The Waffle House

Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland can waffle with anyone. In only a week, he has been on both sides of impeaching Attorney General Marc Dann.
Strickland on Friday said he wouldn't support impeaching his fellow Democrat unless there's evidence Dann committed a serious crime. It wouldn't be all that shocking a stance - had Strickland not led the Democratic charge threatening to impeach Dann if he refuses to resign. "I was actually for the Dann impeachment before I was against it," the campaign ad could say, ala most national Democrats on the Iraq war.
Dann is frustrating his fellow Democrats. Rather than dragging Ohio through this, Dann should step down. But, his hypocrisy in refusing to go isn't all that surprising. His moral themes don't apply to his own actions.
Dann ran his 2006 campaign questioning Republicans' ethics. But, Dann last week admitted he had an affair with an employee. Three aides have been fired or quit in the sexual harassment scandal Dann admits was fueled by cronyism and his own bad example. He made matters worse by trying to block the release of e-mails that call into question his ability to run a state office. Yet Dann refuses to resign, saying his actions don't warrant it.
Republican lawmakers have begun outlining the impeachment process, but few want to see Dann remain in office through November - or, better, through the end of his term, in 2010 - more than Republicans do. Whether it's the presidential campaign this fall or those for statewide offices in two years, the GOP would love Democrats to run continually answering for Dann.
Strickland seemed to sense that early. But, by week's end, he had changed his position. Who knows how this will end up, anyway, so why not come down on all sides of the issue just to be sure?