Saturday, October 18, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
EDUARDO VERASTEGUI ENDORSES JOHN MCCAIN
Today the McCain-Palin campaign announced the endorsement of Eduardo Verastegui, one of today's fastest rising Latino stars. Best known for his starring roles in the 2006 movie Bella and other Mexican soap operas, Verastegui was voted by People en Espaol as one of the "50 Most Beautiful People" in the world. He has made appearances in the popular TV series, Charmed, as Mr. Right, and in Jennifer Lopez's "Ain't It Funny" video and her new perfume commercials.
"John McCain is the only candidate for president that shares my values of life," Verastegui said. "He truly recognizes that we are all God's children. John McCain is someone we can trust to do what is right and follow through on what he says -- as opposed to Barack Obama, who does not share our traditional values of defending innocent life and the sanctity of marriage. Obama has proven this time and time again. During his personal experience as a POW in Vietnam, McCain renewed and strengthened his faith. And early this year in the heat of a political battle, he had the courage to stand against his own party and support comprehensive immigration reform. His resolve serves as a reminder to us all that we must vote our values and our conscience, and not vote simply by party. We can't afford a president who lacks experience and judgment and would stand for values that are out of step with the Hispanic community and this country. Although I seldom thrust myself into political campaigns, I recognize the stakes and that it's most important that we put our values first and support John McCain."
A devout Catholic who attends Mass daily, he will talk about his values and announce his endorsement of John McCain during his Values Tour through the state. He will also hold a series of private events and meetings to drum up support for John McCain and Sarah Palin in the Hispanic and faith based communities.
"John McCain is the only candidate for president that shares my values of life," Verastegui said. "He truly recognizes that we are all God's children. John McCain is someone we can trust to do what is right and follow through on what he says -- as opposed to Barack Obama, who does not share our traditional values of defending innocent life and the sanctity of marriage. Obama has proven this time and time again. During his personal experience as a POW in Vietnam, McCain renewed and strengthened his faith. And early this year in the heat of a political battle, he had the courage to stand against his own party and support comprehensive immigration reform. His resolve serves as a reminder to us all that we must vote our values and our conscience, and not vote simply by party. We can't afford a president who lacks experience and judgment and would stand for values that are out of step with the Hispanic community and this country. Although I seldom thrust myself into political campaigns, I recognize the stakes and that it's most important that we put our values first and support John McCain."
A devout Catholic who attends Mass daily, he will talk about his values and announce his endorsement of John McCain during his Values Tour through the state. He will also hold a series of private events and meetings to drum up support for John McCain and Sarah Palin in the Hispanic and faith based communities.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Liberal Watchdog Group: Pelosi, Investigate Mahoney Now!
Photo--Florida GOP Chairman Jim Greer calls on Mahoney to resign.
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A DC watchdog group -- often accused of being left-leaning -- has sent a letter to the House Ethics Committee asking for an investigation into revelations about Rep. Tim Mahoney.
Though the Palm Beach area Democrat has asked for his own inquiry, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington says its goal is to ensure that the committee "consider specific relevant provisions of House rules."
CREW says Mahoney's conduct -- paying off an ex-mistress, "implicates numerous House rules," including a clause that "requires congressional employees to perform public duties commensurate with their compensation. Thus, hiring a staff member to facilitate a sexual relationship is impermissible."
It also suggests that "by conducting a sexual relationship with an employee he supervised, and by firing that employee after the affair ended, Rep. Mahoney may have engaged in sexual harassment in violation of House Rule 23.."
It also suggests he may have violated campaign finance laws by "failing to report his in-kind contribution to the campaign to pay Ms. Allen."
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A DC watchdog group -- often accused of being left-leaning -- has sent a letter to the House Ethics Committee asking for an investigation into revelations about Rep. Tim Mahoney.
Though the Palm Beach area Democrat has asked for his own inquiry, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington says its goal is to ensure that the committee "consider specific relevant provisions of House rules."
CREW says Mahoney's conduct -- paying off an ex-mistress, "implicates numerous House rules," including a clause that "requires congressional employees to perform public duties commensurate with their compensation. Thus, hiring a staff member to facilitate a sexual relationship is impermissible."
It also suggests that "by conducting a sexual relationship with an employee he supervised, and by firing that employee after the affair ended, Rep. Mahoney may have engaged in sexual harassment in violation of House Rule 23.."
It also suggests he may have violated campaign finance laws by "failing to report his in-kind contribution to the campaign to pay Ms. Allen."
Mahoney Gets Cold Shoulder
By Matthew Murray and Steven T. Dennis
Roll Call Staff
With Rep. Tim Mahoney’s (D-Fla.) political future still uncertain as of late Wednesday, Democrats continued to portray the embattled lawmaker as a lone bad apple, while Republicans hoped to score political points in South Florida and elsewhere.
The Florida Republican Party this morning is expected to hold demonstrations at Mahoney’s district offices, demanding that the scandal-tinged lawmaker not seek re-election. The Palm Beach County Republican Party also confirmed on Wednesday that it is now asking for Mahoney’s resignation, provided that he does not respond to accusations that he broke the law.
And while not necessarily demanding that he quit, a House Democratic leadership aide said on Wednesday that “everybody’s really pissed off” at Mahoney, who was gifted the seat two years ago after Rep. Mark Foley (R) stepped down amid allegations that he exchanged lewd messages with minors.
“This is a seat he never should have had and he’s lucky as hell to have had it,” the aide said.
