Norm, PMA, Earmarks
March 17th, 2009 by Steven GardnerWe posted something on this in February. The Hill has a report on U.S. Rep. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz. asking for Congress to authorize investigating the link between earmarks and campaign contributions.
The story names U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks, D-Belfair, as the fourth highest recipient of contributions of PMA and family members.
The story also reports this is Flake’s fifth “privileged resolution” on the matter, which means Congress has to act somehow within two days. I checked the Congressional record and only found three of the resolutions, each of which was tabled within minutes of being introduced. The votes are predictably partisan, with the vast majority of Democrats, including Dicks and Bainbridge Islands’ Jay Inslee, voting for the tabling and Republicans voting against.
I also don’t see evidence suggested in the story that Flake is gaining support, at least not based on the votes.
CQ Politics has a list of electeds, how much they received and how much they got earmarked for PMA clients. Dicks, according to the list, got PMA clients more than $11 million on his own.
Go here for a debate on earmarks.
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March 17th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
Everyone knows the two are linked and of course it is payback but so what? It is not like we elect these knuckleheads because they are honest and straight forward. We elect them to bring home the pork!
It is change that remains the same…don’t mess with it!
March 17th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
Jim,
Please tell me you were being sarcastic?
Regards,
Kathryn Simpson
March 18th, 2009 at 5:23 am
Kathryn,
I would call it sarcasm mixed with realism and a dash of pessimism towards liberalism.
Although I imagine some of the hardcore libs would agree with my post 100%!
March 18th, 2009 at 7:53 am
“I also don’t see evidence suggested in the story that Flake is gaining support, at least not based on the votes.”
No kidding? The foxes aren’t in favor of an investigation in to why the chickens keep disappearing?
March 18th, 2009 at 10:12 am
Funny I don’t remember hearing about this from Flake when Tom DeLay had the gavel.
March 18th, 2009 at 11:39 am
sarcrealpessiliberalism. We may have just invented a new stereotype.
Regards,
Kathryn Simpson
March 18th, 2009 at 11:41 am
Does that make it right, now or then, Jake?
Regards,
Kathryn Simpson <-very much a centrist on fairness
March 18th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
I don’t remember this guy going off Duke Cunningham when he went to prison or when George Bush lied to send our troops into Iraq. This guy better be able to back up his claims.