"Politicians are entitled to their own privacy," Barney Frank famously said, "but they are not entitled to their own hypocrisy."
For years, we have listened to Republicans lecture us on issues of morality, only to find them caught up in zipper problems or paying for abortions for their mistresses or whatever. Too often, their moral stance has been trumped by a wide stance, or whatever.
Now, the House Democratic leadership has painted itself into a corner on a women's issue, and it's time to call them out and get them to change course before it gets any worse.
Illinois Congressman Tammy Duckworth is in the ninth month of her first pregnancy. Her doctors have ordered her not to fly and to stay home because of risks to her health. She will be unable to attend the House Dems' meeting in Washington this coming week where they will choose their leadership team.
Rep. Duckworth asked for a waiver to the "no proxy" rule in order that she might take part. She mentioned her medical condition. Reps. Pelosi and DeLauro said no and the request has been denied.
What Rep. Duckworth did not mention in her letter - which all House members know - is that she lost both legs and part of an arm in Iraq. She is not only a pregnant woman in her ninth month, but a disabled veteran. To require that she travel to Washington in her condition to have a vote on the party's leadership and future is morally untenable.
Nor did she mention that three dozen House Democrats - with the support of President Obama - have introduced legislation that would require employers to make reasonable accommodations for pregnant employees.
In other words, do as we say, not as we do.
For years, Democrats have rightly pointed out how Republican policies have discriminated against women. And, given the gender gap in the vote, a good number of women agree. And while the decision not to waive the no-proxy rule for Tammy Duckworth is a single incident up against years of Republican actions, the optics are so horrible that someone should tell the women in the Democratic leadership to get wise or get lost.
Earth to Nancy: someone invented something called Skype. Let Tammy use it just this one time.
The worst of all political sins is hypocrisy. For the House Democratic leadership to accuse the Republicans of waging a war on women while denying the doctor's request for a woman in her ninth month - who is a double amputee in a wheelchair - is one for the ages.
It's been an awful month, but this may be the lowest point.
Earth to Nancy and Rosa: wake up and change your ways. Stop acting like Republicans in suppressing the vote among your own colleagues.