Culture of Corruption: 100 Representatives on PMA list

posted at 8:48 am on February 19, 2009 by Ed Morrissey

The sudden exposure and collapse of lobbying group PMA may create a huge problem for Democrats — much bigger than the Jack Abramoff scandal.  PMA, most closely tied to John Murtha, has raised funds for scores of Democrats in the House, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi.  In turn, more than 100 members of the House, mostly Democrats, inserted earmarks into bills in 2008 alone for PMA clients:

More than 100 House members secured earmarks in a major spending bill for clients of a single lobbying firm — The PMA Group — known for its close ties to John P. Murtha , the congressman in charge of Pentagon appropriations.

“It shows you how good they were,” said Keith Ashdown, chief investigator at the watchdog group Taxpayers for Common Sense. “The sheer coordination of that would take an army to finish.” …

In the spending bill managed by Murtha, the fiscal 2008 Defense appropriation, 104 House members got earmarks for projects sought by PMA clients, according to Congressional Quarterly’s analysis of a database constructed by Ashdown’s group.

Those House members, plus a handful of senators, combined to route nearly $300 million in public money to clients of PMA through that one law (PL 110-116).

And when the lawmakers were in need — as they all are to finance their campaigns — PMA came through for them.

How well did they come through?  Jonathan Allen and Alex Knott of CQ Politics estimates that PMA has contributed almost $3.3 million over the last eight years to the campaigns of these Representatives — and that’s just the legal donations.  Federal investigators now apparently believe that PMA may have directed a lot more cash than that through strawman donors.

Who were the big beneficiaries?  It’s almost impossible to list them all.  Murtha and Pete Visclosky ($219K) are already known PMA sweethearts. Jim Moran’s (D-VA, $125K) inclusion comes as no surprise, either.  Many people may not know John Larson, the Democratic Caucus Chair, but PMA knew him — and got him almost $38,000.  Pelosi got $4500, Steny Hoyer $11,000, and James Clyburn (Democratic Whip) got $3,000.  Among the three top Democratic leaders, Pelosi was the only one to give a PMA client an earmark: $2 million for a satellite receiver contract.

PMA scored over $300 million for its clients in just one bill for a hundredth of that total over eight years of donations.  I’d say they spent their money wisely.

What will be the next campaign slogan for Democrats?  They used “culture of corruption” after the Abramoff scandal to claim the moral high ground.  In 2010, will they run on this slogan: “We stay bought”?

Update: $3.3 million is almost a hundredth of $300 million, not a tenth.  Note to self: do NOT do math before the first cup of coffee.

Blowback

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Among the three top Democratic leaders, Pelosi was the only one to give a PMA client an earmark: $2 million for a satellite receiver contract.

Sweet!

ladyingray on February 19, 2009 at 8:52 AM

can we just impeach all of them?

workingforpigs on February 19, 2009 at 8:54 AM

Do we really think Murtha will go down for this – or anyone else for that matter?

nitzsche on February 19, 2009 at 8:54 AM

Why doesn’t the media report on this? (I know – stoopit question)

We got all Abramoff all the time during his 15 minutes.

Mr Purple on February 19, 2009 at 8:55 AM

Can you say Quid pro quo ?

Johan Klaus on February 19, 2009 at 8:56 AM

That’s ok, ACORN is waiting in the wings with their $4B to fill the vacuum. Huh, maybe that explains why PMA got exposed…

Akzed on February 19, 2009 at 8:56 AM

Don’t you think they’ll just vote to ignore the charges, like they did with Rangle?

anniekc on February 19, 2009 at 8:56 AM

Let’s face it. They’re better at this than we are.

TexasDan on February 19, 2009 at 8:58 AM

nitzsche said
“Do we really think Murtha will go down for this – or anyone else for that matter?”

Only the Republicans on the list.

BobK on February 19, 2009 at 8:58 AM

for a tenth of that total over eight years of donations. I’d say they spent their money wisely.

The math course was a few years back? 1/100th is the fraction you are looking for Ed.

Jim708 on February 19, 2009 at 9:00 AM

Only $300 million?

Seeing how the Democrats just re-defined the phrase “wasteful spending” by stretching the yardstick well past the trillion-dollar mark, this is now pocket change. $300 million doesn’t even register the proverbial blip on the radar screen any more.

Why report on it at all?

