Dems Run from Weiner Campaign Donations: Why Haven’t House Dems?

June 8, 2011

FYI, a similar version of this release below went out to the following districts: Bill Owens (NY-23), Gerry Connolly (VA-11), Ed Perlmutter (CO-07), Tim Holden (PA-17), John Barrow (GA-12), Brian Higgins (NY-27), Jim Himes (CT-04), Joe Donnelly (IN-02), David Loebsack (IA-02), Mark Critz (PA-12), Carolyn McCarthy (NY-04), Gary Peters (MI-09), Rush Holt (NJ-12), Russ Carnahan (MO-03), Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ-01), Bill Foster (IL-14)

Dems Run from Weiner Campaign Donations: Why Hasn’t Barrow?
Georgia Democrat Continues to Hold on to Scandal-Ridden Congressman’s Contributions

Washington — Although his fellow Democrat colleagues have already started running from the numerous donations they have taken from embattled Congressman Anthony Weiner, John Barrow is still hanging on to his money as Weiner now faces a House ethics investigation. The longer Barrow waits, assuming he wants to return the campaign donations at all, the more he indicates that Weiner’s behavior is both ethical and acceptable for a Member of Congress.

“Even though his fellow Democrats are quickly ditching their scandal-tainted donations from Congressman Weiner, John Barrow still continues to conspicuously pocket the cash,” said NRCC Communications Director Paul Lindsay. “In refusing to return his campaign contributions days after his colleague became the subject of a scandal, Barrow is signaling to his Georgia constituents that Weiner’s outrageous behavior befits a Member of Congress tasked with solving our country’s mounting problems.”

Ohio Democrat Betty Sutton and Minnesota Democrat Tim Walz have already decided to donate their contributions from the scandal-plagued Congressman Weiner to charity:

“In a sign of widening political fallout from so-called ‘Weinergate,’ two House Democrats who represent competitive districts announced Tuesday they were donating campaign contributions from Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-New York, to charity. Weiner confessed Monday that he had lied about sending inappropriate text messages and photos to several women. He said he is not resigning, but top House Democrats called for the House ethics committee to investigate the matter. Rep. Betty Sutton was the first to announce she was unloading campaign cash donated by Weiner. A spokesman for the Ohio Democrat confirmed to CNN that Sutton will make a $1,000 donation to local charities instead of keeping the campaign contribution from him. The announcement was first reported by the Cleveland Plain Dealer. … Minnesota Democrat Tim Walz also decided to give to charity the $3,000 he received from Weiner.” (Kate Bolduan and Deirdre Walsh, “Democrats unload Weiner campaign donations,” CNN, 6/7/11)

Given that some of his Democrat colleagues are already ditching their tainted campaign donations, John Barrow’s decision to keep the funds implies tacit approval of Congressman Weiner and his bizarre behavior. As Congressman Weiner faces a House ethics investigation for his actions, Barrow should finally put this distraction behind and return his donations from the embattled Congressman.

Dems Run from Weiner Campaign Donations: Why Haven’t House Dems? http://ow.ly/5dbiC #madeinwdc

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