The Washington Independent - U.S. news and politics - washingtonindependent.com: Stories by Jonathan J. Cooper

State of Play: Obama's New Pastor Problem

Jessica Pearce, Jonathan J. Cooper — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:13:22 GMT

State of Play: Obama's New Pastor Problem

Just as Sen. Barack Obama thought he had weathered the Rev. Jeremiah Wright storm, another Chicago clergyman has made trouble for the Democratic presidential candidate. This time, a white Catholic priest, Father Michael Pfleger, appears on tape at Obama's local Chicago church, the Trinity United Church of Christ, ranting about "white privilege" and mocking Sen. Hillary Clinton for tearing up days before the New Hampshire primary. The incendiary sermon from last Sunday has media outlets declaring that Obama's got a new preacher problem. This time the presidential hopeful didn't take long before disavowing Pfieger's remarks that are now gracing YouTube.

Here's our latest installment of "State of Play," a look at how a major story of the day is being played on the Web and in print:

Obama Faces A New Preacher Problem (CBS News)

Obama's New Pastor Issue (Fox News)

Obama Again Apologizes for a Preacher (Washington Post)

Priest apologizes for mocking Clinton while at Obama church (CNN)

Obama Distances Himself From Another Clergyman (ABC News)

Obama disavows priest's comments (LA Times)

Update: The Wall Street Journal's "Best of the Web" column featured the Pfieger fiasco today too. Writer James Taranto noted that a Pfieger endorsement appeared on Obama's website (according to The New York Times) has disappeared.

Watch the video:

State of Play: The End?

Jonathan J. Cooper — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 16:15:33 GMT

State of Play: The End?

Exactly five months after the Iowa caucuses, Democrats will hold their final nominating contests today in South Dakota and Montana. Sen. Barack Obama is favored to win both states, but their pledged delegates alone won't get him to the 2,118 delegates needed to secure the nomination. He'll need undecided superdelegates to embrace him before he can claim to be the "presumptive nominee." Tuesday morning, Obama was 35 delegates away from the nomination. There are 31 pledged delegates up for grabs today, and some of them are almost certain to go for Sen. Hillary Clinton.

Based on today's headlines, it looks like many media outlets are ready to call the race over. The AP ran a report that Clinton will concede tonight, but the New York senator's camp has since denied that story. It's a turbulent day for the campaign and the headlines show it.

Contest between Clinton and Obama goes on -- for now (Los Angeles Times)

Exhaustive Dem primary season draws to close (MSNBC)

After six months, can Democratic race be over? (CNN)

Obama Is Poised To Clinch Victory (Washington Post)

Obama Pushes Effort to Claim Victory Tonight (New York Times)

Some Superdelegates May Defer Decision (Wall Street Journal)

State of Play: African Americans React

Jonathan J. Cooper — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:50:30 GMT

After an election-night speech on Tuesday showing her dogged determination to fight on, Hillary Clinton announced Wednesday night that she would drop out and endorse Barack Obama on Saturday. Clinton's decision is the big news leading front pages and major media Web sites this morning. Most outlets are running headlines that are close variations on the Washington Post's "Clinton to Suspend Campaign Saturday." But several newspapers are accompanying the news with a look at reaction in the black community to Barack Obama's victory.

Many Blacks Find Joy in Unexpected Breakthrough (New York Times)

Obama's win hits home in black L.A. (Los Angeles Times)

Elation Is Tinged With Incredulity (Washington Post)

Blacks savor Obama win, fear disappointment (Reuters)

For black Americans, Obama's triumph is a shared one (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

Are Conservatives Happier than Liberals?

Jonathan J. Cooper — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Thanks to the "pernicious influence of liberal ideas," progressives are less happy, less generous, less honest and less hard working than conservatives, argues the author of a new book released this week.

Intrigued, The Washington Independent stopped by the conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation today, to listen to the author Peter Schweizer talk about his book, which has the longest title we've ever seen: "Makers and Takers: Why Conservatives Work Harder, Feel Happier, Have Closer Families, Take Fewer Drugs, Give More Generously, Value Honesty More, Are Less Materialistic and Envious, Whine Less … and Even Hug Their Children More Than Liberals."

Schweizer, a fellow at the conservative policy think tank Hoover Institution at Stanford University, pointed to a study he cites in his book which shows that conservatives are less likely than liberals to agree with statements like, "It is OK to cheat on your taxes" or "It is OK to cheat on your spouse." He explained conservatives are more willing to accept absolute, as opposed to relative, truth, but he did not explain how rejecting moral absolutes makes someone dishonest.

"Studies have shown that certain demographic groups that tend to be more Democrat-oriented in their politics tend to be more dishonest," Schweizer said.

Liberal contributions tend be less compassionate, donating to cultural causes like museums and symphonies rather than human-service organizations that conservatives prefer. A comparison of charitable giving by the radio talk host Rush Limbaugh and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi proved the point, Schweizer argued. According to his analysis, Limbaugh gives to organizations that help Alzheimer's patients, hospice residents, orphans and children with AIDS.

