WaPo: GOP Troubles May Hurt Bid To Retake Congress in 2008

[babylonsister]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/21/AR2007042100999.html?hpid=topnews

GOP Troubles May Hurt Bid To Retake Congress in 2008
Two Committee Resignations Put Spotlight Back on Ethics

By Jonathan Weisman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, April 22, 2007; Page A03

The abrupt resignations last week of two Republican House members from their sensitive committee assignments have thrust lingering legal and ethics issues back into the limelight, potentially complicating GOP efforts to retake Congress next year.

On successive days, Wednesday and Thursday, Reps. John T. Doolittle (Calif.) and Rick Renzi (Ariz.) disclosed FBI raids on their wives' businesses. The men proclaimed their innocence, but the raids exposed their legal jeopardy. The announcements were only the most recent in a series of developments that have kept the focus on the old ethical and legal clouds that helped chase the Republican Party from power on Capitol Hill.

Two other lawmakers face possible ethics investigations amid allegations that they pressured a U.S. attorney in New Mexico to indict Democrats before last year's fall elections.

Rep. Gary G. Miller (R-Calif.), under investigation by the FBI for a series of land deals, is now facing Democratic ads alleging that he lied about a land sale that he declined to pay taxes on.

Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-Calif.) still faces FBI scrutiny of his work as chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, and this month, his campaign filings showed that he has racked up $892,951.69 in legal fees since July. And for the first time, Rep. Tim Murphy (R-Pa.) reported significant legal fees -- $15,620.60 -- in his campaign filing this month, as he tries to stave off accusations that he used taxpayer-funded congressional staff and resources to do political work.

"Everybody's kind of a little bit numb," said Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.). "There's this, 'What else can happen now?' feeling going around here."

more...

[Nickster]

1. BWAHHAHHAAAAAA!!!! *gasp* BWAHHHAHHHHAAAA!

[madrchsod]

2. they actually think they can retake the house?

the senate is just about dam near impossible for the republicans..if they want to retake the house they better dump bush now and run to the center or they won`t see a majority for years

[hlthe2b]

3. DUH...

How can any writer/editor post that headline with anything resembling a straight face...:eyes:

[rocktivity]

4. Well, who said life was fair?

:eyes:
rocknation

[BlueManDude]

5. If Hillary is the nominee they will take back congress.

The woman is utter poison.

[LiberalFighter]

6. Do you think with the publicity on the USA's

That they are keeping their hands off of investigations by the career employees?

[gristy]

7. GOP's "bid to retake congress"???????

:rofl: The only thing they're going to retake is the dustbin of history.

[Clarkie1]

8. They should refocus their efforts on losing as few more seats as possible.

Any thoughts of retaking the House or Senate on the part of the GOP is a denial of the poltical realities.

[Ruzicka Nemchinov]

9. Greatest part of that article:

And for the first time, Rep. Tim Murphy (R-Pa.) reported significant legal fees -- $15,620.60 -- in his campaign filing this month, as he tries to stave off accusations that he used taxpayer-funded congressional staff and resources to do political work.

That's my rep and I hope the Democrats can find a crebible candidate to run againist the bastard. He's nothing but a Bushbot through and through.

[babylonsister]

12. Ruzicka Nemchinov, welcome to DU! And I for one will thoroughly

enjoy following all the rethug scandals! :toast:

[Stinky The Clown]

10. Let's not forget about Pete and Heather, either.

I'dalso love to see the Dems do something about Jefferson all on their own ....... and then go after the Repubs.

[williesgirl]

11. K&R - plus I agree w/.earlier post re Hillary - she'll energize repukes like no other

[LaPera]

13. If the Dems still haven't done anything about republican owned Diebold & ES&S anything can happen!

PAPER BALLOTS IS THE ONLY WAY...LET'S MOVE FORWARD WITH PAPER BALLOTS!

MACHINES WILL ALWAYS BE ABLE TO BE FUCKED WITH.

"IT'S NOT WHO VOTES - IT'S WHO COUNTS THE VOTES."

BECAUSE A TIDAL WAVE OF DEM SUPPORT CAME IN 2006 ELECTIONS...DEMS THINK THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS...BUT THERE WERE REPUBLICAN THEFTS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY...REPUBLICAN LOSSES WOULD OF BEEN A LOT WORST IF IT WAS FOR DIEBOLD MACHINES AROUND THE COUNTRY.

REPUBLICANS ARE PRAYING NOTHING GETS DONE BEFORE 2008. YOU CAN'T LET REPUBLICAN SLIME GET THEIR FOOT IN THE DOOR.