Tom Davis contributes to Dem ex-hopeful

The Hill ^ | 5/1/2002 | Allison Stevens

[ltlflwr]

In a move likely to raise eyebrows among House Republicans, a political action committee (PAC) controlled by the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee has contributed $3,000 to a former Democratic House candidate in Arkansas.

Fundraising reports revealed that Rep. Tom Davis of Virginia contributed $3,000 last Dec. 16 to Judy Smith, who lost to then-Rep. Jay Dickey (R) in 1998. She ran again in the 2000 primary against then-state Sen. Mike Ross (D), who went on to defeat Dickey in the general election.

Smith has not filed to run again in Arkansas’ 4th District, where Dickey has mounted a comeback bid for his former seat.

Davis has contributed $62,000 to Republican candidates through his personal leadership PAC, the Federal Victory Fund, since 2001. A Davis spokesman declined to comment on the contribution to Smith.

Financial contributions across party lines are rare, especially for members of the party leadership. Of the 130 leadership PACs tracked by the Center for Responsive Politics (CRP), only Davis’ had contributed to a member of the opposite party.

The CRP also reported that Sen. Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) contributed $5,000 to a Democratic candidate this year, but a spokesman for the CPR said the report was erroneous. The center also incorrectly reported that Wisconsin Rep. Tom Petri (R) contributed $1,000 to a Democrat.

CRP spokesman Doug Weber said contributions from one member to a candidate of the opposite party are “quite rare.” He added that although congressional leaders tend to frown on the activity, some members see no problem contributing to moderates from another party in uncontested races.

Others may also contribute to a primary candidate from another party in an attempt to bolster a candidate’s chances against a more formidable general election opponent.

“If you look down the list of leadership PACs,” he said, “it’s very unusual.”

[Eala]

GOP/Conservatives think Liberals are stupid, and DEM/Liberals think Conservatives are evil.

Not all that is Republican is conservative (sadly) and not all that is Democrat is liberal (how this could be I do not understand), though that is the way to bet.

I know nothing about the players in this case, however.

[Ligeia]

Thanks for the background. Even so, when people donate to the RNC they don't expect their money to go to Democrats, I don't care who he or she happens to be. Hold a separate fundraiser for that purpose or tap into a PAC. I was in Davis' district last November before I was redistricted and I didn't receive one piece of literature from Davis on behalf of our GOP gubernatorial candidate, Mark Earley. Davis is popular in Fairfax County and speaking out for Earley would have helped. When Earley's campaign was breaking their backs to try and salvage a bad situation, Davis was out of the country and to my knowledge, never held one event for Earley. Davis wears more than one hat and it's no secret he ticks off conservatives more often than not.

[SEA]

Truly a RINO.

[Theodore R.]

Davis may be a RINO, but John Warner is an even bigger RINO!!!!! Not even Elizabeth Taylor could stand him.

[rightwing2]

No, that was John Warner. I lived in Davis' Congressional District during these years and remember the instances quite well. John Warner was the traitor who opposed Farris and North. Davis supported Oliver North and definitely didn't support Beyer. Remember that Davis in 1993 was plotting a run for Congress in 1994, so no way would he have endorsed a Democrat for office just 1 year before that.

I agree that Warner did those things. I am willing to concede that Davis may not have, but I distinctly remember him opposing Farris and backing Beyer in 1993 with campaigning and contributions.

[ltlflwr]

It's good, smart, outreach politics.

You're right, that may have been Davis's strategy. However, do you think it was right for Davis to say:

"[He is] one of the highest-maintenance candidates I’ve ever had." During his visit, Davis told Dickey "he had better ‘get some money in the bank’ - and fast - if he expected the national party to chip in.” [NY Times, 3/3/02]

I think this should have been a private conversation between Davis and Dickey. Why would he say this to the NYTimes, of all places?

Also, since when does being pro-abortion qualify as being socially conservative? From what I've read online, Judy Smith is still pro-abortion. Do you have information that indicates otherwise? Thanks.

[Rensselaer]

No, he shouldn't have said those things publicly.

I had thought Smith was pro-life, but you are correct, she is not. I have seen various comments from her about the importance of family, self-reliance,etc. Still, her record as a Dem was quite liberal.

Smith has fines from the Federal Election Commission to pay off, and campaign debts. I still consider it a reasonable and smart move for GOP leaders to show Dems that the GOP can help them if they're willing to help the GOP.