Besides, doing so would not, in any way, benefit Michelle Obama’s children.

Alternate post comment: Just when you thought it was safe to stop stockpiling 7.62 Russian.

Bruce in NH on February 19, 2009 at 9:01 AM

We need to start sending farmers to washington and stop sending lawyers.

workingforpigs on February 19, 2009 at 9:02 AM

“This town needs an enema!”

csdeven on February 19, 2009 at 9:02 AM

Culture CIVILIZATION of Corruption: 100 Representatives on PMA list

The Dems have taken corruption to a whole, new level.

progressoverpeace on February 19, 2009 at 9:02 AM

Name names! I want to know who they are.

BetseyRoss on February 19, 2009 at 9:07 AM

Can you say Quid pro quo ?
Johan Klaus on February 19, 2009 at 8:56 AM

Can you say it three times fast?

Bishop on February 19, 2009 at 9:07 AM

Why does this have to come out when the dems control everything…nothing will happen, except some dem will get angry at another dem because they were paid more.

right2bright on February 19, 2009 at 9:07 AM

“This town needs an enema!”

csdeven on February 19, 2009 at 9:02 AM

Now that says it all . . . it would be a pleasure to administer it.

rplat on February 19, 2009 at 9:08 AM

Do we really think Murtha will go down for this – or anyone else for that matter?

nitzsche on February 19, 2009 at 8:54 AM

Maybe not, but some of the Democrats who represent conservative districts can’t afford anything like this in 2010.

forest on February 19, 2009 at 9:09 AM

Better late than never! I wonder WTF our FBI has been doing while these union loving thugs have been busy engaging in corruption and thuggery against anything standing in the path.

Weren’t we supposed to have systems in place to eliminate this kind of action before it destroys our economy & way of life?

Keemo on February 19, 2009 at 9:10 AM

Murtha’s power base in the house was based on a whole group of House members whose votes he could deliver. How many are now caught in the web?

rob verdi on February 19, 2009 at 9:11 AM

Ed,

Isn’t $3.3 million, about 1% or 1/100th of $300 million, not one tenth? That just makes it all the more disgusting….Dems can be bought and it seems, quite cheaply…

InvictusAlpha on February 19, 2009 at 9:13 AM

PMA scored over $300 million for its clients in just one bill for a tenth of that total over eight years of donations. I’d say they spent their money wisely.

300/10 = 30. 300/100 = 3. It was 1/100th not 1/10th. They got $300M in return for $3.3M in “donations.”

TheBigOldDog on February 19, 2009 at 9:14 AM

The sudden exposure and collapse of lobbying group PMA may create a huge problem for Democrats — much bigger than the Jack Abramoff scandal.

Nah, you see the only thing that matters is what gets through the media… and “Jack Abramoff” sounds like clichish name for a 80s era villain who’s part of the government industrial complex… and he also looks and plays the part(indian casinos….)

ninjapirate on February 19, 2009 at 9:15 AM

Bush realized early on that the dimocrats owned the government and he could not control it. Their corrupt legion is entrenched in every arm of the government. The constant bombardment of lies for the 8 years drove our economy into the ground and Bush was nailed for it as he should have been. There will be no nailing this time. We now have a king and he will do as he pleases.

volsense on February 19, 2009 at 9:17 AM

Most ethical administration ever!

ballz2wallz on February 19, 2009 at 9:17 AM

Now that says it all . . . it would be a pleasure to administer it.

rplat on February 19, 2009 at 9:08 AM

With a fire hose.

csdeven on February 19, 2009 at 9:21 AM

Can you say it three times fast?

Bishop on February 19, 2009 at 9:07 AM

Hell, I cannot say my own name three times fast.

Johan Klaus on February 19, 2009 at 9:21 AM

Suprise: MSM is more interested in reporting on the chimp who attacked the CT woman (horrible, but let’s move on, or at least return to the airline crash) and on the war crimes in the Bush administration.

If Steele and the RNC want any money from me, they need to compile a list of these DEM POS and the contributions that they received from PMA and the earmarks going back to their constituents. At the same time, they need to be supporting unimpeachable conservatives to run against each of them.

