Pelosi told to conduct PMA investigation by … the New York Times?
posted at 10:01 am on April 2, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
The New York Times editorial board usually occupies a position in American politics just slightly to the right of Code Pink, so when they take up a cause championed by Jeff Flake, it’s newsworthy. The Gray Lady scolds Nancy Pelosi for blocking efforts to conduct an ethics investigation into the connections that the PMA Group had in the House, including with Democratic heavyweights John Murtha and Pete Visclosky. The editors just can’t bring themselves to credit Flake while doing so, though:
Speaker Nancy Pelosi should listen to the wise Democrats who are pushing for an ethics inquiry into the far-too-cozy relationship between lawmakers and the PMA Group of superlobbyists.
Which “wise Democrats” would that be? Flake has had to submit a bill six times just to get 25 Democrats to join him; originally he only had four. “The wise Democrats” make it sound as though Flake’s 25 comprise all the wisdom of the House Democratic Caucus. Well, okay, they may be right about that …
Beyond the criminal investigation, the House needs to look into any violations of its own ethics rules. And the Democrats need to deliver on their party’s ethics promises — and more and more of them know it.
Yeah, so far, 25 of them know it. But the Times is right about the House taking care of it themselves, especially since Nancy Pelosi joined in a lawsuit to keep the FBI from using material seized from William “Dollar Bill” Jefferson a few years ago. She explicitly argued that the House had jurisdiction in these cases. If that’s the case, then Pelosi needs to exercise it.
Ms. Pelosi cannot ignore this sorry churn of taxpayer money.
She’s been ignoring it for over two years now.
Newcomers and moderates are right in warning that if the House majority doesn’t police itself, it will lose credibility all the way to the next election.
“Newcomers and moderates”, but not Flake and the Republicans? Does the Times actually pay correspondents to report from Washington any longer? Maybe they can just start reading The Hill.
I’m glad to see the Times’ belated effort to find accountability for Democratic corruption … after the election.
Blowback
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I loathe the MSM.
ex-Democrat on April 2, 2009 at 10:05 AM
Whoa, I guess that’s what happens when the NYT gets dissed by Obambi!
ctmom on April 2, 2009 at 10:05 AM
One of the most corrupt and unethical politicians in history is going to oversee an ethics investigation. Politics is such a waste of good air.
volsense on April 2, 2009 at 10:05 AM
They’re risking their bailout money.
I’ll miss the Sunday edition.
Made a great doorstop.
profitsbeard on April 2, 2009 at 10:05 AM
I bet it pained the editors to let this story get into print.
Vashta.Nerada on April 2, 2009 at 10:07 AM
Damn, when did Flake become a Democrat?
danking70 on April 2, 2009 at 10:08 AM
“It just might take a women to clean the House”
-Nancy Pelosi.
canopfor on April 2, 2009 at 10:09 AM
Looks like the NYT is trying to write Republicans right out. Like they don’t even exist.
Amazing.
rockmom on April 2, 2009 at 10:09 AM
Marxist Mouthpiece Socialist Media!
canopfor on April 2, 2009 at 10:10 AM
What’s with all the eye shadow.
MarcusBrody on April 2, 2009 at 10:12 AM
Far too little and far too late, NYTimes. I will celebrate the day Rupert Murdoch buys you out.
rbj on April 2, 2009 at 10:13 AM
I can never say it enough, I love that Jeff Flake, or as the Times calls him, wise Democrats.
myrenovations on April 2, 2009 at 10:13 AM
That’s a bad idea. Who will they blame when everything goes badly?
Doughboy on April 2, 2009 at 10:16 AM
The only way this rag saves itself is to expose the charlatan in chief as a usurper, but considering how this rag loved ol’ Uncle Joe back in the day I will not hold my breath.
NY TImes = Pravda
calguyintexas on April 2, 2009 at 10:17 AM
President George W. Bush. Who else?
calguyintexas on April 2, 2009 at 10:18 AM
Is there any way that we can have the the Flakes of this country run as Democrats in Blue states? 35% of the voting population votes for Democrats not knowing what they stand for. Conservatives will seek out and vote for conservative candidates.
WashJeff on April 2, 2009 at 10:19 AM
It might take a woman to clean up the house, but only a political whore can make it this dirty. That woman needs to go!
bopbottle on April 2, 2009 at 10:20 AM
What’s to investigate?
