Lame duck: An elected official still in office after losing re-election.
Bob Ney: An elected official clinging to office after admitting to bribery charges.
After months of holding out and denying charges, Ney confessed to accepting free meals, trips and other perks in exchange for lobbying on behalf of the lobbyist.
Republican leaders have publicly stated they think Ney should resign and some others ' including Joy Padgett, the Republican trying to fill his seat ' went so far as to say the House should oust him if he doesn't resign voluntarily.
Congressman Ney has only, so far, resigned from several committee positions instead of leaving Washington altogether.
Democrats continue to use the corruption scandals to empower their base and are poised to reclaim a majority in both houses of Congress. If Republicans want to retain any power, they need to take care of one of their own and distance themselves from his serious lapse of judgment.
But his resignation would be a victory for both parties and, more importantly, the voters at large.
Washington needs an ethics cleansing and Ney needs to kick it off by stepping down. The entire establishment would take a step up.
17 Archives
Rep. NeyG
