Political Cortex: Brain Food for the Body Politic

First, there is indicted Republican former House Majority Leader Tom Delay who has a long list of ethical and perhaps legal infractions of which he can boast on his 'resume of corruption'. His latest addition to that tome includes the revelation that some Delay-Abramoff emails included discussions of one of Delay's golf vacation's true costs:

Aides to Tom DeLay "had reason to know they were not reporting the full costs of a lobbyist-paid trip to Scotland and London in travel disclosure forms filed with the House clerk in 2000." The e-mails, "sent between DeLay's chief of staff at the time and Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff, stated that Abramoff's lobbying firm, Preston Gates, had calculated the total cost of the 10-day trip at $75,000, the Associated Press said. But DeLay and two aides who accompanied him on the trip -- Susan Hirschmann and Tony Rudy -- signed disclosure forms stating the trip cost about $70,000."

And on the other side of the aisle, there is Democratic Rep. William Jefferson who is wrapped up in this:

On Wednesday [May 3rd] the chief executive of a Louisville-based telecommunications firm pleaded guilty to paying more than $400,000 in bribes to a congressman in a case stemming from the Jefferson investigation.

Prosecutors said Vernon Jackson, 53, funneled money over a four-year period into a company controlled by the congressman's wife in exchange for help promoting his company's technology in Africa.

In January a former legislative director for Jefferson pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting bribery of a public official and conspiracy.

So how does each party deal with its putrid little pests?

Well, the Republicans tried to change the rules to protect Tom Delay:

House Republicans proposed changing their rules [Prior to Delay's indictment] to allow members indicted by state grand juries to remain in a leadership post, a move that would benefit Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) in case he is charged by a Texas grand jury that has indicted three of his political associates, according to GOP leaders.

In stark contrast, Democratic House Leader Pelosi has called for an ethics investigation into William Jefferson:

The AP reports House Minority leader Nancy Pelosi said Democratic Rep. William Jefferson "should be investigated by the House ethics committee...following the second guilty plea from a federal probe of alleged bribery involving the Louisiana congressman."

So the Republicans seek to change the rules in order to protect their political filth, while the Democrats call for investigations in order to fairly and effectively weed theirs out.

Bottom Line

Republicans: Protect their filth
Democrats: Eliminate their filth

Bottom-Bottom Line

Republicans: filthy
Democrats: Clean

The difference couldn't be cleaner... uh... clearer.