We were told by Madame Speaker that this is the most ethical Congress ever.
Now…about those alleged ACORN investigations that Conyers wants to get started. Another whitewash in the making, as well?
coldwarrior on April 2, 2009 at 10:20 AM
Pffft! The Slimes is only worried about the Communists losing their majority in 2010, they couldn’t care less about the “taxpayer’s money.”
Bishop on April 2, 2009 at 10:21 AM
Wouldn’t work. We have far too many stupid Republicans who would attack them for being party jumpers, flip floppers, position changers, opportunists, etc.
myrenovations on April 2, 2009 at 10:23 AM
all of Congress needs to go. I’m at the point where i believe that NO law is worth their time there. and each & every one of them has voted to waste my money somewhere.
kelley in virginia on April 2, 2009 at 10:26 AM
Del Dolemonte on April 2, 2009 at 10:26 AM
She has to ignore the allegations, otherwise she can’t claim the “most ethical congress” evah!
rightside on April 2, 2009 at 10:26 AM
I’m sure she will get right on this as soon as she is done with the Charlie Rangel investigation…whatever happened to that?
AmericanUnderground on April 2, 2009 at 10:28 AM
Miss the Palin Pix.
Christian Conservative on April 2, 2009 at 10:28 AM
I am so with you on that, fellow virginian!
rightside on April 2, 2009 at 10:28 AM
I saw this little story from the Hill:
Xiphos on April 2, 2009 at 10:28 AM
and rightside: at the tea party (whether i go to c-ville or richmond), i’m planning to carry a “dump congress” sign)
kelley in virginia on April 2, 2009 at 10:29 AM
I’m sure that not even lorien1973 would hit that.
rbj on April 2, 2009 at 10:30 AM
Adios NYT, the reaper is coming…
Theworldisnotenough on April 2, 2009 at 10:31 AM
When? where? any link you can post?
rightside on April 2, 2009 at 10:32 AM
What’s amazing, is that Republicans don’t exist right now. We have Limbaugh, Hannity, Levin, and other mouth pieces doing what Republican elected officials are refusing to do. Take a principled position, offering an alternate vision from that of the big brother Libs, and proudly take that program to the people hard & heavy. Republicans should also be pointing out to the nation, abuses of power by the Libs, corruption, the Piglets refusal to follow through on her promise to bring integrity back to Congress; the list of material is endless right now, and Republicans remain silent. This is really amazing to watch.
Keemo on April 2, 2009 at 10:33 AM
Ed, I won’t even give the Times that much satisfaction. This is a case of the Times figuring that Flake has a better than 50-50 chance of getting his amendment attached to something. So it boils down to ‘better you burn the bridge of your choice than have your enemy pick it for you.’ They are merely suggesting it better to pick your appointed hour. That way you have some control of the outcome.
Dr. Dog on April 2, 2009 at 10:33 AM
Ed, once again you miss the “nuance”. In Nancy’s world, only Republicans are corrupt. Ergo, anyone with a (D) by their name is innocent of any wrongdoing, therefore saving taxpayer money from being used in worthless investigations.
GarandFan on April 2, 2009 at 10:34 AM
My Parrot will miss crapping on the Times.
marklmail on April 2, 2009 at 10:34 AM
Maybe at some point, they should get around to investigating Fannie and Freddie.
lorien1973 on April 2, 2009 at 10:35 AM
Save a forest, let the print media die.
See, I’m a green minded Conservative…
Keemo on April 2, 2009 at 10:36 AM
that’s like Bubba Clinton taking credit for Welfare Reform, even though he vetoed it the 1st 2 times it was brought to him (he finally signed it during an election year).
jgapinoy on April 2, 2009 at 10:37 AM
Agree! If we lose a few good ones in order to clean the whole place up, so be it. Incumbants must go and then we must amend the Constitution to establish term limits. Perhaps that should be the goal of the coming Tea Parties.
Christian Conservative on April 2, 2009 at 10:37 AM
But the point is that Jeff Flake exists! He may be a lonely crusader for truth right now, but that is no reason for the Times to just airbrush him out of this story like some Soviet Pravda. This would not BE a story without Republicans like Flake pushing it.