Overwhelmingly, Rush Limbaugh’s contributions to charity go to individuals who have absolute needs. If you look at Nancy Pelosi, it’s the opposite. There are contributions to the Museum of Modern Art in San Francisco, which is the largest of her contributions. There are contributions to the San Francisco Symphony. Contributions to a prep school...an elite prep school in San Francisco. But with the exception of an occasional contribution to say the boys and girls club of San Francisco of maybe $1,000 or so, very little actually goes to needy individuals.

Conservatives are more generous because modern liberals believe the government should take care of the less fortunate, Schwiezer argues. "Conservatives believe responsibility is a good thing, you can improve your lot in life," he said. "Modern liberals do not."

Schweizer did find one area where liberals were stronger than conservatives. Progressives are more interested in looking for new experiences. They're more likely to travel abroad and look for diverse cultural opportunities. But will this make them happier?

State of Play: $4

Jonathan J. Cooper — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 15:20:00 GMT

Bad news for drivers is at every turn on major media Web sites. If the headlines aren't enough to make you wince, most of the stories include disturbing photos of stations with painfully high prices. The Washington Post and MSNBC used an AP photo of a California gas station where regular unleaded is selling for $4.99 per gallon. Ouch.

Gasoline Hits Average of $4 a Gallon (Wall Street Journal)

Unprecedented: Gas hits $4 national average (Washington Post)

$4-a-gallon gas driving economic crisis (Chicago Tribune)

New Reality: $4 A Gallon At The Pump (CBS News)

Average cost of gas nationwide hits $4 (MSNBC)

Rural U.S. Takes Worst Hit as Gas Tops $4 Average (New York Times)

House GOP seeks to pin $4 gasoline on Democrats (The Hill)

State of Play: Air Strike in Pakistan

Jonathan J. Cooper — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 17:00:22 GMT

Pakistan is accusing U.S.-led coalition forces of killing 11 Pakistani soldiers in an air strike on the country's Afghanistan border. The U.S. military has not commented. The strike occurred late Tuesday after a clash between Afghan forces and Taliban militants. News of Pakistan's accusation hit major U.S. media Web sites mid-morning on Wednesday.

Pakistan Says U.S. Airstrike Killed 11 of Its Soldiers (New York Times)

Pakistan Blames U.S. Coalition for Troops' Deaths (Washington Post)

Pakistani army says U.S.-led coalition airstrike killed 11 Pakistani troops (Los Angeles Times)

Pakistan fury over U.S. 'hot pursuit' attack (CNN)

Pakistan: U.S. Planes Killed 11 Troops (CBS News)

Pakistan: NATO airstrike killed 11 troops (MSNBC)

State of Play: Floods Ravage Iowa

Jonathan J. Cooper — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:26:46 GMT

With 100 city blocks flooded in Cedar Rapids and dramatic photos to prove it, major media is all over the story. Officials were evacuating a Cedar Rapids hospital Friday morning and asking residents to leave 200 homes near downtown Des Moines, where engineers worry water may spill over a nearby levy. Gov. Chet Culver (D) has declared disaster areas in 83 of the state's 99 counties. Our sister site, Iowa Independent, has comprehensive coverage.

This morning headlines spared no expense in capturing the drama.

Apocalypse Now: Floods, Tornadoes, Locusts (ABC News)

Floodwaters ravage Cedar Rapids, force evacuation of hospital (Chicago Tribune)

Thousands Flee As Waters Rise In Iowa (CBS News)

‘Beyond what anybody could even imagine’ (MSNBC)

In Eastern Iowa, the City That ‘Would Never Flood’ Goes 12 Feet Under (New York Times)

Rising Flood Water Forces Evacuation of Iowa Hospital (The Wall Street Journal)

100 city blocks flooded (CNN)

State of Play: Obama Opts Out

Jonathan J. Cooper — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:07:00 GMT

State of Play: Obama Opts Out

Sen. Barack Obama announced this morning on YouTube that he would opt out of the public financing system, forgoing $80 million in government funds...and the spending restrictions that come with it. Obama made a primary-season pledge to opt in if his Republican opponent agreed to do so. Sen. John McCain's campaign has taken the money and is sure to pounce on Obama's reversal. For his part, Obama claims the public financing system is broken because "we face opponents who've become masters at gaming this broken system."

Major media outlets played the story prominently Thursday morning.

In reversal, Obama says he will forgo public funds (The Los Angeles Times)

Obama to Break Promise, Opt Out of Public Financing for General Election (ABC News)

Obama Opts Out of Public Financing (The New York Times)

Breaking: Obama decides to decline public financing (CNN)

Obama won’t accept public financing (The Hill)

Obama Opts Out Of Public Financing System (CBS News)

Obama will not accept federal matching funds (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Check out Obama's announcement here:

State of Play: Saudis Boost Oil Production

Jonathan J. Cooper — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:02:33 GMT

A hastily arranged oil summit held this weekend in Saudi Arabia yielded few results. Oil ministers from 35 nations failed to reach an agreement about how to ease soaring global oil prices. Even Saudi Arabia's decision to pump 200,000 more barrels per day was greeted with a yawn in financial markets, where prices rose modestly after the announcement. Oil producing countries blamed speculators for rising prices but importing countries including the United States say more supply is needed to meet worldwide demand.

