Could the Jefferson office raid end up actually hurting Democrats?

In the evening of May 21st, the FBI executed a search warrant on the office of Rep. William Jefferson (D-Louisiana) as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged bribes recieved by the congressman to promote business ventures in Africa. The warrant was obtained and the search was conducted, and it is likely the first ever raid on a congressional office in the history of the nation. Immediately there was outrage in congress from both parties about whether or not the justice department had the authority to conduct such a raid or not. Speaker Dennis Hastert and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi issued a rare joint statement about their concerns, and the Judiciary Committee had a number of witnesses all condemn the search.

Many commentators have taken this as an example of the Republicans stirring up controversy with the administration once again and again bungling an opportunity to improve their standing with the public. Certiainly the position they are in, of defending a congressman who is very likely guilty of the crime of accepting bribes (and there is substantial evidence against as well as the guilty pleas of two associates of Jeffersons) and thus reinforcing their apparent willingness to defend corruption at every step of the way. All this might be true, but it is important to also note that the attention given to a story, no matter what the spin it is given does boost the profile of the issue it involves and the elements it contains. The controversy over the raid and its being repeated on national television turns what had been a footnote into a major national issue and something people remember. Indeed, it is an example of corruption within the Democratic Party in congress that people remember. The Democrats have actually had a rough time recently as Patrick Kennedy's run-in with the Capitol Police is something people are going to remember as well because of his famous father and the famous family name.

The Democrats right now have gained the advantage on several issues, including the unpopularity of the Iraq war (which could be worsened by the revelations that the US marines engaged in a massacre at Haditha of innocent and unarmed civilians), high gas prices, and corruption in congress. When one of their members is constantly in the headlines, even as a footnote to the investigation, then its as likely as not that it will be damaging to the Democrats this November when voters go to elect the next congress.