Jefferson Ousted From Committee By Dems

Rep. William Jefferson [D-La.] has been ousted from his seat on the House Ways and Means Committee by his fellow Democrats. The Democratic House Caucus stripped Jefferson of his seat in a 99-58 vote. This move by the Democrats must now be approved by the full House of Representatives. Jefferson has vowed to fight this move on the House floor, saying the removal was unfair and racially motivated.

The Democrats really had no choice in this matter. Jefferson has been caught on tape accepting a $100,000 bribe. Federal officers also found $90,000 hidden in the freezer at Jefferson's home. Although he has not yet been indicted, everyone believes there will be an indictment soon.

The Democrats are trying to win this fall by painting the Republicans as ethically-challenged due to their many problems with bribes and illegal campaign funds. This cannot be done if they allow members of their own party to maintain important posts after learning of similar misdeeds. The party cannot campaign on ethics unless they are willing to hold their own members to a high ethical standard.

Now that they have dealt with Jefferson, what about Senator Harry Reid [D-Nv.]? Senator Reid sees nothing wrong with accepting gifts from people who have business before him. He accepted and used tickets to a very popular boxing match while the Senate was pondering a law that would affect boxing. How can a gift that you really like and that you use, not affect you in at least a small way? This was an ethically stupid blunder. Reid refuses to acknowledge this. His refusal to acknowledge and apologize for his ethical lapse, while in a party leadership position, makes the whole party look bad. Maybe it is time to elect a new minority leader.