FRAMESHOP:FRAMESHOP: HASTERT GAVE MONEY TO REPS INVESTIGATING HIM

The latest round in the Republican House Leadership scandal: Conflict of interest.

Both Republicans assigned to the special panel investigating Dennis Hastert--once got money from Dennis Hastert (sigh...):

TIES THAT BIND: Republicans picked for the panel to investigate Dennis Hastert were recently given large donations--by Dennis Hastert (USA Today).

Both Republicans on the House ethics subcommittee investigating the Mark Foley scandal have financial ties to Speaker Dennis Hastert, whose handling of the former congressman's lurid Internet messages to House pages is under scrutiny.
Ethics Chairman Doc Hastings received $2,500 during the 2000 campaign from Hastert's political action committee, Keep Our Majority, according to PoliticalMoneyLine, which tracks money in politics. The six-term Washington Republican, who became ethics chairman last year, will lead the Foley investigation.

Rep. Judy Biggert of Illinois, received $6,000 from Hastert's PAC and $2,000 from Hastert's own re-election fund during the 2002 campaign, according to PoliticalMoneyLine.

Biggert, whose district neighbors Hastert's, said personal relationships and financial ties will not affect the investigation: "I think that all of us on this committee were chosen because we are thought to be fair."

Whoops.

Sure they're fair and impartial. About as fair and impartial as that next-door neighbor you gave a $2,000 Christmas gift.

Typically, financial ties to the suspect one is investigating would lead one to recuse oneself--to leave the case. But the Republican leaders in Congress are not typical.

Well...I mean...they're "typical" if you mean "typical Republicans" (e.g., crooked).

Duh.

© 2006 Jeffrey Feldman, Frameshop