Congressman
Mark Kirk, one of the Republican candidates for Senate to fill Barack
Obama's seat, has been "outed" by one of his primary opponents. Chicago
newspapers are rushing to condemn the accuser/candidate. So are
Republican leaders in the state. They are appalled by the accusation
and Congressman Kirk's campaign is declaring it "demeaning to the
political process."
I
don't remember any such outrage at the accusation of Governor Mark
Sanford for alleged adultery. I seem to remember newsmen and cameras
running to South America simply to confirm or deny. I don't remember
outrage over Senator Larry Craig and his "outing" for bathroom
flirtation, just more "investigating" to find the truth. The candidate
who "outed" Kirk is the least credible of those in the primary. His
record of outrageous claims makes it impossible to take him seriously
much less believe what he says. But in this case, press and Republicans
alike are rushing to pooh-pooh what, in spite of the weakness of the
messenger, has been the topic of discussion in Washington and elsewhere
for quite some time. So, where is the reporting? Where are the cameras?
The gleaning of records? The follow-up on accusations?