Kratovil Comfortable In The Swamp

Will Frank Kratovil denounce the culture of corruption?

ANNAPOLIS – As prominent Congressional Democrats Charlie Rangel and Maxine Waters become embroiled in ethics scandals, Congressman Frank Kratovil needs to make a decision: Will he denounce the 'culture of corruption' in Washington or continue to silently support his embattled colleagues? According to Maryland Republican Party Chairman Audrey Scott, Kratovil’s silence is just another example of him siding with Washington over the Eastern Shore.

“You are either part of the solution, or you are part of the problem,” said Scott. “Kratovil has had nearly a week to speak out against the serious ethical charges facing Charlie Rangel but like so many of Kratovil’s decisions, he is siding with Washington instead of his constituents.”

On July 29, 2010, Rangel was charged by the House ethics committee with thirteen counts of violating House rules and federal laws. With charges pending, on July 28th, Rangel told Democrat colleagues to “drop me if you must,” yet Kratovil has chosen to remain silent.

“It is all about choices, Kratovil chose to vote against the wishes of the First District by supporting Cap-and-Trade and the Stimulus, now he is choosing to stay mum while Democrat leaders face serious charges. Serious enough to be heard by a jury,” Scott said. “If Kratovil was the independent voice he claims to be, he would speak out against the charges facing his colleagues instead of remaining silent on Nancy Pelosi’s failed promises to ‘drain the swamp.’”

“‘Drain the swamp’ means to turn this Congress into the most honest and open Congress in history. That's my pledge — that is what I intend to do,’ Pelosi stated in an interview with NBC’s Brian Williams.” (Brian Williams, “Rep. Pelosi poised to make history”, NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams 11/08/2006),