It seems day after day, the Bob Corker campaign is pounding Congressman Ford for raising money outside of Tennessee.The Corker gang always tries to make it seem that Congressman Ford is 'out of the mainstream' and that their candidate is pure and would do nothing of the same.
Well folks, I am here to tell you that is all a front.
The truth of the matter is, Bob Corker is a man that will say one thing, but then turn around and do something totally different.
The case for that assertion is laid out below.
On one hand, Bob Corker blasts Congressman Ford every chance he gets for out of state fundraising:
"The latest skirmish" in the race is a release from '94 candidate/ex-Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker (R), who called attention to the amount raised out of state by Rep. Harold Ford Jr. (D-09). In the first 9 months of '05, 42% of Ford's donations from individuals came from out of state, compared with 5% of Corker's, according to Political Money Line." -- Memphis Commercial Appeal, 12/17/05
"Corker's release noted that Ford raised $300,000 Monday at a Manhattan event attended by former president Bill Clinton and other luminaries. Corker's campaign contrasted that with an event Corker hosted in Chattanooga that raised $200,000. Corker is the former mayor of Chattanooga. "The percentage of money (Corker has raised) from out of state illustrates that our campaign is supported by Tennesseans," said Ben Mitchell, Corker's campaign manager. "Clearly, Ford needs to go out of state." -- Memphis Commercial Appeal, 12/17/05
Besides blasting Congressman Ford, Bob also vowed himself not to accept money from outside the state:
"Mr. Corker, who spoke to a Republican group in Nashville on Tuesday, declined to do either that or set a percentage cap on the amount of out-of-state money his campaign will accept. Mr. Mitchell said the point is that the Corker campaign "never would be so dependent on out-of-state donors." -- Chattanooga Times Free Press 01/04/06
However, what Bob doesn't want you to know is that he is one of K Street's best friends:
“So far, four Republican candidates have official KStreet “teams” behind them…. Help for additionalGOP Senate hopefuls may be on the way.Fundraisers close to the efforts said they are considering assembling teams for Rep. Mark Kennedy, who’s running for an open Minnesota seat [and] former Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker, who’s running for an open Tennessee seat.
“The power of the team concept, organizers say, is its ability to bundle disparate business interests together to create a permanent Washington fundraising structure for a candidate. Instead of making the same fundraising pitch to small groups of donors over an over again and netting just tens of thousands of dollars each time, candidates pull in as much as $200,000 an appearance at team-sponsored ‘megaevents.” -- Roll Call, 03/06/06
In fact, according to FEC filing papers, Bob is a frequent visitor to Washington D.C. and K Street:
- November 7th, 2005 – $319.10, US Air “10/09 Chatt – DC” Corker for Senate, FEC Year End 12/31/05, Page 345
- November 7th, 2005 – $214.20 US Air “10/05 Chatt – DC” Corker for Senate, FEC Year End Page 391
- February 2nd, 2006 – $621.20, U.S. Air, “01/06 AirlineTickets.” No destination city, but Arlington listedas the disbursement city. Corker for Senate, FECApril 06 Quarterly, Page 398.
- February 14th, 2006 – $1,327.60, U.S. Air, “02/06 Chatt-DC”, Corker for Senate, FEC April 06 Quarterly, page 386
- February 14th, 2006 – $684.17, Washington’s Hyatt Regency, “Hotel – 2 nights, 2 rooms, 02/06”. Corker for Senate, FEC April 06 Quarterly, Page 409
Further, just two days ago, Bob was in Washington D.C. hobnobbing with more K Street lobbyists at a fundraiser in his honor. The following email was sent out from his campaign regarding the event:
Dear Friend:
Just a reminder about the at <> tached event on May 10 in support of U.S. Senate Candidate Bob Corker. Bob's campaign is off to a fantastic start and I hope that you will join us for what promises to be a great event.
WHAT: Rooftop Event for U.S. Senate Candidate Bob Corker with Sen. Norm Coleman & Cong. Zach Wamp
WHERE: Valis-Keelen Rooftop at 1700 Penn Ave., NW, #950
WHEN: Wednesday, May 10, 6:00-7:30PM
WHY: To meet and support Tennessee's next U.S. Senator!
HOW MUCH: $25 for Friends, $100 for Sponsors, $500 for PACs (Reception & Dinner $500 per person, $1000 per PAC)
RSVP TO: Kim Kaegi at (615) 351–7129; kkaegi@bobcorkerforsenate.com
Clearly, as much as Bob Corker would like to convince people that he is a Washington outsider, the facts say otherwise.
Just as Ed Bryant and Van Hilleary are dictated by Big Oil, Bob Corker is controlled by K Street and lobbyists.
With each passing day, Bob is becoming more and more like his idol Don Sundquist in more ways than one.
It's time for a new generation of leadership.
Related: Blogging for Bryant, The Van Wagon, Forward With Ford, and Go4Truth have more!
Flashback: Corker To Hobnob With Old Sundquist Pals At Out of State Fundraiser Tuesday, Bob Corker's Hypocrisy On Out Of State Fundraising
128 Days
Days of Congressional Inaction on Ethics
Above is the number of days that have passed since Jack Abramoff pleaded guilty to bribing Congressman.
It is also the number of days in which Congress has failed to pass an ethics reform bill that would limit private travel, ski and golf junkets, and would call for a full disclosure of expenses by lobbyists on members of Congress.
It is time for Congress to step up and pass an ethics reform bill that would do all of the above. In addition, it is time to end the pork barrel spending system as we know it and establish an independent ethics commission that would review ethics complaints against members of Congress.
I am proud Congressman Harold Ford Jr. is fighting for that reform!
Read Congressman Ford's call for reform of the House rules here!
