Washblog

Sign the Petition:
Representative Reichert: Give the Money Back!"

Write him directly:
Representative Reichert: Give the Money Back!

Write a Letter to the Editor:

• Seattle Times: opinion@seattletimes.com


• Seattle P-I: editpage@seattlepi.com


• King County Journal: craig.groshart@kingcountyjournal.com


• Tacoma News Tribune

PASS IT ON!

Throughout his entire term, Dave Reichert has been tied to Tom DeLay and the Republican culture of corruption in congress. He has taken $20,000 from Tom DeLay's Americans for a Republican Majority Political Action Committee (ARMPAC). With "The Hammer", money comes with strings attached. Dave Reichert voted with Tom Delay 91% of the time. He also voted to weaken House ethics rules when Tom Delay proposed doing so as part of his ongoing problems with the ethics committee.

On April 3 Tom DeLay said that he will relinquish his seat and won't seek re-election in the fall. The timing may have something to do with the fact that three days before his former deputy chief of staff, Tony Rudy, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and corruption charges, and promises to cooperate with federal investigators. This added to existing concerns as the Abramoff scandal widens.  Just like with Enron, the prosecutors are working their way up, exchanging plea bargains for information.

But is DeLay leaving politics? Not likely! Remember that he won the primary. Under Texas law, as the winner of the primary, he must go on to the general unless he dies, is convicted of a felony, or moves out of the district. In order to not be in the general election "The Hammer" is moving to Alexandria, Virginia!

What will a person with lots of political connections who know how to get things done in Congress do for a living in a town just 15 minutes across the river from Capitol Hill? When Tom DeLay becomes a lobbyist, will Dave Reichert vote for the residents of the 8th Congressional district of Washington, or will he continue to vote the way Tom DeLay wants him to?

It's time for the voters of Washington to send a strong message. The Representative from the 8th Congressional District is supposed to represent us! Tell Dave to give Tom DeLay back his $20,000 and not have any more to do with this master of corrupt politics. Sign the petition below and tell Dave to give the money back!

Text of petition

Dear Congressman Reichert,

Tom DeLay has proven that he cannot be trusted to act in the public good. Given his current legal troubles, keeping money raised for you by him and his organizations compromises your integrity and raises doubts about your ability to be an effective advocate for the people of Washington's 8th Congressional district. We, the undersigned, urge you to return his money and prove that you are not part of DeLay's circle of corruption. Further, we urge you to have nothing to do with any future lobbying firm established by the former representative.

Representative Reichert: Give the Money Back!"