Almost as soon as Representative Roy Blunt stepped into the House leadership post vacated by Tom DeLay, Democrats and liberal groups pounced Thursday on what they called ethical lapses in Mr. Blunt's own record and lobbying by three members of his family - his wife, son and daughter.

. . .

Democrats and liberal groups circulated reports that Mr. Blunt's political action committee employs Jim Ellis, who was also indicted in the Texas investigation that entangled Mr. DeLay.

Mr. Blunt's opponents also began dusting off longstanding accusations that Mr. Blunt had done political favors for the lobbying clients of some family members and for the political career of his son Matt Blunt, the governor of Missouri.

The Times also tells us that Speaker Hastert tried to make David Dreier the Whip, but the Paleo-Cons thought he was too "moderate," so Blunt it is.

Speaker Dennis Hastert's initial attempt to quickly slip the majority gavel to Representative David Dreier of California caused a rebellion by conservatives who found Mr. Dreier too "moderate," even though he has spent much of his career doing Mr. DeLay's bidding. "Moderate" is a highly relative, if not extinct, word in the G.O.P. caucus. So the befuddled speaker settled on Mr. Blunt, a hidebound conservative known for his talent as the whip in forcefully delivering administration bills and corporate campaign donations.

While the Republican Party is so busy shooting itself in both feet (apparently it's hard to stuff money in your pockets while holding two guns), perhaps the Democrats will now grow a collective spine and get to work. Two or four of 200+ speaking out is not action on behalf of their party, or their country, since the Republicans are proving themselves to be utter failures of public stewardship.