Political types always like to accuse their opponents of desperation while brushing off their opponent’s attacks. It’s a time-honored (if “honored” is the right word) rhetorical device that usually has no connection to whether the opponent is really desperate or not.
But this really does smack of desperation. Talking Points Memo, a leftist web site, breathlessly reports that Paul Ryan (R-WI) was spotted drinking expensive wine at a Washington restaurant. This, apparently, is a scandal, somehow.
Ryan spent his own money, of course. This isn’t like Nancy Pelosi spending millions of taxpayer money on travel (and non-travel) in a big military plane, including a hundred thousand dollars on food and alcohol. Or any number of other magnificent wastes of taxpayer money one could mention. This is a case of people spending their own money on the product of their choice.
POSTSCRIPT: Ryan’s “accuser” (if that’s the right word), apparently surprised that her nosiness attracted critical attention, doesn’t want to be part of this story any more.
Internet Scofflaw 