It was buried at the end of the Associated Press report on the House vote to hold two White House officials in contempt.

The House voted Thursday to hold two of President Bush's confidants in contempt for failing to cooperate with an inquiry into whether a purge of federal prosecutors was politically motivated.

The first paragraph betrays the unconstitutionality of the House action. It doesn't matter one whit if the "purge" of eight (eight!) U.S. Attorneys was politically motivated. They're political appointees. They serve at the pleasure of the president. They can be sacked if the president decides he doesn't like the color of their eyes.

Yet, there were three Republicans who thumbed their noses at the separation of powers and tried to force the executive branch to reveal internal policy deliberations.

On Thursday, three Republicans joined 220 Democrats to support the contempt resolution, including Rep. Walter B. Jones of North Carolina, presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul of Texas and Rep. Wayne T. Gilchrest of Maryland, who was defeated this week in a primary.

Ron Paul, defender of the constitution? Like most other politicians, they wave the constitution around when it jibes with their political beliefs.