The Steve Scalise-David Duke story may be evolving. In an interview, Duke says that he met with Scalise and other Republicans several times, and that he may name names. If true, that’s a game-changer. I think that it’s possible Scalise let his ambition cloud his judgment back in 2002, when he agreed to speak before the Duke organization about fiscal issues. But if he met with Duke personally, and on other occasions, doing so grants legitimacy to someone who has no place in American politics. If Duke is telling the truth here — and remember, we’re talking about David Duke — then Scalise owes the public an explanation of why he would do it. It’s bad enough to speak before a David Duke front group, but if I squint, I can see how he made a mistake like that, and give him the benefit of the doubt.

But meeting directly with Duke? No. Absolutely unacceptable. If true, Scalise should be tossed from the GOP leadership.

Which other Republicans met with Duke? If they exist, I hope he names names.

Stay tuned. This may get real interesting, real fast.

UPDATE: Or not. A former Duke aide says Scalise didn’t meet with white supremacists, but with a neighborhood group meeting in the same hotel.