I'm having a real problem with what Arthur Davis (D-AL) is saying now on WJ

[Skidmore]

about questions around ethics and committee appointments. I feel strongly that if our party ran on the issue of ethics and we have a House Leader saying that unethical behavior or even the hint of it will not be tolerated, then we need to practice what we preach. This goes for Jefferson and the that Mllholland? guy being investigated now. Davis just said something about the congress has more important issues to deal with than debating about who's on a committee. It does matter. Besides the fact that we would not be leading by example, it also means that the work of the committee is affected by the perception that something is not right.

I really, really encourge Nancy Pelosi to think carefully about these decisions.

[On the Road]

1. Unfortunately, Ethical Problems are Too Common

to take the attitude that even a hint of corruption disqualifies a congressman for a committee or a chair. I do think that in the case of Alcee Hastings Pelosi made the right decision, and I'm glad that Congress didn't select Murtha as Majority Leader.