Has nothing to do with character. Torricelli took advantage of the Democrat's narrow hold on the Senate, knowing full well that he could have clubbed a baby seal to death on national TV, and the Democratic Senate would not kick him out of office.

Which is why Chang is in prison for bribing a man who is still a Senator and a free man after accepting one.

But now that the election is coming up, his luck has run out. He stands a good chance of losing, and has now become a liability. The Democrats will cheerfully throw one of their own to the sharks to protect the party's power, and this is no exception. You can bet party movers and shakers are twisting Torricelli's arm behind his back even as we speak.

My guess? The Offer That Cannot Be Refused: bail out gracefully, and when you are no longer a Senator, we will not bring to bear the full legal penalties you so richly deserve. Will Torricelli take it? Who knows?

Then the Democrats will try to replace Torricelli with someone they think can beat the Republican. Don't know who, yet.