That cracking noise you just heard was Republican National Committee Michael Steele's glass house shattering. While Republicans hypocritically try to make ethics an issue, they would be well served to remember a few facts:
It is the Democrats who passed and enacted historic ethics reform that broke the link between lobbyists and legislators: no gifts, no private jets, and no meals from lobbyists.
It is the Democrats who passed and enacted unprecedented levels of transparency and disclosure, shining sunlight on the activities of Members of Congress and lobbyists.
It is the Democrats who established the Office of Congressional Ethics.
It is the Democrats who got the Ethics Committee – which didn’t function under Republicans – back to work.
When questions about ethics have been raised about any Member of Congress, Democrats have acted quickly to make sure it the question was addressed by the appropriate entity.
The Republican culture of corruption under Tom DeLay and Republican leadership had devastating consequences that the American people are still paying the price for: a complex and costly prescription drug bill written by drug companies, an energy policy written by the Big Oil companies, and record deficits to pay for tax breaks for their most wealthy friends. That’s why it’s not surprising to see disgraced former Republican Congressman Richard Pombo—who embodied the Republicans’ culture of corruption—win the endorsement of NRCC Recruitment Chair Kevin McCarthy.
Here are some of the residents of Republicans' ethical glass House:
Representative John Boehner, (R-OH-8th) – House Minority Leader John Boehner handed out campaign checks from the tobacco industry to members on the House floor at a time when lawmakers were considering eliminating a tobacco subsidy. Former Representative Chris Shays, a Connecticut Republican, criticized Boehner’s ties to lobbyists. ``The problem John faces is that he's so close to K Street; that's the challenge he's got,'' said Shays. [Bloomberg News, 1/10/06]
Representative Eric Cantor, (R-VA-7th) – House Minority Whip Eric Cantor has faced a number of ethical questions including ties to lobbyists and misuse of taxpayer money for political purposes. In 2009, he started the National Council for a New America, a group that ultimately ”flamed out” after a number of questions about its use of taxpayer money for political meetings. A Roll Call editorial said, “Cantor should reimburse his House account from his campaign account or leadership political action committee for the staff resources that he has used.” Cantor also had close ties to disgraced lobbyists Jack Abramoff who actually named a sandwich at his deli after Cantor during a fundraiser, an even that drew criticism since Cantor initially failed to report the debt to Abramoff’s deli. During legal problems surrounding Tom DeLay, Roll Call wrote that “Cantor appears to have acquired a new role: chief defender of Majority Leader Tom DeLay.” [Roll Call, 5/13/09; Time, 11/28/05; Jewish Forward, 6/20/03; Politico, 8/10/09]
Representative Pete Sessions, (R-TX-32nd):Just hours after federal agents charged banker Allen Stanford with fleecing investors of $7 billion, the disgraced financier received a message from one of Congress' most powerful members, NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions. ‘I love you and believe in you,’ said the e-mail sent on Feb. 17. `If you want my ear/voice -- e-mail,’ it said, signed ‘Pete.'' [Miami Herald, 12/27/2009] Earlier in the year, Sessions came under fire for steering a $1.6 million earmark for dirigible research to a company with no experience in government contracting or building blimps. The company hired a former aide to Sessions to lobby on their behalf. [Politico, 7/30/2009] Sessions held a fundraising event at a Las Vegas strip club for his leadership committee, joined by casino executives and payday lenders at Forty Deuce nightclub, located in the Mandalay Bay Restort. [NPR, 7/22/08]
Representative Don Young, (R-AK-AL):Yes, Rep. Don Young is still in Congress, even though he has been the subject of at least two recent federal criminal investigations. One involved a $10 million earmark for a Florida company Young dropped into a 2006 bill just before it passed; another dealt with a broad investigation into political corruption in Alaska, tied to the (ultimately flawed) case that led to former Sen. Ted Stevens's defeat. [Salon, 3/5/10]
RepresentativeKen Calvert, (R-CA-44th): Rep. Ken Calvert has reaped the benefits of his own earmarks. Calvert is under investigation by the FBI after a story in the Los Angeles Times alleged that Calvert’s earmarks have benefited his own property holdings. In one particular case, Calvert sold a property less than a year after purchasing it for a 79 percent markup after earmarking almost $10 million for the area. Despite his ethically questionable land deals, the House Republican leadership chose Calvert to replace Rep. Doolittle on the powerful Appropriations Committee. In an attempt to make up for his tarnished reputation, Calvert plans to run all earmarks through the House ethics panel in the future. In addition, Calvert is involved in a community controversy surrounding a parcel of land he and his partners bought without competition. In 2007, a Riverside County grand jury found that the services district violated state law when it sold the land to Calvert and his partners. [Los Angeles Times, 5/15/06; Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, 2008; Washington Post, 6/22/06; Riverside Press-Enterprise, 5/23/07; Riverside Press-Enterprise, 7/03/07]
Executive Director Jon Vogel just sent this message to DCCC supporters:
Friend --
You came through again!
