High Standards

Remember back when you had to not be an adulterous mistress-strangler before you could get the President of the United States to want you in Congress?

WHITE HOUSE President Bush is campaigning for two G-O-P lawmakers today, as Republicans struggle to maintain their grip on Congress.
The president's speaking at a fund-raiser for Virginia Senator George Allen in Richmond, and one for Pennsylvania Congressman Don Sherwood at Keystone College.

Allen's been battling allegations he used racist language and liked Confederate symbols -- after being caught on tape calling an opponent's election worker "macaca." In a recent poll, Allen and Democrat Jim Webb were neck-and-neck.

Meantime, Sherwood's been in trouble since admitting a lengthy affair with a much younger woman -- and settling a lawsuit claiming he choked her. In a heavily Republican district, a recent poll gave challenger Chris Carney an edge.

Press Secretary Tony Snow says Bush has no qualms about helping either candidate.

As to Sherwood, Snow says Bush believes "we're all sinners" who deserve forgiveness.

Forgiveness is one thing. The honor of a seat in the Congress, and the responsibility of making decisions on behalf of the sovereign People of the United States and his district is quite another.

"We're all sinners" would be an appropriate response if someone had asked why the President wasn't joining in a chorus of condemnation of these characters. It's no explanation for why the President is bringing the prestige of his office to campaign for them. Is he really trying to make us believe that Allen and Sherwood display the kind of character that "counts", the kind we want in our government? Of course not.

Wouldn't it have been nice if they'd respected us enough to just say, "Look, they're Republicans, and they can be expected to vote for the President's programs. That's all that matters" instead of this crock about forgiveness? Do they have to spin and lie about everything?