I pick on Democrats, too

I sent the following to my local newspaper. I wish more citizens would use the Web tools easily available to take a hard look at the finances of the candidates seeking their vote.

For me, it’s a civic responsibility.

——–

To the editor:

In a story in your May 9 issue (“Massa attacks Kuhl on taxes, funding for troops”), Democratic congressional candidate Eric Massa said, “Our campaign will give the working families of this district an alternative to the rubber stamp, business-as-usual Washington culture.”

Mr. Massa will likely face the incumbent District 29 representative, the Hon. John R. “Randy” Kuhl (R-Hammondsport), who announced his re-election bid in the same issue.

Mr. Massa’s claim to be an “alternative” to politics as usual needs inspection – particularly his campaign’s fundraising. As of April 30, the most recent date for Federal Election Commission filings, Mr. Massa has raised $311,115. Of that, $180,373 has come from individuals — 187 of them, according to the FEC.

But of those 187 individual contributions, only 16 come from zip codes inside District 29. And 71 contributions come from outside New York state — 38 from zip codes in Washington, D.C., and the power suburbs nearby.

Mr. Massa has received $7,500 from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), according to the FEC. And, like Rep. Kuhl has from Republicans, Mr. Massa has received money from “Leadership” political action committees (PACs) associated with Democratic House leaders and incumbents and other Democratic powers:

• $5,000 from WESPAC — Securing America’s Future, run by former presidential candidate Wesley Clark.
• $2,500 from the PAC to the Future of House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.
• $2,500 from AMERIPAC, the Leadership PAC of House Democratic Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.)
• $2,000 from the Our Common Values PAC of Illinois Rep. Rahm Emanuel, DCCC chair.
• $2,000 from the National Leadership PAC chaired by 15-term congressman Charles Rangel, the ranking member of the House Ways and Means Committee.
• $1,000 from Arkansas Rep. Marion Berry, elected to the House in 1996.
• $1,000 from 16-year Hawaii Rep. Neil Abercrombie.
• $1,000 from incumbent District 27 Rep. Brian Higgins.
• $1,000 from the Leadership PAC of incumbent Maine Rep. Mike Michaud.
• $700 from the Progressive Patriots Fund chaired by Sen. Russ Feingold, a likely 2008 presidential candidate.
• $500 from John Breaux. a senator from Louisiana from 1987 until 2005 and a member of the House from 1972-1987.

Mr. Massa’s positions on issues may differ markedly from those of Rep. Kuhl, but his reliance on the same seamy fundraising tactics used by the incumbent hardly qualify Mr. Massa as an “alternative.”

Advertisement