On top of that, and somewhat OT, when in the hell is Steel, the RNC, and Congressional GOP leadership going to start to tie Democratic receipt of contributions from Fannie, Freddie, and ACORN. I’d also like to see an analysis of Wall Street firm contributions to Dems and the GOP in the past 10 years. I think the GOP is widely presumed to be receiving the primary financial support of Wall Street when, in fact, that’s not the case.

The GOP needs to torpedo some myths out there and finally become the party of accountability. It should be completely intolerant of graft. The stakes are simply getting too great to carry on in this manner.

Light up the candles and power up the flashlights and let’s take a long hard look at all of these corrupt pieces of sh*t.

BuckeyeSam on February 19, 2009 at 9:21 AM

We need to start sending farmers to washington and stop sending lawyers.
workingforpigs on February 19, 2009 at 9:02 AM

And send single mothers with children, who manage to scrape by without a dime of government assistance!! We know how to stretch a buck, how to say “NO”, and how to say “that’s the stupidest stunt you’ve ever tried to pull – now sit down and shut up!!!”

kamasm on February 19, 2009 at 9:23 AM

On top of that, and somewhat OT, when in the hell is Steel, the RNC, and Congressional GOP leadership going to start to tie Democratic receipt of contributions from Fannie, Freddie, and ACORN. I’d also like to see an analysis of Wall Street firm contributions to Dems and the GOP in the past 10 years. I think the GOP is widely presumed to be receiving the primary financial support of Wall Street when, in fact, that’s not the case.

The GOP needs to torpedo some myths out there and finally become the party of accountability. It should be completely intolerant of graft. The stakes are simply getting too great to carry on in this manner.

BuckeyeSam on February 19, 2009 at 9:21 AM

Hear, hear. Hear, hear.

progressoverpeace on February 19, 2009 at 9:24 AM

2010 Democratic slogan: PMA is better than T&A.

cpr on February 19, 2009 at 9:25 AM

Come on Mediahackery, come on ernesto, come on trolls….lets here the spin on this one! Where are you guys when I need my comedic relief the most?

Please, come out to play-i-ay.

javamartini on February 19, 2009 at 9:26 AM

With all the evidence of corruption in DC, why hasn’t it fostered the seeds of revolt? What are we waiting for?

larvcom on February 19, 2009 at 9:26 AM

And send single mothers with children, who manage to scrape by without a dime of government assistance!!

And mechanics who hope everyone keeps their old cars which will need to be worked on from time to time, at reasonable rates of course.

Bishop on February 19, 2009 at 9:28 AM

lets here the spin

Uhm…hear the spin, heh.

javamartini on February 19, 2009 at 9:28 AM

We need to start sending farmers to washington and stop sending lawyers.

workingforpigs on February 19, 2009 at 9:02 AM

“This town needs an enema!”

csdeven on February 19, 2009 at 9:02 AM

Maybe we need to send doctors?

MarkTheGreat on February 19, 2009 at 9:28 AM

Yes there is a God.

RadioFreeUSA on February 19, 2009 at 9:29 AM

Please, come out to play-i-ay.
javamartini on February 19, 2009 at 9:26 AM

Do you have little bottles on your fingers, clinking them together?

Bishop on February 19, 2009 at 9:29 AM

Holding my breath until the MSM reports on this……………….still holding my breath………….face turning red………….lips turning blue……….face now turning blue…………feeling a bit giddy……….might just pass out any second now………ah, screw it. Who am I kidding? Inhaling deeply, gasping for breath. Has anyone told Dan Rather about this?

Jarhead68 on February 19, 2009 at 9:31 AM

Did Obama vote for the 2008 Defense appropriation? What did he know and when did he know it?

rocinaterider on February 19, 2009 at 9:32 AM

I’m sure it was all for the children.

I wish we could scrap the lot of them and start over (with term limits).

CP on February 19, 2009 at 9:32 AM

Let Murtha go down. He can join Tom DeLay in the wilderness.

Mr. Joe on February 19, 2009 at 9:33 AM

Village Culture of Corruption: 100 Representatives on PMA list

rocinaterider on February 19, 2009 at 9:36 AM

This will lead to nothing. If you haven’t figured out by now that our government doesn’t work for us, doesn’t care what we think, and wants us to do as were told without questioning, then you haven’t been paying attention. Breaking laws is irrelevant if you are in government (see Obama’s cabinet & Congress in general). Only we have to follow the rules or risk getting thrown in jail. And, oh by the way, you must follow the rules and then you are also expected to pay for those who don’t. Literally.

