Tuesday, March 16, 2010

A precedent avoided

A few weeks ago, the New York State Senate voted to expel Hiram Monserrate after he'd been arrested on a misdemeanor charge for assaulting his girlfriend late last year. Monserrate, arguing that because it wasn't a felony, the Senate had no right to remove him, ran in a special election today to try to win back his seat. Well, we'll give him points for taking this path, but the tide of public opinion is still against him, as Monserrate was soundly defeated by Jose Peralta.

Had Monserrate succeeded, it would've set a dubious precedent that would allow other disgraced politicos a second chance in various offices. Not the sort of thing they need at the state Capitol right now, don't you think?

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