Home About Chat Users Issues Party Candidates Polling Firms Media News Polls Calendar Key Races United States President Senate House Governors International

New User Account
"A comprehensive, collaborative elections resource." 
Email: Password:

  Kempthorne feeds at firms' campaign troughs
NEWS DETAILS
Parent(s) Candidate 
ContributorRP 
Last EditedRP  Aug 10, 2005 07:38pm
Logged 0
CategoryEditorial
News DateThursday, August 11, 2005 01:35:00 AM UTC0:0
DescriptionGov. Dirk Kempthorne has become what he said he wouldn't: an imperious, perk-addicted politician.

Though a lame duck, he's living off campaign contributions from donors like Qwest, Micron and Tamarack Resorts — companies that have directly benefited from his advocacy of telephone deregulation, tax breaks and road-building.

He spends their money as if he's earned it, using the campaign credit card for everything from lunch at McDonald's to entertaining at fancy restaurants across the country, from flowers to chocolates, from airfare to a $537 towing bill.

In 1992, Kempthorne ran for the U.S. Senate saying he'd be different than the despised incumbents who rode the subways and elevators at the Capitol. He called himself "an Idaho voice to put Washington right."

That Kempthorne has been transformed.
Share
ArticleRead Full Article

NEWS
Date Category Headline Article Contributor

DISCUSSION