Two More GOP Senators Dump Money From Stevens
Here are two more Republicans getting rid of money from Ted Stevens: Sen. Gordon Smith of Oregon, who is in a close re-election battle in his Democratic-leaning state, and Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, who is running ahead in the polls for her own re-election bid.
"Money donated by Ted Stevens to Gordon Smith's reelection campaign will be donated to charity," said Smith campaign spokesperson Lindsay Gilbride, in an e-mail to Election Central.
Collins is also dumping the money, with the campaign's communications director telling Maine Politics that Collins will donate the money to charity.
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Give me a second here, I'm starting to see a pattern. Let me work through it. First, Elizabeth Dole in North Carolina who's reelection campaign was spooked by this cycle enough to fund an ad blitz in early June. Then, Sununu in New Hampshire who's fighting for his life. And now, Gordon Smith and Susan Collins who are vulnerable incumbents in Democrat-leaning states. Why can't I figure out what it is?
Oh, right--they all think being financially linked to a felon is all it's going to take to tip their reelection bids over the edge. Winning is fun.
July 29, 2008 11:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wait just a minute.
Smith returned the $10,000 he got in 2008.
But so far, he's keeping the $10,000 he got in 2005-2006. That money supposedly went to pay off debt from his 1996 campaign, but the debt was owed to Gordon Smith personally.
Which just means he pocketed the money personally.
He should donate that $10,000 to charity too. Otherwise, he's got dirty Ted Stevens money burning a hole in his pocket.
More at BlueOregon.
Full disclosure: My firm built JeffMerkley.com, but I speak only for myself.
July 30, 2008 12:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
They were willing to keep his money throughout the investigation, and only made the move to dump it after an indictment. I know this is supposed to be an innocent until proven guilty judicial system, but elections are popularity contests, and the appearance of scandal carries with it bad publicity that costs votes, so if they had any principles, they would have dumped his dough a year ago, or not taken it at all since.
July 30, 2008 12:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
He is sure is no dummy...LOL
Sen. Coleman from MN is keeping his money from his buddy TED!
July 30, 2008 9:29 AM | Reply | Permalink