I agree, nemokc. Grayson has apologized for his "K Street whore" comment, appropriately in my view, and I hope he is chastened enough not to repeat that kind of unfortunate brand of personal insult. He did not apologize to the Republicans for his comments about their healthcare obstrutionism, and that was equally appropriate.

Alan Grayson is smart and committed, and he has the potential to be a strong force for good policy if he uses his strength judiciously. When he referred to Republican healthcare reform policy as "don't get sick", that pithy comment resonated effectively in the public arena because it reinforced a view already widespread among the public in general, and even more relevantly among moderate and independent voters - that the Republicans were indifferent to the wellbeing of ordinary Americans. In contrast, when he called a female lobbyist a "K Street whore", the view it was most likely to reinfoce was that politicians on both sides of contentious issues are more interested in insulting each other than in getting things done.

In the first case, he attracted supporters from outside. In the second, he alienated potential supporters. Given his ability to make a difference, we have to hope that he uses his talents wisely.