The AP on Corruption in Politics

The AP released a poll this morning on corruption in politics. It suggests that the American people are pretty skeptical that ethics and politics exist together in the current environment. Just over 50% of the responses think corruption in politics is a very serious question (88% think it is somewhat or more serious). Almost half believe that either a moderate number of politicians or everyone is involved in corruption. And by about equal numbers (36% to 33%) think one side or the other (democrats or republicans) have greater ethics. The story goes on to recount the Abramahoff, Delay, and Frist allegations and the Cunningham evidence (since he has admitted his crimes).

I think the poll mixes rotten apples and oranges. There is plenty of evidence that there are some serious bad apples in the current mix. But the corruptions are more subtle than a little influence peddling or bribe taking. Had the question been asked about the American perception on the increasing role of set asides - you would have seen significant revulsion against that process. Yet most of the political class would not see that as an ethical question. Ditto for the pervasive role of some lobbyists - a permanent class of allies or enemies. The American people would say we did not hire you guys to go to Washington or Sacramento and buddy up to a single group. I also suspect that were the same set of questions to be asked about the ethics of journalists or other professions that you might get similar high responses.