Inside the Beltway. . . and Out

House and Senate Republicans are falling apart under the growing weight of all the scandals -- Frist, DeLay, Scooter, Rove, rampant cronyism -- and Bush's falling approval ratings as a result of his war in Iraq. Tuesday's election results, in which Democrats won Virginia and New Jersey governor races and California rejected all four of Arnold's ballot initiatives, was the final straw.

As the Washington Post reported today, moderate Republicans joined with Democrats to stop legislation in the House and in the Senate and to tell Bush and the conservatives that their spending priorities and desire for even more tax cuts for the wealthy were out of sync with America's needs. The moderate Republicans are no longer afraid to buck Bush.

"The fractures were always there. The difference was the White House was always able to hold them in line because of perceived power," said Tony Fabrizio, a Republican pollster. "After Tuesday's election, it's 'Why are we following these guys? They're taking us off the cliff.' "

Also, the Post today reports that indicted former Republican Majority Leader Tom DeLay tried to make a plea deal after he made damaging admissions to the prosecuter that he was indeed aware of and indeed supported the transfer of $190,000 in corporate funds to and from the Republican National Committee to evade the law. He was willing to plead guilty to a misdemeanor so he could keep his Republican leadership job. House rules say Members have to relinquish leadership jobs if they are indicted for felonies, but they don't have to step down if indicted for mere misdemeanors.

Well, that's all to be expected.

Are you as tired of the Republican culture of corruption as I am?

I work in DC and lobby Congress and the Administration, so I have to put up with it. But this weekend, I am going to put it out of my mind, and just ride and have fun.

I am looking forward to taking the old Harley into the Virginia countryside. Maybe I'll ride through Central Virginia or over to the Blue Ridge Mountains to see some of the changing leaves before they are all gone. But where ever I end up riding this weekend, it will be good. The weather forecasts are for sunny skies and crisp temperatures. Nice Fall weather.

I hope you can get out and enjoy the weekend, whether inside the Beltway or out. And let's just not think about Republicans for a while.