Eric Massa (D) New York announced his resignation from the House of Representatives and he refuses to go quietly into that good night.
It is reminiscent of the politics of Huey Long, the dictatorial governor of Louisiana in the 1930s. He tried to build a power base on corruption and thuggery. Intimidation and threats brought votes into line. Obama's Administration has used Long style tactics against American political figures. Finally one spoke up against the socialization of America and he got punished.
Accusations against Massa stem from an incident at a wedding this year. Massa attended with his wife, drank, danced with the bride and bridesmaid (who was evidently attractive.) Massa then sat at a table filled with his staffers, all male. Bawdy conversation insued, the end of which featured Massa grasping the male staffer nearest him, tussling his hair, and saying that he (Massa) ought to be having intercourse with him (the staffer.) Massa claims that he then figured out that he was inappropriate and left the wedding.
House investigators jumped on the case immediately. Then Democrats broke precedent by discussing details of an investigation before its conclusion. Massa believes that he was set up because he was a barrier preventing the passage of Obamacare.
Raunchy? Yup. Does it rise to Ted Kennedy levels of indecent behavior? Hardly. There could be more to this story of sexual inappropriateness, but let's assume for a second that this incident is all Massa has "committed."
Massa's resignation did not come with the sheepish claim of wanting to spend more time with his family. The Navy veteran launched broadsides at an administration and congressional leadership who indulged in repeated and blatant attempts to bully and intimidate the fiscal conservative Democrat. This included pointed snubs by Democratic leaders in the House of Representatives and an expletive filled shouting match between Massa and Emmanuel after Massa voted against cap and trade.
Democratic leaders have lost their minds. They focused almost singlehandedly on the health care issue to the exclusion of a poor economy and bad unemployment, foreign affairs, and a wide variety of other issues. Sure they sent Joe Biden to the Middle East, but he is the least respected member of this administration.
Massa is leaving, meaning that Republicans may regain the seat in fall. The noise he makes going out the door is the story of the day. It comes at the worst possible time for the "party of compassion" as they try to meet their own deadline to pass the bill.
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