treatment by his fellow Republicans as well as the media. Do Republicans really go to jail, and where are the calls for Vitter's resignation from the media or the GOP?
Not that I support hiring a prostitute by any means. But what's the difference when a Democratic Governor does it and a Republican Senator does it? To me there shouldn't be any difference. However, I will note that whatever they do in their personal lives is up to them. It shouldn't be any of our business yet somehow it always is. To be fair, what Spitzer and Vitter did was illegal, both should resign and let people move on. Both betrayed the publics trust and both, in my view, are cut from the same mold.
Yet, look at the vast differences of attention Spitzer and Vitter have received.
Vitter gets a standing ovation from the GOP after admitting that he had "sinned," notice never fully admitting to any sexual affairs, while Spitzer immediately admits to being involved in the scandal, says he sorry and the NY GOP is calling for his resignation within 48 hours or face impeachment hearings. So, who is really getting a difference in attention? Very similar scandals here. Both are elected officials, both betrayed their wives, their families, their faith and their office. One is celebrated and one is chastised. Who goes to jail and who gets the "harsh media coverage?"
*Update:
Oh no! What's this? "When Rush Limbaugh was investigated under the money-laundering laws for "structuring" the cash withdrawals he used to feed his narcotics habit, he was outraged, and many of his political buddies, in Red Blogistan and elsewhere, shared his outrage. I wonder whether Rush and his friends will be equally upset now that Elliot Spitzer has been caught in the same trap, though with respect to a different vice?"
So druggie, fat ass Rush Limbaugh gets busted for drugs by being tipped off for money structuring and it's a vast left wing conspiracy...aaahhh I see. The sun is shining here. Is it shining where you are?
2 comments:
The names listed on my blog wasn't intended to be a comprehensive list, Christopher. It was a stream-of-consciousness list. It's true that I, in your words left out 'quite a few scandalized Republicans.'
I did notice that you glossed right over the Democrats I named as corrupt. I'll take that as a stipulation.
Ronnie Earle's prosecution of DeLay was, to a large degree, politically motivated. While it's certainly true that two of his aides were convicted in the Abramoff scandal, it has never been proven, to my knowledge, that DeLay did anything improper.
Re: David Vitter, his behavior may indeed be shady, but it is much different from the Spitzer case.
For the record, I'm not sure that visiting a prostitute is that big of a deal. I didn't think it was a big deal when Bob Livingston did it. I didn't care about Vitter doing it. I wasn't surprised that the Governor of New York does it, either.
My list isn't comprehensive either. It only includes elected Republicans and not Republican political appointees. I don't recall glossing over the Dems you mentioned. In fact I stated that Harry Reid never took a penny from Jack Abramoff. As far as Jefferson goes, yeah he should resign and go far far away. But not one single Democrat took a penny from Jack Abramoff.
DeLay was one of the most politically corrupt people to ever serve in the US House. He's still indicted awaiting trial and now, not surprisingly, a Fox News contributor. He's not been cleared. He's very much part of the Culture of Corruption the Republicans ushered in in 1994.
How is David Vitter any different than Spitzer? Both elected officials, one the highest elected official and the other the second highest elected official, both caught purchasing prostitutes. There really isn't much difference at all. Other than Vitter gets a standing ovation and Spitzer does the right thing by resigning.
I think personal lives ought to be left at that. But when a public official does something illegal, such as buying a prostitute, then yes it should become public and that official should resign. But if a public official doesn't do anything illegal and just likes women, then that's up to him and is really no one else's business. My humble opinion of course.
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