Posted on 07/17/2002 4:37:00 PM PDT by hsmomx3
Congressional candidate John Keegan cut and pasted several paragraphs from an article on the Heritage Foundation Web site and used it as his own answer in a newspaper questionnaire that is used to help make recommendations in statewide elections.
Most of Keegan's answer about Social Security is taken verbatim from an article written by David C. John for the popular conservative think tank. The Peoria mayor was responding to questions that The Arizona Republic asks every congressional candidate. Keegan, a Republican, is running in the 2nd Congressional District, which covers much of the West Valley, northwestern Arizona and the Hopi Reservation in northeastern Arizona. The first paragraph of Keegan's answer and John's article both read: "Social Security reform will not affect today's senior citizens. The program has more than enough resources to pay them full benefits for the rest of their lives."
There is no attribution contained in his answer. The third and fourth paragraphs also are lifted word-for-word from the same article on the Heritage Foundation Web site. Near the end of his questionnaire, Keegan includes a line that says: "In preparing these answers, I drew on a variety of sources; some were think tanks that I admire such as the Hoover Institution, Empower America and Heritage Foundation." Keegan said that he's comfortable with that attribution. "I like the stuff they write," Keegan said. "I like their stuff on things that I don't have a personal background on." Since 1994, the Heritage Foundation has written a "candidate's briefing book" to guide lawmakers on crucial election issues. Keegan said he leans on that book for advice on different topics. In addition to questions about Social Security, the survey asks the West Valley congressional candidates about national security, taxes, immigration and Luke Air Force Base. The answers, along with research and candidate interviews, help The Arizona Republic editorial board make its recommendations.
Not first controversy
This isn't the first time Keegan has been embroiled in a campaign controversy. In 1994, it was found that he had more than 20 forged signatures on his nominating petitions that he sent to the Secretary of State's Office. He eventually quit that legislative race, which then-political newcomer Scott Bundgaard eventually won. Bundgaard, who has battled Keegan in the past, said he'd let voters decide about Keegan's "problem." "We've got more serious issues facing this country, like cutting taxes, improving education and making health care accessible," Bundgaard said. "These issues are more important than whether a candidate is copying someone else's homework. I trust the voters to decide whether this problem is important to them." Bundgaard, a state senator, and Keegan are locked in a seven-way GOP primary to fill Bob Stump's seat in Congress. Stump has issued a ringing endorsement of Lisa Atkins, his chief aide of 26 years, to succeed him. Former state legislator and children's advocate Trent Franks is also running. The Atkins campaign didn't want to comment. The three other Republicans running in the 2nd Congressional District are Dick Hensley, Dusko Jovicic and Mike Schaefer. Keegan's wife, Lisa, was Arizona's superintendent of public instruction from 1994 to 2001, when she left to work for a think tank in Washington, D.C. In the summer of 1994, Keegan acknowledged that the signatures might have been forged as he tried to run for the statehouse. At the time, he said he had hired a college student, known to him only as "Bob," to collect signatures. But when "Bob" was never found, Keegan bowed out of the race.
Reach the reporter at chip.scutari@arizonarepublic.com or (602) 444-8069.
Sounds like another Bill and Hillary arrangement.
My money is on Bundgaard to win.
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