Congressman John Campbell's Blog - Green Eyeshade Blog

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Posted by: John Campbell at 12:32 PM

An AP article that was published yesterday, says a lot about the pervasive spending and earmarking culture that exists here in Washington D.C.

Frank Cushing, former Staff Director for the House Committee on Appropriations under Congressman Jerry Lewis (R-CA), and now a lobbyist for the National Group stated in the article,

"I know a bunch of members that if you go in to see them, somewhere in the conversation they somehow say, 'Well, we were looking through our list of campaign contributors and didn't happen to see you there…is there a quid pro quo? No, not directly, but you'd have to be pretty dense not to figure it out."

Another lobbyist who declined to be identified said:

"You can ask any lobbyist in town. You bring a new client in to see a member and everything is nice-nice and you have a good meeting and everybody's exchanging business cards, within 48 hours, the clients and their lobbyist - me - will get a fundraising phone call."

Obviously, this is a bi-partisan problem, but this sort of devil may care attitude is ridiculous and needs to stop. Taxpayers are sick and tired of this subversive and counterproductive brand of politics.

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Pasadena Phil writes:	Wednesday, June, 11, 2008 2:35 PM
From my sources
The shakedown is also what the RNC is doing to anyone who is not running for president. This is the end of the line for this GOP and the final event will be the crushing defeat of McCain in November in the midst of a "every man for himself" Congressional campaign strategy. So what is is exactly that qualifies the GOP as a major party? No members (registrations at 25% and cratering)? No money? No message? Open disdain (rhymes with McCain) for what used to be the energetic and active loyal base? Whoever wins in November, let's see if we can lower their vote to under 40%. Vote 3rd party. Just pick one.
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one hot minute writes:	Wednesday, June, 11, 2008 3:12 PM
of course the GOP is a major party
Pasadena Phil asked; ------------- "So what is is exactly that qualifies the GOP as a major party?" ------------- The Republican Party has the second most number of registrants. By defintion of being among the top two parties in numbers of registrants, it is indeed a "major" party. The Republican Party also has the second most numbers of seats in each the House and the Senate. Thus, by definition of its number of seats held in the Congress, it is a "major" party. :)
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mr_sparky writes:	Wednesday, June, 11, 2008 8:47 PM
hmmmmm
lets see if Obama is President and i would say how is the country going to like it with $5 or $6 a gallon gas? Idiot
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About John Campbell

John Campbell is a member of the House Financial Services Committee, and has taken a leadership role in addressing the country's top economic issues. Campbell serves as a member of the Joint Economic Committee, and House Committee on the Budget. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Economics from UCLA and a Master's Degree in Taxation from USC.