More analysis on how the culture of corruption impacted election results this year. Two top Democrats believe the ethics issue was a factor:

"Every member or district that had an issue related to the professional conduct of that member switched and became Democratic," Rep. Rahm Emanuel of Illinois, who headed the Democrats' congressional campaign efforts, said today. "That was eight seats — half of the 15 you needed."

Former Democratic National Chairman Terry McAuliffe said Republicans miscalculated in deciding not to respond to the scandals by passing ethics legislation.

House Republicans blocked efforts to ban lobbyist-paid meals and to prevent lawmakers from accepting cut-rate charter flights on corporate jets. The only measure to be enacted identified lawmakers who obtained funding for local projects known as earmarks. That rule expires when Congress adjourns in January.

Melanie Sloan points out that ethics were an issue the last time the House changed hands in 1994:

in Washington, said Republicans had failed to heed the lesson of the 1994 campaign.

In that year, Republicans swept Democrats from power in Congress by questioning their ethics.

"The voters have sent Congress the message that they will not tolerate corruption,"said.

One would think that members of Congress would know that votes will not tolerate corruption. But, clearly, they don't. Don't worry, though. CREW will constantly remind them.