Is it possible that Payne was just blowing smoke to gain a $500,000 payday for his firm? Sure, but that’s still fraud, and it could also make it a violation of the Logan Act. It’s hard to imagine why someone with Payne’s connections would take that kind of risk without some sense that he had enough authority to avoid those possibilities, though. This deserves a thorough investigation, one that should be supported by all Americans.

Well, the ins and outs of the Logan Act got rather a lot of press in 2004 if you will recall.

Kerry had conducted private diplomacy with the North Vietnam, and obviously nothing happened to him

So, I would guess that most people would not fear to violate its text after Kerry broke it so brazenly. Of course Kerry was a Dem, so I guess you could argue that, as with so many other laws, it only applies to Republicans.

So how about leaving McCain off your list, until he has been charged with something.

right2bright on July 14, 2008 at 9:28 AM

Right. I guess we should all lay off Murtha too, huh? At least until he’s “charged with something?”

We don’t need to see a video tape of McCain to know he’s dirty. All you need to do is listen to his absurdly weaselish speeches, watch his amazing vomit inducing pandering of La Raza, or any of his glorious love-fests regarding his “good friend” Hillary Clinton to know the man is as dirty as they come.

But you keep hoping. Maybe the weasel will suddenly wake up one morning and realize that his job is to work for the American people, and not Mexico.

Meanwhile, avoid being hypocritical and lay off trashing the “most ethical congress in history” until they’re “actually charged with something.

For any of the new readers who don’t already know me … that last comment was sarcasm.

You know when this is said on HotAir it’s gotta be a Republican.

Nonfactor on July 13, 2008 at 5:41 PM

This is such a vapid response. When this happened before, under Clinton, we were beyond livid. By making this statement now, even though our own president (yours too I might add) might be the criminal, is to be honest.

And at least we allow that our own are worth punishing. Your kind rarely do the same.

Gregor on July 14, 2008 at 3:07 AM

Fortunately, you have to be proven guilty in this country, and not just a “will be found”.
So how about leaving McCain off your list, until he has been charged with something.
Obama, we know his loan was suspect.

There is no party for my kind.

I hope this was done without his knowledge. I eagerly await his response.

MB4 should jump in here with his parable about the dog who gives the scorpion a ride across the river. Maybe he already did and I missed it. Either way, it fits.

What I really want to know is what can regular folks do to keep such stuff from happening in Washington? What will solve this problem?

terryannonline on July 13, 2008 at 11:41 AM

Um … conservatives can start by voting for actual conservatives who represent what we’re supposed to be about. You know? People like Tom Tancredo. Instead, so-called conservatives choose to continue to vote for candidates based on who they “think has the best chance to win the general election.”

Clinton was dirty.
Bush is dirty.
McCain and Obama will continue to be proven dirty.

Keep up the good work voters. As long as voters continue to follow the “plug your nose” policy when entering the voting booths, our country will continue the fall to third-world status.

Speaking of teamwork:

freevillage on July 13, 2008 at 5:14 PM

Nonfactor on July 13, 2008 at 5:41 PM

Right… Now would you answer the question, please?

Only… because the British have a handle on the truth? What am I missing here?

Who might mount the investigation with credibility?

The Democrat controlled Congress of the United States…?

J_Gocht on July 13, 2008 at 4:39 PM

Okay fine. The British are liars. The Democrats are liars. Happy?

That doesn’t mean I’m an apologist for Republican corruption.

If anything I’d imagine this is just the tip of the iceberg. Prince Bandar bought Colin Powell an expensive car upon the latter’s retirement. Totally inappropriate.

J_Gocht, your family fought for true progressivism, not for this current wussified variation.

The terms progressive and liberal, the true ones, have been snatched by decojonified wussies, eunuchs, not the kind you and your family were/are.

Your side is always lacrima cristi.
Entelechy on July 13, 2008 at 7:34 PM

My family shall probably weep; some of my friends may weep… I shall request they exert and direct all their sorrow and tears in an effort to forward all the progressive causes, for which I have so bravely fought…!

Entelechy on July 13, 2008 at 7:34 PM

Well, maybe so…
But one thing I always thought was pretty cool about him:
At least he picked an apt user name, unlike several of our compatriots who have chosen user names which are quite the opposite of reality.

You know when this is said on HotAir it’s gotta be a Republican.

Nonfactor on July 13, 2008 at 5:41 PM

Your side is always lacrima cristi.

I feel the invasion of the body reality-snatchers.

Wasn’t news then. Don’t understand why it is now.

/sarc – off.

J_Gocht on July 13, 2008 at 6:09 PM

Speaking of teamwork:

freevillage on July 13, 2008 at 5:14 PM

Nonfactor on July 13, 2008 at 5:41 PM