Quelle surprise!
You'd think every once in a while we'd get something other than the same old song and dance, eh? The Arizona Republic is reporting that Congresscritter Rick Renzi, having seemingly lost the ability to understand the mountain of evidence against him, has turned to a tactic which is growing in popularity with repugs these days - sheer denial. This practice of hanging on to power long after doing considerable damage to yourself and the reputations of those around you (see the cases of Gonzales, Alberto and Goodling, Monica) is yet another 2008 election gift for us from the party that just cannot rid itself of corruption.
Yesterday:
"For several weeks, I have been the subject of leaked stories, conjecture and false attacks about a land exchange," Renzi said in a written statement. "None of them bear any resemblance to the truth, including the rumor that I am planning on resigning."
Yet, speculation continues in Washington and locally that Rep. Renzi's time is almost up:
Since the FBI raided his family business in Sonoita last week, Renzi has made moves that could seriously hurt his ability to win re-election. He stepped down from all House committee posts, giving up some of the clout that helps incumbents bring in cash for their campaigns. He also dropped out of a GOP fundraiser that sends money to the most vulnerable incumbents. The same operation helped him fend off Democrat Ellen Simon last year.
Renzi's insistence that the resignation rumors do not have "any resemblance to the truth" seems almost laughable after the WSJ's (!) earlier reporting:
Mr. Renzi is the subject of a criminal inquiry into land deals, among other things. The Wall Street Journal reported last week that federal agents are focusing on a $200,000 cash payment Mr. Renzi received from a former business partner in 2005 following a land sale that was to be part of a proposed government land-exchange bill.
It should also be noted that Renzi has retained Phoenix attorney Grant Woods, as well as Washington, D.C. law firm Nixon Peabody LLP to help him with his growing legal troubles. Since Rep. Renzi only squeaked by with a win last election cycle, local Democrats are starting to line up for a shot at him:
Possible Democratic contenders include former Casa Grande Mayor Bob Mitchell, real estate developer and former state Democratic Party Chairman Jim Pederson, Sedona attorney Ellen Simon, Pinal County Attorney Carter Olson and former Phoenix TV news reporter Mary Kim Titla. Simon ran against Renzi in 2006 and Bob Mitchell is the brother of Tempe/Scottsdale Congressman Harry Mitchell.
Making sure these criminals are held to account for their actions is obviously a priority. Sure, in the short term, a resignation would be great. We'd have one more vote in the House towards ending this war and one more crook booted from the halls of Congress. That said - could Renzi possibly do even more damage to their side by being allowed to obstinately hang on?
If they want to bring their whole party down in flames why not let them for a little while? He'll go to jail either way, and as a result of this pattern of criminality and denial we will almost certainly see major congressional gains for Democrats in 2008 - as well as a significant advantage in the race for the Presidency.
Who won't have had enough of Republicans by then?