Kind of a Weasel

My Congressman, Chuck Edwards, I mean. You may recall that I switched parties to vote against him in the primaries this year, sadly to no effect. Today he's being recommended for censure by the House ethics committee. Apparently he is thought guilty of sexually harassing his female staffers, but in a remarkably pathetic and ineffective manner according to the panel:

The committee said it found no evidence that Edwards engaged in sexual activity with or explicitly propositioned any of his staffers. However, he was aware “that his excessive attention toward the young women had led to rumors and innuendo in the office,” the report said.

The committee found that while Edwards believed that none of his conduct was intended as a sexual or romantic advance, his behavior patterns “would lead a reasonable observer to interpret it as such.”

According to the report, Edwards provided the two staffers “with lavish and recurrent gifts,” made “comments regarding their appearance and dress,” invited them “to intimate dinners and vacations” and sent notes “regarding his effusive affection.”...

On one occasion, he and a staffer appeared to take a private trip to Las Vegas together, the report said. Edwards booked rooms at the Bellagio for him and the staffer, and also promised to get them tickets to shows in the city.

At one point, after the staffer asked Edwards for ideas on what outfits to pack for the trip, Edwards texted: “A pair of jean shorts and a yellow blouse that you wore to a concert is baked into my memory, and a red dress you wore to a neighboring office event was a SHOW STOPPER!”

Later in the conversation, before the flight, Edwards sent the staffer flowers, which she noted made her “uncomfortable.”

“Just want to make sure this trip isn’t meant to be anything it’s not?” she texted.

“I’m sorry it made you uncomfortable. Nothing was meant by it,” Edwards replied.

On another occasion, Edwards offered to miss a House vote to help one of the staffers set up her Christmas tree, the report said. In another, he offered to reschedule a tele-townhall to meet the staffer for dinner.

Other messages included in the report show that Edwards regularly invited the staffers out for dinner and drinks, as well as outings to casinos, theater, comedy and musical shows.

One doubts he was more effective as a lothario than he has been as a Congressman. He was absent and useless during Helene.