GOP to Vito Fossella: Show Us The Money!
Now that scandal-plagued Rep. Vito Fossella (R-N.Y.) has decided to retire, we wonder what he'll do with all the money sitting in his campaign coffers. His Republicans colleagues wonder, too.
He has several options, including donating it to his struggling GOP brethren, who are buckled in for what promises to be a very rough ride for them in this November's congressional elections. Of course, he could also keep the money to pay legal expenses, if the House ethics committee approves it. (The ethics panel has announced it will investigate Fossella's drunk driving arrest after his legal proceedings in the matter.)
As of March 31, Fossella's campaign had $248,496 cash on hand, thanks to the generosity of several GOP members who donated money to Fossella's reelection effort before his May 1 drunk-driving arrest, which ballooned into an infidelity scandal riddled with questions of whether he romanced his secret mistress on the taxpayer's dime.
Fossella was considered vulnerable even before his multi-tiered scandal hit. He was placed on the House Republicans' "ROMP" list, an acronym for Regain Our Majority Program. And lots of prominent Republicans helped Fossella, including House GOP Chief Deputy Whip Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.), whose leadership PAC gave $5,000 to Fossella's campaign, and Rep. David Dreier (R-Calif.), whose leadership PAC gave $1,000.
But now, with the National Republican Congressional Committee cash-strapped and the looming threat of a Democratic electoral tidal wave, the NRCC would love Fossella to show a little reciprocity in the goodwill department. They'd like Fossella's campaign money, at least a good chunk of it, to help their candidates. (Especially considering Fossella could embarrass House Republicans further if he's convicted at this scheduled June 27 trial and has to sit in jail for the mandatory five days.)
"Considering that Vito Fossella has helped this committee's efforts in past election cycles, and given that New York's 13th District will now be an open seat, we hope he will aid efforts to keep this seat in the red column," says NRCC spokeswoman Julie Shutley.
Fossella is giving no hints about what he'll do with the money - whether he'll try to use it to pay legal bills, or help his colleagues facing tough reelection battles. "No decisions have been made," says Susan Del Percio, Fossella's crisis communications consultant.
By
Mary Ann Akers
|
May 21, 2008; 8:26 PM ET
Share This: E-Mail | Technorati
| Del.icio.us | Digg | Stumble
Previous: Rep. Richardson's Personal Foreclosure Crisis
Next: More on Rep. Richardson's Financial Woes
Posted by: Anonymous | May 22, 2008 9:36 AM | Report abuse
We see your tears -- and those of many other Elephants -- add to the tumultuous storms that threaten to flood or wash away your stately yet decrepit mansion.
As this Big House gets swept away, many of us will watch from higher and safer ground, playing that famous "world's smallest violin."
Posted by: Mike K | May 22, 2008 1:11 PM | Report abuse
He could use it to pay off Rep. Richardson's defaulted mortgage.
Posted by: Anonymous | May 22, 2008 2:03 PM | Report abuse
Yeah, as comment #3 shows, so much for Democratic woes not being newsworthy!
Posted by: Anonymous | May 23, 2008 10:10 AM | Report abuse
The Sleuth isn't news, it's hardly even a blog.
Posted by: Anonymous | May 23, 2008 12:15 PM | Report abuse
It is news and entertainment. How many items have you heard about here first? Many items. That is news.
You and I read it, enjoy it, and even make a few comments. It's addictive.
Posted by: MD | May 23, 2008 2:09 PM | Report abuse
I just pooped in my mouth.
You didn't know that before now.
Woohoo, news!
Posted by: Tom3 | May 27, 2008 1:42 PM | Report abuse
that's bigger news than is usually reported here
Posted by: Mike | May 27, 2008 5:32 PM | Report abuse
See, you guys are getting to MAA. She hasn't written a word in six days, probably because of your cruel comments. Who could take the pressure?
Of course, it's possible she's getting a new hairdo.
Posted by: MD | May 28, 2008 1:02 PM | Report abuse
that will be the topic of her next post "oooh, look at my bowl cut"
Posted by: Anonymous | May 28, 2008 1:26 PM | Report abuse
There goes another "Family values" Republican. At least this one wasn't hanging around toilets lookin' for love.
Posted by: MarkB | June 2, 2008 9:29 PM | Report abuse
The comments to this entry are closed.
Can he give it to the Democrat party or maybe slip it into a Democrat congressman's freezer so it won't be newsworthy?