Tom Davis and Rob Ney Share Money and Power in Abramoff's NRCC

Editor's note, this is a post from Andrea Chamblee that I am posting for her - Nate

Andrew Hurst for Congress

Crossposted on Raising Kaine.

In 2002, Christopher Shays [R-Conn] was next in line for the Chair of the Government Reform Committee.  "The advantage I have is 16 years of devoted service on the committee," Shays observed.  But he acknowledged Tom Davis (R-VA) had his own selling point:

"'I think [Davis] has an edge based on the extraordinary work he's done to make us a strong majority,' said Shays, 57."  There was no secret what that work was.

"Davis, 53, had less seniority than Shays and others vying for the Reform Committee chair.  But Shays knew what others also knew: according to The Federal Paper Republicans want to reward him. As Chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee [NRCC], Davis supervised a $160 million fund raising effort and campaigned for 40 Republican candidates in 27 states" includng Rob Ney, the criminal Congressman from Ohio.

Follow the story for more on how the contagious corruption of Tom Davis spread in Ohio.

 
Davis's strength was also Shays' weakness: again according to The Federal Paper:

One factor that may work against Shays is his key role in passing the campaign finance law that GOP leaders opposed.

It is important to remember Davis's key role as head of the NRCC, along with his deputy, uber-lobbyist, K Street Project operative, and Abramoff colleague Dan Mattoon.  Tom Davis cultivated the relationships, the atmosphere of pay-to-play politics, and the money for himself, his campaign fund, his two PACs, and for the NRCC. Bob Ney and his American Liberty Pac flourished under Davis's watch.

Davis made sure Ney tithed to the NRCC.  Ney contributed $47,000 during 1997-2003. Of that, $22,000, or over 40%, was paid to the NRCC during the time Davis was NRCC head from 1998-2002.

Davis himself jumped on the Ney bandwagon early, giving him $2,000.00 on 06/14/1999 (FEC record number 99034720197).

Davis also supported Ney from NRCC funds. Again according to the FEC, in 1998, Davis’s first year at the NRCC, the support for Ney from the Committee was $1,928, an increase of 23 times the previous year of $86 in 1997.  The RNCC paid Ney a total of $7,452.  Of that, $3,014, or 40%, was provided during the time Davis was NRCC head.

Davis continues to reap the rewards of his fundraising machine, now using the Chairmanship of the Government Reform Committee that was his reward for his fundraising at the NRCC.  Davis couldn't have asked for the job at a more profitable time. Administration outsourcing of national obligations to its cronies, followed by waste and scandal after scandal made the protection of the Reform Committee invaluable. As with the RNCC, Davis was able to turn the Chairmanship into one that generates millions from PACs and lobbyists.  Now he is turning to the Senate, and he has Presidential ambitions.

I've written about Davis's ties to Jack Abramoff, including the $4,500 Davis himself received from Abramoff, the $312,000 he collected from Abramoff's tribal clients for the NRCC, and the money he collected from "Team Abramoff for his wife. Public Citizen and CapitalEye have found ties from Tom Davis and Abramoff, especially through super-lobbyist Dan Mattoon, but Davis has somehow escaped scrutiny and has never been held accountable.

Davis's corruption has infected Government Reform and races all over the country. Davis has used the millions he has from fundraising to influence races in 40 States, 42 Districts, 3 senate races, totaling 103 candidates, not counting his NRCC fundraising. His money is probably in your state no matter where you're from.

Fortunately, Davis has a formidable opponent in Andy Hurst.  You can be a part of helping Hurst unseat Davis by donating to and volunteering for Andy Hurst. Hurst is not taking any PAC money. Can you donate $11 for the 11th District? Or a multiple of $11?

Nate de la Piedra is the Online Outreach Coordinator for the Andrew Hurst for Congress 2006 Campaign. The ideas expressed herein belong to Nate de la Piedra and do not necessarily represent those of Andrew Hurst, his advisors, staff, or "The Campaign".

Tom Davis (VA-11) Profits from War and Death!

Hat-tip to Mosquitopest for giving me the idea to do this more in-depth research.

