An opportunity lost

U.S. Reps. Dave Reichert and Cathy McMorris blew a chance to provide real leadership when they failed to oppose a resolution in Congress that condemned the press. By voting along party lines, the two freshmen Republicans squandered an opportunity to set themselves apart from a Congress that has forgotten its independent role in democracy.

It was no surprise that Rep. Doc Hastings from the 4th District voted for the resolution. He has long been a disappointment, especially during his chairmanship of the House ethics committee. Reichert, from the 8th District, which covers the Eastside and much of South King County, and McMorris, of the 5th District, which covers most of Eastern Washington, have demonstrated some genuine leadership potential. This vote is a serious step back for both.

The resolution was drafted by Republican members in the House after the Bush administration blasted the press, more specifically The New York Times, last week for revealing the monitoring of international-banking transactions in the war on terror.

The rage demonstrated by the president, vice president and Congress is unfounded and irresponsible. The press's role in a democracy is to show voters what their representatives are doing. That is exactly what this story did and follows a number of other reports about how this administration is acting with little or no oversight from Congress.

The resolution calls for the press to bow down to the government's wants. That is dangerous territory for lawmakers to tread. Reichert and McMorris should have realized this.

Hopefully, Reichert and McMorris used the nation's birthday to reflect on the idea of independence. As elected officials, they owe voters more than an endorsement of policies designed to keep the electorate in the dark.