Can we get rid of Murtha, please?

[GarbagemanLB]

Lobbying Firm's Ties To Democrats Under Scrutiny

One of Washington's most successful lobbying firms is on the verge of closing down. In November, FBI agents seized documents from the Northern Virginia offices of The PMA Group. There are questions regarding campaign contributions and the firm's ties to House Democrats such as John Murtha of Pennsylvania.

The PMA Group was founded 20 years ago by Paul Magliocchetti, who was a longtime aide to Murtha. It has specialized in lobbying the House Appropriations Committee, for which Murtha heads the subcommittee on defense. PMA also has ties to several other committee Democrats.


"This looks like the same old politics that the Republicans were playing, where they're playing pay-to-play — you give us a donation, we'll give you an earmark," says Keith Ashdown, who tracks legislative earmarks at the watchdog group Taxpayers For Common Sense.

Murtha has made a career of using earmarks to bring home jobs to his district in southwestern Pennsylvania, where many defense contractors have facilities. And his campaign war chest is top-heavy with contributions from PMA clients.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100850606

[havocmom]

1. Amen

Not the poster boy the Democratic Party needs, fer sure.

[Winterblues]

2. You seem to think that Representives bring home Federal funds for their States is a bad thing.

That is what they are there to do.

[donco]

3. Yes, right after Burris. nt

[Veritas_et_Aequitas]

5. ?

Flesh that one out, please. I'm not seeing your argument.

[donco]

7. Not a whole lot of fleshing out to do

I think he is an embarrassment to the Democratic party of the state of Illinois. If the state wants to keep a Democrat in the Senate he has to go,in my opinion.

[Veritas_et_Aequitas]

8. I meant the whole parallel with Murtha

I agree with you on Burris completely.

[Buck Laser]

4. I appreciate anyone who pisses off republicans.

The simple fact of the matter is that the GOP hates Murtha because they see a guy they think should be a war supporter who had the guts to stand up against it. It's not about the pork nearly so much as it is about poking republicans in the eye.

[Bake]

6. I dunno ... do you live in his district? Vote for someone else.

Bake