Methinks I will continue to buy gold, guns, and ammo. The time is almost here where I will need all three.

King of the Britons on February 19, 2009 at 9:36 AM

BuckeyeSam on February 19, 2009 at 9:21 AM

Amen, brother.
The conservative media has been good on this, but a time line is what is needed. If I were a history teacher this timeline would be up in my room and we would go over it every day. As each offense is added the corruption multiplies exponentially. How much more of this will we take?

BetseyRoss on February 19, 2009 at 9:38 AM

…may create a huge problem for Democrats…

What? You think anybody cares? When less than forty-five minutes after running this, you run one [about a week old, by the way] about the savior-based economy? We’re in a strange state of affairs, when we the sinners forgive the Messiah (and his disciples).

Tzetzes on February 19, 2009 at 9:40 AM

I had always wondered what people who said representative democracy was ‘efficient’ had meant.

Now I know the answer!

It took 40 years for the Democrats to become so corrupt they needed to be tossed out into minority status. Then the Republicans, seeking to outdo their forebearers did so in less than 20 years. Ah, and now when it comes to corruption in a mere two terms, 4 years, the Democrats have not only surpassed their former glory of corruption but done a huge and great deed that has never been accomplished before in history.

Never has so much wealth and power been transferred from a population and been put under control of a minority elite with so little bloodshed. This is amazing! What took Caesar thousands dead, Lenin and Stalin tens of millions dead… ahh… this has gone on with nary a peep nor protest, and no deaths at all.

Yes, this is VERY efficient representative democracy at work. It has so efficiently concentrated the corruption and power that it can now act in ways that previous generations would never be able to comprehend.

I have, of course, always argued that the problem in Congress was too *few* Congresscritters to spread the graft around and be stabbing each other in the backs and brining the nefarious deeds of their compatriots to light so as to shift funds to their scoundrels. Yes, I now see how efficient it is to have huge districts and unaccountable representatives… why in no time at all I am sure that the next year will re-double this year, in the most efficient manner possible and the money and ability of the general public to have any funds not confiscated by the government will be nil.

To all of those that have argued for ‘efficient’ representative democracy: marvel and the ends it has come to as this is very and extremely efficient! And if you don’t like what ends it has come to, then well you may begin to see that having more more of these scoundrels to fight each other may make for less efficient government… and safeguard you so much better in their higher numbers which would be more accountable to their districts.

Yea and verily the problem is not the money in politics…

It is too few politicians to divide it amongst themselves and fight each other over such scraps as are left and keep an eagle on each other to ensure that no one gets ahead in the graft game. Just imagine a maximum size house of 10,000 or so politicians… they could never have passed this ‘stimulus’ package and would barely be able to pass the annual budget. Ahhhh… inefficient representative democracy… so sad that its sweet nectar of bickering is never heard in the land.

ajacksonian on February 19, 2009 at 9:40 AM

It won’t cause problems for corruptocrats because the news media has absolutely NO interest in this, unlike the Abramoff story.

The only media that will report on this will be Fox News, talk radio, and the conservative blogs, all institutions that The One will try to shut down via the unfairness doctrine.

wildcat84 on February 19, 2009 at 9:42 AM

“…Democrats pledge to make this the most honest, ethical, and open Congress in history.”

ujorge on February 19, 2009 at 9:44 AM

Like many others have said:

“Bigger than Abramoff”? Unlikely with these media.

Abby Adams on February 19, 2009 at 9:47 AM

I thought this was going to be the most ethical congress ever. I’m so disillusioned.

The problem is that this is breaking now, not 2 months before the election. I guarantee the GOP won’t seize on this next year and run all the crooks out.

When it comes to hardball politics, Dems are like scorned teenage girls arguing with a cheating ex in the cafeteria – everything is fair game. Peed your pants once in second grade? Everyone knows about it now.

Republicans are more like senile old men – can’t remember anything, but they’ll make up for it by showing up wearing 2 ties.

Wingo on February 19, 2009 at 9:48 AM

Yeah, well according to Political Wire, 42 congressional Republican are involved, too. Real nice. A culture of corruption exists all right, but it’s not limited to either party. This angers and sickens me as much as Porkulus. More, even. I hate government.

exlibris on February 19, 2009 at 9:49 AM

King of the Britons on February 19, 2009 at 9:36 AM

“The thing about being a survivalist kook and stockpiling gold, guns, and food is that there’s no downside. Even if you’re wrong, you’ve still got gold, guns, and food.”

