(US Senate candidate from NV, D) Berkley addresses ethics probe

[alp227]

Source: Las Vegas Sun

In some of her first public comments on the matter, U.S. Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., said today her campaign for U.S Senate will “not pivot” on a House ethics committee investigation into whether she used her public office to benefit her family's financial interests.

Berkley declined to speculate on the outcome of the investigation—the committee is expected to announce in July whether it will move forward with the probe.

But she said she was motivated by protecting patient care when she joined with then Reps. Dean Heller and Jon Porter to lobby to keep the kidney transplant center open at University Medical Center in 2008.

Her husband, Dr. Larry Lehrner is a kidney doctor whose medical firm provides kidney care at UMC.

Read more: http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2012/jun/09/berkley-addresses-ethics-probe/

[AnnieBW]

1. Is She Running for Ensign's Seat?

She should be. Sounds like she's about as corrupt. D or R, if they're corrupt, get 'em out of there!

[karynnj]

7. There is nothing to suggest that her reason was not honest

She signed the letter along with the man she is running against and another representative. All three thought it was good for the patients. It also appears this is the only such facility in Los Vegas.

Michelle Obama was a high ranking employee of the University of Chicago's hospital - I assume that then Senator Obama likely approved some earmark for the hospital. Was he corrupt? Should Senator Kerry NOT back any grants for either Harvard or Massachusetts General because Dr Vanessa Kerry is affiliated with them? In both of these hypothetical cases, wouldn't any legislator sign on for their district or state?

[KamaAina]

2. "House ethics" is an oxymoron these days.

What better way to save a Senate seat than to slime the Dem candidate? Do they seriously not expect her to try and keep the only kidney transplant center in her state open?

[DallasNE]

3. She Is Running Against Dean Heller

Who joined her to save this transplant center. Outwardly, this looks like a political cheap shot under the circumstances. Care must always be taken on conflict of interest issues and whether patterns emerge. That hasn't been shown here.

[gmee2]

4. Unfortunately...

This is one way seats are won these days. She needs to pull out before it is too late to have another credible candidate in her place. Even if she is innocent, fighting this so close to an election is almost futile.

[karynnj]

8. Bad idea - there appears NOTHING untoward here

Is there anyone who can't be smeared by lies or innuendo?

[former9thward]

6. Are you saying the Democrats on the committee are trying to "slime the Dem candidate"?

The vote to investigate was unanimous.

[Lurks Often]

5. It was a unanimous vote by both parties

to create an investigative sub-committee to look into Shelley Berkley's actions

http://ethics.house.gov/press-release/statement-chairman-and-ranking-member-committee-ethics-regarding-representative-0