No one on Capitol Hill was openly demanding Mahoney’s resignation Wednesday after ABC News reported earlier in the week that he had had an affair with a staffer and had attempted to pay her off with hush money. But in interviews with Hill insiders on Wednesday, the consensus was that Democratic leaders are letting Mahoney dig his own grave, should he not quit in the coming days. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which has already spent more than $400,000 protecting him, is writing off his district, which an unreleased Democratic poll from last week showed Mahoney winning by 20 points — before the scandal broke.
“It will be up to the voters to make their decision and we’re going to leave it at that,” the leadership aide said.
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) agreed that Mahoney has little choice but to see it through to Election Day. Hoyer said on Wednesday that the compressed timeline has left little room for him to drop out of the race at this point.
“I think with three weeks left to go, he’s asked for an ethics investigation, and there’s not much alternative,” said Hoyer, who said he first learned of the affair on Monday when a reporter asked him about it.
According to the Florida secretary of state’s office, the Nov. 4 ballots are already printed and replacing Mahoney on the ticket would be impossible. But should the lawmaker step aside, the Florida Democratic Party would have 12 days to name a stand-in — even though Mahoney’s name would remain on the ballot. But with so many state elections taking place this cycle, finding a credible replacement candidate would be another headache altogether.
“There’d be a whole bunch of people getting into a fight over it,” a Florida Democratic operative said. “It’d probably have to be a local or county official that is currently not on the ballot.”
House Republican leaders on Wednesday continued to bash some of their Democratic counterparts, accusing them of turning a blind eye to Mahoney’s infractions.
“The situation with Rep. Mahoney is only the latest example of their failure to live up to their rhetoric. Serious questions remain about the roles played by Reps. Emanuel and Van Hollen, and the American people deserve the truth,” said Michael Steel, spokesman for House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio).
Hoyer rejected Boehner’s suggestions that Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel (Ill.) and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Chris Van Hollen (Md.) needed to explain what they knew of the affair and when, as Republican leaders did when the Foley scandal erupted in the fall of 2006.
“I think Mr. Boehner would love to make a parallel with problems they’ve had,” Hoyer said, adding that the situations aren’t analogous. “Foley was putting at risk children who were put in our charge,” he said, and GOP leaders who caught wind of the scandal before it became public failed to act.
In Mahoney’s case, “If there was a speculation about an affair, it’s a violation of your responsibility to your family, but not the rules.”
Hoyer said he has not talked to Emanuel or Van Hollen “about what they knew or when they knew it.”
But a House GOP leadership aide said Mahoney, Emanuel and other Democrats had made “extraordinarily sanctimonious” statements about the Foley situation, and admitted a sense of schadenfreude now that the sex scandal shoe was on the other party’s foot.
For Emanuel and Van Hollen to have known about the rumors of Mahoney’s affairs and not investigated further — and to have supported his campaign — “is in stark contrast to the statements they made a couple of years ago and a clear instance of hypocrisy,” the aide said. “The Democratic leadership appears to either have turned a willful blind eye or swept the situation under the rug with Mr. Mahoney, and they demanded to be held to a higher standard.”
The Mahoney blowup this week is one of the few headaches this election season for House Democratic leaders, who hope to ride another wave election to big victories in November.
Although Republican leaders have been keen to draw comparisons to the Foley scandal, the Mahoney allegations don’t involve inappropriate contacts with former House pages as in Foley’s case.
What’s more, Rep. Vito Fossella’s (R-N.Y.) DUI arrest this spring and subsequent revelation of an affair and secret love child doesn’t appear to have had much impact beyond his district. But the timing of the Mahoney news — and the allegations of a payoff — is worse, and GOP leaders are certainly trying to make what hay they can.
Boehner ripped the initial Democratic response of calling for an ethics committee investigation as inadequate, and later urged Democratic leaders to testify under oath about what they knew and when they knew it — as Republican leaders did in the Foley matter.
“As Congressman Emanuel has said, he agrees with Speaker [Nancy] Pelosi [D-Calif.] that the ethics committee should take up their investigation with all due haste and of course is more than happy to speak with the committee if they are interested in speaking with him,” an Emanuel spokeswoman said.
But even some Republicans are uncertain how much traction the GOP can get from the scandal, even in Mahoney’s district. Palm Beach County Republican Party Chairman Sid Dinerstein said on Wednesday that he remains concerned about the expected 20 percent jump in voter participation on Election Day, which could aid Democrats. He also said that despite the scandal, it “doesn’t have the legs that the Foley story had,” and damage for Democrats is unlikely to spread elsewhere in the state.
“The media never gives our side a break,” he said.
Roll Call Staff
With Rep. Tim Mahoney’s (D-Fla.) political future still uncertain as of late Wednesday, Democrats continued to portray the embattled lawmaker as a lone bad apple, while Republicans hoped to score political points in South Florida and elsewhere.
The Florida Republican Party this morning is expected to hold demonstrations at Mahoney’s district offices, demanding that the scandal-tinged lawmaker not seek re-election. The Palm Beach County Republican Party also confirmed on Wednesday that it is now asking for Mahoney’s resignation, provided that he does not respond to accusations that he broke the law.
And while not necessarily demanding that he quit, a House Democratic leadership aide said on Wednesday that “everybody’s really pissed off” at Mahoney, who was gifted the seat two years ago after Rep. Mark Foley (R) stepped down amid allegations that he exchanged lewd messages with minors.
