Rep. Don Young (R-AK) opens a legal defense fund = "House ethics committee approved"

[L. Coyote]

Don Young opens a legal defense fund
By Susan Crabtree - 01/30/08 - http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/don-young-opens-a-legal-defense-fund-2008-01-30.html


Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), who is under FBI investigation and faces a tough reelection fight, opened a legal defense fund earlier this month, according to House filings.

The House ethics committee approved the defense fund Jan. 9, but it has not reported taking any donations yet, and Young spokesman Mike Anderson would not say if anyone had written checks.

“We had some feedback from some folks who said they wanted to help us out but they wanted to do so through a legal expense fund, so we went ahead and did that in the hopes that our campaign funds can be freed up,” he said.

Young spent nearly $450,000 of his campaign money on legal expenses last year as several political opponents lined up to try to defeat him, one in his own party. Young is facing a primary challenge from state Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux and a potentially difficult general election as well. ...

......

[Blue_In_AK]

1. He's running a campaign ad now

which says "I'm not one to say that I can never be replaced, but this isn't the time." At the end he says, "This isn't about Don Young, this is about Alaska." My husband and I roll on the floor laughing every time. :rofl:

[Faux pas]

2. That's the biggest problem I have with campaign funds. Shouldn't

it be illegal to use that money for anything other than a campaign? And if there is anything left over, they should be forced to give it to the homeless, Katrina or something legitimately charitable organization. Horse thieves all.