The last remaining Mississippi Republican in the House has shown his true colors-- and no, it's not taking a lobbying job after pretending to be quitting Congress to "spend more time with his family."
1) At "state GOP headquarters in Jackson, Miss., Friday, Aug. 17, 2007... Pickering, 44, said that for now, he wants to spend more time with his wife, Leisha, and their five sons, who range in age from 8 to 17. Pickering, who said he has not lined up a job to start after this term ends in early 2009, did say he is not ruling out a return to politics forever."
2) "Pickering [is actually] heading to work on K Street... [although] he might want to leave Congress before the lobbying/ethics reform legislation is signed into law." [MSNBC]
3) Wonkette reported yesterday on the real truth: "that Chip is divorcing his wife so he can spend more time with all the various women he’s been connected with over the years. What, a Republican in Congress who commits adultery with the opposite sex?" Then, their tipster recaps the saga:
So, Rep. Charles Pickering (R) MS says last year that he is not going to run again for Congress - to spend time with his family. Then he up and files for divorce this week - thus destroying his family. Come to hear rumors that he has been having a long term relationship with a woman tied directly to a major Telecom company in addition to rumors of improper relationships with female lobbyist. What part of Faith, Family and Freedom has this guy forgotten?
We're almost sad to see him go-- this guy was actually started to turn all entertaining on us, thanks to all these skeletons popping out of his closet. Maybe one day he'll be caught taking off a KKK hood or something, just to keep things interesting around here.
But really, can you believe there are almost no Republicans in the House from Mississippi? Unfortunately, the seat in the 3rd District is expected to remain GOP... although with these latest blows to the party of "Family Values," you never know...