Republicans support corrupt politicians

DeLay, Ney, Burns, Linked to Abramoff, See Campaign Gifts Surge

March 3 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. lawmakers who've been linked to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff have at least one consolation: Their campaign coffers have never been as full.

Republican Representatives Tom DeLay of Texas, Bob Ney of Ohio, Richard Pombo and John Doolittle of California and Senator Conrad Burns of Montana saw their fund-raising totals surge in the past year compared with previous elections, according to the latest campaign filings. All five lawmakers have been tied to Abramoff by media reports, their political opponents and, in Ney's case, the Justice Department.

While Democrats are seeking to tarnish Republicans for their links to Abramoff during this election year, campaign- finance experts say the flow of funds suggests the scandal has had a galvanizing effect on backers of the targeted incumbents. The scandal has also drawn challengers in the primary and general elections, which brings in more money from supporters, they say.

``Scandals often activate the party faithful on both sides of the aisle, especially those who perceive government investigations to have a partisan motivation,'' said David Primo, a political science professor at the University of Rochester in New York. ``Members of Congress who are scandal- ridden often face competitive races, and these battles bring in the cash.''


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