I always like to see a good maverick get some decent press. Is this another sign of the impending democratic apocalypse, do you suppose?

From today's Washington Post:

"Party Loyalist Criticizes Leadership on Conduct Standards

By Juliet Eilperin
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, February 17, 2003; Page A29

For years, Rep. Joel Hefley (R-Colo.) toed the Republican Party line, crusading against President Bill Clinton's health care system and voting for lower taxes. But this year Hefley, who chairs the House ethics committee, became a rebel, criticizing his own leadership for watering down House ethics standards and awarding committee chairmanships on the basis of fundraising and personal ties.

The fact that Hefley, after two years as chairman of the ethics panel, is publicly questioning House leaders' conduct could have profound implications for how the panel enforces ethics standards for members. For years leaders put loyalists on the panel, relying on them to either protect their party's interests or quietly dispose of cases where there was blatant wrongdoing."

Read the rest of the article here:

Republican House Ethics Committee Chair article