The Land of Lincoln – 21st Century Edition

This from Talking Points Memo:

The little-known pawnbroker who won this week's Democratic primary election for Illinois lieutenant governor was arrested in 2005 after his prostitute girlfriend alleged that he put a knife to her throat and pushed her against the wall -- an incident that could create a major headache for Governor Pat Quinn.

Scott Lee Cohen denies that he laid a hand on the woman, and says he didn't know she was a prostitute -- he thought she just worked in a massage parlor.

Where do we get these creeps? What is it about these guys (John Edwards, David Vitter, John Ensign, this cretin) that makes them think they're doing us some kind of favor by running for elective office? It seems like the only people who are ashamed are their poor families.