« Defining "Whistleblower" | Main | More Details on the Tom Davis Party »

Jan 12, 2006

Comments

Yeah you flaming liberals love lou dobbs and the Communist News Network. Get back to us in 20 years and let us know how that is working out for you.

FYI, Committee claims they'll have party again next year --

CNN Lou Dobbs Tonight
January 13, 2006

DOBBS: Tonight while Washington is suffering the beginnings of the fall out from a massive lobbying scandal, new details are emerging about a questionable office party attended by several members of Congress. The holiday party was paid for by several high-powered lobbying firms and government contractors. The guests of honor: none other than the members of the House Committee on Government Reform.

Christine Romans has the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Music by the band the Second Amendment, an open bar with hors d'oeuvres held in the Rayburn Congressional Office Building, it was the holiday party for the House Government Reform Committee, paid for by nine lobby firms and government contractors.

BETH DALEY, PROJECT ON GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT: It really shows that the line between government and money special interests is becoming more and more frayed.

ROMANS: The Project on Government Oversight criticizes the committee's chairman, Republican Tom Davis of Virginia, for allowing his reform committee to be too cozy with special interests.

The congressman's office said the party was widely attended by federal officials, staff and members from both sides of the aisle. And a spokesman called the party completely appropriate, and within House ethics rules, and accused the authors of the report of a partisan attack.

Quote, "If Tom Davis were to sneeze, they would accuse him of spreading bird flu."

Still, the Project on Government Oversight report lauds another Republican, Senator John Warner, also of Virginia. He pays for his Armed Services Committee holiday party himself.

And many committees, like the House International Relations Committee, require staffers and members pay their own way. House ethics rules allow $50 per congressman or staffer to be paid for by lobbyists or contractors.

DALEY: All of this is legal, but that doesn't make it right.

ROMANS: In fact, she says if all nine firms each paid $50 per partygoer, that was quite a party.

FRANK CLEMENTE, PUBLIC CITIZEN: That was a huge gift to the chairman of that committee and to the staff, and it's just inappropriate. Our public space shouldn't be used that way.

ROMANS: His group, Public Citizen, is calling for a complete ban on gifts and travel.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROMANS: Most of the sponsors of this party did not return calls or would not comment, if they did. But UPS tells us they are proud to sponsor the party for such a large prestigious committee and they find it a nice way to ring in the new year.

A UPS spokesman didn't know how much that party cost but said they'd sponsor it against next year.

As for Chairman Tom Davis, his spokesman said they'd be happy to have lobbyists and contractors pay again next year, Lou. There's nothing wrong with that.

DOBBS: So generally what we're talking about, and just to be very clear, our interest in the story has nothing to do, frankly, with Davis, or whether it's Democrats or Republicans. It's the idea that something called the government, the committee on government reform would be in the midst of all of what is happening with lobbyists in Washington having a party paid for by sponsors.

But what I find interesting, Christine, as you sum it up, this committee apparently assumed somebody should be paying for it other than themselves?

ROMANS: John Warner over at the Senate, he pays for his own party. A lot of staffers are starting to pay for their own parties, as well. This committee wants to stick with the lobbyists and the contractors at this point.

DOBBS: Maybe the Senate Intelligence Committee should have the CIA pay for its. Maybe -- you know, the -- I don't know. It just goes on and on. The International Relations Committee, maybe they could have Russia kick in, maybe a little from China?

ROMANS: There you go.

DOBBS: Let's hope they're not, but, anyway.

Thank you very much, Christine.


Pete B

Roger's solution is Haiku and the other person is aghast. Meanwhile POGO is like the brat in high school who always told the teacher when all the other kids were having a good time. Nobody liked that kid and people don't like you POGO. You're never get real results by tattling. You need to start working with the system we have.

aghast

It amazes me how many people still don't get it. Lobbyists should not be paying for lavish parties for congressmen and their staff. It doesn't matter if there is no proof of a quid pro quo. Yes, it's just a
stupid little Chritmas party, but it is emblematic of a gigantic mechanism of corruption. Wouldn't it
be nice if the government worked for the People of the United States of America, for a change?

Roger Drowne EC

MY ( MONEY ) gOD

More Very Very Sick Repug Crap

When Will It End

Free Images & Ideas 2 END IT at

htpp://www.TheBuffaloParty.com

Why... well because the Elephent and Donkey Party R LOST/DEAD

L Streeter

This is text book much to do about nothing. This insignificant incident demonstrates POGO's anti-corporation bias. It is past naive to think that if this party didn't happen or if they stop all such parties that anything would change. Sorry POGO didn't get invited. You did your little temper tantrum for the media. Now why don't you spend your resources on trying to correct a problem that matters?

K Street Foe

For a "buddy" of K Street, you seem awefully winsome for some heads to roll. It does seem there's no "proof" here as you say from the cub reporter or the "government shill publication." Lots of smoke. Perhaps you and yours have some fire you can share...

K Street Buddy

To K Street Foe [goodness gracious, you're on the edge of civility, dear]--

Yes, isn't it sad that the writer of piece had no proof, so "pointed" in the direction of a vacuous article in a government shill publication.

K Street Foe

POGO wasn't getting sloppy, they were just pointing to the article and what it suggested.

K Street Buddy

Re your citation of a govexec article that suggests that Congressman Davis plays a role in contractor selections in -- via influence, not formalities--executive agencies: that article was pretty much wet behind the ears and written by a cub reporter. Don't take it has weighty proof of your assertion. POGO can do better than that, don't you think? You are getting really sloppy.

The comments to this entry are closed.