AP Finally Mentions Kwame Kilpatrick's Democratic Affiliation

As readers of NewsBusters are no doubt aware, we've tracked how the media have regularly refused to acknowledge the political party affiliation of indicted Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick (D).

Well, today, Associated Press reporter Julie Carr Smyth did acknowledge Kilpatrick is a Democrat, albeit in a roundabout sort of way in an article about Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann being the latest in a series of Democrats to find themselves in legal hot water due to sexual indiscretion.

Oh, you've never heard of Dann? That may be because the Ohio AG's scandal lacks the tech savvy of text messages or the sleaze factor of high-priced call girls. But now that it appears that the nuclear option of impeachment may come into play, Time.com is picking up on AP's May 6 article:

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — The political battle over whether state Attorney General Marc Dann should leave office has taken on the feel of a standoff.

Dann, 46, refuses to surrender to demands by an army of his own Democratic leaders that he step aside following an admitted affair and a sexual harassment scandal at his office.

Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland said Monday that Dann's refusal to submit to the pressure - including a threat by the Ohio Democratic Party to revoke its endorsement - means Democrats will move forward to impeach him. Republican House Speaker Jon Husted said that his chamber, which takes the first step in any impeachment, was already reviewing the process. "I think it's important for Democrats to send a very clear message that we will clean our own house," Strickland said. Democrats' calls for Dann to resign were applauded by Republicans, adding a new twist to Strickland's reputation for bipartisan cooperation.

It's at this point that Smyth brought up Spitzer and Kilpatrick (emphasis mine):

Dann is the third high-ranking Democratic official around the country to be marred by sexual scandal in recent months.

Former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer resigned abruptly in March after revelations that he had been a customer of a high-end prostitution service. But Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick continues to hold office despite being charged with perjury, misconduct and obstruction of justice for accusations that he tried to hide a long-term romantic relationship with his former chief of staff.

For NewsBusters posts about Kwame Kilpatrick reporting, check here.

For NewsBusters posts about Eliot Spitzer coverage, check here.