The defining characteristic of most modern politicians is cowardice. They are scared of everything, most especially the opinions of the people they supposedly serve. That’s in the best of times. In the worst of times — if, say, you’re a Republican Congressman in a suburban district that Trump lost to Hillary Clinton, as Pennsylvania Rep. Ryan Costello is — cowardice can turn you into a gibbering idiot.
Costello, of West Chester, a first-term Congressman in Pennsylvania’s absurdly gerrymandered 6th District, claimed that two “associates” of his 2018 opponent, Chrissy Houlahan, had gone onto his property on Saturday, snapped pictures of his home, and intimidated his wife. “Families should always be off limits,” he said. “We were able to get some footage of the incident and hope these individuals will be apprehended.”
One problem — turned out he’s full of shit (I know, I know, big surprise). The people in question weren’t with Houlahan, they were with the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, which canvassed that day in Costello’s neighborhood. Costello’s wife asked them to leave, and they did, the group said.
It wouldn’t merit the reporting if it weren’t for the lunatic reaction of Costello’s staff. A Costello aide said they were “clearly” Houlahan supporters because of what they said, plus they drove a rental car. This aide also said that they had trespassed, and that an investigation was underway. But is there? West Goshen Township Police Capt. Greg Stone said, “Just to let you know, there was no crime committed.”
Told of the West Goshen police’s comments, Costello spokeswoman Andrea Bozek said the U.S. Capitol Police “have [an] active investigation.” The USCP told us they “do not comment on ongoing investigations,” but the West Goshen police report revealed more information on this twist: The local cops talked to the USCP about Costello’s complaints, and they were “fine with [West Goshen’s] explanation of the situation.”
So did Costello do the logical thing and say, “Oh, sorry, my mistake.” Would I be writing this if he did? No, his response was, “I think that just makes it all the more weird and creepy, to be honest with you.”
No, Ryan, that makes YOU more weird and creepy, to be honest with you. I mean, more weird and creepy than claiming you wanted to go into public service to help people but joining the Republican Party.
Add to this the story about Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton threatening to call law enforcement over critical letters from constituents, and you can see that the Republican Party intends to control America despite, not because of, what the public thinks and votes for.