“This is a seat he never should have had and he’s lucky as hell to have had it,” the aide said.
No one on Capitol Hill was openly demanding Mahoney’s resignation Wednesday after ABC News reported earlier in the week that he had had an affair with a staffer and had attempted to pay her off with hush money. But in interviews with Hill insiders on Wednesday, the consensus was that Democratic leaders are letting Mahoney dig his own grave, should he not quit in the coming days. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which has already spent more than $400,000 protecting him, is writing off his district, which an unreleased Democratic poll from last week showed Mahoney winning by 20 points — before the scandal broke.
“It will be up to the voters to make their decision and we’re going to leave it at that,” the leadership aide said.
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) agreed that Mahoney has little choice but to see it through to Election Day. Hoyer said on Wednesday that the compressed timeline has left little room for him to drop out of the race at this point.
“I think with three weeks left to go, he’s asked for an ethics investigation, and there’s not much alternative,” said Hoyer, who said he first learned of the affair on Monday when a reporter asked him about it.
According to the Florida secretary of state’s office, the Nov. 4 ballots are already printed and replacing Mahoney on the ticket would be impossible. But should the lawmaker step aside, the Florida Democratic Party would have 12 days to name a stand-in — even though Mahoney’s name would remain on the ballot. But with so many state elections taking place this cycle, finding a credible replacement candidate would be another headache altogether.
“There’d be a whole bunch of people getting into a fight over it,” a Florida Democratic operative said. “It’d probably have to be a local or county official that is currently not on the ballot.”
House Republican leaders on Wednesday continued to bash some of their Democratic counterparts, accusing them of turning a blind eye to Mahoney’s infractions.
“The situation with Rep. Mahoney is only the latest example of their failure to live up to their rhetoric. Serious questions remain about the roles played by Reps. Emanuel and Van Hollen, and the American people deserve the truth,” said Michael Steel, spokesman for House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio).
Hoyer rejected Boehner’s suggestions that Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel (Ill.) and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Chris Van Hollen (Md.) needed to explain what they knew of the affair and when, as Republican leaders did when the Foley scandal erupted in the fall of 2006.
“I think Mr. Boehner would love to make a parallel with problems they’ve had,” Hoyer said, adding that the situations aren’t analogous. “Foley was putting at risk children who were put in our charge,” he said, and GOP leaders who caught wind of the scandal before it became public failed to act.
In Mahoney’s case, “If there was a speculation about an affair, it’s a violation of your responsibility to your family, but not the rules.”
Hoyer said he has not talked to Emanuel or Van Hollen “about what they knew or when they knew it.”
But a House GOP leadership aide said Mahoney, Emanuel and other Democrats had made “extraordinarily sanctimonious” statements about the Foley situation, and admitted a sense of schadenfreude now that the sex scandal shoe was on the other party’s foot.
For Emanuel and Van Hollen to have known about the rumors of Mahoney’s affairs and not investigated further — and to have supported his campaign — “is in stark contrast to the statements they made a couple of years ago and a clear instance of hypocrisy,” the aide said. “The Democratic leadership appears to either have turned a willful blind eye or swept the situation under the rug with Mr. Mahoney, and they demanded to be held to a higher standard.”
The Mahoney blowup this week is one of the few headaches this election season for House Democratic leaders, who hope to ride another wave election to big victories in November.
Although Republican leaders have been keen to draw comparisons to the Foley scandal, the Mahoney allegations don’t involve inappropriate contacts with former House pages as in Foley’s case.
What’s more, Rep. Vito Fossella’s (R-N.Y.) DUI arrest this spring and subsequent revelation of an affair and secret love child doesn’t appear to have had much impact beyond his district. But the timing of the Mahoney news — and the allegations of a payoff — is worse, and GOP leaders are certainly trying to make what hay they can.
Boehner ripped the initial Democratic response of calling for an ethics committee investigation as inadequate, and later urged Democratic leaders to testify under oath about what they knew and when they knew it — as Republican leaders did in the Foley matter.
“As Congressman Emanuel has said, he agrees with Speaker [Nancy] Pelosi [D-Calif.] that the ethics committee should take up their investigation with all due haste and of course is more than happy to speak with the committee if they are interested in speaking with him,” an Emanuel spokeswoman said.
But even some Republicans are uncertain how much traction the GOP can get from the scandal, even in Mahoney’s district. Palm Beach County Republican Party Chairman Sid Dinerstein said on Wednesday that he remains concerned about the expected 20 percent jump in voter participation on Election Day, which could aid Democrats. He also said that despite the scandal, it “doesn’t have the legs that the Foley story had,” and damage for Democrats is unlikely to spread elsewhere in the state.
“The media never gives our side a break,” he said.
Greer Calls on Mahoney to Resign, Citing Abuse of Power and Corruption
Stuart, Florida--Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer released the following statement today regarding Congressman Tim Mahoney (CD-16). Chairman Greer, who held a press conference outside the Congressman's Stuart office this morning, called Mahoney to request that he come out and address the questions and concerns of his constituents. After waiting a period of time and still receiving no response from Mahoney, Chairman Greer released this statement:
"The last chapter of Tim Mahoney's political career has been written, and it is titled 'Violation of the public trust.' Now, it is time to close the book on Congressman Mahoney and restore the public's trust.
"Today, I call upon Tim Mahoney to resign his office as a U.S. Congressman and allow the citizens of CD 16 the opportunity to have their faith and trust restored in this public office."
