I called for Chuck Rosenthal to get out of the DA's race over his inappropriate emails to his secretary and the relationship they appear to reveal. That said, I didn't necessarily see a need for him to resign -- he could simply serve out his term as a caretaker until his successor took over next January.

Yesterday's revelations make it imperative that he leave now.

New e-mails released Tuesday show District Attorney Chuck Rosenthal sent and received racist jokes and strategized with political consultants and colleagues about his re-election campaign on his county e-mail account.

Also within the correspondence obtained Tuesday by the Houston Chronicle were numerous sexually explicit images. It was unclear, however, if Rosenthal ever forwarded those files.

The latest batch of 730

e-mails was met with concern by Harris County GOP leaders, who had already successfully pressured him to abandon his re-election bid.

"It's time for Chuck Rosenthal to pack his bags and leave," said county GOP Chairman Jared Woodfill.

Rosenthal declined to comment late Tuesday.

Among e-mails that concerned Woodfill were video clips of nudity and sex acts and a racist joke forwarded by Rosenthal that compares former President Bill Clinton to a black man.

The e-mail says Clinton played the saxophone, smoked marijuana and gets a check from the government each month.

Also included within the e-mails is heavy traffic between Rosenthal and Sam Siegler, Rosenthal's physician and the husband of Kelly Siegler, who is running for district attorney.

Now I don't care about inappropriate jokes, etc, received by Rosenthal. If there is evidence of him sending such stuff, that is problematic, but given some of the crap I receive in my email on a daily basis, I don't feel it necessary to hold him responsible for being on someone's email list. Unless he sends them on, to others, that is really unimportant -- and even if he did, it is more of a sign of low class than anything else.

The problem, however, is the material related to his campaign sent on the county account. That is a violation of the law. It merits criminal prosecution. And as such, it is a basis for Rosenthal leaving immediately. It is why Jared Woodfil has called for his resignation, as well as many others.

But this also reveals why Republicans need to dump Ed Emmett as County Judge (besides the back-room deal that got him the job in the first place).

Emmett said Tuesday he wanted to withhold judgment about the e-mails until he saw them. He said allegations of racism or explicit images on the county e-mail system were more damaging than possible campaigning at the office.

Excuse me? Bad taste is more important than criminal activity by the DA? Are you out of your mind? And there is no demand for Rosenthal's resignation.

Fortunately, we have a candidate for the position of County Judge who gets the matter correct.

Emmett's opponent in the GOP primary said Rosenthal should resign.

"I am asking the people of Harris County to join me in requesting Chuck Rosenthal's resignation effective immediately," said Charles Bacarisse. "(He) has lost both the public trust and the moral authority required to serve effectively as district attorney of Harris County."

And I agree with that sentiment wholeheartedly. Rosenthal must resign now.

UPDATE: Ed Emmett now calls for an investigation of Rosenthal. Good God -- isn't it clear that the man needs to go NOW, and for you to issue a demand that he resign (even though the arrogant DA won't comply)? Makes me wonder how serious Emmett really is about ethics reform.

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Posted by: Greg at 11:20 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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