It is better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness. But if the media refuse to tell the public about the candle, they will continue to see only darkness.
rockmom on April 2, 2009 at 10:37 AM
That investigation is set to begin in 2013.
myrenovations on April 2, 2009 at 10:39 AM
http://taxdayteaparty.com/teaparty/virginia/
Christian Conservative on April 2, 2009 at 10:41 AM
Doesn’t it make you wonder what the FBI is doing to protect the citizens. What happened to all of the checks & balances that were put in place to protect the citizens from corrupt politicians and corrupt government agencies? How can Sandy Berger steal from a sacred top secret storage facility, and walk away with no consequences? How can Murtha stuff his safe with dirty cash and suffer no consequences. I don’t care if they have an (R) or a (D) next to their name, we have (had) checks & balances in place to deal with these issues, knowing that these issues would certainly be in play.
Keemo on April 2, 2009 at 10:41 AM
Well, Freddie Mercury is dead…and left a legacy of some great music behind.
As for Fanny…how old is Fanny Fox, the former DC stripper, these days? What’s she done since skinny dipping in the Tidal Basin with Arkansas Democrat Wilbur Mills?
Don’t think the most ethical Speaker, evah, and the most ethical Congress, evah, is going to attempt to stir up the past and do anything about Freddie and Fanny at this late stage of the game.
coldwarrior on April 2, 2009 at 10:42 AM
That’s not entirely true. Michelle Bachmann’s been out there attacking Geitner. Bobby Jindal came out recently and encouraged Republicans to hope for the failure of Obama’s policies. Judd Gregg has repeatedly hammered the administration. Boehner, McConnell, Cantor, Ryan, and other top GOP congress members have been openly critical of the President.
The problem is the media is either ignoring them or painting them as obstructionists. Bachmann has become public enemy #1 over on MSNBC(which is a badge of honor in some ways).
People need to calm down. The GOP for the most part is in fact fighting this administration and this congress. The problem is they don’t have the votes to stop anything. And the media has no need to even acknowledge their existence until the midterms get closer. It sucks being totally powerless while witnessing our country’s demise from within, but it would be a lot more productive to remain united as conservatives and not turn on each other.
Doughboy on April 2, 2009 at 10:42 AM
rockmom on April 2, 2009 at 10:37 AM
Good points, all…
Keemo on April 2, 2009 at 10:43 AM
This is an unreal universe that we live in. MSM and Congress live in a bubble. Just ignore the republicans or slime them.
Ed, why the picture of Carrie Fisher?
carbon_footprint on April 2, 2009 at 10:44 AM
Thanks!
rightside on April 2, 2009 at 10:45 AM
Don’t insult my darling Carrie.
LimeyGeek on April 2, 2009 at 10:47 AM
The NY Times held out as long as it could.
Mickey Kaus (Daily Kos) called Pelosi out on this almost 2 weeks ago.
When hard core liberals start calling out their own constituents,it usually is a sign that guilt is beyond question so they are now trying to look ethical and noble.
Going after Blago was easy for liberals but exposed their typical hypocrisy by giving a pass to the Rangels,Dodds,Barney Franks,and Emanuels(“Freezer”Jefferson had to be voted out,not disciplined by “the most ethical congress evaaaaaa!!!”).
This push by liberal papers,bloggers,and pundits is nothing more than trying to save face by “appearing” to clean up the swamp that democrats live and breath in.
Baxter Greene on April 2, 2009 at 10:47 AM
Doughboy on April 2, 2009 at 10:42 AM
Turning on each other is not what I’m interested in. Our elected officials need to come together as one, organize and take a principled position against the opposition and the abuses of power we are all witnessing. Our elected officials need to find a leader who has the ability to organize an opposition; this is part of their job description. We have a few who have come forward, we need the entire group to unite as a single voice.
If John McCain was the leader of the Republican Party, he would have stepped forward and united our people. He is not a leader, therefore he has served no real purpose. The people McCain surrounded himself with through the years have also remained silent for the most part. A leader must emerge from this group if we are to have representation in DC. Right now, we have a very weak opposition.
Keemo on April 2, 2009 at 10:51 AM
I wonder what editor approved they NYT coverage of this story? I bet they’re in some trouble, even though they tried to slant it as much as they could.
At best, Pelosi will launch an investigation with much fanfare, then never speak of it again. The House has important work to do, don’tcha know. Like voting themselves raises and taxing people who work for a living.
hawksruleva on April 2, 2009 at 10:51 AM
OMGOSH, Baxter, in the time it took me to log in to post, your post appeared and you have taken the words right out of my mouth.