"The last chapter of Tim Mahoney's political career has been written, and it is titled 'Violation of the public trust.' Now, it is time to close the book on Congressman Mahoney and restore the public's trust.
"Today, I call upon Tim Mahoney to resign his office as a U.S. Congressman and allow the citizens of CD 16 the opportunity to have their faith and trust restored in this public office."
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Free Trade Creates Florida Jobs, But Obama Opposes It
Watch John McCain and Barack Obama talk about Free Trade during the presidential debate. Barack Obama reminded us tonight that he does not support free trade, even though it is critical to Florida's economy and our status as the "Hub of the Americas."
Reviews Are In--John McCain Wins the Last Debate
John McCain won tonight's debate by vowing to fight for "Joe the Plumber" everyday he is President.
John McCain was a spokesperson for millions of Americans who do not want their taxes raised and their health care socialized.
John McCain won with strong, clear straight talk about setting a new direction for our country and fighting for working families.
On issue after issue, Barack Obama showed that his words do not match his record. Whether it was his tax plan, his spending plans or his record, Barack Obama was full of half-truths.
John McCain outlined his specific, bold plan for creating jobs, helping those near retirement, keeping people in their homes, curbing spending by a hatchet and scalpel, lowering health care costs and achieving energy independence.
Read RPOF Communications Director Erin VanSickle's debate response for the Palm Beach Post here.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Boulware gets a bump in HD9
Boulware gets a bump in HD9
The Tallahassee Democrat has endorsed Peter Boulware in House District 9, saying the former Seminole and Baltimore Raven would be more effective because Republicans control the Legislature. "He will enjoy immediate recognition and celebrity that quite simply opens doors," the paper says.
The Tallahassee Democrat has endorsed Peter Boulware in House District 9, saying the former Seminole and Baltimore Raven would be more effective because Republicans control the Legislature. "He will enjoy immediate recognition and celebrity that quite simply opens doors," the paper says.
5 Questions for Mahoney
The National Republican Congressional Committee released a statement today after Tim Mahoney (D-FL) refused to answer questions at his press conference responding to news reports that he paid a former employee $121,000 in hush money.
“Congressman Tim Mahoney’s cover-up and stonewalling three weeks from Election Day is nothing more than an attempt to run out the clock without being accountable to voters in his district. While today’s press conference must have been very difficult for Mr. Mahoney, his statement was incomplete and insufficient. The voters in the 16th Congressional District have been let down one too many times by both parties, and they deserve an open and swift account from Mr. Mahoney.
...
Based on news reports, the Democrat Leadership had at least some knowledge of Congressman Mahoney’s inappropriate and potentially illegal behavior, which begs the question: What did the Democrat Leadership know and when did they know it?
Five questions Tim Mahoney should answer today:
Did Tim Mahoney pay his former employee $121,000?
Did the money originate from his campaign account? If not, from where?
Is Ms. Allen telling the truth when she said Tim Mahoney arranged to get her a job with his media firm?
Why did Tim Mahoney find it necessary to move Ms. Allen off the government payroll and pay her from his campaign account once rumors of their affair surfaced?
How long has the Democrat Leadership known Mahoney paid off his mistress and what did they advise Mahoney to do when they learned of it?
Breaking--Tom Cole, Tom Rooney Holding Press Conference Today to Discuss Tim Mahoney
Tom Rooney and NRCC Chairman Tom Cole to Make Announcement About District 16 Congressional Race
Congressional candidate Tom Rooney (FL-16) and National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Tom Cole will hold a press availability to discuss unseating Tim Mahoney in the race for Florida’s 16th Congressional District – Today, October 14, 2008 at 11:00 a.m.
Date: Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Location: West Palm Beach Marriott
1001 Okeechobee Boulevard
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Congressional candidate Tom Rooney (FL-16) and National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Tom Cole will hold a press availability to discuss unseating Tim Mahoney in the race for Florida’s 16th Congressional District – Today, October 14, 2008 at 11:00 a.m.
Date: Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Location: West Palm Beach Marriott
1001 Okeechobee Boulevard
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Chairman Greer Embarks on United on the Path to Victory Tour
Tallahassee–Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer will launch a statewide tour of RPOF Victory Offices on Wednesday, October 15, 2008. During the two-day tour in advance of the RPOF’s Super Saturday grassroots push this weekend, Chairman Greer will meet with local Republican leaders, grassroots volunteers and RPOF field personnel to assess campaign operations, thank volunteers and evaluate needed resources. Chairman Greer will also meet with former Chairmen of the Republican Party of Florida to discuss the party’s efforts in the upcoming election.
“This tour will provide me the opportunity to review campaign activities, thank our local Republican leaders and volunteers and to determine any specific needs the state party can provide in the remaining weeks of the campaign,” said Chairman Greer.
“I am also looking forward to meeting with my predecessors to gain their insight and provide them a briefing on the efforts of the RPOF and the McCain-Palin Campaign in the State of Florida. With the short time left until Election Day, as Chairman I must do all I can to ensure that the state party is providing the McCain-Palin Campaign with all available resources and assistance needed,” continued Greer.
The tour comes in advance of a United on the Path to Victory Rally in honor of Senator John McCain, Governor Sarah Palin and all Republican candidates this weekend in Orlando. The rally will feature Florida Governor Charlie Crist and a special guest speaker.
