Smart politics

Democrats in the House are doing something very smart on ethics reform (assuming they can maintain control of the process.) The plan is to build the various elements of an ethics reform bill one by one, allowing open debate on each issue, gifts, earmarks, trips, etc.

But the really brilliant part is that each element is to be introduced by a new 2006 Congressperson and they will be featured/ prominent in the debates. Logically, they would have the weakest seats for reelection so allowing them to take the now multiple lead positions on ethics issues will give each of them something to show the folks back home. "I said I was about cleaning up Congress, and here's what I did."

Very smart. (assuming they can control the process.)

AND, Notice how Hillary Clinton's ridiculous spending in this election (although alot of it was spent with and eye on 2008,) is already being used against her.

"Donors, like voters, increasingly expect candidates to exercise fiscal discipline,” said Mark McKinnon, an adviser to Senator John McCain,..."

Also: The Republican lame duck will likely leave $500 billion in contentious spending bills for the new Dem Congress, "Other stuff may get pushed off the table," said GOP lobbyist Hazen Marshall, a former longtime Capitol Hill aide. "It kills (Democrats') message."