Tuesday, October 6, 2009

NV-Sen: Is Harry Reid Being Gracious to or Overly Protecting of John Ensign?

Today's Sun has a piece on Harry Reid's continuing non-aggression pact with Johnny Casino. So is it smart politics?

“They’ve given themselves enough rope. John Ensign is the best thing to happen to us in a long time,” said one Democratic source. “We’re taking the high road, and letting Republicans do the heavy lifting for us by calling for him to resign.”

Or staying wrongfully silent on a deeply disturbing crime?

Melanie Sloan, executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, said, “The rest of the country knows that Sen. Ensign’s conduct was deplorable. It shouldn’t be impossible for a member of senate leadership to say so.”

The latest allegations that Ensign helped former staffer Doug Hampton secure lobbying clients “makes it a matter well beyond the senator and his family,” she said.

So Harry Reid's being polite. Do I agree with it? No, not when there's criminal behavior involved. Frankly, he just needs to let Johnny Casino have it.

Still, I understand why Reid is letting Ensign hang himself politically. Why get too involved in something that's best left for the Republicans to destroy themselves with? And as long as Reid doesn't hinder any investigation (and so far he isn't), he's not doing anything wrong.

And hey, it's not like he was the chairman of Johnny Casino's party or proudly proclaiming that he wants his support. Sue Lowden and Lil' Tark Shark still have a lot of 'splainin' to do.

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