The DNC's Brad Woodhouse makes the same point as Jed over at Daily KOS -- Party of Vitter, Ensign, and Sanford wants Massa investigation Hotlist:
Never mind that within Republican ranks sit the following incumbents:
- David "Diapers" Vitter
- John "I screwed my top aide's wife (and she was also a staffer!)" Ensign
- Mark "Hiking the Appalachian Argentine Trail" Sanford
Never mind that just 48 hours ago Republican House Leader John Boehner's leadership office was embracing Eric Massa's conspiracy theory and telling people to watch Glenn Beck to find out all about it.
Forget all that, because Republicans are now positioning themselves as the voices of truth and righteous indignation on all matters sexual -- as long as they have to do with former members of Congress...from the Democratic Party:
GOP wants Massa ethics probe reopened
WASHINGTON — House Minority Leader John Boehner wants the House ethics panel probe of former Rep. Eric Massa to be reopened.
The Ohio Republican said Thursday there are many unanswered questions surrounding the sexual harassment allegations that were made against the New York Democrat. Boehner (BAY'nur) said he plans to file a House resolution on the matter later Thursday.
As Woodhouse stated in this interview, some of those stones are going to come back at them. Sadly as Steve Benen noted, the media is more than happy to help the Republicans along.
WHERE'S OUR ENSIGN FRENZY?.... Matt Yglesias highlights an important double standard: "sex scandals aren't interesting when they involve Republicans."
Interestingly John Ensign, like David Vitter but unlike Elliot Spitzer or Eric Massa, hasn't yet been driven from public life.
I continue to find the trend fascinating. Sen. John Ensign (R) of Nevada is caught in a truly humiliating sex scandal -- and remember, the media generally loves political sex scandals -- involving a shameless hypocrite, who ran on a "family-values" platform, committing adultery with one of his own aides, who happens to be married to another aide. The scandal involves the immediate affair, plus alleged ethics violations, hush money, and official corruption.
And yet, no media frenzy. No reporters staked out in front of Ensign's home. No op-eds speculating about the need for Ensign to resign in disgrace.
Woodhouse made all the right points here. Sadly they're falling on deaf ears. As the Republicans are howling about Eric Massa with the media's help, it appears John Ensign's troubles are getting worse -- Emails Shed New Light On Ensign's Efforts On Hampton's Behalf.
