Former Rep. Eric Massa extends his 15 minutes of fame

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To paraphrase Shakespeare’s musings on power, nothing in Rep. Eric Massa’s political life so became him as the leaving of it.

Massa, who has resigned his seat representing New York’s Southern Tier after an ethics scandal, has extended his 15 minutes of fame by becoming a hero to some who oppose President’s Obama’s healthcare plans. Massa is making the cable television rounds.

In radio interviews over the weekend, Massa alleged that he was forced from office by House Democrats who wanted to get rid of him for his negative vote on healthcare overhaul. The freshman lawmaker did not go quietly into his political good night, attacking top Democrats including White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel.

Interviewed on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” White House spokesman Robert Gibbs on Tuesday was the latest to throw cold water on Massa’s claims.

“I think this whole story is ridiculous,” Gibbs said. “I think the latest excuse is silly and ridiculous.”
Massa won the usually Republican seat so, if anything, it seems Democrats would have wanted to keep him on in this midterm election year.

But he did vote against the healthcare bill last year and was considered a swing vote, at most, this time around. His departure drops the number of votes Democrats need in the House from 217 to 216, theoretically slightly easing the leaders’ hunt for votes.

House officials have denied Massa was forced from office for political reasons.

Massa was accused of making unseemly comments that a male staffer interpreted as harassment and complained to House leaders who launched an ethics panel probe. Massa has apologized for the comments.

-- Michael Muskal
Twitter.com/LATimesmuskal