Most major media outlets portrayed the summit as largely ineffective.

Saudi summit on oil offers little relief (Houston Chronicle)

Agreements Elusive at Oil Talks in Saudi Arabia (The New York Times)

Oil Trading Volatile Despite Saudi Output Pledge (The Washington Post)

Saudis Promise More Oil to Curb World-Wide Fears (The Wall Street Journal)

Saudi Vows Fail To Knock Down Oil Prices (CBS News)

Oil prices rise despite Saudi output pledge (Los Angeles Times)

Oil prices rise despite Saudi vow to pump more (MSNBC)

State of Play: No Death Penalty for Child Rapists

Jonathan J. Cooper — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:55:12 GMT

State of Play: No Death Penalty for Child Rapists

The U.S. Supreme Court this morning barred the death penalty for someone convicted of raping a child. In a 5-4 decision striking down a Louisiana law, the high court ruled that the death penalty is not a "proportional punishment for the rape of a child." Major media outlets put the story up immediately, most of them using copy from the Associated Press.

Interestingly, there's a wide variance in the headline language, and not all took the AP's recommendation: "Court Rejects Death Penalty for Raping Children."

High Court Spares Lives Of Child Rapists (CBS)

No Death for Child Rapists (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

Court Bars Death for Child Rapists (The Wall Street Journal)

Child rapists can't be executed, Supreme Court rules (CNN)

Supreme Court strikes down La. rape penalty (New Orleans Times-Picayune)

Supreme Court Rejects Death Penalty for Child Rape (The New York Times)

State of Play: McCain Heads to Colombia

Jonathan J. Cooper — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:52:07 GMT

In what is likely the first-ever flight from Indianapolis to Colombia, Sen. John McCain's campaign charter will head to South America today, where the presumptive Republican nominee will try to flex his foreign policy muscles. McCain will meet with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe and tour a naval base in Cartagena before flying to Mexico City for a meeting with Mexican President Felipe Calderon. TWI Reporter Matthew DeLong is traveling with the McCain campaign and will give us frequent updates.

A handful of major media outlets previewed McCain's trip, including three which used an Associated Press story.

McCain Heads Today for Colombia, Where Adviser Has Long Had Ties (The New York Times)

McCain focuses on trade in Colombia, Mexico trip (The Washington Post)

McCain to talk free trade in Latin America (Chicago Tribune)

McCain To Tout Free Trade In Latin America (CBS News)

McCain to talk free trade in Latin America (MSNBC)

State of Play: Colombian Hostages Freed

Jonathan J. Cooper — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 18:05:04 GMT

In an operation described in the press as "stunning" and "daring," Colombian military commandos rescued 15 hostages from a Colombian rebel group after years of captivity. The hostages, including three Americans and a French-Colombian politician, had been held in remote jungles by the FARC, a group on the State Dept.'s list of terrorist organizations. The Americans were defense contractors working on anti-drug operations when their plane went down four years ago. The politician, Ingrid Betancourt, was captured while running for president of Colombia six years ago. The freed hostages were flown to a military base in Texas where they will be reunited with their families.

Major American media outlets covered both Betancourt's reunion with her family and the arrival of the American defense contractors.

Freed hostage Betancourt sees children for first time in six years: 'nirvana, paradise' (Los Angeles Times)

Home Sweet Home For 3 U.S. Hostages (CBS News)

Ex-captive meets her kids for 1st time in 6 years (MSNBC)

Ex-hostage reunited with children in Bogota (The Washington Post)

3 hostages rescued in Colombia return to US (Chicago Tribune)

Former hostage Betancourt reunited with her kids (CNN)

Rescued Hostage in Teary Reunion With Children (ABC NEWS)

Hostages Freed in Colombia Returning Home (The New York Times)

State of Play: Jackson Criticizes Obama

Jonathan J. Cooper — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 15:38:43 GMT

First the news broke that Jesse Jackson was caught criticizing Barack Obama on an open microphone. Even before we knew what he said, Jackson was on CNN apologizing for his "crude" remarks. Fox News, which had the tape, hyped it all afternoon before ultimately airing Jackson's rebuke for Obama: “See, Barack been, um, talking down to black people on this faith based...I want to cut his nuts out.” Fox bleeped out the word "nuts," and other news organizations found creative ways to avoid the slang term.

The flap no-doubt raised journalistic ethics discussions in newsrooms nationwide as editors debated printing Jackson's comments. Interestingly, major media outlets are going in many directions with their coverage. Mainstream newspapers were far more conservative than tabloids and TV networks.

