"Absolutely No Reason For Him to Return the Money"

The Great Falls Tribune today provides a good example of just how totally out of touch with the public Republican politicians in Washington, D.C. have become. The story is about how Montana Congressman Denny Rehberg (R) is refusing to give back nearly $20,000 in campaign contributions that he received from House leader Tom DeLay's (R-TX) political action committee (PAC). You may recall, DeLay is facing two indictments - one for money laundering and one for conspiracy - surrounding his use of corporate money and PACs.

It isn't surprising that Rehberg refuses to give back the tainted money from his indicted leader. As Montana Democratic Party executive director Jim Farrell notes, "It's a lot of money, and it's a lot of money in Montana" - meaning Rehberg is going to do everything he can to hold onto it, no matter how dirty it is.

But what is surprising is that Rehberg doesn't even see why he might CONSIDER giving it back in the first place. As Rehberg's chief of staff said, "There is absolutely no reason for him to return the money."

No reason? No reason? A Texas grand jury INDICTED DeLay for his use of PAC money - isn't that reason enough? The answer is yes, at least for some Republicans who have a sense of shame. As the Tribune notes, "at least two Republican House members — Reps. Jeb Bradley of New Hampshire and Heather Wilson of New Mexico — have decided to return campaign contributions received from DeLay's [PAC]."

Rehberg's refusal to objectively evaluate the world around him - and realize that pocketing money from someone under indictment is wrong - proves that the GOP is ever more out of touch with reality, only interested in protecting their own corrupt fiefdom in Washington. And make no mistake - other Republicans are behaving like this, too. For instance, earlier this week the Reading Eagle reported that Rep. James Gerlach (R-PA) is refusing to return $30,000 of DeLay's dirty PAC money he received.

If the GOP remains this arrogant and drunk with power, we really could see a Democratic tidal wave in 2006.

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