Opinion: Stop, Congress, what’s that sound?

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As the noted political philosopher Stephen Stills taught us, paranoia strikes deep. Has it crept into the life of advocates to an end of the “culture of corruption” in Congress?

Democracy 21, a watchdog group that endorsed the ethics bill passed by Congress by veto-proof Mom-and-Apple-Pie margins, is yelping about the possibility that President Bush might veto the legislation. The New York Times editorial page is likewise telling its readers to be afraid, very afraid that ‘the White House might think it’s doing its Republican brethren a favor, by denying the Democratic leadership a big legislative win and ensuring that the torrent of lobbyist largess continues to flow in this campaign season.”

Even the paranoid have real enemies, and it’s true that the administration has raised ‘serious concerns’ about the bill’s imperfections, including a provision that gives congressional leaders (i.e., Democrats) too much discretion in deciding whether those hated earmarks are disclosed. It’s also a fact that the Wall Street Journal has been plumping for a veto. Maybe, just maybe, a veto would be Karl Rove’s parting shot.

But does Bush really want to be less Catholic than Congress’ “college of cardinals” when it comes to exorcising the ghosts of Jack Abramoff and Duke Cunningham? A president who has been sparing in the use of his veto power would look peculiar blocking a measure that holds another branch of government to a higher standard. Besides, it’s not as if Scooter Libby asked Bush to veto the bill.