According to an article The 10 Most Brazen War Profiteers from Alternet.org there is some seriously fishy and potentially illegal stuff going on with the distribution of US Government Contracts relating to Iraq.

Tom Davis is the Chairman of the Government Reform Committee, it is his job to investigate such claims, instead, he does not. He ignores these problems while at the same time taking political donations from said companies. Below the fold is the dirty truth.

For the total contributions, I’m only looking at the 01-02/03-04/05-06 cycles, since those are the only ones affected by the war in Iraq. In all, Tom Davis has taken $195,330 from companies he should be investigating. While his opponent Andrew Hurst Democratic nominee for Congress, is refusing to take PAC money specifically because of this level of corruption and influence peddling.

#1 CACI. This company had “private interrogators” in Abu Ghraib. According to tray.comTom Davis and his PAC Federal Victory Fund, have taken $14,130 from CACI employees, including Chairman of the Board J Phillip London and President Paul Cofoni.

#2 L-3 Communications owns Titan Corporation. Titan was also in Abu Ghraib.Tom Davis and his PAC have taken $9,200 from L-3 and Titan Employees and Titan’s PAC.

#3 Bechtel

The San Francisco-based construction and engineering giant received one of the largest no-bid contracts -- worth $2.4 billion -- to help coordinate and rebuild a large part of Iraq's infrastructure. But the company's reconstruction failures range from shoddy school repairs to failing to finish a large hospital in Basra on time and within budget.

Davis has taken close to $31,000 from Bechtel and it’s employees.

#4 Aegis. I couldn’t find any money here, probably because it’s a Brittish firm

An industry insider told Avant that the $293 million contract was given despite the fact that American competitors had submitted lower bids, suggesting the government wanted to hire the foreign company to shield both sides of the transaction from accountability for any "dirty tricks."

#5 Custer Battles

Custer Battles was a newly formed company with no experience in the security industry when it landed one of the first contracts issued in Iraq, in the spring of 2003, to secure the Baghdad airport. The sole source or "no-bid" contract was worth US$16 million when it was awarded in the chaos after the fall of Saddam Hussein.

Couldn’t find anything here, perhaps a reader can help me out.

#6 General Dynamics
General Dynamics PAC has given $23,500 to Tom Davis and his PAC

In July, the Post reported that the company's profits have tripled since 9/11. That should make some people happy, including David K Heebner, a former top aide to Army Chief of Staff Eric Shinseki, who was hired by General Dynamics in 1999, a year before the Stryker contract was sealed. According to Defense watchdogs at the Project on Government Oversight (POGO), General Dynamics formally announced it was hiring Heebner on November 20, 1999, just one month after Shinseki announced a new "vision" to transform the Army by moving away from tracked armored vehicles toward wheeled light-armored vehicles, and more than a month prior to Heebner's official retirement date of Dec. 31, 1999.

#7 Nour USA. This is a shadowy firm, that incorporated as the war in Iraq started, with the specific purpose to get US Government Contracts. Now also has contracts with the Iraqi Army and the Iraqi Oil Ministry. Can't find any ties to Tom Davis, as I can't really find out much about the company. But there do seem to be Suspect contract deals and another here

#8 Chevron. #9 ExxonMobile #10 Petro-imperialists.
Unfortunately, at this point Alternet gets a little vague, but there is still interesting stuff. Tom Davis was quoted as saying “I have never taken a nickel from the oil companies”. This was clearly false, in fact, He has taken over $115,000 from Oil Company PACs Alone. $42,750 from ExxonMobil.

Nate de la Piedra is the Online Outreach Coordinator for the Andrew Hurst for Congress 2006 Campaign. The ideas expressed herein belong to Nate de la Piedra and do not necessarily represent those of Andrew Hurst, his advisors, staff, or "The Campaign".

Thunder From the Left

“Thunder from the left”, that is what Andrew Hurst said he would bring against Tom Davis at the upcoming September 19th debate against Tom Davis.

When: Tuesday, September 19, 7:30 PM

Where: Fairfax County Government Center

Click here for directions

Andrew Hurst has already come out swinging.  A few weeks ago he filed Formal Charges against Tom Davis for using taxpayer money to send out campaign e-mails.  Before that Andy Called on Tom Davis to resign as Chair of the Government Reform Committee for his influence peddling scandal involving ICG.