When the swift-boat attack machine targeted our Democrats supporting health insurance reform, you came out swinging. Together, we shattered our goal by raising $131,655.
On behalf of the DCCC, I cannot thank you enough. But we know the defenders of the status quo won't give up without a fight. Check out the latest updates in the final battle to secure reform in our latest edition of @Stake.
Swift Boat Attack Pulled Down Due to "Wrong Facts"
Its no surprise that right-wing pundit Dick Morris used his connections at Fox News to promote TV ads attacking our pro-health reform Democrats. Even less surprising: The ads were filled with lies.
Thanks to you, our Fact Check Fox team sprang into action and this Republican front group was forced to pull down their dishonest ads. However, we've heard that another swift-boat group is going up with a huge attack ad buy this week.
Today, we are unveiling the first slate of Democratic candidates that have qualified for our competitive Red to Blue fundraising program by running promising campaigns in GOP-controlled districts.
Following historic victories in 2006 and 2008, we know Democrats are facing a strong headwind going into the 2010 election year. But as each of these races makes clear, the DCCC plans to stay on offense with a full slate of grassroots candidates committed to challenging Republican incumbents and capturing open seats from coast to coast.
You and I know there are plenty of reasons to support health insurance reform, but this week, Rush Limbaugh put the icing on the cake: On his radio show, Rush actually said that if the reforms Democrats are proposing go into effect, he is - and I quote - "leaving the country."
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee today announced 13 candidates who have earned a spot in the DCCC's highly competitive Red to Blue program. These candidates earned a spot in the program by surpassing demanding fundraising goals and skillfully demonstrating to voters that they will work to create jobs and stand up for the middle class.
"These candidates have come out of the gate strong and the Red to Blue Program will give them the financial and structural edge to be even more competitive in November," said Chairman Chris Van Hollen, Chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. "These candidates are generating excitement back home and are making the case to voters that their commitment to creating jobs and standing up for the middle class is far better than turning back the clock to the failed Bush policies of the past."
Chairman Van Hollen joined DCCC Vice Chair Bruce Braley (IA) and Red to Blue co-chairs Allyson Schwartz (PA), Patrick Murphy (PA), and Donna Edwards (MD) to announce the first 13 candidates who qualified for the Red to Blue:
Ami Bera (CA-03) Paula Brooks (OH-12) John Callahan (PA-15) John Carney (DE-AL) Suzan DelBene (WA-08) Lori Edwards (FL-12) Raj Goyle (KS-04) Roy Herron (TN-08) Bryan Lentz (PA-07) Rob Miller (SC-02) Steve Pougnet (CA-45) Dan Seals (IL-10) Tom White (NE-02)
The Red to Blue program highlights top Democratic campaigns across the country, and offers them financial, communications, grassroots, and strategic support. The program will introduce Democratic supporters to new, competitive candidates in order to help expand the fundraising base for these campaigns. The very successful fundraising effort helped raise more than $26 million for Red to Blue candidates last cycle.
DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen issued the following statement after the Pennsylvania Democratic Party announced they were supporting Mark Critz's candidacy in the upcoming 12th Congressional district special election:
"For years Mark Critz has worked tirelessly on behalf of the people of Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional district to help bring jobs and economic development to Western Pennsylvania. His pledge to continue that work in Congress and his commitment to honoring our servicemen, women, and their families is unparalleled.
"Between his record as a public servant and his deep roots in the community there is no doubt that Mark is exactly the kind of leader the 12th district needs in Congress right now. Just like he has done over the course of his career, Mark will serve Western Pennsylvanians well in Washington and we are proud to support his candidacy."
Check out this clip of Howard Dean on MSNBC's Countdown praising DCCC supporters for their grassroots response to the RNC's fear tactics:
We need you to be our eyes and ears on the ground. Let us know when you see Republican smears and get our latest Rapid Response alerts with our 2010 Campaign Action Bar:
Braley, Schwartz, P. Murphy, D. Edwards to lead Red to Blue and Open Seat effort Wasserman Schultz, Israel to have enhanced Incumbent responsibility
Washington, D.C. – Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Chris Van Hollen today announced the leadership for the Red to Blue program and additional assistance with incumbent protection.
