John Murtha: The appearance of corruption doesn't appear to bother him much
Betsy's Page
One delightful aspect of John Murtha's old-fashioned attitude towards pork for his district is his totally unapologetic demeanor. Sure the organizations he's steered earmarks to are being investigated for corruption, but that doesn't stop him from touting the pork that he's brought home.
<<< Most lawmakers in Murtha’s position would hire lawyers — as Visclosky has — or engage a PR specialist or mount an aggressive public defense, as Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel did when he asked for an ethics investigation into himself. But Murtha has chosen a different path — no lawyers, no public defense and an in-your-face defiance whenever he’s asked about the ethics issues.
“[Murtha is] not really troubled about it, as others might be,” insisted one House source close to Murtha. “His theory is not to talk, so he’s not talking.”
At least not when he can avoid it.
While many members might find a scandal over earmarks an opportune time to steer clear of public ties with industry, Murtha went right ahead with his annual Showcase for Commerce in Johnstown, Pa., last week — an event underwritten by some of the same defense firms to whom he’s steered federal funds. >>>
He doesn't have a worry about the Navy disbarring a company that he has had major dealings with for "alleged fraud."
<<< When reporters covering the event asked Murtha about Kuchera’s disbarment, the Johnstown Tribune Democrat reported Murtha shot back: “What’s that got to do with me? What do you think? Do you think I oversee these companies? That’s the Defense Department’s job. That’s not my job. You guys write these stories — you don’t have a clue what this is all about.”
The Kuchera brothers, Bill and Ron, and their employees have given more than $65,000 to Murtha’s reelection campaign and leadership political action committee, and Murtha held a major fundraiser at Bill Kuchera’s ranch last fall. At the same time, Murtha has secured nearly $15 million in earmarks for the company, and he helped the company win a missile contract that could be worth $100 million.
When reporters asked Murtha on Friday whether he’d hired a defense attorney to deal with the PMA scandal, he snapped, “What kind of question is that?” And then he walked out. >>>
And the deepening scandal about the lobbying firm PMA - not a worry.
<<< The lobbying shop imploded earlier this year, following an FBI raid on its offices in November. Its founder, former Appropriations Committee aide Paul Magliocchetti, has moved to Florida and retired, while its other lobbyists have moved on to different firms. The Justice Department is reportedly looking into whether Magliocchetti used “straw donors” to steer hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions to lawmakers who in turn pushed earmarks worth tens of millions for its clients.
Visclosky said he would cooperate with the federal subpoenas “consistent with my constitutional obligations to Congress and my duties and responsibilities to my constituents.”
But while Visclosky was a big recipient of PMA-related campaign cash, no one was more popular with the firm than Murtha.
The Pennsylvania Democrat received $2.38 million in campaign contributions from PMA and its clients over the past 10 years, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a watchdog group. During the same time period, Murtha secured millions in earmarks — more than $97 million in 2007-08 alone — to PMA’s clients.
....Instead, the towering former Marine remains unbowed and unapologetic, telling the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette recently, “If I’m corrupt, it’s because I take care of my district.” >>>
Lovely.
And he even has the nerve to argue that his earmarks are just part of his personal stimulus package for Johnstown.
<<< Throughout the show, Murtha extolled the value of years of projects he brought to the former steel and coal-mining community. He joked that the federal money he steers "has been the stimulus program for Johnstown for a long time." >>>
But the old bull has some manners. He recently sent out thank-you notes to House Democrats, perhaps demonstrating his gratitude for their support in blocking any House investigation into his doings. How sweet. They sacrifice all their rhetoric about cleaning out the culture of corruption in politics and he sends them a thank-you. And maybe Nancy Pelosi got some flowers.
<<< Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), a close Murtha friend and political ally, has remained tightlipped about him as well. One Democrat says Pelosi “won’t even discuss” Murtha and “won’t even consider” any move to replace him as the head of the Defense Subcommittee.
“[Pelosi] is totally committed to him,” said this lawmaker, speaking on the condition of anonymity. “She won’t even discuss him with anyone else. It’s a ‘no-go’ zone.” >>>
Meanwhile, the House Republicans might consider sending him their own thank-you note for providing the poster face of their campaign against Democratic corruption in next year's election.
betsyspage.blogspot.com |
