Donde Esta Steny?

Did anybody else notice the volumes-speaking absence of House Min Whip Steny Hoyer at the Dems' reform rollout yesterday? You know, the one that garnered front-page coverage and was attended by dozens of Dems from both chambers including all the other members of their leadership. That one.

His mere absence may just titillate the likes of us and a few others. But when quotes like the below also pop up, the Pelosi-Hoyer intramural rivalry threatens to divert from the Dems' message.

From a Bloomberg story this a.m.:

Representative Steny Hoyer of Maryland, the No. 2 House Democrat, said the Republicans, not lax regulations, were to blame for the ethics scandals. ``It is not the rules that are the issue, it's the character of the players that is the issue here,'' Hoyer said in an interview. ``That is what I want to focus on, the culture of corruption.''

This from the House Dems' point man on K St. outreach -- as we are helpfully reminded by his own office.

Asked about their Whip's no show, Pelosi's office pointed out that Hoyer had a previous commitment raising money for Dems in FL and that he had issued a supportive statement in lieu of showing up. That he would miss the big show was no biggie, they said.

Hoyer's office also downplayed the absence, noting that the trip to FL was "long-scheduled." Again, nothing there.

Perhaps not, but why -- at this of all times -- let anything get in the way of your message?