Posted on 07/06/2005 9:51:00 AM PDT by Clintonfatigued
Thomas T. Kontoginnias, a Long Island developer, says he doesn't particularly like politics, so he never does business with the federal government. Still, he hit it off with Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham years ago, and recently, Kontoginnias bought Cunningham's 65-foot yacht, the Kelly C, and helped the California Republican finance a house.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
It's getting harder and harder to imagine there's an innocent explanation for all this. Cunningham should not seek reelection.
Surprise surprise, a crooked politician!
We have them too. just not as many..
To bad The Duke doesn't have a cut-out to make a quick afternoon trip to Ft. Marcy Park....
I would have thought Duke would have had more moral honor and common sense than have gotten himself into this mess.
I guess I don't get it. Really, I mean that. I'm against corruption, be it R's or D's, but I'm not sure I understand what the problem is here.
So the Congressman sold his boat. So what? Arn't Congressmen allowed to sell things they own? If not, what kind of crazy law is that?
I don't know enough about finnance to understand the loan stuff, why does this look so bad? It didn't appear to me like the guy got any political favors for helping finnance his loan, so what's the problem?
I have an old used car. I bought it for $2,000. You want me to do you a favor. You buy the car from me for $10,000, make a bunch of improvements. It turns out that you don't bother to transfer the title and I keep a space in my garage open for it. I promise to do the favor for you. See the problem?
Ok...I get it now, but what did the guy get in return?
He asked for Duke's help to procure a pardon from the Justice Department. I don't believe he got it, but in the meantime, the transaction wasn't complete. Whatever the outcome, there's no positive explanation for the sale of the boat for much more than it's value or the lack of interest in actually transferring ownership.
The house trades are a bigger deal because there's a clear quid pro quo. This is a safe district, lots of military. Duke should step down and let a better man take his place.
Oh, OK, that does sound dirty.
That's a shame though. I've always liked Duke before.
I assume the bench is deep in his district?
I've heard people mention several state senators and representatives who are good. This is solid Republican country in California.
Possible successors include ex-Assemblyman Howard Kaloogian, state Senator Bill Morrow, San Diego County Supervisor Bill Horn, Assemblyman Mark Hyland, Assemblyman George Plescia, ex-Assemblywoman Charlene Zettel, & San Diego County Supervisor Pam Slater.
I am particularly intrigued by the possibility of Charlene Zettel running, though I don't know enough about her to label her the best possible choice.
It is important that legislators be independently wealthy so they cannot be bought. Usually this wealth is taken care of before the person enters office, as in the case of Hillary.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.