Hotline On Call: Mollohan Story: A Game-Changer?
: "Mollohan Story: A Game-Changer?
The Wall Street Journal reported this morning that the feds are investigating Rep. Alan Mollohan's (D-WV 01) finances and 'whether they were properly disclosed.'
According to the Journal, Mollohan's household assets exponentially grew (from $565K in '00 to at least $6.3M in' 04).
In addition, the article notes that one of his non-profit groups is 'funded almost entirely through provisions he put into annual spending bills.' NRCC Chmn Tom Reynolds called today for Mollohan to step down as ranking member of the ethics cmte until an investigation is complete.
If this story has legs, it could muddy the Dem narrative of the GOP culture of corruption. It's possible Mollohan accrued a quick fortune from real estate acquisitions and just improperly reporting his finances.
But his seniority on the Appropriations and ethics cmtes raises larger and fundamental questions about the use and abuse of earmarks. The timing also couldn't be worse for Dems -- with Tom DeLay's resignation, a budget stalemate and immigration exposing fissures in the GOP.
And locally, Mollohan has a legitimate GOP opponent with strong WH backing -- state Del. Chris Wakim -- for the first time in a while. Could the Dems' ethics point-man derail his own party's ethics edge?
Asked for a comment on the story, Min Leader Nancy Pelosi's office pointed to comments she made at her presser yesterday. Pelosi: 'I have the highest regard for Mr. Mollohan. I named him to that position [on the ethics cmte] because of his independence and the high respect he commands in this Congress.'
Another House Dem strategist responded to the news by saying that Reynolds, Speaker Dennis Hastert and the NRCC 'want to see' Mollohan 'defeated for one reason and one reason only -- because of his dedication to cleaning up Washington and making sure' the ethics cmte 'does it's job of cleaning up the Congress and protecting the American people from lobbyists and special interests.'
This and Mollohan's efforts for WV have gotten him a 'target on his back' from the GOP leadership, the source said.
UPDATE: CongressDaily's Sue Davis reports that Hastert is also calling on Mollohan to step aside from his ethics post. Referring to ex-Admin Committee chair Bob Ney (R-OH), Hastert said: 'I asked my chairman to step aside.' The Speaker added that he 'was wondering why [Ethics Committee Democrats] were dragging their feet on this whole ethics thing.' Hastert: 'I don't know if that has anything to do with it or not, we'll see.'"
posted by Gundovald at 4/10/2006 02:52:00 AM
7 Comments:
I have seen this political machine in action. One way it works is that the Rep will assist a friend in setting up a small business, usually a high tech business. Some type of business than can get Government contracts. Say the start up cost is $50,000. Then in return for contributions to a PAC Mollohan gets the company government contracts. Then to put the icing on the cake the small business owner sells out for $10,000,000. Oh what a feeling.........I think it's a damm shame the rest of us out here are trying to play by the rules have the deck stacked against us.I don't have a politician in my pocket to help me promote my business. If this guy was really doing something to help the district and all the people in it instead of a few select freinds and himself that would be different. Most of these High Tech jobs are being filled by out of state people anyway.
Freinds of friends so to speak. What's going on here could be figured out by a 6th grader. If there are legal fees, that will come from his PAC contributions. If the Feds can’t figure this scheme out and prosecute him we need to get rid of them too.
PS: Im not affiliated with any political party,just a Taxpayer,don’t even vote what’s the use?
I read in the local paper where a vital road improvement (RT 98) was needed and has been on the agenda for several years,it is now disclosed that it is far down the DOH list
of priorities (Number 121).Why doesn't Mollohan help us with something we all can benefit from. Our infrastructure is falling apart in North Central West Virginia.He needs to concentrate on the things that matter to his constituents not just a few High Tech jobs that are awarded to out of state people anyway and the financial well being of his friends. Let these business's take care of themselves if it's a viable business it will succeed on it's own if not let someone else run it that can make a profit without the taxpayers money being used to prop it up. In regards to Mr Tim Brady (WAJR) attacking the local Bloggers,I think he needs to stop accusing us of being biased and rushing to judgement,at least we have facts and are not afraid to put them out there he just sits there and let’s everybody else put their neck on the line. I would like to hear some substantial information from him,or is he afraid of repercussions from Mollohan?
Some people think this investigation is politically motivated, why now right before an election?. I say why not what better time to get it out there?. Let's get this corruption out in the open now so we don't make another mistake. This includes Shelly Moore Capito and Nick Joe Rahall as well.
Comment in response to Jack Lewis's entry - What is Tim Brady talking about? I did not hear his remark about local bloggers. Is he saying that open discussion and comment should only occur on his radio show? He, as I have, criticize the local paper for remaining silent on things that we are all willing to discuss, e.g., 1) portrait of Christ hanging in public schools; 2)county taxes - not just reporting the freeze but taking a stand on the assessors approach; 3)contributions made to our members of congress and 4) making available to our local residents the information they are not getting from much of the local media - like the WSJ and NYT front page articles on our representatives. So, Mr Brady ... Would you care to clarify?
Judy, come on now. Don't yield to your desire and right NOT to Vote. Force yourself to get out there and vote. Maybe it will set a good example for some young people who would like to see things change.
These guys at TMC went negative,they gave more than they got.
At the same time, workers at companies that do business with the federally financed groups were among Mr. Mollohan's leading contributors. Employees of TMC Technologies, which had a $50,000 contract with Vandalia in 2003, have given $63,450 since 1998. Workers at Electronic Warfare Associates and Man Tech International, military contractors that rent space from the technology consortium and whose chief executives are on the board of the Institute for Scientific Research, combined to give $86,750.
Tim Brady actually referred to the Internet but I think he means Bloggers too. Basically said not to rush to judgment on the Mollohan thing
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