Under pressure to resign as Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.

“In order to avoid my colleagues having to defend me during their elections, I have this morning sent a letter to Speaker Pelosi asking her to grant me a leave of absence until such time as the ethics committee completes its work” on a number of accusations against him, the congressman said in a hurriedly scheduled meeting with reporters.

A leave of absence?

You may wonder why Republican scandals always end up in resignation and private life, while Democrats are always reluctant to give up position no matter who devastating the scandals are.

I believe the answer lies in the different political cultures. John Boehner is Minority Leader because of his experience and reputation. Nancy Pelosi is Speaker because she has the support of powerful, entrenched, Democrat interests--like Charlie Rangel. In fact, Pelosi could never have been the speaker without the support of the late John Murtha, Charlie Rangel or other 800 lb. gorillas who by dint of seniority, monopolize all the senior posts, and thus the goodie bags so fundamental to any Democrat Congressperson's career.

A Republican congressman can come up dry and his constituents won't be terribly disappointed since they elect conservatives to be conservative. A Democrat had better be a 'good earner' or they might end up sleeping with the fishes.

Pelosi simply doesn't want to force the issue because Rangel's problem is also her problem. Pelosi is often credited as a very effective Speaker, and that stems largely for her ability to wield not just the auspices of her office, but those of her allies--you cross Nancy and you get nothing, with nowhere to go.

With Murtha gone, Rangel on the ropes, we are seeing a significant erosion in the power of the Speaker to enforce her will--ironically at a time when she needs all the leverage she can get to ram through Obamastein health-care legislation.

That's why Rangel is not resigning, but seeking a 'leave of absence'. Now this could all be academic, since the Democrats may quite possibly lose their majority in the fall, but on the possibility that they won't, Rangel can slip back into his chairmanship. It also gives Pelosi leverage over the new Chairman, who will now operate with the sword of Damocles hanging over his head.

She's barking mad, but Pelosi is one hell of a politician.