Nuts! Jesse blasts Obama with snippy jab (New York Post)

Jesse's Rant: Jackson trashes Obama in vulgar tirade (New York Daily News)

Does Jackson resent Obama? (ABC News)

How Jackson goof helps Obama (MSNBC)

Jackson says Obama comments not about envy (CNN)

Jackson says remarks 'hurtful and wrong' (Chicago Tribune)

Jackson regrets vulgar Obama comment (Politico)

Jesse Jackson Apologizes for Remarks on Obama (The New York Times)

Rev. Jackson Apologizes To Obama (The Washington Post)

Jesse Jackson apologizes for crude remark about Obama (Los Angeles Times)

Jesse Jackson Apologizes To Obama (CBS News)

State of Play: Obama's Middle East Tour Part II

Jonathan J. Cooper — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:54:00 GMT

Sen. Barack Obama's Middle East trip continues to dominate this week's political news. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki gave Obama's campaign a boost when he old a German news magazine that he supported Obama's timetable for withdrawing American troops. Obama also met with al-Maliki and conceded that there has been 'security progress' in Iraq.

With all the news coming out of Obama's trip, news organizations had plenty of information to prioritize, and they all went in different directions.

Obama Says Iraqi Leaders Called For Withdrawal Timeline (CQ Politics)

Obama Makes War Gains (The Washington Post)

Obama finds 'consensus' in Iraq for U.S. troop withdrawal (CNN)

Obama meets in Ramadi with Sunni groups fighting insurgents (Chicago Tribune)

Can Obama Clear His Mideast "Ambiguity"? (CBS News)

For Obama, Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Looms (The New York Times)

Obama sees 'security progress' in Iraq (MSNBC)

Obama ‘pleased’ about quelling of the violence in Iraq (The Hill)

Obama tries to dial down politics (Politico)

State of Play: Auto Woes

Jonathan J. Cooper — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:46:07 GMT

Ford Motor Company today posted an $8.7-billion loss, it's largest-ever single-quarter shortfall. The company earned a $750-million profit in the same quarter last year. In an attempt to respond to changing American tastes and boost sales at home, Ford announced it will convert several North American factories in order to bring a line of smaller European cars to the United States.

Online coverage by major media outlets has included a combination of original stories and wire copy but came up with largely similar headlines.

Ford Posts Loss of $8.7 Billion on Asset Woes (The New York Times)

Ford Swings to Loss On Write-Downs (The Wall Street Journal)

Ford Posts $8.7B 2Q Loss on Asset Write-Downs (The Washington Post)

Ford posts $8.7-billion quarterly loss on asset write-downs (Los Angeles Times)

Ford posts largest quarterly loss ever (CNN)

Ford Reports Nearly $9B Loss (CBS News)

Ford Posts $8.7 Billion Loss on Asset Write-Downs (ABC News)

Ford posts $8.67 billion loss, looks to small cars (MSNBC)

State of Play: Politicizing Justice

Jonathan J. Cooper — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:16:12 GMT

A Justice Department investigation report released this morning found that the Justice Department illegally took politics into account in hiring career prosecutor and immigration judges. The report blames top aides to former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales -- but says Gonzales was largely unaware of the hiring practices. The report details one incident where the Justice Department's former White House liaison, Monica Goodling, excluded a candidate because, "judging from his resume, he appeared to be a liberal Democrat."

TV networks and east coast news outlets are giving the story big play, but major media west of Appalachia are playing the story lower on their homepages or on inside pages.

Justice Department Report on Hiring Finds Violations (The New York Times)

Report Finds Former Justice Aids Broke Law in Selection of Prosecutors (The Wall Street Journal)

Justice Officials Repeatedly Broke Law on Hiring, Report Says (The Washington Post)

Bush Justice officials broke law: DOJ IG (Chicago Tribune)

Justice Dept.: Hiring Scandal Violated Law (CBS News)

DOJ: Former aide broke law in hiring scandal (MSNBC)

Railroad Tracks Lead to Obama

Jonathan J. Cooper — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 21:20:09 GMT

Our friends at The Colorado Independent take a look at railroad companies' sudden interest in political conventions. Two of them, Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe, have each given more more than $1 million to the Democratic National Convention in Denver. The companies aren't saying much, but their support comes at a time when congressional Democrats are inching toward re-regulating the railroad industry. And if Barack Obama wins the presidency, Union Pacific could have an inside link.

TWI tracked down FEC records -- some via our pals at Open Secrets -- that show that the company has paid nearly a half-million dollars to Covington & Burling, a Washington law firm, whose roster of well-connected lobbyists includes Linda J. Morgan, the former Bill Clinton-appointed chair of the Surface Transportation Board. Among her colleagues at Covington and Burling is former U.S. attorney Eric Holder, who is leading Obama's vice presidential search.

Members of Congress Charged With a Crime, 1798 - 2008

Jonathan J. Cooper — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 22:31:46 GMT

After the indictment of Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, on July 29, 2008, TWI got to wondering how many members of Congress came before him. The answer: at least 100. Stevens shares the list with characters like Sen. John Smith, D-Ohio, who, around 1807, was indicted for treason as a co-conspirator with Aaron Burr against the United States. He was eventually acquitted. Then there's Rep. Mel Reynolds, D-Ill., who was accused in 1995 of having sex with an underage campaign worker. He was later convicted and sentenced to five years in prison. Enjoy the whole list for yourself below.

