Monday, March 27, 2006
More Sleeze From DeLay Aide; No Reform in Sight
The Washington Post reported in a big front page story that Tom DeLay's former chief of staff Edward Buckman appears to have enriched himself with a "pro-family" group he began operating while still on DeLay's staff.
Most of the money Buckman's group received came from Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his clients.
It appears that most of the group's expenditures went to Buckman and his wife -- things like a townhouse, two cars, artwork, lavish trips, salaries, fees and commissions. Part of the money went to Buckman's lobbying firm Alexander Strategy Group in the form of monthly fees. They even paid for Abramoff's skybox at the MCI Center in Washington one year.
The funds not used for Buckman and his wife seem to have gone to paying for advertisements against Democratic candidates for office. Interestingly, the Republican National Congressional Committee gave $500,000 to Buckman's "pro-family" group to pay for anti-Democrat ads, but Buckman kept $200,000 as his commission. The Post quotes Buckman as saying "If I raise money, I get a portion. It is in my contract."
Buckman closed his Alexander Strategy Group lobbying firm when the Abramoff scandal hit.
But despite the regular revelations of Republican wrongdoing, the much touted lobbying 'reform' is nowhere in sight.
The Washington Post reports today that New York Republican Congressman Tom Reynolds got a lobbying firm some business and soon thereafter contributions from that firm started to flow in.
There is nothing illegal about a lobbyist giving campaign contributions to a Member of Congress. I have done it. The idea being discussed is greater disclosure of such contributions. Don't hold your breath until Congress passes such a measure.
America deserves better.
Most of the money Buckman's group received came from Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his clients.
It appears that most of the group's expenditures went to Buckman and his wife -- things like a townhouse, two cars, artwork, lavish trips, salaries, fees and commissions. Part of the money went to Buckman's lobbying firm Alexander Strategy Group in the form of monthly fees. They even paid for Abramoff's skybox at the MCI Center in Washington one year.
The funds not used for Buckman and his wife seem to have gone to paying for advertisements against Democratic candidates for office. Interestingly, the Republican National Congressional Committee gave $500,000 to Buckman's "pro-family" group to pay for anti-Democrat ads, but Buckman kept $200,000 as his commission. The Post quotes Buckman as saying "If I raise money, I get a portion. It is in my contract."
Buckman closed his Alexander Strategy Group lobbying firm when the Abramoff scandal hit.
But despite the regular revelations of Republican wrongdoing, the much touted lobbying 'reform' is nowhere in sight.
The Washington Post reports today that New York Republican Congressman Tom Reynolds got a lobbying firm some business and soon thereafter contributions from that firm started to flow in.
There is nothing illegal about a lobbyist giving campaign contributions to a Member of Congress. I have done it. The idea being discussed is greater disclosure of such contributions. Don't hold your breath until Congress passes such a measure.
America deserves better.
