In the past year, eight politicians were investigated, charged or convicted of various crimes. For the political establishment, facing one of the nation's most contentious battles for power, the legislators' disgrace adds more unknowns. The struggle starts in earnest with Tuesday's primary, with all the House's 203 seats and half the Senate's 50 up for grabs. For many voters, the mess brings a big shrug. Talk show hosts call the scandals short-lived.
Politicians see only sporadic curiosity from constituents.
There was a time in this country when eight lawmakers in a state in trouble with the law would be shocking. Today, we're benumbed. National politics offers no respite, with its independent prosecutors, scandals of previous administrations and President Clinton's impeachment. So maybe voters think eight run-ins in Pennsylvania isn't so bad. Or maybe the crimes and accusations show that legislators, flaws and all, look a lot like the voter in the mirror.