Rep. Darrell Issa's Devilish Political Play

Attorney General Eric Holder made an important speech at the 145th anniversary celebration of St. Mary's Episcopal Church's two weeks ago in Washington, D.C., but parishioner and Washington Post columnist Colbert I. King says Holder's words were overshadowed by petty politics from Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.). With 22 other Republican members of Congress, Issa recommended that Holder be held in contempt -- a move, says King, that is laughable and unfortunate.

He used the occasion to call for a renewed faith in the power of those values "not only to heal fresh wounds and bridge long-standing divisions but also to fuel tomorrow's progress." "Seize the opportunity," Holder said, "to look upon our nation as the founders of this church once did: seeing both its history — however imperfect — and its future of limitless promise; understanding both its weaknesses and its strengths, appreciating both the challenges we face and the infinite opportunities that lie ahead."

It was a good day.

But then, as the elders like to say, "up popped the devil." In fact, 23 devils.

Actually, they aren't devils. They are the 23-member Republican majority of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, who like to do devilish things such as recommending that the attorney general be held in contempt of Congress simply because they have the power and lust to do so.

Their pack is led by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), a headline-chasing publicity hound who never met an accusation too loopy to hurl.

Read Colbert I. King's entire piece at the Washington Post.

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