Some Republicans Seek Distance from 'Duke', page 1

Charities like the American Cancer Society and Habitat for Humanity are starting to benefit from former Rep. Randy Cunningham's troubles as colleagues who benefited from his campaign donations seek to divest themselves of the tainted funds they were given.

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Republicans returning Cunningham money

ERICA WERNER

Associated Press

WASHINGTON - Seeking to distance themselves from disgraced former Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham - and silence Democratic criticism - some of Cunningham's fellow Republicans are donating campaign cash he gave them to charities.

More than a dozen Republican lawmakers and challengers have taken that move, or disclosed plans to, since Cunningham, R-Calif., pleaded guilty Monday to taking $2.4 million in bribes in exchange for steering government work to defense contractors.

Among them 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.

Benefiting are an array of charities - among them the American Cancer Society, Habitat for Humanity, a western Pennsylvania flood relief group, a South Dakota organization that helps the homeless, and the Minnesotans' Military Appreciation Fund.

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This is great, and its about time.

All I can say is I hope advocates for the vested interests of the American public seize this opportunity to "follow the money" from all 60 of the incumbents tied to Cunningham via campaign contributions, and root out the ingrained corruption that he has admitted to taking part in.

Don't let them hold the 'Duke' up as their sacrificial goat on the altar of public opinion then go about business as usual. Hold them all accountable the way Mr. Cunningham is holding himself accountable.

[edit on 2-12-2005 by Icarus Rising]

[edit on 4-12-2005 by asala]