Members of congress charged with a crime:

MEMBER / DATE CHARGED	CHARGE / FINAL ACTION
Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) 2008	False statements on Senate disclosure forms * Pending
Rick Renzi (R-Ariz.) 2008	Extortion, wire fraud, money laundering * Pending
Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho) 2007	Disorderly conduct * Pleaded guilty, requesting withdrawal of plea from state appeals court
William Jefferson (D-La) 2007	Racketeering, soliciting bribes, money laundering * Pending
Bob Ney (R-Ohio) 2007	Trading political favors for gifts * Convicted, sentenced to 2.5 years in prison
Tom DeLay (R-Texas) 2005	Money laundering, conspiracy * Pending
William Janklow (R-S.D.) 2003	Manslaughter after car struck motorcyclist. * Convicted, sentenced to 100 days in jail
James Traficant (R-Ohio) 2001	Tax evasion, bribery, racketeering, conspiracy and obstruction of justice * Convicted, sentenced to eight years in prison
Jay Kim (R-Calif.) 1997	Accepting illegal corporate campaign contributions. * Plead guilty and sentenced to two months of house arrest, one year probation and a $5,000 fine.
Mel Reynolds (D-Ill.) 1995	State charges: Sexual misconduct, child pornography and obstruction of justice * Convicted in August 1995 and sentenced to 5 years in prison Federal charges: Bank fraud and lying to the Federal Election commission * Convicted in April 1997 and sentenced to 6.5 years in prison. Sentence commuted by President Bill Clinton.
Walter R. Tucker III (D-Calif.) 1995	Corruption for allegedly extorting bribes and cheating on taxes while mayor of Compton, Calif. * Convicted, sentenced to 27 months in prison.
Dan Rostenkowski (D-Ill.) 1994	Corruption * Plead guilty to a lesser charge of mail fraud, 1996. Pardoned by President Bill Clinton, 2000.
Carroll Hubbard (D-Ky) 1994	Obstruction of justice * Convicted
Larry Smith (D-Fla) 1993	Income tax and campaign reporting violations * Convicted, sentenced to 3 months in jail
Albert Bustamante (D-Texas) 1993	Racketeering & accepting illegal gratuity * Convicted
Nick Mavroules (D-Mass.) 1992	Bribery, tax evision, influence peddling * Pleaded guilty, served 15-month jail sentence
Joseph Mavroules (R-Pa.) 1992	Accepting illegal gratuities
Floyd H. Flake (D-N.Y.) 1991	Conspiracy, fraud and tax evasion for allegedly diverting $141,000, including federal housing funds, from projects run by the church where he served as pastor. * Trial opened 3/11/91 Charges dropped
Donald E. 'Buz' Lukens (R-Ohio) 2/23/89	Contributing to unruliness & delinquency of a minor by having sex with a 16-year-old girl * Convicted 5/26/89 Jailed for 9 days
Robert Garcia (D-N.Y.) 11-21-88	Influence-peddling bribery, extortion, conspiracy (WEDTECH) * Convicted 10/10/89 Conviction overturned on appeal 6/29/90
Pat Swindall (R-Ga.) 10/17/88	Perjury * Convicted on nine counts, 6/20/89. Sentenced to 1 year
Fofo I.F. Sunia (D-Amer. Somoa) 7/27/88	Conspiracy to defraud the gov't by payroll padding * Pleaded guilty 8/4/88
Harold E. Ford (D-Tenn.) 4/24/87	Bank fraud, mail fraud, tax fraud * Jury deadlocked, 1990. Acquited, 1993.
Mario Biaggi (D-N.Y.) 3/16/87	Obstructing justice, accepting illegal gratuity. Racketeering, tax evasion, perjury, conspiracy, extortion, obstructing justice, accepting bribes (WEDTECH) * Convicted 9/22/87 Jailed for 26 months.
Henry B. Gonzales (D-Texas) 12/4/86	Assault * Charges dropped
Bobbi Fiedler (R-Calif.) 1/24/86	Violating state election code by offering a candidate money to leave race * Dismissed 2/26/86
Sen. Bob Kasten (R-Wis.) 12/12/85	D.U.I. * Charges dropped 4/11/86
(R-Idaho)George Hansen 4/7/83	Filing false financial disclosure statements * Convicted 4/2/84 Sentenced to 15 months, 6/15/84
James A. Traficant Jr. (D-Ohio)	Bribery * Acquitted
Ike Andrews (D-N.C.) 10-82	D.W.I. * Pleaded guilty
Jon C. Hinson (R-Miss.) 2-4-81	Committing sodomy * Pleaded no contest to reduced charge
Charles J. 11-12-80 Carney	Accepting illegal gratuity * Dismissed 11/23/81
Sen. Harrison Williams Jr. A. 'Pete' (D-N.J.) 10/30/80	Conspiracy to defraud gov't, bribery, receiving unlawful gratuity & illegal compensation, inter-state travel to commit bribery & aid racketeering (ABSCAM) * Convicted 5/1/81
Robert E. Bauman (R-Md.) 10/3/80	Soliciting sex from a minor * Charges dropped 3/31/81
Richard Kelly (R-Fla.) 7/15/80	Bribery, conspiracy, violating Travel Act (ABSCAM) * Convicted 1/26/81 Acquitted 5/13/82
