Jaffe: The sons don't always rise

U.S. Attorney Ronald Machen is taking his time to wrap up the investigation into Mayor Vincent Gray’s corrupt mayoral campaign. Who knows whether Gray will take the fall, along with three trusted campaign aides who have already pleaded guilty to felonies?

Gray, ever the hard-working public servant, is soldiering on, as if there were no indictment hanging over his head. But in the minds of many Washingtonians, Gray is already in the rearview mirror. He appears to have stolen the election. He’s lost the will of the people. The city feels leaderless to many. Chatter in cocktail receptions, lunch counters and street corners is all about Who’s next? Who can lead the city and legitimize the government?