Under conservative Dem legislative leadership in the 90s, she was one of few who reliably stood up for the poor and powerless on every issue.

She also risked part of her black community base by coming out full throttle for gay marriage in the last few years.

There's no defending her now, but people are complicated.

And yes, releasing the photos was gratuitous humiliation. But she's been getting the same treatment from suburban "progressives" for some time now.