November 22, 2005

Report Bolsters DeLay's Defense

By Rob Huddleston
A story buried in The Hill today focuses on a report by the non-partisan Center for Public Integrity, in conjunction with the Center for Responsive Politics. The crux of the report is that DeLay's public defense - that the transfer of corporate money from PACs to the national party with money then being routed to state candidates is commonplace - has validity.

The study (summarized in a press release here) found at least 30 other Congressmen had performed essentially the same act between 2000 and 2002. Amongst those listed as participants were former Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, current Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, Senator John Kerry, Senator Hillary Clinton, and current Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist.

It should be noted that illegality in this case is still unknown. This area of campaign finance law falls upon the states, and a minority of states (23) prohibit the use of corporate money in state elections. It should be noted that Texas is one of the states that has such a ban. Also, the money trail in this investigation can be tedious, at best.

Of course, just because others are doing it, Congressman DeLay, doesn't mean that you have to do it, too...