When I enter Cabela’s, they provide me with a sedan chair hauled by scantily clad women, drinks and T-bone steaks done to order.

That’s how much money I spend there.

Bishop on February 19, 2009 at 9:50 AM

I can’t wait to see how this gets buried by the media…b/c it will

bluelightbrigade on February 19, 2009 at 9:51 AM

I’m sure it was all for the children.

I wish we could scrap the lot of them and start over (with term limits).

CP on February 19, 2009 at 9:32 AM

Do we really want to scrap all the kids, or just the obnoxious ones?

Laura in Maryland on February 19, 2009 at 9:53 AM

I want to know who are the republicans in this list, we need time to look good candidates for 2010.

Falz on February 19, 2009 at 9:53 AM

“Money, get back.
Im all right jack keep your hands off of my stack.
Money, its a hit.
Dont give me that do goody good bullshit.
Im in the high-fidelity first class traveling set
And I think I need a lear jet.

Money, its a crime.
Share it fairly but dont take a slice of my pie.
Money, so they say
Is the root of all evil today.
But if you ask for a raise its no surprise that theyre
Giving none away.”

Thank you, Pink Floyd.

College Prof on February 19, 2009 at 9:54 AM

Dumb question, but is there no legal action individuals can take to expose this fraud in court? I’m ready to hire someone to take this to a next level, if it’s possible. Are they just immune?

marklmail on February 19, 2009 at 9:54 AM

I’m sure no one is surprised by this. However, I will be surprise if any of these self-serving crooks suffer any blow-back whatsoever. The MSM will ensure that never happens.

When it come to the crimes, corruption, and habitual lies of Democrats, the MSM is like a serial killers mother pleading that her child is misunderstood and had only good intentions when he strangled his victims.

Rod on February 19, 2009 at 10:04 AM

Bishop on February 19, 2009 at 9:50 AM

I don’t mind being called a kook because as your quote says, there is no downside. Sadly, I do believe that my buying and survival strategy may prove to be a wise one once the coming inflation hits. I talked to my broker at Blanchard yesterday and they believe and fear a gold confiscation is coming, like during the depression. They are pushing rare gold mint coins (collector’s items have been exempt from gold confiscation much like a gold ring might be) and they are going quickly. Despite what you may hear on the TV and from “economists,” the reality of it is that gold is being bought and bought at a high rate right now. This means that many smart people are thinking the same thing: we are in trouble with this craptastic Pork bill. I like Peter Schiff. He has been accurate in his predictions (while being laughed at by the talking heads on TV) of the Housing Bubble burst and the financials collapse. He is predicting some very very painful times ahead. He is buying gold. He is predicting hyper-inflation.

I hope he is wrong and I am too. Worst case is that I have gold and more guns. Guns rarely lose value and some grow in value. Gold – is well, gold.

King of the Britons on February 19, 2009 at 10:05 AM

Yeah, well according to Political Wire, 42 congressional Republican are involved, too. Real nice. A culture of corruption exists all right, but it’s not limited to either party. This angers and sickens me as much as Porkulus. More, even. I hate government.

exlibris on February 19, 2009 at 9:49 AM

And we should know there names…these are the guys we have to move out and replace…dems and Republicans.

right2bright on February 19, 2009 at 10:05 AM

Whoa now, everyone! Lets take a step back and broaden the view a bit.

Given the sheer numbers of elected officials involved in directing federal funds in exchange for campaign contributions, can’t we apply the current logic used in virtually every other debate?

That logic is that since everyone is doing it, and they’re going to do it anyway regardless of controls, why don’t we just accept it and remove the negative stigma associated with it?

You know, like abortion?

BobMbx on February 19, 2009 at 10:06 AM

Just 100?

notagool on February 19, 2009 at 10:07 AM

This was brought out in the open to “water down” Murtha’s involvement.
Everyone is doing it, so they pass “sweeping laws” to correct the problem, and no one is held accountable because it is so broad…”It must be the system”.
It’s a bait and switch scheme to get the dems leaders off the hook.

right2bright on February 19, 2009 at 10:08 AM

You know, like abortion?

