GOP Sounds Theme of Democrats: Ethics

Congressional Republicans learned the hard way in 2006 that ethics transgressions and outright corruption could be molded into a potent campaign message.

Now they are trying to turn the tables on Democrats who pressed a good-government theme in their successful drive to recapture Congress.

Spurred by a surprise election victory against an indicted House Democrat, the expanding ethics inquiry involving a powerful Democratic chairman and now the scandal over the Illinois Senate seat, Republicans are emphasizing that the majority party should be held to its pledge to clean up Washington.

Read more: (Carl Hulse, “G.O.P. Sounds Theme of Democrats: Ethics,” The New York Times, 12/12/08)