Rep. John Murtha has died at the age of 77. After a career as U.S. Marine and pro-defense Democrat in recent years he became the champion of the netroot Left and its anti-Iraq War crusade. Like all politicians he will be judged on the totality of his career.

He, of course, has been in the center of ethics scandals that have swirled around his cottage industry in pork for his district. His passing, to be blunt, may have one of two results: It may either help clear the decks for Nancy Pelosi to finally “drain the swamp” and root out those members who have misused their positions on key committees, or his passing may lead to a series of embarrassing revelations concerning the way he and colleagues conducted business. Time will tell.