...my eyes would be doing that big, bulgy thing right now.

This is the kind of unseemly crap that would generally be better left out of public discourse.

But then, on his campaign website, under "issues," it says: "Abortion – All life should be cherished and protected. We are pro-life."

So can a candidate argue that this information is a private matter while at the same time argue that, for everyone else, the issue is not a private decision that should be left to the individuals involved?

Adultery, abortion, dishonest, hypocrite.
Yup, he's Tea Party certified all right!
All the evangelicals will be itching to vote for him I'm sure.

Next up, did he earn his "doctor" degree or did he pull a Rand Paul and certify himself?

Shouldn't the AMA take action against him for violating the doctor-patient relationship?

"...you lied to me about something that caused us to be in this situation, and that's not my fault, that's yours."

Wow.

My "favorite" quote from this article is, ""If we need to go to Atlanta, or whatever, to get this solved and get it over with so we can get on with our lives, then let's do it," DesJarlais says."

So the anti-abortion folks can work to close down clinics in Knoxville and say they're caring about women and children when in fact, it's the ones that need the help the most that can't just "go to Atlanta to get it over with."

I'm furious at the hypocrisy.

Now, do KNS and the local TV stations seek to independently verify and report on this, or do they pretend it never happened?

It's incredibly unseemly, but it is unfortunately relevant. DesJarlais has taken a public position on the issue of abortion, and assuming the veracity of the transcript (Huffington Post says they've verified it with multiple sources, and that the DesJarlais camp did not challenge the contents of the transcript when asked to comment), DesJarlais has personally sought to take actions that are the direct opposite of his stated position.

If DesJarlais had not volunteered a position on the issue, or if he had a pro-choice position, then there would be no apparent cognitive dissonance, and the matter should remain private. That's not the case. He has said to those who are pro-choice that their rights should be restricted. He has also told his pro-life supporters that he shares their views, and advocates for their position.

Since he's personally done one thing and then taken the opposite stated position, he needs to be asked to clarify this for his constituents. Does he think the rules should be different for him? Has he simply changed his views, and he now regrets his prior actions? Perhaps that's the case, but his supporters certainly need to know about that, so that they can decide for themselves how they feel about it. "Huffington Post" is certainly accessible to some, but the local media should review and report on this, if the information can be verified.

I would never have thought the KNS would touch this but, touch it they did.

If you made this sh*t up, no one would believe it could be so sordid.

had an affair with a patient and later pressured her to get an abortion

That DesJarlais had an affair with a patient is a huge ethical and licensing problem in and of itself. The medical licensing boards regard a doctor having an affair with a patient as a moral and ethical violation, with often stiff penalties, regardless if it is a consensual affair.

Ellie Mae over at the KNS said exactly what was on my mind when I first read about this:

"And who on earth would willingly sleep with that creepy, Uncle Fester lookalike anyway?"

A values-oriented Republican : Hypocrisy :: A : A

Clinton was impeached.

Weiner resigned.

DesJarlais will likely be re-elected. Makes you proud to be a Tennessean, doesn't it?

All day long I've heard folks excuse DesJarlais by pointing to Bill Clinton. In the first place, the TDIT defense is getting really old.

But here's the main thing: Clinton's behavior was deplorable. No way will I defend it. But as far as I know he wasn't advocating for any law banning, to put it coarsely, blow jobs.

DesJarlais HAS been an outspoken advocate for banning abortion. To do that and then push for a woman in his life to have one is just the height of hypocrisy.

Not to mention a doctor having an affair with a patient is completely unethical, whether or not the doctor happens to be married.

It saddens me that we have become so hyper-partisan that some folks will defend DesJarlais's behavior just because he belongs to their "tribe."

The story is on the front page of today's Knoxville News Sentinel. The AP report is in the Maryville Daily Times on page 9, the first page of the "Nation and World" section.

I predict here and now the doctor will warm the same seat in Congress next year and be the same obnoxious f____ing Shore Patrol he's been in the past. His constituents - and Jesus - will forgive him of almost anything simply because he shares with them something they won't get with his opponent, a deep abiding hatred for Barack Hussein Obama.

I hope I'm wrong.

Scott DesJarlais' Medical License May Be At Risk From Affair With Patient

"I'm very proud to have the support of such a principled and independent conservative as Scott DesJarlais," said Romney.

But y'all are so right on. The "official TN GOP/TEA" group is standing by this slug...and why? They are pissed off that someone leaked it...again...just like it was leaked in 2010! Not that he was a hypocrite, not that he violated his oath as a doctor or hurt, humiliated and embarassed his (first)wife. No...they are just mad that word got out what a jerk he is. Oh, and Haslam..."I just don't know enough to comment"...phooey. And the ONLY thing that this 'doctor' got done in Congress for his District? He voted 31 times to repeal Obamacare.or the ACA, the law that is now providing many more health benefits to HIS FORMER FEMALE patients and all the females in HIS District.
Eric Stewart is the man! He was recipient of a great fund raiser here in Knoxville, sponsored by Democrats AND some GOPers!

Lesser of the two evils.
Stewart is anti-abortion rights and voted for DOMA. He's better than Dr. Mustard, but that's a pretty low bar.
But this 'is' Tennessee, after all.

Uncle Fester is upset with the Chattanooga Times Free Press for printing an editorial cartoon that shows blatant disregard for his right to suppress the First Amendment.

He has warned them that he can have the US Capitol Police on them in a heartbeat.

This reminds me of the time that Danish newspaper printed a cartoon of another holy man.