SLOWLY BACKING AWAY…. As recently as yesterday, it looked like Eric Massa (D-N.Y.) was going to become a right-wing hero. The freshman congressman, who resigned under a cloud of scandal yesterday, was alleging a fanciful conspiracy involving congressional Dems, the White House, and a scheme to get health care reform passed. Conservatives could hardly believe their good fortune, and Rush Limbaugh touted Massa on his show yesterday.
But as details trickled out, and Massa began to look less like a whistleblower and more like a sick, confused man, some high-profile conservatives began to re-think their support.
Michelle Malkin urged the right not to trust Massa “any further than you can throw him.” Jonah Goldberg said Massa’s claims don’t “pass the smell test.” The Weekly Standard‘s John McCormack put it this way:
Obamacare opponents, like Glenn Beck, might want to think twice before indulging Massa and letting this Democratic creep become the posterboy of Obamacare opposition.
It was already self-evident that Eric Massa’s story didn’t add up…. The full story should come out eventually. And when it does, some conservatives may regret embracing Eric Massa.
Even Limbaugh, a day after touting Massa on the air, told listeners today that Massa is “a legitimate kook,” a “loose cannon,” and “a risk.” He told Republicans, “Anybody who embraces this guy is going to get caught.”
And what of Fox News’ Glenn Beck, who is scheduled to have Massa on a special, hour-long guest on his television show today? A few hours ago, Beck compared Massa to a terrorist, who might be able to provide useful intelligence to conservatives.
Why Massa would allow himself to be used by a television personality who compares him to a terrorist is a mystery, but by all appearances, Massa isn’t exactly thinking clearly right now.
Still, it only adds to the personal tragedy of Eric Massa. As he approaches rock bottom, he’s burning bridges with his former allies on the left, and finding the drawbridge rising among his sought-out friends on the right.
Update: And things just got worse: “Former Rep. Eric Massa has been under investigation for allegations that he groped multiple male staffers working in his office, according to three sources familiar with the probe.”
