House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) has consistently touted reform, claiming he wants to impose a “tougher ethical standard” on the 110th Congress. In June, he forcefully called for the expulsion of Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA). More recently, he called for a moratorium on earmarks.
But Boehner is ethical only when it’s politically convenient. Boehner has donated money to pay the legal bills of Rep. John Doolittle (R-CA), who recently announced his resignation because of continuing troubles related to the Jack Abramoff corruption investigation. CQ reports:
Rep. John T. Doolittle , R-Calif., reported in a filing made available Thursday that his legal expense fund had received $5,000 from Boehner’s leadership PAC. The money was part of $36,500 kicked in by GOP colleagues to Doolittle’s legal defense between June 27, when he opened the fund, and year’s end.
Boehner made the donation because Doolittle “was a friend dating to the early 1990s, when they worked together as part of the Gang of Seven,” Boehner spokesman Kevin Smith said, referring to then-minority party back-benchers who took on majority Democrats during the House banking scandal.
At least nine other lawmakers who have given money to Doolittle, including Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA). The money was donated before Doolittle announced his retirement on Jan. 10.
Boehner has repeatedly promoted corrupt colleagues to leadership positions, and in October, ruled that Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-CA) could continue as the ranking GOP member of the Appropriations Committee while under federal investigation on ethics charges.
How does anyone bring themselves to vote for a man named Doolittle for public office?
February 1st, 2008 at 1:55 pmIOKIYAR.
February 1st, 2008 at 1:55 pmThese guys have no conscience. It is all a huge power grab. So much for public service!
February 1st, 2008 at 1:58 pmboner’s just taking that first step, setting the example
February 1st, 2008 at 2:01 pmfor his brethern to follow… there will be others…
may even be strong arming them to “contribute”…
think?
“republican” and “principles” in the same sentence…
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA….
February 1st, 2008 at 2:03 pm.
This is what happens when like minded politicians [Delay/Abramoff] control other politicians campaign funds thru PACS
February 1st, 2008 at 2:03 pmBoner gave the money because he doesn’t want Doolittle to talk about the criminal things Boner has done. Look all the GOP Law Makers know that each have committed crimes. Look for Boner to help Jerry Lewis next. It’s called SUPPORT THE GOP CRIMINAL TEAM.
February 1st, 2008 at 2:06 pmHouse Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) has consistently touted reform, claiming he wants to impose a “tougher ethical standard†on the 110th Congress. In June, he forcefully called for the expulsion of Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA).
Boehner has repeatedly promoted corrupt colleagues to leadership positions, and in October, ruled that Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-CA) could continue as the ranking GOP member of the Appropriations Committee while under federal investigation on ethics charges.
February 1st, 2008 at 2:08 pmHypocrisy , thy name (and home) is the GOP………
um – breaking news?
February 1st, 2008 at 2:08 pmtelecom deal reached… compromise…
GOOD….DONATE AS MUCH AS YOU CAN BOEHNER.
YOU’RE GOING TO BE GOING TO THE SAME PLACE
IT’S OVER FOR THESE NEOCONS….AND THEY ARE TOO STUPID TO REALIZE IT.
BRING ALL OF THESE CRIMINALS TO JUSTICE.
February 1st, 2008 at 2:12 pmum – breaking news?
telecom deal reached… compromise…
Comment by katy
So, how much of our freedoms have been comprimised this time?
February 1st, 2008 at 2:15 pmGee.
*WHAT* a surprise.
February 1st, 2008 at 2:17 pmA little payoff so he will keep his mouth shut about Boner maybe?
Buck Fush
February 1st, 2008 at 2:33 pmsomething about NO immunity, but any lawsuits would be directed
February 1st, 2008 at 2:35 pmat the government… i just heard a bit on the ed shultz show…
2nd hand from a blogger, so who knows yet… i’m looking around…
there ya go, buckie… another good point…
February 1st, 2008 at 2:35 pmEthics mean absolutely nothing to repugs unless it will benefit them monetarily somehow.
February 1st, 2008 at 2:35 pmBoehner made the donation because Doolittle “was a friend dating to the early 1990s”…
When did Boner stop dating him?
Are they still dating now?
February 1st, 2008 at 2:45 pmBut Boehner is ethical only when it’s politically convenient.
That is pretty much true for all Republiscums. The same can be said for their moral standards.
February 1st, 2008 at 2:56 pmIt is time for Mr. Boner to be investigated. His hypocrisy is unbelievable.
February 1st, 2008 at 3:00 pmBut his tan was perfect…
February 1st, 2008 at 3:06 pmdonate. wouldn’t payment for coercion be more accurate? da bagman cometh. do little, except a few threatening phone calls. or perhaps, a few hundred?
February 1st, 2008 at 4:39 pmDid he bawl like a baby?
February 1st, 2008 at 5:42 pmBirds of a feather flock together.
February 1st, 2008 at 7:46 pmHe’ll be able to avoid tears if he forks over some cash for his accomplice.
February 1st, 2008 at 7:48 pmAnother neocon living in the dream. The “cons” want power and they want to torture, kill social security, kidnap people, unlawfully imprison them, listen to our private communications without the process of law, rape the treasury, and just generally tell people what to do. Oh yeah, they like Gulf Coast hurricanes where they can kill off their own by ignoring their plight and they especially like using their office to further their own interests by getting a job in the lobbyist brigade. Let’s hope this nucklehead gets defeated in his next race. We don’t need his brand of snakeoil and we are damn tired of his little games.
February 1st, 2008 at 8:34 pmThe corruption wagon is full of crooks from both sides of the aisle – it isn’t fair, logical, or intelligent to assume it’s only coming from the right – ditto for the right to assume the same of the left. We’ll never progress if we continue to push right hatred and left hatred. Drop the partisan crap and ideologies and start thinking “America”.
February 6th, 2008 at 8:50 pm