United on the Path to Victory Tour stops for Wednesday, October 15, 2008 include:
Miami-Dade Victory Office
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Location: 7780 NW 25th Street, Suite 22
Miami Beach, FL 33122
Broward County Victory Office
Time: 10:30 a.m – 11:00 a.m.
Location: 150 S. Andrews Avenue, Suite 370
Pompano Beach, FL 33367
West Palm Beach Victory Office
Time: 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Location: 1555 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., Suite 210
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Indian River Victory Office and Meeting with Former Chairman Carol Jean Jordan
Time: 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: 2345 14th Avenue
Vero Beach, FL 32960
“This tour will provide me the opportunity to review campaign activities, thank our local Republican leaders and volunteers and to determine any specific needs the state party can provide in the remaining weeks of the campaign,” said Chairman Greer.
“I am also looking forward to meeting with my predecessors to gain their insight and provide them a briefing on the efforts of the RPOF and the McCain-Palin Campaign in the State of Florida. With the short time left until Election Day, as Chairman I must do all I can to ensure that the state party is providing the McCain-Palin Campaign with all available resources and assistance needed,” continued Greer.
The tour comes in advance of a United on the Path to Victory Rally in honor of Senator John McCain, Governor Sarah Palin and all Republican candidates this weekend in Orlando. The rally will feature Florida Governor Charlie Crist and a special guest speaker.
United on the Path to Victory Tour stops for Wednesday, October 15, 2008 include:
Miami-Dade Victory Office
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Location: 7780 NW 25th Street, Suite 22
Miami Beach, FL 33122
Broward County Victory Office
Time: 10:30 a.m – 11:00 a.m.
Location: 150 S. Andrews Avenue, Suite 370
Pompano Beach, FL 33367
West Palm Beach Victory Office
Time: 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Location: 1555 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., Suite 210
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Indian River Victory Office and Meeting with Former Chairman Carol Jean Jordan
Time: 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: 2345 14th Avenue
Vero Beach, FL 32960
Monday, October 13, 2008
Conventional Wisdom is Your Source for the Latest Mahoney News
Stay tuned to Conventional Wisdom for breaking news on the Tim Mahoney Scandal...
Latest--CNN: House to investigate lawmaker for alleged affair, ethics lapse
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Florida Democratic Rep. Tim Mahoney called on the House ethics committee to investigate his own behavior after ABC News reported that he paid a former staffer who was also his mistress $121,000 to avoid a sexual harassment lawsuit.
Rep. Tim Mahoney is facing allegations he paid $121,000 to a former staffer and alleged mistress.
...
"The irony is not lost on any of us," a senior Democratic operative said of the allegations against Mahoney.
...
Rep. Chris Van Hollen, who chairs the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, recently confronted Mahoney about a report on a blog that he had been unfaithful to his wife.
DCCC spokeswoman Jennifer Crider said that Van Hollen spoke to Mahoney "about his responsibility as an elected official to act appropriately and urged him to come clean with his constituents if there was any truth to the rumor."
ABC: Tim Mahoney paid mistress
ABC News: "West Palm Beach Congressman Tim Mahoney (D-FL), whose predecessor resigned in the wake of a sex scandal, agreed to a $121,000 payment to a former mistress who worked on his staff and was threatening to sue him, according to current and former members of his staff who have been briefed on the settlement, which involved Mahoney and his campaign committee. ..."
Miami Herald: The Mahoney chronicles: ABC gets tape, and no comment on 'affair' story
From ABC News: West Palm Beach Congressman Tim Mahoney (D-FL), whose predecessor resigned in the wake of a sex scandal, agreed to a $121,000 payment to a former mistress who worked on his staff and was threatening to sue him, according to current and former members of his staff who have been briefed on the settlement, which involved Mahoney and his campaign committee…
Politico: Mahoney wants ethics probe -- on self
In his first statement since the sex scandal broke, Florida Rep. Tim Mahoney is calling for the House ethics committee to probe allegations of impropriety in the hiring and firing of a female staffer with whom he allegedly had an affair.
While criticizing ABC's report as based on "hearsay," he didn't deny anything.
Palm Beach Post: Mahoney responds
Democratic U.S. Rep. Tim Mahoney, rocked by allegations he agreed to pay $121,000 to a former mistress who worked on his staff and was threatening to sue him, just issued this response this afternoon:
“I was notified this afternoon about a story that ran on ABC News’ website reporting allegations about a former employee. While these allegations are based on hearsay, I believe that my constituents need a full accounting. As such, I have requested the House Ethics Committee to review these allegations. I am confident that when the facts are presented that I will be vindicated.”
Palm Beach Post: Mahoney Consultants Quit
Statement of Fletcher Rowley Chao (FRCR, Inc.) CEO Bill Fletcher:
“As of today, FRCR, Inc. has resigned from Tim Mahoney’s campaign and permanently ended our relationship with him.
“According to ABC News, Tim Mahoney apparently included our company in a secret legal settlement without the knowledge of our firm. Our firm did not agree to any legal settlement.
“If these allegations are true Tim Mahoney’s actions are unacceptable and not in line with FRCR’s business ethics.”
Politico: Mahoney tied to $121K sex scandal
The scandal breaks at the worst possible time for Rep. Tim Mahoney (D-Fla.), who faces a tough re-election.
…
ABC News reported Monday that Rep. Tim Mahoney — the Florida Democrat who replaced disgraced Republican Mark Foley in 2006 — paid $121,000 to a staffer with whom he had an affair. The news gives Republicans a desperately needed new line of attack just three weeks before Election Day.