Please join us and see what all the ruckus is about, even forcing the Washington Post to write an article, Now, a Word About the Invigorated 11th District Democrats.

There will be an opportunity to for attendees to ask the candidates questions, so come prepared.

Nate de la Piedra is the Online Outreach Coordinator for the Andrew Hurst for Congress 2006 Campaign. The ideas expressed herein belong to Nate de la Piedra and do not necessarily represent those of Andrew Hurst, his advisors, staff, or "The Campaign".

Tom Davis: Dissent = Treason

Open Letter to Representative Tom Davis (R-VA),

Dear Rep. Davis,

We all knew that the GOP was going to run a dirty race this year to make Democrats look weak on National Security, but I had no idea how bad it was, and how common this tactic was in 2002 and 2004. Swift boating John Kerry was nothing, read This Article and you find this.

February 2002: Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle expresses mild disagreement with US anti-terror policies, saying US success in the war on terror "is still somewhat in doubt." In response, Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA) says that Daschle's "divisive comments have the effect of giving aid and comfort to our enemies by allowing them to exploit divisions in our country."

Mr. Davis, have you no shame. Your majorty leader John Boener accused Democrats of committing treason, is this something you agree with, or have you changed position from 2002?

Mr. Davis, you can send your response to nate@hurstforcongress.com

Nate de la Piedra
Online Outreach Coordinator
Hurst for Congress, Inc.

Nate de la Piedra is the Online Outreach Coordinator for the Andrew Hurst for Congress 2006 Campaign. The ideas expressed herein belong to Nate de la Piedra and do not necessarily represent those of Andrew Hurst, his advisors, staff, or "The Campaign".

Centerville Day Parade, Democrats Outshow Republicans!

Unfortunately, I was not able to attend either the Centerville Day Parade or Gov. Warner's Pig Roast yesterday, as today (Sept 17th) is my birthday and I was doing personal stuff.

However, from what I hear, it was a great day to be alive and in blue, take a look at these pictures...





Seems like we had more of a turn out. Here is a link to a great summary by Ambivalent Mumblings, Local Democrats At The Centreville Day Parade

As you may know, today was the Centreville Day Parade and Andrew Hurst, Judy Feder, and Jim Webb all had supporters there. Plus, both Andy and Judy were there walking the parade route with us. I definitely had been looking forward to the event because it was nice not to have to travel very far (Centreville High School is less than a mile and a half away from where I live) and I hadn’t participated in Centreville Day since my days in Centreville’s marching band.

Nate de la Piedra is the Online Outreach Coordinator for the Andrew Hurst for Congress 2006 Campaign. The ideas expressed herein belong to Nate de la Piedra and do not necessarily represent those of Andrew Hurst, his advisors, staff, or "The Campaign".

Support Andrew Hurst orJim Webb? Read This!

Andrew Hurst and Jim Webb are putting out a call for supporters. We don’t have the $2 Million war chest that Tom Davis has, or the big Karl Rove donors that George Allen has, but what we do have is YOU.

And we need to know who you are. This is not to ask you for your money or your time (unless you want to give it), but so that we can mark you as a supporter. This has many advantages that you might not have been aware of.

When someone is identified as a member of Team Hurst they are taken off of our canvass and phone bank lists until it is time to vote. This allows us to save our volunteers time, and to save your time as well. Think of it as one less phone call during dinner.

Additionally, people that we know are behind Andrew Hurst and Jim Webb 100%, don’t get some of the persuasion mailings, allowing us to save money, and letting your piece of mail to go to an undecided voter and a potential winning a new vote.

I have set up a Website Form that allows you to put in your info and let us know that you support Andrew Hurst and Jim Webb.

Please take the 30 seconds needed to fill out the I Support Andrew Hurst and/or Jim Webb and help us. It might not be the same as volunteering or contributing, but it certainly helps us in the same way, one less door to knock, and one less piece of mail to pay for.

Thanks for your time,
Nate de la Piedra

Nate de la Piedra is the Online Outreach Coordinator for the Andrew Hurst for Congress 2006 Campaign. The ideas expressed herein belong to Nate de la Piedra and do not necessarily represent those of Andrew Hurst, his advisors, staff, or "The Campaign".

