BeyondDeLay.org introduces us to the man who will replace Tom DeLay as Majority Leader, Representative Roy Blunt (R-MO):
You got your nepotism, your Big Tobacco, your questionable ethics, and your "moral values" divorce:
In 2003, Rep. Blunt divorced his wife of 31 years to marry Philip Morris (now Altria) lobbyist Abigail Perlman. Before it was known publicly that Rep. Blunt and Ms. Perlman were dating – and only hours after Rep. Blunt assumed the role of Majority Whip – he tried to secretly insert a provision into Homeland Security legislation that would have benefitted Philip Morris, at the expense of competitors.
In addition, Rep. Blunt’s son Andrew lobbies on behalf of Philip Morris, a major client he picked up only four years out of law school. Notably, Altria is Rep. Blunt’s largest campaign contributor, having donated more than $270,000 to political committees tied to him.
You got your -- um -- more nepotism, and your Iraq War corporate cronyism:
In 2003, Rep. Blunt also helped his lobbyist son Andrew by inserting a provision into the $79 billion emergency appropriation for the war in Iraq to benefit U.S. shippers like United Parcel Service, Inc. and FedEx Corp. The provision required that military cargo be carried only by companies with no more than 25% foreign ownership. UPS and FedEx were seeking to block the expansion of a foreign-owned rival’s U.S. operations. Andrew Blunt lobbies on behalf of UPS in Missouri, and UPS and FedEx have contributed at least $58,000 to Rep. Blunt since 2001.
You know, between Frist, DeLay, Safavian, Limbaugh, Brownie, Rove, Libby, and Abramoff, I wonder if the Republican leadership is wishing they hadn't been so heavy-handed on the "moral values" and "integrity" switches.
Tip to TPM.