Mahoney, 52, paid former staffer Patricia Allen $61,000 — plus $60,000 in legal fees — after she threatened to sue him for sexual harassment and intimidation, the network reported, citing unnamed Mahoney staffers and Allen’s legal papers.
The congressman – who promised to restore honor and morality in a district rocked by revelations of Foley’s inappropriate behavior toward House pages – reportedly moved the 50-year-old Allen from a job in his office to a $50,000 position with an agency that handles his campaign advertising.
…
The scandal breaks at the worst possible time for Mahoney. He was facing a highly competitive race against Rooney, one of the GOP’s leading recruits. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has already spent $430,000 on ads on behalf of Mahoney.
A poll conducted for Rooney in September showed Mahoney with a 48 to 41 percent lead.
Now Democratic operatives are privately glum about their prospects of holding onto the seat.
…
Friends of Allen told ABC she sought to break off the affair when she learned Mahoney was allegedly involved in other extra-marital relationships at the same time.
Her friends say she told them Mahoney threatened that ending the relationship could cost her the job.
"You work at my pleasure," Mahoney told Allen on a Jan. 20, 2008 telephone call that was recorded and played for Mahoney staffers.
The Hill: Mahoney says he wants ethics investigation
Rep. Tim Mahoney (D-Fla.) said Monday afternoon that he wants the House Ethics Committee to look into a report that he paid a former mistress more than $120,000 in hush money.
…
Similarly, Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) has asked the ethics committee to look into several controversies that have hampered him, including his apartment rentals, his use of congressional resources and his failure to disclose rental income to the Internal Revenue Service and Congress.
Mahoney is involved in one of the toughest reelection campaigns in the country, thanks to the conservative bent of his south-central Florida district.
His challenger, Republican Tom Rooney, will be holding a press conference with National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Tom Cole (Okla.) at 9:15 a.m. EST on Tuesday morning.
Orlando Sentinel: ABC News: Mahoney paid off mistress
From ABC News: …And this audio of the Democrat allegedly firing her isn't going to go over well. "You work at my pleasure," Mahoney is heard telling Allen on the Jan. 20, 2008 telephone call that provided to ABC News.
The Hill: Report: Dem Rep. Mahoney paid off mistress
Rep. Tim Mahoney (D-Fla.) has paid a former mistress more than $120,000 in hush money, according to ABC News.
The report, which cites Mahoney staffers who have been briefed on the settlement, says a former aide, Patricia Allen, was threatening to sue Mahoney after their affair ended.
…
The ABC report includes a phone call in which two people identified by ABC News as Mahoney and Allen argue about her firing and the real reason behind it. A vulgar and agitated Mahoney insists it is strictly performance-based, while the woman identified as Allen says it is for other reasons.
“Let me tell you something else: If I find out that you say anything else, you won’t get your last paycheck,” the man identified as Mahoney says.
When asked what he thinks she might say, he says, “I don’t give a (expletive).”
“You work at my pleasure; do you understand what that means?” he asks, adding later: “You did a (expletive) job, and you’re fired.”
Palm Beach Post: ABC says Mahoney paid alleged mistress
Mahoney was already facing a tough reelection challenge this year from Republican Tom Rooney.
Rooney’s campaign had no comment on the Mahoney allegations, a spokesman said.
The Republican Party of Florida wasn’t as reticent.
“The story revealed by ABC news today stands in drastic contrast to Tim Mahoney's 2006 campaign promises to restore morality and family values to CD-16,” RPOF spokeswoman Katie Gordon said.
Latest--CNN: House to investigate lawmaker for alleged affair, ethics lapse
In a sign of how politically devastating the allegations are for Mahoney's chances of re-election, The Cook Political Report, a publication that rates congressional races, quickly moved its rating on Monday for his Florida seat. Rather than leaning Democratic, it was switched to "Lean Republican."--CNN
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Florida Democratic Rep. Tim Mahoney called on the House ethics committee to investigate his own behavior after ABC News reported that he paid a former staffer who was also his mistress $121,000 to avoid a sexual harassment lawsuit.
Rep. Tim Mahoney is facing allegations he paid $121,000 to a former staffer and alleged mistress.
...
"The irony is not lost on any of us," a senior Democratic operative said of the allegations against Mahoney.
...
Rep. Chris Van Hollen, who chairs the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, recently confronted Mahoney about a report on a blog that he had been unfaithful to his wife.
DCCC spokeswoman Jennifer Crider said that Van Hollen spoke to Mahoney "about his responsibility as an elected official to act appropriately and urged him to come clean with his constituents if there was any truth to the rumor."
ABC: Tim Mahoney paid mistress
ABC News: "West Palm Beach Congressman Tim Mahoney (D-FL), whose predecessor resigned in the wake of a sex scandal, agreed to a $121,000 payment to a former mistress who worked on his staff and was threatening to sue him, according to current and former members of his staff who have been briefed on the settlement, which involved Mahoney and his campaign committee. ..."
Miami Herald: The Mahoney chronicles: ABC gets tape, and no comment on 'affair' story
From ABC News: West Palm Beach Congressman Tim Mahoney (D-FL), whose predecessor resigned in the wake of a sex scandal, agreed to a $121,000 payment to a former mistress who worked on his staff and was threatening to sue him, according to current and former members of his staff who have been briefed on the settlement, which involved Mahoney and his campaign committee…
Politico: Mahoney wants ethics probe -- on self
In his first statement since the sex scandal broke, Florida Rep. Tim Mahoney is calling for the House ethics committee to probe allegations of impropriety in the hiring and firing of a female staffer with whom he allegedly had an affair.
