AP: Public Wonders About Ethics in Congress

Public Wonders About Ethics in Congress

By DONNA CASSATA
The Associated Press
Friday, December 9, 2005; 4:04 AM

WASHINGTON -- When Republicans seized power in Congress a decade ago, they pledged
to sweep out the stench of scandal and restore bonds of trust with the people.
Now, the people may be wondering whether the new bosses are the same as the old bosses,
or possibly more corrupt.

A House Republican leader has been indicted for money laundering. The Senate GOP leader
is under investigation for a financially well-timed stock sale. The probe of a lobbyist
threatens to ensnare more than half a dozen members of Congress of both parties and the
Bush administration.

It wasn't supposed to be this way.

The steady drumbeat of scandal has registered with Americans. An Associated Press-Ipsos poll
found that 88 percent of those surveyed said corruption is a serious problem and 67 percent
said a moderate number to a lot of public officials are involved.

Democrats were considered more ethical by 36 percent, while 33 percent cited Republicans _
a difference within the poll's margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.