Paul Ryan's Poor Leadership Is Making The Congressional Sex Scandals Even Worse, By Politicizing Them In A Partisan Way

Paul Ryan was clearly too frightened to say anything about the multiple charges of rape and predatory sexual behavior against Señor Trumpanzee but, when he was bashing Michigan Democrat John Conyers-- who had just resigned-- on TV yesterday, you might have expected him to also mention Texas Republican Blake Farenthold-- who refuses to resign. Farenthold still insists he "didn't do anything wrong" but he'll pay back the $84,000 in taxpayer money paid out to his victim, Lauren Greene, after she sued him. Farenthold destroyed her 9 year Capitol Hill career when she exposed him as a pervert. As Politico's Rachel Bade reported this week "Greene’s budding career imploded, she said, the minute she accused Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-Texas) of sexually harassing her. Since the summer of 2014, when she says Farenthold fired her for raising concerns about a hostile work environment, Greene has been unable to land a full-time job. She’s making $15 an hour working temporary gigs for a homebuilder. She baby-sits on the side to earn extra cash. Her family has had to support her financially. And Greene, now 30, has left D.C., with no illusions that she will ever work in politics again." Isn't that something Ryan should be addressing, instead of just castigating a Democrat who did resign-- and who didn't destroy anyone's career? [So far only 2 Republican members of Congress-- Mia Love (UT) and Barbara Comstock (VA)-- have demanded that Blake Farenthold resign. And Trump... no one's bringing that up anymore-- except Jeff Merkley-- are they?]

Yesterday, in the midst of the growing scandal, Quinnipiac released a new poll specifically addressing sexual assault, which finds that 47% of American women (and 17% of American men) say they've been sexually assaulted. The question was "Have you ever been sexually assaulted, meaning someone touched you in an inappropriate, sexual manner without your consent, or not?" 37% who say they were sexually assaulted say it happened at work and 19% say it happened at school.

The media get the best grades for how it is handling sexual harassment and sexual assault in its industry, as Americans approve 48 - 42 percent. Approval for other groups are negative:

• 21 - 60 percent for how the Republican Party is handling sexual harassment and sexual assault in politics;
• 28 - 50 percent for the Democratic Party;
• 38 - 51 percent for the entertainment industry.

Americans disapprove 63 - 22 percent of the way President Donald Trump is handling sexual harassment and sexual assault. Republicans approve 55 - 24 percent, the only party, gender, age or racial group to approve.

It is hypocritical for President Trump to criticize men accused of sexual harassment, 73 percent of Americans say, while 16 percent say he has a right to criticize these men.

The U.S. Congress should investigate accusations of sexual harassment against President Trump, Americans say 70 - 25 percent.