While criticizing ABC's report as based on "hearsay," he didn't deny anything.
Palm Beach Post: Mahoney responds
Democratic U.S. Rep. Tim Mahoney, rocked by allegations he agreed to pay $121,000 to a former mistress who worked on his staff and was threatening to sue him, just issued this response this afternoon:
“I was notified this afternoon about a story that ran on ABC News’ website reporting allegations about a former employee. While these allegations are based on hearsay, I believe that my constituents need a full accounting. As such, I have requested the House Ethics Committee to review these allegations. I am confident that when the facts are presented that I will be vindicated.”
Palm Beach Post: Mahoney Consultants Quit
Statement of Fletcher Rowley Chao (FRCR, Inc.) CEO Bill Fletcher:
“As of today, FRCR, Inc. has resigned from Tim Mahoney’s campaign and permanently ended our relationship with him.
“According to ABC News, Tim Mahoney apparently included our company in a secret legal settlement without the knowledge of our firm. Our firm did not agree to any legal settlement.
“If these allegations are true Tim Mahoney’s actions are unacceptable and not in line with FRCR’s business ethics.”
Politico: Mahoney tied to $121K sex scandal
The scandal breaks at the worst possible time for Rep. Tim Mahoney (D-Fla.), who faces a tough re-election.
…
ABC News reported Monday that Rep. Tim Mahoney — the Florida Democrat who replaced disgraced Republican Mark Foley in 2006 — paid $121,000 to a staffer with whom he had an affair. The news gives Republicans a desperately needed new line of attack just three weeks before Election Day.
Mahoney, 52, paid former staffer Patricia Allen $61,000 — plus $60,000 in legal fees — after she threatened to sue him for sexual harassment and intimidation, the network reported, citing unnamed Mahoney staffers and Allen’s legal papers.
The congressman – who promised to restore honor and morality in a district rocked by revelations of Foley’s inappropriate behavior toward House pages – reportedly moved the 50-year-old Allen from a job in his office to a $50,000 position with an agency that handles his campaign advertising.
…
The scandal breaks at the worst possible time for Mahoney. He was facing a highly competitive race against Rooney, one of the GOP’s leading recruits. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has already spent $430,000 on ads on behalf of Mahoney.
A poll conducted for Rooney in September showed Mahoney with a 48 to 41 percent lead.
Now Democratic operatives are privately glum about their prospects of holding onto the seat.
…
Friends of Allen told ABC she sought to break off the affair when she learned Mahoney was allegedly involved in other extra-marital relationships at the same time.
Her friends say she told them Mahoney threatened that ending the relationship could cost her the job.
"You work at my pleasure," Mahoney told Allen on a Jan. 20, 2008 telephone call that was recorded and played for Mahoney staffers.
The Hill: Mahoney says he wants ethics investigation
Rep. Tim Mahoney (D-Fla.) said Monday afternoon that he wants the House Ethics Committee to look into a report that he paid a former mistress more than $120,000 in hush money.
…
Similarly, Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) has asked the ethics committee to look into several controversies that have hampered him, including his apartment rentals, his use of congressional resources and his failure to disclose rental income to the Internal Revenue Service and Congress.
Mahoney is involved in one of the toughest reelection campaigns in the country, thanks to the conservative bent of his south-central Florida district.
His challenger, Republican Tom Rooney, will be holding a press conference with National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Tom Cole (Okla.) at 9:15 a.m. EST on Tuesday morning.
Orlando Sentinel: ABC News: Mahoney paid off mistress
From ABC News: …And this audio of the Democrat allegedly firing her isn't going to go over well. "You work at my pleasure," Mahoney is heard telling Allen on the Jan. 20, 2008 telephone call that provided to ABC News.
The Hill: Report: Dem Rep. Mahoney paid off mistress
Rep. Tim Mahoney (D-Fla.) has paid a former mistress more than $120,000 in hush money, according to ABC News.
The report, which cites Mahoney staffers who have been briefed on the settlement, says a former aide, Patricia Allen, was threatening to sue Mahoney after their affair ended.
…
The ABC report includes a phone call in which two people identified by ABC News as Mahoney and Allen argue about her firing and the real reason behind it. A vulgar and agitated Mahoney insists it is strictly performance-based, while the woman identified as Allen says it is for other reasons.
“Let me tell you something else: If I find out that you say anything else, you won’t get your last paycheck,” the man identified as Mahoney says.
When asked what he thinks she might say, he says, “I don’t give a (expletive).”
“You work at my pleasure; do you understand what that means?” he asks, adding later: “You did a (expletive) job, and you’re fired.”
Palm Beach Post: ABC says Mahoney paid alleged mistress
Mahoney was already facing a tough reelection challenge this year from Republican Tom Rooney.
Rooney’s campaign had no comment on the Mahoney allegations, a spokesman said.
The Republican Party of Florida wasn’t as reticent.
“The story revealed by ABC news today stands in drastic contrast to Tim Mahoney's 2006 campaign promises to restore morality and family values to CD-16,” RPOF spokeswoman Katie Gordon said.