BobMbx on February 19, 2009 at 10:06 AM

You posted what I was writing…two minds.

right2bright on February 19, 2009 at 10:09 AM

Can we hope that all will be held responsible?

NAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

Easydoesit on February 19, 2009 at 10:09 AM

Funny, they called for an ethics investigation for Burris, but none for these clowns? They are all corrupt.

The Congress works hardly at all, gets very little done…unless its for their crooked buddies…and THEY get paid how much?

Salary caps for Congress! Term limits for Congress!!

becki51758 on February 19, 2009 at 10:10 AM

Did Obama vote for the 2008 Defense appropriation? What did he know and when did he know it?

rocinaterider on February 19, 2009 at 9:32 AM

Just looked it up.

Both the bill and the subsequent conference report were passed in the Senate by voice vote only.

Courage.

Bruce in NH on February 19, 2009 at 10:10 AM

If you think this story will ever see the light of day in the MSN media then your smoking some thing.Fox news maybe NBC.Msnbc,Cnn,cbs,Abc NYT,Washington post,LA Times no way.

thmcbb on February 19, 2009 at 10:10 AM

King of the Britons on February 19, 2009 at 10:05 AM

Haven’t done the gold thing yet (the female Minister of Finance would chop me apart if I spent a few grand on gold) bought I have bought some small amounts of silver which is more affordable.

If things were to hit the fan, I mean REALLY hit the fan, I’ll head north to the cabin and wait it out; plenty of everything up there, both natural and pre-stocked in the basement. I have ready skills to ply on a barter or cash basis, I’ll trust to those for survival and see how things go.

Bishop on February 19, 2009 at 10:10 AM

Link to H.R.3222 history.

Bruce in NH on February 19, 2009 at 10:11 AM

When it is dems…We all need to look at this problem.

When t is a republican…Culture of corruption.

tomas on February 19, 2009 at 10:12 AM

The problem as I see it is not the money, it is the secretcy. We will never be able to remove money from politics, absolutely impossible. However, we can make the process more open. such as requiring the any money that a candidate or elected official receives is properle recorded in the public. This also goes for gifts, meals, travel, car & driver, and any other thing.

The next step is to make the legislation open, if you try to insert an earmark or pork then your name is on it, and it can be traced back to you.

ChristopherPack on February 19, 2009 at 10:19 AM

Can you post the entire list of Congressmen?..I want to see if my representative is on it…

sirpatrick on February 19, 2009 at 10:21 AM

The sudden exposure and collapse of lobbying group PMA may create a huge problem for Democrats

To quote my daughter, “Are you on crack?”

My money says the Lame Stream Media has buried this story so deep in the ocean even the Discovery Channel won’t be able to find it. You should print this out NOW, it’s the last time you’ll see it.

oldleprechaun on February 19, 2009 at 10:24 AM

Let’s face it. They’re better at this than we are.

TexasDan on February 19, 2009 at 8:58 AM

I have to ask: why does no one at General Electric seem to be able to make the connection between their losses at MSNBC and their plummeting stock price?

Do they not understand that they are funding their own enemy and losing money at both ends? What a remarkable abortion their ownership is.

Jaibones on February 19, 2009 at 10:24 AM

Bishop on February 19,2009 at 9:28 AM

Hey, Bishop–how long have you been wrenching? Just curious.

irongrampa on February 19, 2009 at 10:27 AM

Pelosi is probably kicking herself right now, she’s evidently made her Congress a little too transparent.

GarandFan on February 19, 2009 at 10:38 AM

Your math may be fuzzy Ed, but your reasoning is still directly on target.

AZCoyote on February 19, 2009 at 10:48 AM

It makes me sad that I have no confidence in our government anymore. None whatsoever.

scalleywag on February 19, 2009 at 10:54 AM

Just 100?

notagool on February 19, 2009 at 10:07 AM

+100

scalleywag on February 19, 2009 at 10:57 AM

I wonder what the Pope would have to say about that?

scalleywag on February 19, 2009 at 10:58 AM

I wonder what the Pope would have to say about that?

scalleywag on February 19, 2009 at 10:58 AM

God himself could appear to Nancy Pelosi and tell her to oppose abortion and she would not.

