Jeff Jacoby, writing about Abramoff:

The worst is that Abramoff is a Jew. Not only a Jew, but an Orthodox Jew -- someone who claims to be committed to strictly observing Jewish law and faithfully adhering to the Torah's ethical standards. But instead of upholding those ethical standards Abramoff trampled on them, and a ''religious" Jew who behaves so corruptly disgraces not only himself but all religious Jews. He brings his faith into contempt. He is guilty of what Jewish tradition calls, with disgust, ''chillul ha-Shem" -- a desecration of God's name.

For me -- also an observant Jew -- that is the worst thing of all....

Within the Jewish community whose values he so dishonored, there is little sympathy for Abramoff, who is likely to receive a prison sentence of 10 or 11 years.

Point 1: Conservative leaders and spokesmen distance themselves from bad examples of their own beliefs. Those on the left generally do not. (See how many in Hollywood speak glowingly of Castro, for example.)

Point 2: We conservatives think the most damage is done to our cause by one of our own who misbehaves. In contrast, "progressives" think the most damage is done by to their cause by those on the outside, who are allowed to speak against them publicly or expose their bad behavior.

So we see the general trend of conservatives, always trying to improve the character of their own membership, while the general trend of the left is to suppress dissent and defend their "leadership" blindly.

Or Ted Kennedy wouldn't still be in office.