DCCC Vice Chair Bruce Braley (IA) will join Representatives Allyson Schwartz (PA), Patrick Murphy (PA), and Donna Edwards (MD) as chairs of the Red to Blue Program for the 2010 cycle. The Red to Blue program highlights top Democratic campaigns across the country, and offers them financial, communications, grassroots, and strategic support. The very successful fundraising effort helped raise more than $26 million for Red to Blue candidates last cycle.
DCCC Chair Chris Van Hollen said, “The DCCC is focused on not only protecting our threatened incumbents, but also staying aggressively on offense. The talented leadership of our battle-tested Red to Blue chairs Bruce Braley, Allyson Schwartz, Patrick Murphy, and Donna Edwards will ensure Democratic candidates have the infrastructure and support they need to be successful.”
Representative Bruce Braley, Vice Chair for candidate services, brings his experience from co-chairing last cycle’s successful and effective Red to Blue Program, and as a former beneficiary of the program. Representative Allyson Schwartz brings her experience as the chair of the DCCC Women LEAD program. As a former member of Red to Blue, Representative Patrick Murphy brings firsthand knowledge that will serve Democratic candidates well this cycle. Representative Donna Edwards knows what it takes to win tough races and will bring that experience and determination to the Red to Blue program. All the Red to Blue chairs are members of the DCCC recruiting committee.
The Red to Blue program highlights top Democratic campaigns across the country, and offers them financial, communications, and strategic support.
In addition, Chair Van Hollen announced Vice Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Representative Steve Israel, chair of the DCCC Recruiting Committee, will take on additional responsibility this cycle with Democratic incumbents who are not on the DCCC’s Frontline Program.
“This is a tough cycle for Democrats and the DCCC is focused on preserving our gains. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Steve Israel’s savvy, battle tested leadership will be a real asset to our Members facing tough reelections,” said Van Hollen.
Speaker Pelosi sent the following message to DCCC supporters:
Friend --
I have some exciting news to share with you.
This week, President Obama issued a call to action to pass health insurance reform this month.
We will now move forward to push for an up-or-down vote on the final improvements on legislation to lower costs, improve quality, rein in the insurance industry, and expand access to quality health care for all Americans.
Even as we move forward to make history for the American people, the protectors of the status quo are not giving up. They have launched despicable attacks against President Obama, our Democratic Members of Congress, and me.
We cannot let them slow us down. Making quality health care affordable for every American is just too important for too many families to be sidelined by these political smear tactics. We are just $17,109 away from meeting our Emergency Rapid Response Fund goal before Monday's midnight deadline.
The leadership of the League of American Voters, a new Republican front group fighting against health insurance reform, has a long history of hateful rhetoric including claiming that President Obama, "will help create a danger as great as that posed by the Nazis to the Jewish people." The leadership of the organization, which has already been forced to modify its false advertizing, has compared President Obama to Hitler on numerous occasions including the outrageous claim that Obama poses the same threat to Jews that Hitler did.
"Over the past year, Republicans have employed a lot of extreme language but the hateful rhetoric of the leadership of the League of American Voters is unacceptable," said Ryan Rudominer, National Press Secretary of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. "Claiming that President Obama’s policies are equivalent to the mass murder of Jews is despicable and it is time for Republicans in Congress to disavow this hate group that is working on their behalf."
Background
The League of American Voters, a new Republican front group fighting against health insurance reform, has been forced to modify its false advertizing. [Media Matters for America, 3/3/10; Syracuse Post-Standard, 3/3/10]
Morton Pomerantz, one of the four staff members of the League of American Voters, wrote a Newsmax column arguing that Obama posed as great a threat to the Jewish people as Hitler did. He wrote, “It is no coincidence that we are witnessing this level of hatred toward Jews as President Barack Obama positions America against the Jewish state… And if his views are not vigorously opposed they will help create a danger as great as that posed by the Nazis to the Jewish people.” [Newsmax, 6/10/09; League of American Voters Staff]
Phil Brennan, one of the four staff members for the League of American Voters, wrote a Newsmax column arguing that the election of then-Senator Barack Obama would be a repetition of the German people backing Hitler in the 1930s. Brennan wrote, “Like the German people of 1932, many Americans seem to be willing to put our future in the hands of a messianic leader with abundant oratorical gifts, a questionable and largely unknown past and a unshakable conviction born of a socialistic background that America can spend its way out of a debacle initially caused by trying to spend our way into prosperity.” [Newsmax, 10/10/08; League of American Voters Staff]
(Opinions expressed by these sites are not necessarily those held by us. So don't even try to blame us for things they say. It will just make you look lame. Seriously.)
