What possible difference does it make if a crook is a Democrat or Republican? If either does something corrupt, call them on it. The problem, of course, is that hardcore partisans of both sides call things crooked that ain't, and ignore serious breaches, depending on which party the politician is in. My own observations is that Republican crooks outnumber the Democrat ones by about two to one, but really, a crook is a crook is a crook. I agree with Kendall -- any politician who reaches national office is more likely than not to be corrupt in some way, however small. As long as we have money mixed with our politics, many politicians will be on the take. If they aren't, they simply don't get elected because they don't have enough funds to mount a campaign.

Please stop it with the "Republicans do this!" and "Democrats do that!" As Bill says, stick to the specifics of each case. Beardedbruce, you say: If it had been a Republican, owning shares in a bank that did this, I can name a dozen here who would be shouting it to the heavens. News flash: by making this about Democrats, you are one of the fools hardcore partisans who shout to the heavens.