Still Standing

By day's end, we may know if Staten Island Congressman Vito Fossella will either serve out the rest of his term, run for re-election, or quit, now or later. The details of his DWI and baby daddy saga are by now well known. Less examined, however, is the recent history of lawmakers who have faced ethical/criminal problems. Some stayed in office, some quit, but what's interesting is their sheer number, and the fact that more and more of them decide to gut it out.

Why? As in so many situations these days, the answer is often money. Scandal tainted pols like Fossella want to minimize the taint that may make it hard for them to get work after they leave office. Those K Street lobbying firms so many want to join could find issues like his toxic. However, there seems to be no taste on Capitol Hill to force problem politicians out of office.

Consider Senators David Vitter and Larry Craig. Despite Craig's arrest in an airport sex sting, and Vitter's admission of a "serious sin" involving the late DC Madam, both remain in office. Neither have had even censure resolutions brought against them by the Senate Ethics Committee.

In the House, no one has been expelled since 2002, when James Traficant was convicted of bribery, racketeering, fraud, and tax evasion. Duke Cunningham and Bob Ney both quit after pleading guilty to criminal acts. Louisiana Congressman William Jefferson, however, remains in office after being indicted on federal corruption charges. So do two Republicans, Rick Renzi and John Doolittle.

So maybe Vito Fossella's Hamlet act will last longer than we first thought.