Eric Pfeiffer, writing at National Review Online (www.nationalreview.com), identifies a number of Democrats who, like House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, put relatives on the campaign payroll.
However, unlike Mr. DeLay, none of their names showed up in a front-page story in the New York Times suggesting some sort of ethical lapse even though such practices are allowed by House and Senate rules, as long as the relatives are actually doing the work.
"If paying families for campaign work is illegal, [then] prominent Democrats including Howard Dean, Barbara Boxer, Joe Lieberman, Jon Corzine, and Jesse Jackson Jr. should all be doing a Joe Wilson inspired 'frog-march' from the halls of Congress," Mr. Pfeiffer said.
"[Democratic National Committee] Chair Howard Dean's younger brother runs the Web site Democracy for America (DFA), which was created by Dean last year to help manage his presidential campaign. Dean's younger brother Jim also worked for DFA in its earlier incarnation, Dean for America, during the 2004 presidential primaries. However, in a letter to supporters this week, DFA attacked Tom DeLay for having family members on his payroll.
"In 2003, Barbara Boxer directed $15,000 from her political-action committee, 'PAC For a Change,' to a consulting firm run by her son. The year before, she funneled $115,000 to the same firm.
"Last year, Joe Lieberman paid his son Matthew $34,000 and daughter Rebecca $36,000 to work on his presidential campaign.
"Also last year, Jon Corzine paid his daughter about $15,000 to work on his upcoming 2006 re-election campaign.
"In fact, in 2001 it was Jesse Jackson Jr. who sought clarification from the Federal Election Commission to ensure Jackson was in good legal graces before hiring his wife to provide fundraising and organizational support to his campaign.
"Other Democrats with family members on the payroll include Pete Stark, Bart Stupak, Jim Costa, Lincoln Davis, and Tim Bishop, amongst others. ...
"Democrat Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid is well known for supporting his family with high-paid congressional pork projects. Firms associated with Reid's son have taken in millions from bills authored and sponsored by Reid." |
