Putting the "up-and-up" in "corruption"

The corruption of House Republicans is now so much a part of their DNA that they no longer feel the need to disguise it.

As for Hulshof, John Feehery, a spokesman for Hastert, said there was no connection to the DeLay matter and that the speaker simply wanted fresh faces on the panel.

“It wasn’t really removing him,” said Feehery. “It was more like relieving him of his duty [emphasis, etc., added]. The Speaker doesn’t like to have people who are such talented legislators like him have to spend so much time on ethics.”

Feehery noted that Hulshof sits on the Ways and Means Committee and “is likely to play a critical role on Social Security and tax reform.

“... Ethics is more of a burden than a privilege,” Feehery added. “And the speaker likes to mix it up,” referring to Hastert’s desire to put new members on the panel.

But Hulshof said he had specifically asked Hastert to reappoint him to the panel and noted that two other GOP members who were allowed to stay—Reps. Doc Hastings, R-Wash., and Judy Biggert, R-Ill.—have served on the committee longer than he has.

Fascinating. I believe I hear the howls of a Bull Moose off in the distance.