Pocketing the PAC Money

Written by Daniel on February 1, 2007 – 3:55 pm -

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Does Steve Kagen somehow think that he won’t get a challenge in the 8th in 2008?

According to a report today in The Hill, a well-known DC paper, Democrats are off to an auspicious special interest start:

Many Democratic freshmen raised tens of thousands of special-interest dollars toward their reelection even before they were sworn in for the 110th Congress.

The numbers show that although they said during their campaigns that they would reform the “culture of corruption” in Washington, many quickly immersed themselves in the town’s lobbyist-dominated fundraising network to fill up their coffers and retire their debt.

And watch the PACs jump on the Kagen bandwagon:
AFLAC, AIR LINE PILOTS, AKIN GUMP, ALTRIA [owners of Marlboro], OPHTHALMOLOGY, BANKERS, PHYSICIANS, DENTAL, POSTAL WORKERS UNION, RESORT DEVELOPMENT, SURGICAL HOSPITALS, ELECTRICAL WORKERS, AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS, INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL ADVISORS, MARINE MANUFACTURERS, SALLY MAE, Forest County Potawatomi Community, Oneida Tribe of Indians of WI.

All of that was marked “CAMPAIGN DEBT RETIREMENT.” Who does the campaign own a debt to? The man who loaned it tons of his own money - Steve Kagen. Congressman Kagen “paid himself back” $19,000 - from a fund just recently flush with PAC money.

Meanwhile, Kagen is also dragging down the class average. Other freshmen Dem fundraisers:

Rep. Nancy Boyda (D-Kan.), who beat a favored Republican incumbent last year, raised only $13,000 since Election Day, her filings show. But Rep. David Loebsack (D-Iowa), who surprised former Rep. Jim Leach (R), has already raised $71,000…. Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.), another freshman Democrat, raised tens of thousands of PAC dollars immediately after winning election. She criticized her opponent, former Rep. John Sweeney (R), for skiing with lobbyists but, since her election victory, she has received more than $65,000 in contributions from political committees such as Altria Group PAC, which represents the makers of Marlboro cigarettes…. Reps. Ed Perlmutter (D-Colo.), Charlie Wilson (D-Ohio), and Paul Hodes (D-N.H.) have raised $79,000, $34,000 and $35,000 respectively since the election.
… Rep. Jason Altmire (D-Pa.) raised about $50,000 in PAC money between Election Day and taking the oath of office. Rep. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) raised about $40,000; Rep. Steve Kagen (D-Wis.) about $35,000; Rep. Zack Space (D-Ohio) about $35,000; and Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Pa.) about $50,000.

Congressman Kagen starts 2007 with $52,400 Cash on Hand. Now that we’re into a new campaign cycle, all those PACs can pony up again for him for 2008.

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4 Comments to “Pocketing the PAC Money”

  1. Corey Says:
    February 1st, 2007 at 5:43 pm

    Stinkin PAC’s!!! :-)

  2. spet3r Says:
    February 2nd, 2007 at 12:15 am

    stinking McCain - Feingold!! Dirty rats…

  3. Getting Ready for 2008. at Can Kagen in 2008! Says:
    February 2nd, 2007 at 8:27 am

    [...] Of course, defenders of Steve Kagen will leap to say both sides do it. To that I say duh. It is interesting to see who is actually giving to Steve Kagen. Thanks to Jo at FoxPolitics.net for pointing out Dan’s (1/3 of the GOP3) catch. [...]

  4. Joe Says:
    February 3rd, 2007 at 6:06 am

    All Children Matter, the DeVos 527 scam hidden behind the Wisconsin RIght of Lifer’s 501(c) banner, funneled an estimated $8 Million into Green’s loss.
    And just where is that $473,000 Green squirreled away, that is still being ‘reviewed’ because he thinks it violated his equal rights?
    Is it maing interest that he is poccketing? Has it been tossed into a hedge fund, ‘for the time being’?

    Where are the millions and illions of GOP PAC money? The Tom Delay money that had to be given back, the Mark Foley money that had to be given back?

    And you piss and moan about Kagen.
    Keep singing to your choir, it’s getting smaller and smaller every month, as the GOP implodes.

    Pac money is not an issue. Iraq, Scooter Libby and the least like Republican era, maybe ever should concern you more.
    Using Rovian tactics is not doing you, or your crusade and good at all.

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