IS IT JUST ME? Or does anyone else suspect that maybe half the reason Hastert et al. are so in heat over the Jefferson raid has nothing to do separation of powers and something to do with the fact that if they defend Jefferson and help him stay in the House, the corruption issue doesn�t cut so cleanly for Democrats? I�m fairly certain that Pelosi and other leaders want him out. But they�re afraid to stand up to Charlie Rangel. As the senior/most influential African American House member, Charlie is the one who can cut Jefferson loose, and he should face public pressure to do so. If I still had my old New York magazine column, I know what I�d be writing this week.
--Michael Tomasky