Another Great Letter to the Editor

Another great Letter to the Editor from one of our supporters, Jill Franklin from Woodbridge, was published a few days ago by the Potomac News, Voters should attend one of the debates

Since Andrew Hurst's primary victory, Davis appears to feel threatened by the increasing strength of Hurst's appeal and has thus far mailed out two glossy full-color "progress reports" that are obvious campaign pieces. He has even had the audacity to mail them out at taxpayer expense.

Now, as the campaign season gets into full swing, we can all expect to see more and more attempts by the Republican incumbents to buy the election via expensive TV ads, fancy flyers, paid phone banks and automated phone calls, while their opponents depend on the hard work and dedication of their grassroots volunteers and loyal followers. When it comes time to make get-out-the-vote phone calls Allen/Davis can just hire disinterested phone bankers to do their calls for them.

Yet, there is one way in which the campaigns can be equalized. This is through voter attendance at the upcoming debates that are planned in the area. By taking the time to attend a debate, voters can hear both sides of the issues and make an informed choice, not one that is bought and paid for by big money interests. In this regard, I ask voters to mark their calendars for the following upcoming events, and I also encourage the media to publicize them:

At 7:30 p.m., Sept. 19, the Fairfax League of Women Voters and the Federation of Citizens Associations will host a debate at the Fairfax Government Center between the candidates for the 11th Congressional District seat -- Davis, Hurst and Ferdinando Greco.

Then on Oct. 19 at 8 p.m., the Prince William Committee of 100 will host a debate between Hurst and Davis at the Old Hickory Golf Club behind the McCoart Building. Mr. Allen has declined to meet with Mr. Webb at another debate that was to be scheduled by the Committee of 100 here in Prince William County.

I concur ALL voters should attend the debates, I know I'll be forcing my parents and my girlfriends parents to attend.

Be sure to read the full letterVoters should attend one of the debates

Nate de la Piedra is the Online Outreach Coordinator for the Andrew Hurst for Congress 2006 Campaign. The ideas expressed herein belong to Nate de la Piedra and do not necessarily represent those of Andrew Hurst, his advisors, staff, or "The Campaign".

Conservatives say VOTE FOR HURST!!

Andrea Chamblee has once again written another excellent research diary (man I wish the campaign had More Loot so we could hire her full time). This time she wrote a diary Republicans Should Cut and Run from Congress; even the conservatives say so detailing how even the most staunch conservatives consider Tom Davis a failure of the worst kind.

While Democrat Andy Hurst has been calling on Davis to step down for a year, the most recent edition of the Washington Monthly has seven articles in which the seven prominent conservative authors explain why they're rooting for the home team to lose this year.

The authors are adding their collective voices to that of Newt Gingrich. Earlier this summer, the House Speaker from 1995-1999 listed remarkably similar complaints now being echoed by conservatives all over the country. The Father of the Republican “Contract With America” (and the husband of several wives) stood in a bipartisan crowd and announced some pithy advice for lawmakers who, in the current wave of scandal and personal enrichment on Capitol Hill, have confused the public interest with their personal interests:

All these complaints lead a path to Tom Davis. His signature is the only one on the subpoena of Terry Schiavo, he raked in hundreds of thousands from drug companies and millions from lobbyists and PACs, and he prevents the Government Reform Committee from cracking down on waste, fraud, and lobbyists influence. Even your conservative friends should vote for Andy Hurst.

I highly recommend you take a peek at Republicans Should Cut and Run from Congress; even the conservatives say so but even more importantly suggest you forward that link to your conservative friends.

Nate de la Piedra is the Online Outreach Coordinator for the Andrew Hurst for Congress 2006 Campaign. The ideas expressed herein belong to Nate de la Piedra and do not necessarily represent those of Andrew Hurst, his advisors, staff, or "The Campaign".

Bloggers for Field Project

I wasn't sure I wanted to post about this since it's a real netroots movement, and not headed up by the campaign, but it's just too great of an idea not to post.

A bunch of bloggers have set up a Act Blue website Bloggers for Field Project. It is a collective effort of Virginia Progressive bloggers.