John M. Murphy (D-N.Y.) 6/18/80	Influence-peddling, accepting outside money to perform official duties, aiding racketeering receipt of unlawful gratuity, bribery (ABSCAM) * Convicted on most counts 12/3/80. Sentenced to 3 years
Frank Thompson Jr. (D-N.J.)	Influence-peddling, accepting outside money to perform 6/18/80 official duties, aiding racketeering receipt of unlawful gratuity, bribery (ABSCAM) * Convicted 12/3/80 (several charges dismissed) Jailed for 13 months
John W. Jenrette Jr. (D-S.C.) 7/15/80	Bribery, conspiracy, violating Travel Act (ABSCAM) * Convicted 10/7/80 Sentenced to 2 years
Raymond R. Lederer (D-S.C.) 5/18/80	Influence-peddling, bribery, conspiracy, accepting illegal gratuity, aiding racketeering, (ABSCAM) * Convicted 1/9/81. Jailed for 1 year
Claude Leach (D-La.) 7/20/79	Buying votes; Violating fed. campaign finance laws * Acquitted of vote-buying 11/1/79; Other charge ruled improper 12/20/80
Michael O. Myers (D-Pa) 1-16-79	Disorderly conduct Bribery, conspiracy 5-27-80 * Pleaded no contest 4/10/79 Convicted, 8/30/80; Sentenced to 3 years
Nick Galifianakis (D-N.C.) 4/10/79	Perjury * Charges dismissed 8/3/79
Joshua Eilberg (D-Pa.) 10/24/78	Illegally receiving compensation * Pleaded guilty 2/24/79
Herbert Burke (R-Fla.) 5/27/78	Intoxication, resisting resisting arrest, influencing a witness * Pleaded guilty 9/26/78
Daniel J. Flood (D-Pa.) 1978	Perjury, bribery, conspiracy * Pleading guilty to mail fraud and tax evasion 6/12/80
Frank M. Clark (D-Pa.) 9/5/78	Mail fraud, perjury, income tax evasion * Pleaded guilty to mail fraud and tax evasion 6/12/79
Federick Richmond (D-N.Y.) 4/6/78	Soliciting sex for pay * Charges dropped 5/3/78
Otto E. Passman (D-La.) 3/23/78	Bribery, conspiracy income tax evasion * Acquitted 4/1/79
Charles C. Diggs Jr. (D-Mich.) 10/7/78	Mail fraud, perjury Sentenced to 3 years * Convicted
Richard T. Hanna (D-Calif.) 10/14/77	Conspiracy to defraud the gov't * Pleaded guilty 3/17/78 Jailed for 18 months
Edward A. Garmatz (D-Md.) 8/1/77	Bribery, conspiracy, influence peddling * Case abandoned by Justice Dept. 1/9/78
Richard A. Tonry (D-La.) 8/1/77	Receiving illegal campaign contributions, promising Federal patronage to contributors, obstructing justice, conspiracy * Pleaded guilty 7/1/77 Jailed for 6 months
James F. Hastings (R-N.Y.) 9/21/76	Operating a kickback scheme with members of his congressional staff, mail fraud, filing false vouchers * Convicted 12/17/76. Jailed for 14 months
Frank J. Horton	Reckless driving, D.W.I.,speeding * Pleaded guilty 8/31/76
Allan T. Howe (D-Utah) 6/12/76	Soliciting sex acts for pay * Convicted 7/23/76 Upheld on appeal
Henry J. Helstoski (D-N.J.) 6/2/76	Bribery, conspiracy, obstructing justice, perjury * Charges dismissed 9/22/79 & 2/27/80
James R. Jones (D-Okla.) 1/29/76	Failing to report a cash campaign contribution (not formally indicted) * Pleaded guilty
Wendell Wyatt (R-Ore.) 6/11/75	Violating campaign spending laws (not formally indicted) * Pleaded guilty
Andrew J. Hinshaw (R-Calif.) 5/6/75	Soliciting a bribe, bribery, embezzlement, misappropriation of public funds; Grand conspiracy * Convicted of bribery 1/26/76. Convicted of misappropriation of public funds & petty theft. Jailed
George Hansen (R-Idaho) 2/19/75	Violating campaign spending laws * Pleaded guilty (not formally indicted)
Sen. Edward J. Gurney (R-Fla.) 1974	Violating Fla. campaign finance law. Conspiracy, perjury, soliciting bribes * Acquitted 8/6/75 & 10/27/76
Angelo D. Roncallo (R-N.Y.) 2/21/74	Extorting political contributions * Acquitted 5/17/74
Frank J. Brasco (D-N.Y.) 2/21/74	Conspiracy to receive bribes * Convicted 7/19/74 Jailed.
Bertram L. Podell (D-N.Y.) 7/12/73	Conspiracy, bribery, perjury * Pleaded guilty to conspiracy & conflict of interest, Jailed
J. Irving Whalley (R-Pa.) 7/5/73	Mail fraud, obstruction of justice, payroll abuse, threatening federal witness * Pleaded guilty 7/31/73
Gallagher Cornelius (D-N.J.) 1972	Federal income tax evasion, perjury, conspiracy * Pleaded guilty to tax evasion charge 12/21/72; Jailed 4/7/72
Martin B. McNeally (R-N.Y.) 10/18/70	Failure to file fed. income tax returns for four years. * Pleaded guilty to one year's lapse
John V. Dowdy (D-Texas) 3/31/70	Conspiracy, conflict of interest, perjury, obstructing justice, facilitating bribery * Convicted 12/31/70 Sentenced to 18 mos.
Hugh J. Addonizio (D-N.J.) 12/18/69	Extortion, conspiracy, income tax evasion * Convicted 7/22/70 Sentenced to 10 years.
Sen. Daniel Brewster (D-Md.) 12/1/69	Soliciting and accepting bribes * Dismissed 10/9/70 Dismissal reversed '72 Convicted 11/17/72 Conviction reversed Pled no contest.
