Liberal Repercussion

Remember Watergate?

"...The sergeant-at-arms has called in espionage experts to help in grilling dozens of Capitol staff members. But the affair is hardly comical; in fact, it is further sad evidence — as if any were needed — of the blood-sport level of partisanship in Washington.

At first, the Republican majority denied any G.O.P. complicity after the memos were leaked and published. The documents detailed how Democratic senators had strategized and consulted outside interest groups dedicated to opposing some of President Bush's more extreme judicial nominees.

But after the police moved in last week, Senator Orrin Hatch, the Utah Republican who is the Judiciary Committee's chairman, reversed himself and announced that he had been "shocked" to find out that it was a member of his own staff who had hacked into the minority's computer files.

"I am mortified," he said in acknowledging the breach of confidentiality. "There's no excuse that can justify these improper actions."

posted by Rei Toei @ 8:24 p.m.