So, former top gun Randy "Duke" Cunningham, an eight-term Republican member of Congress from San Diego, has pleaded guilty to bribery charges and resigned his office in disgrace.
"The truth is I broke the law, concealed my conduct, and disgraced my office," the 63-year-old Republican said at a news conference. "I know that I will forfeit my freedom, my reputation, my worldly possessions, most importantly, the trust of my friends and family."Investigators said Cunningham, a member of a House Appropriations subcommittee that controls defense dollars, secured contracts worth tens of millions of dollars for those who paid him off. Prosecutors did not identify the defense contractors.
Cunningham was charged in a case that grew out of an investigation into the sale of his home to a defense contractor at an inflated price.
In court documents, prosecutors said Cunningham admitted receiving at least $2.4 million in bribes paid in a variety of forms, including checks totaling over $1 million, cash, antiques, rugs, furniture, yacht club fees and vacations.
John at Blogs of War rants thusly:
I'd like to look to Washington and see a hint of integrity, men and women with real ideas founded on firm principals, but I just don't see it. They all, Republicans and Democrats alike, continue to spew the same truth-obscuring white noise and line their pockets.
Kathryn Jean Lopez at NRO fears wider damage.
Get clean or meet your electoral doom, guys. I wouldn't care so much (about Republicans losing--taking bribes and lying about it we can all hate) if it weren't ideas that are ultimately the casualties (and some pretty big ones when you consider some of the nonsense that goes on there and issues in the hopper). Numbers do sometimes matter. Even in the Senate. Nevermind honesty and responsibility in government.
Ideas and issues seem to the last thing on Republicans' minds right now, and haven't been seen in the Democratic Party in years.
2005 is going down as an inglorious year for the Republican Party in general, and crippling for the notion of honest, capable, conservative government in particular. All this while we fight a war for our lives.
Anyone interested in forming a third party? Let's call it the Reality Party and start building.
Posted by Alan at November 28, 2005 08:20 PM