Is Rep. Delahunt, D-Mass., looting the sinking ship before he bails?
By: David Freddoso
Online Opinion Editor
02/26/10 10:29 AM EST
Delahunt was Norfolk district attorney when 21-year-old Amy Bishop shot her 18-year-old brother at their Braintree home in 1986. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)The Boston Herald reports that Rep. Bill Delahunt, D-Mass., burned up $560,000 of his campaign warchest last year, paying family members and dining in style:
U.S. Rep. William Delahunt blew nearly $560,000 in campaign cash last year - much of it on lavish meals and a family-friendly payroll that includes his ex-wife, son-in-law and daughter - stoking speculation the Quincy Democrat is emptying his war chest and won’t seek re-election.
Among the expenses reported:
Delahunt, 68, also has dished out sizable sums on expensive meals, including more than $3,000 at Quincy’s Alba Bar and Grill in the first quarter of 2009, and another $7,000 for a confab at the upscale eatery in July.
Delahunt still has more than half a million dollars left in his campaign warchest, but his anemic fundraising for 2009 (just $42,000) adds credence to rumors that he is considering retirement this year. As our own Michael Barone has pointed out, Delahunt is currently facing questions over the Amy Bishop shooting in Alabama, as his office failed to prosecute her for the 1986 shooting of her brother in Massachusetts.
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John Adams “The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence.”
Ronald Reagan: 'Everybody that is for abortion has already been born'
"I never said I was worth it. I only said I wouldn't do it for less " William F. Buckley Jr.
My understanding is that he (and other pols) get to keep their campaign funds once they officially retire. I wonder why he's burning through the money now on frivolous stuff? I agree that it's likely that he's going to retire. Just not sure why he's spending this way. ????
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Cal, I thought that was once the case. However, since a few years ago when the politicans cleaned up all the coruption in DC, they ended this practice and it must stay with campaigning. They do have the option to give it out to others who need it for their war chest. That's what I believe is the case now. Perhaps one of the lawyers could chime in.
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John Adams “The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence.”
Ronald Reagan: 'Everybody that is for abortion has already been born'
"I never said I was worth it. I only said I wouldn't do it for less " William F. Buckley Jr.
Cal, I thought that was once the case. However, since a few years ago when the politicans cleaned up all the coruption in DC, they ended this practice and it must stay with campaigning. They do have the option to give it out to others who need it for their war chest.
FM, it was the way you described. The senate used to be different, their rules forbade the keeping of campaign funds after retirement. The house may have changed back to the old way. I found no mention of it here.
Some of the perps are keeping their campaign committees active after they retire and they are keeping the money. Case in point, retired US rep Tom Reynolds.
Quote:
By BRIAN TUMULTY
Gannett Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON - Although he retired from Congress 13 months ago, former Western New York congressman Tom Reynolds can still rely on his congressional campaign committee to pay Verizon Wireless cell phone bills, expensive restaurant tabs and political donations.
Reynolds' committee ended 2009 with $603,220 in cash on hand - more than the $527,944 reported by Rep. Chris Lee of Clarence, the fellow Republican who succeeded Reynolds representing New York's 26th Congressional District, according to Federal Election Commission records.
In a telephone interview Friday, Reynolds said he has no plans on running for office again but remains a card-carrying Republican who supports candidates.
Reynolds is a former chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, which helps GOP candidates win election to the House. He works on government relations and public policy issues in the Washington office of the Nixon Peabody law firm.
Cal, I thought that was once the case. However, since a few years ago when the politicans cleaned up all the coruption in DC, they ended this practice and it must stay with campaigning. They do have the option to give it out to others who need it for their war chest. That's what I believe is the case now. Perhaps one of the lawyers could chime in.
No lawyer but it only took me a few words before "politicians cleaned up all the coruption in DC" to know your more than a little fuzzy.
Another one jumping? Taking the cash too
Delahunt was Norfolk district attorney when 21-year-old Amy Bishop shot her 18-year-old brother at their Braintree home in 1986. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)The 
