Almost notorious
Utah Republican Congressman Chris Cannon just missed cracking the Top 20 Most Corrupt Members of Congress in a list released by the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.
He did, however, get a "Dishonorable Mention" from the group, ranking him as a member to watch.
A Cannon spokesman tried to put the best spin on the news his boss was left off the Top 20 list. He said CREW has attacked Cannon in the past for taking money from pornographers like the Mariott Hotel chain, which, we are told, allows patrons to purchase pornographic movies in their rooms.
In fairness, 2006 was a banner year for corruption and members went to great lengths to earn a spot on the list. Some, like former Rep. Duke Cunningham, inmate number 94405-198, took it a little too far and since he's serving time in prison instead of Congress, didn't make the list.
Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio, was also left off, since he's agreed to plead guilty and will likely be going from the House to the Big House in the near future.
But the list did include some old favorites. Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., who stashed cold cash in his freezer. Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., who is now running from his ties to convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff, but who Abramoff said got every dollar he wanted from Burns' committee.
CREW said five of the Top 20 are currently under federal investigation.
According to the watchdog group, Cannon only helped his lobbyist brother, Joe, advance the interests of his clients on several occasions. It's not like he pushed tens of millions in earmarks for one of his top donors, who is now in prison (we're looking in your direction, Katherine Harris).
Still, it gives Rep. Cannon something to shoot for next year.
-- Robert Gehrke
He did, however, get a "Dishonorable Mention" from the group, ranking him as a member to watch.
A Cannon spokesman tried to put the best spin on the news his boss was left off the Top 20 list. He said CREW has attacked Cannon in the past for taking money from pornographers like the Mariott Hotel chain, which, we are told, allows patrons to purchase pornographic movies in their rooms.
In fairness, 2006 was a banner year for corruption and members went to great lengths to earn a spot on the list. Some, like former Rep. Duke Cunningham, inmate number 94405-198, took it a little too far and since he's serving time in prison instead of Congress, didn't make the list.
Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio, was also left off, since he's agreed to plead guilty and will likely be going from the House to the Big House in the near future.
But the list did include some old favorites. Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., who stashed cold cash in his freezer. Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., who is now running from his ties to convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff, but who Abramoff said got every dollar he wanted from Burns' committee.
CREW said five of the Top 20 are currently under federal investigation.
According to the watchdog group, Cannon only helped his lobbyist brother, Joe, advance the interests of his clients on several occasions. It's not like he pushed tens of millions in earmarks for one of his top donors, who is now in prison (we're looking in your direction, Katherine Harris).
Still, it gives Rep. Cannon something to shoot for next year.
-- Robert Gehrke
6:50 PM
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