Local Republicans should give back Ney's money, too...

[comalog]

LOCAL REPUBLICANS URGED TO RETURN OR DONATE MONEY
Embattled Congressman contributed at least $26,450 to Tuscarawas County Republicans

NEW PHILADELPHIA -- Embattled Congressman Bob Ney, a Licking County Republican, has contributed at least $26,450 to Tuscarawas County Republicans since 2000.

In the wake Ney's recent resignation as Chair of the powerful House Administration Committee and continued investigation into possible bribery charges, the Tuscarawas County Young Democrats are calling on local Republicans to follow the example set by other GOP leaders and return or donate all contributions received by Ney.

According the Federal Elections Commission web site at www.fec.gov, Ney’s campaign committee has contributed $4,750 to the Tuscarawas County Republican Party. County Commissioners Kerry Metzger and Jim Seldenright were also on the receiving end of Ney’s money with Metzger accepting $10,300 and Seldenright $1,750.

Jeremy Broadwater, President of the Young Democrats pointed out that Metzger received a $10,000 contribution from Ney just two weeks prior to narrowly defeating incumbent Commissioner Darrell Pancher in 2002. Metzger faces a tough reelection bid against Democrat James Harrison of Sugarcreek.

"Regardless of whether the money is corrupt or not, a candidate running for Tuscarawas County office should not be accepting $10,000 checks, that is outrageous given the level of the race," said Broadwater, who also serves as a Sandy Township Trustee.

"That’s just not in tune with values of the people of Tuscarawas County. Unfortunately, Metzger has shown he will take any amount of money from any source for the sake of getting elected to public office."

According to the Campaign for a Cleaner Congress, two Republican leaders, Sen. Mel Martinez (R-FL) and Rep. Charles Boustany Jr., (R-LA) have agreed to donate money received from Ney to charity.

"Sen. Martinez wants to make it crystal clear to his constituents that he is not interested in any campaign donation that has even a hint of impropriety in this matter," spokeswoman Kerry Feehery wrote in a recent e-mail to the Associated Press.

"When GOP leaders in the House and Senate are scrambling to wash their hands clean of Ney’s money, you know there is legitimate concern," said Broadwater. "The Young Democrats commend Sen. Martinez and Rep. Boustany for doing what is right and it’s now time for local Republicans to come clean."

Since 2000, Ney has given $252,110 to 70 House and Senate Republicans and $250,525 to Republican party organizations and political action committees (PACs) according to campaign finance web site Political Money Line.

Other local Republicans candidates that took money from Ney but have since lost election include former County Commissioner Bill Ress ($5,000), Tuscarawas County Clerk of Courts candidate Judy Lawson ($250), State Representative candidate Tom Gerber ($2,250), and Greg Erb ($2,150).

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On the web:
Tuscarawas County Young Democrats - www.tcyd.org
Campaign For A Cleaner Congress - www.cleanercongress.org

[Schmajo]

1. Fat Freakin' Chance

1/21/06

http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/01/21/20060121-A5-01.html

“WASHINGTON — A defiant Rep. Bob Ney, assailing Republican Party "bosses in Columbus," vowed to run for re-election even though he is under a federal investigation for his association with former Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
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Ney met Thursday night in Zanesville with about 60 Republican officials from all 16 counties in his district. Brian Walsh, a Ney spokesman who attended the meeting, said "the level of support was unbelievable."

‘Many of them were angry with the chairman’s comments because they believe deeply that one is innocent until proven guilty, and especially when it comes to someone like Bob, who has worked so hard and done so much for his district,’ Walsh said.
***”