High-profile Dems reluctant to weigh in on San Diego mayor groping claims
By William La Jeunesse
Democrats who accused Republicans of being anti-women during last year’s campaign are strangely silent now that one of their own — San Diego Mayor Bob Filner — is accused of groping and sexually assaulting women.
“Don’t identify him as my former colleague,” an agitated House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi reportedly said Thursday night when asked about the claims against Filner.
Pelosi worked alongside Filner for 10 years in Congress. The two were founding members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and Filner was a loyal foot soldier for the House leader, having spent 20 years in Congress. On Friday, however, Pelosi said, “What goes on in San Diego is up to the people of San Diego. I’m not here to make any judgments.”
Compare that to the scandal involving Florida Rep. Mark Foley. Republican Foley was accused of sending sexually explicit emails to a congressional page. On the very same day the story broke, Pelosi took to the House floor to demand an investigation. Continue reading
