Executive Branch

The Sunday shows break their three-week losing streak, and actually ask a Watchdog question.

On ABC's This Week, George Stephanopoulos asked Sen. John Ensign if the GOP had a double standard by pressuring Sen. Larry Craig to resign but rallying around Sen. David Vitter:

...Vitter openly admits he broke the law and solicited prostitutes. Others serving in Congress have at the moment have pleaded guilty to misdemeanors of more import than disorderly conduct without being forced to resign. If morality and credibility are at issue, why isn't Vitter being held to that standard? What's the answer?

Ensign held on to the slim reed that Craig entered a guilty plea and Vitter had not. Talking Points Memo's Steven Benen notes that Vitter "would have been subject to criminal charges, but the statute of limitations ran out" and "the whole argument seems premised on strained legalisms."

In contrast, CBS' Face The Nation was horrible in its treatment of Iraq. more »

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Every Friday in our Weekend Watchdog feature, we post suggested questions for scheduled Sunday guests. You can add your own questions in the comment thread. We'll also include contact information for the shows, so we can let them know what their viewers want asked.

And on Sunday at 4 PM ET, tune in to Air America Radio's "Seder on Sundays" program, where I'll offer the Weekend Watchdog Wrap-Up.

For National Republican Senatorial Committee Chair John Ensign, R-Nev. (ABC's This Week): When Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, was snared by a sex scandal, senate Republicans moved to launch investigations, strip him of committee assignments and (successfully it appears) pressure him to resign.

But when Sen. David Vitter, R-La., was snared by a sex scandal, Senate Republicans rallied around and showered him with applause.

Why did your party treat the two differently? Is because Craig is apparently gay and Vitter is not? Or is it that Craig would likely be replaced by a Republican, and Vitter a Democrat? more »

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