Frank W. Boykin (D-Ala.) 10/16/62	Conflict of interest, conspiracy to defraud government suspended jail sent. * Convicted 6/13/63 Fined $40,000 plus
Thomas F. Johnson (D-Md.) 10/16/62	Conflict of interest conspiracy to defraud the gov't. * Convicted 6/13/63 Reversed 9/16/64 Convicted of conflict of interest 1/26/68
Adam Clayton Powell Jr. (D-N.Y.) 5/8/58	Federal income tax evasion, Criminal contempt of court for avoiding payment of $160,000 defamation of character judgment and failing to appear in court for civil suit * Federal judge threw out 2 of 3 counts 4/22/60; trial on 3rd count ended in hung jury; judge denied motion for acquital; case dismissed.
William J. Green Jr. (D-Pa.) 12/14/56	Conspiracy to defraud the gov't.; influence peddling * Acquitted 2/27/59
Thomas J. Lane (D-Mass.) 3/5/56	Federal income tax evasion * Pleaded quilty 4/30 sentenced to 4 mos. prison & fined $10,000 released 9/4/56
Ernest K. Bramblett (R-Calif) 6/17/53	Making false statements about congressional payroll kickbacks * Convicted 2/9/54 fined $5000, sentence, 2-4 months (suspended) 6/15/55
John L. McMillan (D-S.C.) 1/14/53	Violated law barring members of Congress from contracting with the government * Acquitted 5/16/73
Theodore Leonard Irving (D-Mo.) 6/8/51	Misusing labor union funds for 1948 campaign * Acquitted 12/28/51
Walter E. Brehm (R-Ohio) 12/20/50	Accepting illegal campaign contributions * Convicted 4/30/51 sentence 5-15 mos. (suspended) and fined $5,000
J. Parnell Thomas (R-N.J.) 11/8/48	Conspiracy to defraud U.S. govt., payroll padding, receiving salary kickbacks * Convicted 11/30/49 sentenced to 6-18 mos. Paroled 9/18/50. Pardoned 12/24/50
Andrew J. May (D-Ky.) 1/23/47	Conspiracy to defraud U.S. gov't, accepting bribes * Convicted 7/3/49 served 9 mos of 8-24 mo. sentence. Paroled 9/18/50. Pardoned 12/24/50
James M. Curley (D-Mass.) 1943-44	Mail fraud, conspiracy * Voided 10/1/43. Convicted 1/18/46 served 5 of 6-18 month sentence Sentence commuted 11/26/47; pardoned 4/12/50 by Harry S. Truman
B. Frank Whelchel (D-Ga) 1940	Accepting money to obtain appointive offices for certain constituents * Acquitted
John H. Hoeppel (D-Calif.) 1936	Influence-peddling. sentenced to 4 mo-1 yr. Fined $1,000 * Convicted 1936
George E. Foulkes (D-Mich.) 1934	Conspiracy to assess political contributions from postmasters * Convicted 1934-5, sentenced to 18 mos. fined $1,000
Harry E. Rowbottom (R-Ind.) 1931	Accepting bribes * Convicted 1931 sentenced to 1 year & 1 day; paroled after 9 mos.
Federick N. Zihlman Bribery (R-Md.) 12/10/29	* Acquitted
Edward E. Denison (R-Ill.) 10/19/29	Violating Prohibition by possessing alcohol * Court sustained a demurrer to indictment 6/30/30
M. Alfred Michaelson (R-Ill.) 5/9/29	Violating Prohibition by importing liquor * Acquitted 10/19/29
John W. Langley (R-Ky) March, 1924	Violating Prohibition, influence-peddling, conspiracy * Convicted 5/13/24 Conviction upheld 1/26/25
Sen. Burton K. Wheeler (D-Mont.) April, 1924	Illegally receiving compensation for services * Acquitted
Sen. Truman H. Newberry (R-Mich.) 11/29/19	Conspired to spend money to secure election to Senate * Convicted 3/20/20 sentenced to 2 yrs. fined $10,000 decision reversed 5/21/21
Victor L. Berger (S-Wisc.) Feb. 1918	Violating Espionage Act * Convicted Jan. 1919, sentenced to 20 yrs. conviction reversed by Supreme Court
Sen. Joseph R. Burton (R-Kan.) 1/23/04	Representing a client in a proceeding involving U.S. gov't * Convicted 3/28/04 reversed 1/16/05 reindicted 7/3/05 reconvicted 11/26/05
Sen. John H. Mitchell (R-Ore.) 6/22/05	Conspiracy, bribery, influence-peddling * Convicted July, 1905 Died while case was being appealed; 5/21/04 conviction upheld by Supreme Ct.
John N. Williamson (R-Ore.) 2/11/05	Conspiracy to defraud the gov't; inducing others to commit perjury * Convicted 9/05 sentenced to fine and 10 mos; decision reversed in 1908
Binger Hermann (R-Ore) 12/31/04	Conspiracy to defraud U.S. of public lands, destroying public records * Dismissed
Sen. Charles H. Dietrich (R-Neb.) 12/28/03	Bribery, conspiracy to defraud the gov't holding a gov't contract while in elective office * Acquitted and nolle prosequi 1/8/04
Robert Smalls (R-S.C.) Oct. 1877	Accepting a bribe * Convicted
Philemon T. Herbert ( -Calif.) May, 1856	Manslaughter * Acquitted July, 1856
Sen. John Smith (D-Ohio) 1807 (?)	Treason, misdemeanor co-conspirator with Aaron Burr against U.S. * Acquitted
Matthew Lyon (Ky.) 1798	Violating Sedition Act * Convicted 1798, jailed; fine refunded to heirs 1840

