[JParris]

“......he clarified later and was taken out of context.....”

He clarified later after hearing from his public that he screwed up and tried to walk it back.

A suspicious soul would suspect he is dirty or compromised.

[robowombat]

A suspicious soul would suspect he is dirty or compromised.
Could be. But it is also likely that he is seeking protective coloration due to the unusual circumstances of his district's voter profile. Amodai wins heavily over rats in a district that is something like 60% rat registered voters. He crushed his last opponent 65 to 34%. For some reason the rats love him and he is the only GOPer holding a congressional office.

[Rashputin]

"A suspicious soul would suspect he is dirty or compromised."

My suspicion is that the democrat purchasing agent wanted to pay by check instead of in cash.

That'll clarify the context in a heartbeat.