Bob Ney, Not Getting the Hint

Boyz II Men was right: It is so hard to say goodbye to yesterday. At least for Rep. Bob “I didn’t do it/oh wait yes I did” Ney (R-OH).

GOP anxiety ran high over the weekend, thanks to Ney. While he sprang a bouquet of revelations on them last week — admitting to felonies, revealing his alcoholism, publicly apologizing for his misbehavior — an announcement he’d be leaving Congress wasn’t among the bunch.

And despite public efforts by GOP leaders and anonymous bitter Republicans to convince him to leave on his own, Ney made it pretty clear today he’s not gonna go along.

“Rep. Bob Ney (R-Ohio) sent two letters to Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) today announcing he would immediately step down from his Financial Services subcommittee chairmanship and also relinquish his chairmanship of the Franking Commission, which oversees and sets guidelines for mass mailings sent from Congressional offices,” Roll Call (sub. req.) reports this afternoon.

It’s good to know that Ney has such a high regard for the Franking Commission that he believes criminals shouldn’t be allowed to chair it. But I guess it’s a comment on the integrity of our legislative branch that Ney believes his felonious shoulders have a right to rub with those of his fellow lawmakers.

The GOP has been pushing Ney to quit Capitol Hill since he acknowledged his crookedness Friday morning.

“The illegal behavior that Congressman Bob Ney has admitted doing is unacceptable. I am glad he has recognized and accepted the consequences of his actions,” speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) said — adding, “My thoughts and prayers are especially with him and his family at this time.” In a statement, Majority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) said Ney’s actions “violated the law, and he must be held accountable.”

An anonymous Republican bitched to Roll Call, “Ney stood up in front of the entire [GOP] Conference and said that he was innocent and that he was taking on these allegations and it was the media’s fault and that he would clear his name. . . . He lied to everybody. I hope he gets better in rehab, but he needs to have a great sense of shame for what he’s done. No apologies.”

C’mon, guys. He gave up the powerful chair of the Franking Commission. That’s not enough for you?