The NYT’s reputation has taken a real beating. This is nothing more than trying to resuscitate their image as the paper of record. Notice how they managed to do this without giving Republicans any credit.
Jvette on April 2, 2009 at 10:53 AM
I agree. It’s a lot easier to rally around one person, and hopefully that man or woman will emerge soon. But this will take time. It’s only been 2 1/2 months since The One took office.
What’s encouraging is that House GOP is united against Obama’s agenda as is the Senate save for Collins, Snowe, and Specter.
What I’d like to see the GOP start doing is working with the grassroots folks. Rebuild the party from the ground up. Some of the members of Congress attending these tea parties would be a great start.
Doughboy on April 2, 2009 at 10:58 AM
We are united in truth and Freedom!!
(alright….alright,kind of cheesy but being on the same page is a sign of consistency and honesty.)
This is a little off topic but goes straight to the heart of democratic lies and corruption to push their agenda.
The Myth of 90 Percent: Only a Small Fraction of Guns in Mexico Come From U.S.
While 90 percent of the guns traced to the U.S. actually originated in the United States, the percent traced to the U.S. is only about 17 percent of the total number of guns reaching Mexico.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/elections/2009/04/02/myth-percent-guns-mexico-fraction-number-claimed/
democrats like Feinstein,Obama,Holder and Hillary have been repeating this lie for weeks trying to use Mexican violence as a way to shred our second amendment rights.
Glad to see it is being exposed in a bigger way.
Testimony on Violence in Mexico
Posted by:Sebastian on Mar 19th, 2009 |
http://rpc.blogrolling.com/redirect.php?r=503d6378b0e7bbf4f5488ec58d1fd50d&url=http%3A%2F%2Finstapundit.com%2F
Here is some corroborating testimony from the ATF on this subject also.
You really know that you have a vast amount of the press in your pocket when you can lie so boldly like this without fear of reprisals.
Baxter Greene on April 2, 2009 at 11:08 AM
You are 100% dead on as usual.
The time is perfect but the most effective Republican I have seen so far is Gregg.
He is great, but it is going to take more than him to be effective and provide a strong voice through the MSM filter of democratic activism.
Baxter Greene on April 2, 2009 at 11:14 AM
At some point you should break down the acronym PMA.
Jerricho68 on April 2, 2009 at 11:27 AM
HAHAH, I forgot about that. She should have her nose rubbed in that every. singe. day. Most ethical congress ever my a$$. She doesn’t care what any of these elected morons do, as long as they serve her special interests. Let’s see if she takes any action whatsoever on this. My bet is she pooh poohs it away just like every other deomocrat who has lined their own or someone elses pockets with our tax money.
scalleywag on April 2, 2009 at 11:38 AM
FIFY.
College Prof on April 2, 2009 at 11:53 AM
I don’t have a problem with a newspaper that has an ideological slant. Remember that before the revolution, people like Thomas Paine and Ben Franklin published tracts supporting their revolutionary ideas. The problem I have is when newspapers who claim objectivity ignore news stories that conflict with their ideology or slant stories that support their ideology.
We conservatives are having some affect though as more and more Americans are starting to see that these liberal rags are deliberately not reporting or skewing stories.
Just as they do, we must keep reiterating these things until the truth is as ingrained as the lies they spew.
Jvette on April 2, 2009 at 11:55 AM
My guess is, the hold up is due to there being so many more names that will arise out of the muck of this mess. Namely, and again…Pelosi, Reid, Schumer, Dodd, Obama.
Ethics? Does Pelosi even know the definition of the word? I ask because, she seems to have such a hard time grasping Catholic doctrine on abortion.
capejasmine on April 2, 2009 at 11:59 AM
Pity they couldn’t also push for resolution on Rangel and Jefferson, too.
That little Ethics Committee has quite a backlog and is going nowhere. Nan has effectively shut it down.
She don’t need no stinking ethics, just ask and she will tell you so.
Harry Schell on April 2, 2009 at 12:34 PM
Is he pining for the fijords?
UltimateBob on April 2, 2009 at 12:55 PM
If by some miracle this investigation goes forward, only Republicans will be implicated and forced to pay the consequences.
Iblis on April 2, 2009 at 1:08 PM
Pelosi looks like Carrie Fisher in that photo.
shick on April 2, 2009 at 1:18 PM