The Congressional (dis)Honor Roll: 1798 - 2008

Jonathan J. Cooper — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 23:52:00 GMT

With his indictment today, Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) joins a congressional (dis)honor role that includes many illustrious members of of the House and Senate. stretching back to 1798. TWI got to wondering just how many congressmen had been indicted before Stevens. The answer: at least 100. Stevens takes his place alongside politicians like Sen. John Smith (D-Ohio), who, around 1807, was indicted for treason as a co-conspirator with Aaron Burr. He was ultimately acquitted. Then there's Rep. Mel Reynolds ( D-Ill)., accused in 1995 of having sex with an underage campaign worker. He was convicted and sentenced to five years in prison. Enjoy the whole list for yourself.

Indicted Politicians by the Numbers

Jonathan J. Cooper — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:25:49 GMT

We were looking over TWI's Congressional (dis)Honor Roll of members of the House and Senate who have been indicted and we wondered, What do all these politicians have in common? Can we find some consistent characteristic that draws these guys to break the law (or just be accused of it)? We're not criminologists, but we perused the list, crunched the numbers, and managed to come up with a set of interesting tidbits and trends.

Of the 102 lawmakers accused of breaking the law, 29, or 28 percent, were acquitted or the charges were dropped. Suddenly the famed Legal Defense Fund seems like a very worthwhile investment. They're almost all men. In fact, we only found one woman: Rep. Bobbi Fiedler, R-Calif., who was accused of a crime. In 1986 she was charged with offering a candidate money to leave the race (her case was dismissed a month later).

The implicated members hail from 31 states. It turns out that the bigger states -- with bigger delegations -- had the most offenses: New York (11), California (8) and Pennsylvania (7). Ohio and New Jersey had six each. A handful of smaller states were surprisingly high on the list for their size, including Maryland with five congressional lawbreakers, Louisiana with four and Idaho with three. The south, the plains and the industrial Midwest have seen the biggest stain of scandal. Except for three incidents in Massachusetts, New England lawmakers have avoided charges. Perhaps they're more upstanding patriots up there (or they're better at covering their tracks).

Republicans have taken the brunt of bad ethics news in the past three years, claiming five of the six indictments since 2005. But with a 55-40 edge, Democrats can take the trophy for most indictments. And before our liberal readers try to argue that the Democratic Party is older, we'll point out that only two of the indictments on our list came before the Republican Party was born in 1854.

Investigators clearly had their work cut out for them in the 1970s and 1980s, charging 41 members of Congress then compared with just 18 indictments since 1990. Still, the last few years have brought some entertaining incidents, like Sen. Larry's Crai g's "wide stance" in the bathroom and Rep. William Jefferson's cold cash in the freezer.

With all these lawmakers roaming federal penitentiaries, perhaps we should start investigating their earmarks. Were they steering our tax dollars toward their prisons?