The Strange Capitol Hill Resignation: Join the Live Chat
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Tonight on 360°, what led Erica Massa to step down from Congress? There's talk of cancer, ticklefights and even a shower visit from White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel. We've got the raw politics. Plus, a baby rescued from the rubble in Haiti thought to be an orphan, but now a couple says this child belongs to them.
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Scroll down to join the live chat during the program. It's your chance to share your thoughts on tonight's headlines. Keep in mind, you have a better chance of having your comment get past our moderators if you follow our rules.
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Yes, teresa, the twitching and wild variations are give-ways that 'the jig is up' for this fellow.
I'm a resident of Massa's constituency and I've met him two different times. My husband refused to meet him and listen to him because he felt that he is just another political blowhard. Boy, was he right!
I live in the very rural, upstate New York region that Eric Massa represented. The few occasions I have met Mr. Massa, he has seemed very pleasant. But, I think he has just been totally out of his league.
I'm thinking that along with all the shady deals like the 'Louisiana Purchase' there are probably a lot of threats to get Democrats to support the bill.
I would say mental help...
Massa protests too much for someone who claims innocence. He should admit it already and get it over with. John Edwards tried to lie about his actions and look where it got him. The guy is pathological!
Nancy in Oregon,
I think he should help his need. maybe I am sure.
Claus,
No. He isn't ill at all. I don't think so.
hmmm, I "may" have cancer too... we all might.
If I thought I might have cancer the LAST thing I would do is quit my job that has the best medical insurance in ohio...
Also... them twitching eyelids tell tales
Good evening ! Anderson, ac360 staff Emily, Starr, Devin, Megan and other bloggers...
I thought Massa's statements at first about leaving congress the other day was intereseting, but after hearing another side to this guy's 'mysteries' today, you dont know what to think
Massa's body language speaks volumes about him not being credible at all. Hs continued rapid blinking and repeated guffaws during his interview with Larry King minutes ago were extremely telling. How long will Eric Massa's fifteen minutes last?
I don't think he knows why he quitted. Just say, "I quit!' and leave it at that. "Gee!"
Former Oregon Senator Bob Packwood resigned after multiple allegations of groping staffers years ago also. America must have and maintain high standards of ethical behavior in our lawmakers.
I just finished watching the Interview on the Larry King Live show and there is no question in my mind thet he is lyng. He refused to answer the "gay" question, he has used three different responses as to why he resigned and his expressions reflect discomfort with the questions.
Massa is a sad sad man but I think its pretty obvious he resigned to stop the ethics investigation.
This Administration has a long record of throwing people under the bus.
I admit that this is a WEIRD story, and that Mr. Massa is not your typical politician, but he strikes me as a fairly decent and honest guy – not some sort of deviate. I suspect (but don't know for sure) that he has been slimed by the WH staff and by the media – perhaps he doesn't have some slick PR team to script his life for him.
How weird...holding another guy down and tickling him.
Anyone who blinks that much during an explanation is lying.
I believe Congressman Massa is telling the truth. Emanuel is the one I have trouble believing. Groping in the sexual context is an innuendo; not a dictionary definition.
Unfathomable- how can we trust any of these people? Are we the cattle they treat us as?
@Megan,
They say that there are usually 3 sides to every story:
the Employer. the Employee, and the TRUTH!
this sounds like a mess!
Oh gosh, Jo Ann, of course they do. Sometimes I wonder how the 'aisles' think they are so different from one another. They don't see the greater similarities.
Good evening everyone. What a strange story. I don't think it's any of the 3 things. I believe he is opposed to health reforms in their current form but I don't think he's quitting because of that. It's going to be an ethics thing and we eventually will find out. And what about his staff person, his best friend, like a father, that lived with them, but he hasn't talked to him and doesn't have his phone number???? No, not believable.
The Toyota story is very weird also, didn't shift to neutral, didn't turn off the ignition key until he was told, Prius has a start/stop button you simply press in for 3 seconds to kill the engine. The guy either shouldn't be driving or should be forced to submit to a polygraph exam.
I have met Mr. Massa. He is very down-to-earth and I doubt he did anything improper. Yes, he did change his reasons, but wouldn't you if you were facing cancer and career ruining allegations?
Yes, Bloggers....
Agreed. Mussa is resign of due not voting our health-care tonight... I also oppose his health-care.. Yes, Very terrible news for us.
He got caught...plain and simple. Now he is scurrying to cover cover cover! Sad..Shameful....
@Helen, "People vote a lot of clowns in congress. That is unfortunate!"
Yeah, Congress is a regular three-ring circus.
Anderson,
Hi!
I don't know what to believe about Massa"s resignation.
Helen, that confirms my fears about voters.
The timing of the 'leaks' from the 'investigation' is too obvious. The Dem party is running Massa out on a rail, as a message to others. 'If we can do this to a navy veteran with cancer, what do you think we can do to you'.
I'm pretty sure he's just a scitsofrenic.
See, both sides have their nut cases.
@Jo Ann: People vote a lot of clowns in congress. That is unfortunate!
I hope Mr. Massa is not terminally ill.
Does Massa need professional help maybe?
"Try and make sense of former-Congr. Massa" Anderson?
Good Luck with that!
Massa...very weird
@Emily,
Yes. It is very odd tonight, YIKES!
Good evening Anderson & Team 360.
Hello David, Isabel, Nichole, Devin, Emily, Dodie, Casey, Kim, Mike, Gabriela, everyone.
This Massa seems to be a lunatic.
Former Congressman Massa is now trying to torpedo the Democratic led Health Care Bill, go figure, the man is a hypocrite.
Messa's story gets weirder and weirder.....
Staff tickel fight? =p there like ... specail and these are the people in charge?
Good evening Anderson, Briana, Kira, Devna, Eliza, 360Team, Megan, Starr, Gabriela, Mike, David & Isabel, Jo Ann, Gloria, Casey, Adelaide A.Smith, Jane, Dodie, Devin, Nicole & Bloggers!
The addmission of Massa is very strange!
Evening everyone!
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Good Evening Everyone!