Our nattering nabobs Hearings have ceased to be useful. If the age of scandal is peaking with the possible impeachment of the President, it also shows signs of sputtering out.
Scandals are now likely to claim the accuser as well as accused.
Henry Hyde will be written about not for his three decades of public service but for failing to rise to his moment in history. New Yorkers did, and he's outta here. Serial investigator Representative Dan Burton was re-elected, but not before he was nailed for an extramarital affair during which he fathered a child. Televise a hearing today, and it ceases to be one. It becomes a chance to pillory your opponents, play-act morality and audition for your 15 minutes of cable fame.