King of the Britons on February 19, 2009 at 11:01 AM

When the AP cannot even provide cover for the democrats,then it is starting to get bad:

Analysis: Democrats self-destructing over ethics

By LARRY MARGASAK – 7 hours ago

WASHINGTON (AP) —

The Obama administration and the new Congress are quickly handing over to Republicans the same “culture of corruption” issue that Democrats used so effectively against the GOP before coming to power.

I expect to see hour long specials from CNN/MSNBC on democratic corruption,Katie and Brian Williams leading off their news programs with this democratic corruption,Olberman denouncing the corruption,NY Times/WaPO front page stories on democratic corruption along with Time and Newsweek covers, Pelosi/Reid holding their constituents accountable and providing transparent investigations.

All right…All right…I know. Not a chance in he!!.
Guess we will have to push it since our press core can’t get off their knees in addressing the Obama administration.

Baxter Greene on February 19, 2009 at 11:01 AM

I just wonder….the sheep that vote for these Dems…will they even CARE about this stuff? I mean you have the lady asking the President for a KITCHEN for pete’s sake. To take Scalleywag’s comment one step further….

It makes me sad that I have no confidence in our government anymore. None whatsoever.scalleywag on February 19, 2009 at 10:54 AM

I have no confidence in our electorate anymore. And THAT is sad.

search4truth on February 19, 2009 at 11:07 AM

Um, MSM, where’s the LibGate?

marklmail on February 19, 2009 at 11:08 AM

The Republicans are just as bad. If anyone came along who actually wanted to stop all the corruption, the two parties would refuse to let them debate as they do with other 3rd party candidates. Having lawyers in congressional seats for their lifetimes was never the intent of the writers of the Constitution.

mph on February 19, 2009 at 11:10 AM

Looks like the “Accountability and Transparency (RAT) Board” is coming into being just when it may be needed the most!

Star20 on February 19, 2009 at 11:26 AM

Do as I say,……
not as I do.

christene on February 19, 2009 at 11:31 AM

I thought this was going to be the most ethical congress ever. I’m so disillusioned.
Wingo on February 19, 2009 at 9:48 AM

Didn’t you forget your /sarc tag or is that an actual statement?

Chaz706 on February 19, 2009 at 11:31 AM

and how to say “that’s the stupidest stunt you’ve ever tried to pull – now sit down and shut up!!!”

kamasm

Mom!…when did you get a computer?

SKYFOX on February 19, 2009 at 11:31 AM

Unfortunately, journalism is dead.

Inform me when it rises from the grave to confront these politicians.

I won’t hold my breath.

sdun1 on February 19, 2009 at 11:45 AM

Bribery in modern terms is called “Campaign Contributions”
K Street rules the country.

Amazed on February 19, 2009 at 12:27 PM

Our Dem senator from Florida, Bill Nelson, has some $50,000 of questionable donations he’s returning because they came to light by a watchdog group.

Sen. Bill Nelson plans to donate to charity the campaign contributions he received from donors under investigation for mishandling money, his office said Wednesday.

One of the donations the Florida Democrat received came from the company run by Robert Allen Stanford, accused this week by the Securities and Exchange Commission of defrauding investors out of $8 billion.

The Stanford Financial Group has donated $2.4 million to lawmakers and political action committees since 1989, according to a review by the Washington watchdog group, Center for Responsive Politics.

Nelson received more from Stanford than any other lawmaker, and he plans to donate the $45,900 to charity.

“Based on the fact that Mr. Stanford has been indicted in a fraud case I will give to charity any campaign contributions from him or his employees,” Nelson said in a statement.

He also may do the same with roughly $4,000 in contributions he received from the PMA Group, a Washington lobbying firm under federal investigation for improperly handling campaign contributions. Nelson said his office was reviewing all donations received from the group.

“We will not keep money if someone made improper contributions. As soon as authorities are able to identify any such contributions, we would give that money to charity,” he said.

In addition to Nelson, Democratic Reps. Zoe Lofgren and Peter Visclosky of Indiana also announced they plan to return PMA donations they had received.

This is from the Florida Today, a liberal paper, hence no mention of Murtha.

Notice the statement about returning contributions as soon as authorities identify that they’re improper. No proactive stance to identify them by his own staff! Compare that with Sarah Palin asking for a review.

Culture of Corruption–the Dems came up with the slogan and they own it.

INC on February 19, 2009 at 12:37 PM

Shame

Streecar on February 19, 2009 at 12:56 PM

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