This is how Bryan Scraffor of Ambivalent Mumblings describes the project.

An Act Blue site has been set up in order to raise money for the Hurst campaign. Through this site, donors would be able to assist Andy's ability to reach out to voters across District 11. The first $4,000 raised will go towards hiring a field organizer, and the rest of it would be used as the campaign sees fit, with the understanding that it must be used for voter contact, or other field activities. The organizers of this site would also like to have the support of a vast number of bloggers, not just one person in particular.

That's right, even though the campaign isn't directing this movement, we have agreed to allow bloggers and more importantly contributors to dictate how we will be spending thier contributions. And Personally, having spent most of my career in field, I think this is the best way money should be spent, so I'm excited about this project. Both myslef and my girlfriend have given personal money to this project, and I respectfully ask that everyone reading this do as well, even if it's just $11.

Nate de la Piedra is the Online Outreach Coordinator for the Andrew Hurst for Congress 2006 Campaign. The ideas expressed herein belong to Nate de la Piedra and do not necessarily represent those of Andrew Hurst, his advisors, staff, or "The Campaign".

Your Turn!

Now it’s your turn!

People powered politics is this year’s kryptonite for incumbents. People powered means you. These campaigns not only appreciate and use volunteers, but volunteers are in fact the driving force of their organizations. We have already seen two first time candidates defeat incumbents, Ned Lamont and now Jamie Raskin crushed MD State Senate President Pro Tempore Ida Ruben by what appears will be 30 points.

Now it’s Virginia’s turn, Team Hurst, using people powered politics has already won a tough primary forAndrew Hurst but we’re going after the top of the food chain of the corrupt GOP Congress, Mr. Tom “I’m not really a moderate” Davis himself. But we need your help.

In case you haven’t heard, we’re coordinating with the Webb campaign up north in the 11th district so that Jim can focus more on Southern Virginia were he’s able to turn Republicans over to our side. So we need to do double the work now.

Below you will find the info that you need to help us take back the House, one District at a time.

In Prince William County here is a message from one of our organizers.

We will be doing phone banks tonight at the Dale City headquarters between 5-9 tonight, as we do every Monday and Wednesday nights. The Dale City Headquarters is here:

4326 Dale Blvd., Suite 6
Woodbridge, VA 22193
703.730.1409
This is on the second floor in the strip mall next to Pitkin's Hardware right after the intersection with Minneville Rd. And you don't have to show up at 5:00 and stay the full 4 hours, just come when you can and give a couple hours of your time tonight or next week.
We also are going door-to-door on Saturday from 11:00 - 2:00 and Sunday from 11:00 – 3:00 in the Occoquan District. We are meeting at:
Parking lot of Mom's Apple Pies
125 Commerce St.
Occoquan, VA

In Fairfax County

September 16: Volunteer Canvass -- Cherry Run (Springfield)
When: Saturday, September 16th, at 12 PM

Where: Cherry Run Elementary School, 9732 Ironmaster Dr., Burke, VA. Click here for directions.

For more info e-mail mike@hurstforcongress.com or call 703-455-1014 for more information.

September 17: Volunteer Canvass -- Olde Creek (Braddock)
When: Sunday, September 17th, at 12PM

Where: Olde Creek Elementary School, 9524 Old Creek Dr., Fairfax, VA. Click here for directions.

For more info e-mail mike@hurstforcongress.com or call 703-455-1014 for more information.

I will be at the Fairfax County events and hope to see you their as well or helping out in Prince William County.

If you can't make it, you can always CONTRIBUTE to the cause, below explains what your money would go to.

$12 = Sheet of 50 postcard stamps
$25 = One roll of Lapel Stickers
$35 = One Dinner for Volunteers
$50 = Box of Gripcards
$100= Case of Bumper Stickers
$150= Box of Yard Signs
$250= One Piece of Direct Mail to One Precinct


Nate de la Piedra is the Online Outreach Coordinator for the Andrew Hurst for Congress 2006 Campaign. The ideas expressed herein belong to Nate de la Piedra and do not necessarily represent those of Andrew Hurst, his advisors, staff, or "The Campaign".