KEN CALVERT TAKES A BOW ON THE NATIONAL STAGE-- CROOKED REPUBLICAN CONGRESSLOON #... WELL WHO CAN KEEP TRACK ANYMORE?

"Can someone PLEASE see to another rash of bacon over at the buffet breakfast... NOW!"

Early yesterday I was writing about how the House Rethuglican leadership was divvying up the committee positions that they had forced Rick Renzi to resign. And Renzi hasn't even gone to prison yet. But neither has Ken Calvert (R-CA), who's probably an even worse crook. But they were actually giving him a big new committee position, Appropriations, the one Republicans routinely use to get themselves in deep doo doo.

Today the wingnut blogosphere exploded in rage. The head kook at RedState led the charge with an open letter to his crazy readers. He's demanding they drag Boehner out of his tanning booth and threaten to stop supporting Republicans in the House until he boots Calvert off the committee. Who would have thought the nuts would have figured that out?

Dear Readers of RedState,

The House Republican Leadership just does not get it and they will not take us seriously until we flex our muscle against them. We must fight the House GOP and we must fight today.
Today, I declare war on the Republican Leadership of the United States House of Representatives. We must scalp one member. That member's name is Ken Calvert.

When John Doolittle had to step down from the House Appropriations Committee because of a corruption investigation, the House GOP gave the nod to Calvert.

In 2005, Calvert and a partner paid $550,000 for 4.3 acres of land. Calvert then used his earmarking powers to secure $8 million in funds for an interstate exchange on the property. He then sold the property for about $1 million.

Also in 2005, a business partner of Calvert's bought additional land that Calvert's earmarks benefited. When the property was sold, a firm financially connected to Calvert received a commission for the sale.

In 2006, Calvert engaged in other shady land deals. The list goes.

I won't even go in to his arrest for soliciting a prostitute. [I will.]

This is the man House Republicans chose to replace John Doolittle. They just don't get it. So now I declare war. Who is with me?

There is only one thing you need to do. Call John Boehner at (202) 225-4000 and tell him the House GOP will get no support until Ken Calvert is off Appropriations.

Calvert responded to RedState the same way all Republicans respond to anyone whenever they get caught. "In my 14 years of service in the U.S. Congress, I have always held myself to the highest ethical standards and remain committed to upholding the faith placed in me by our Republican Leadership and all my Republican colleagues." That page from the play-book normally precedes the onset of plea-bargaining by a month.

Meanwhile the far right blogosphere has errupted in recriminations, loons snapping and frothing at each other. One kook likens it to their brouhaha over Harriet Meyers (sic).


UPDATE: LOOKS LIKE REDSTATE IS IMPLODING

Now he's saying kaddish over Giuliani's twitching corpse-- but for all the wrong reasons. RedState is delusional and not even remotely in touch with reality. But, for reasons beyond his small mind, he is perfectly right about Giuliani being unfit for the presidency. Who's felt in Loonyland? Newt?


UPDATE: SOME GOP MEMBERS ARE EMBARRASSED BY CALVERT'S PRESENCE OF THE COMMITTEE

According to yesterday's Hill, not all the Republican members of the Appropriations Committee are pleased that Boehner appointed another criminal to replace Doolittle. Illinois Republican Ray LaHood reminded his colleagues that "We lost the last election because of corruption." He confirmed that he opposed Calvert's appointment. “I care a lot about the House of Representatives, I care a lot about our members and once someone is ethically challenged and gets in trouble it effects all of us,” he said. “I appreciate the high ethical standards that [Boehner] has set [He must mean a different Boehner.] ... but I believe the bar was lowered today when our conference chose to vote Ken Calvert onto the Appropriations Committee.”