BULLETIN – AT 1:01 P.M. ET:  News organizations are reporting that Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) will resign his seat in the House this afternoon.  This will probably end his career in politics, but open possibilities in fine-art photography. 

The move was inevitable.  Democrats were about to strip – no pun intended – Weiner of his committee assignments, leaving him powerless in the House.

But a sense of outrage must fill many observers, for the hypocrisy here is overwhelming.  Weiner's wife is a top aide to Hillary Clinton, and it's widely reported that the Clintons are "livid" over Weiner, and refuse to support or even talk to him.  Really?  It wasn't long ago that Bill Clinton was seeking support on a sex charge, and found it.  But he was the president.  Weiner is only a member of Congress.

And what about all those Democratic representatives who've gotten away with outrageous ethics violations?  Charlie Rangel still sits in the House, reelected.  Maxine Waters still sits, and would be reelected easily.  The late Congressman Gerry Studds of Massachusetts was indeed censured by the House for improper sexual activity with a House page, but remained seated.  Something isn't right here. 

June 16, 2011