Florida's Harris: I'll keep Duke's money
The Associated Press reports today that several House Republicans are returning money they received from disgraced colleague Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham. It's not hard to figure out why Cunningham was able to be so generous:
Cunningham, who pleaded guilty Monday to taking $2.4 million in bribes in exchange for steering government work to defense contractors, had given colleagues money from his campaign account and a political action committee he created, the American Prosperity PAC.
Among the GOP lawmakers who have opted not to benefit from Cunningham's favored road to "prosperity" are Reps. Richard Pombo of California, Jim Nussle of Iowa, Heather Wilson of New Mexico and Charles Dent of Pennsylvania; Sen. John Thune of South Dakota; Minnesota Senate candidate and Rep. Mark Kennedy; and Oregon congressional candidate Jim Feldkamp.
But there are holdouts:
At least two Republicans said they were hanging onto Cunningham's money -- Rep. Katherine Harris, R-Fla., and Rep. George Radanovich, R-Calif. Both received $1,000 donations -- Harris in 2004, Radanovich in 1994. Aides said the money was legally donated and received, and was spent.
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Chris Kromm
Chris Kromm is executive director of the Institute for Southern Studies and publisher of the Institute's online magazine, Facing South.