Greg, I do not see any contradiction between our statements. According to BBC, the "gutless" fear for their personal career. This is morally wrong, but from general public's point of view, a political system should not rely solely on the moral quality of politicians. That is the original idea of "checks and balances" - now (and for a long time before) the system turns out to have the exactly opposite effect. I do not know enough about American matters to give good advice, but I encourage everyone who shouts "bad/gutless politicians!" to point out the flaws in the system as well, preferably proposing a way to improve it.