BREAKING: Mahoney's Mistress Hush Money
Congressman's $121,000 Payoff to Alleged Mistress
Listen to the call between Mahoney and mistress
ABC Breaking News:
West Palm Beach Congressman Tim Mahoney (D-FL), whose predecessor resigned in the wake of a sex scandal, agreed to a $121,000 payment to a former mistress who worked on his staff and was threatening to sue him, according to current and former members of his staff who have been briefed on the settlement, which involved Mahoney and his campaign committee.
Mahoney, who is married, also promised the woman, Patricia Allen, a $50,000 a year job for two years at the agency that handles his campaign advertising, the staffers said.
A Mahoney spokesperson would not answer questions about the alleged affair or the settlement, but said Allen resigned of her own accord and "has not received any special payment from campaign funds."
Senior Democratic leaders in the House of Representatives, including Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-IL), the chair of the Democratic Caucus, have been working with Mahoney to keep the matter from hurting his re-election campaign, the Mahoney staffers said.
A spokesperson for Emanuel denies that account, but said Emanuel did confront Mahoney "upon hearing a rumor" about an affair in 2007 and "told him he was in public life and had a responsibility to act accordingly." The spokesperson added that it was a "private conversation" that had nothing to do with Mahoney's re-election prospects.
...
The affair between Mahoney and Allen began, according to the current and former staffers, in 2006 when Mahoney was campaigning for Congress against Foley, promising "a world that is safer, more moral."
Broken Campaign Promises?
At the time, Mahoney's campaign ads featured a picture of him with his wife, Terry, with the line, "Restoring America's Values Begins at Home."
The staffers say Mahoney first met Allen at a campaign stop and later arranged for her to work as a volunteer on the campaign. Allen also appeared in a Mahoney campaign television commercial, criticizing his opponent.
Campaign Flyer for Mahoney
Following his election in 2006, Allen was hired, at taxpayers expense, to work on Mahoney's Congressional staff in Florida, at a yearly salary of $36,000.
After complaints about the affair circulated in Washington, Allen was moved to the campaign staff, the staffers say.
Friends of Allen told ABC News that Allen sought to break off the affair when she learned Mahoney was allegedly involved in other extra-marital relationships at the same time.
Her friends say she told them Mahoney threatened that ending the relationship could cost her the job.
"You work at my pleasure," Congressman Mahoney told Allen on a January 20, 2008 telephone call that was recorded and played for Mahoney staffers. ABC News was provided a copy. Click here to hear the tape.
"If you do the job that I think you should do, you get to keep your job. Whenever I don't feel like you're doing your job, then you lose your job," Mahoney can be heard telling Allen.
"And guess what? The only person that matters is guess who? Me. You understand that. That is how life really is. That is how it works," Mahoney says on the call.
"You're fired," Mahoney tells her. "Do you hear me? Don't tell me whether it's correct or not."
...
The Terms of the Settlement
After Allen was fired, the 50-year old single mother of two hired a lawyer, Gregory Coleman, and threatened to sue the Congressman for more than a million dollars.
...
Mahoney reportedly insisted that Allen destroy all audio and video recordings of a sexual nature, they said.
...
Listen to the call between Mahoney and mistress
ABC Breaking News:
West Palm Beach Congressman Tim Mahoney (D-FL), whose predecessor resigned in the wake of a sex scandal, agreed to a $121,000 payment to a former mistress who worked on his staff and was threatening to sue him, according to current and former members of his staff who have been briefed on the settlement, which involved Mahoney and his campaign committee.
Mahoney, who is married, also promised the woman, Patricia Allen, a $50,000 a year job for two years at the agency that handles his campaign advertising, the staffers said.
A Mahoney spokesperson would not answer questions about the alleged affair or the settlement, but said Allen resigned of her own accord and "has not received any special payment from campaign funds."
Senior Democratic leaders in the House of Representatives, including Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-IL), the chair of the Democratic Caucus, have been working with Mahoney to keep the matter from hurting his re-election campaign, the Mahoney staffers said.
A spokesperson for Emanuel denies that account, but said Emanuel did confront Mahoney "upon hearing a rumor" about an affair in 2007 and "told him he was in public life and had a responsibility to act accordingly." The spokesperson added that it was a "private conversation" that had nothing to do with Mahoney's re-election prospects.
...
The affair between Mahoney and Allen began, according to the current and former staffers, in 2006 when Mahoney was campaigning for Congress against Foley, promising "a world that is safer, more moral."
Broken Campaign Promises?
At the time, Mahoney's campaign ads featured a picture of him with his wife, Terry, with the line, "Restoring America's Values Begins at Home."
The staffers say Mahoney first met Allen at a campaign stop and later arranged for her to work as a volunteer on the campaign. Allen also appeared in a Mahoney campaign television commercial, criticizing his opponent.
Campaign Flyer for Mahoney
Following his election in 2006, Allen was hired, at taxpayers expense, to work on Mahoney's Congressional staff in Florida, at a yearly salary of $36,000.
After complaints about the affair circulated in Washington, Allen was moved to the campaign staff, the staffers say.
Friends of Allen told ABC News that Allen sought to break off the affair when she learned Mahoney was allegedly involved in other extra-marital relationships at the same time.
Her friends say she told them Mahoney threatened that ending the relationship could cost her the job.
"You work at my pleasure," Congressman Mahoney told Allen on a January 20, 2008 telephone call that was recorded and played for Mahoney staffers. ABC News was provided a copy. Click here to hear the tape.
"If you do the job that I think you should do, you get to keep your job. Whenever I don't feel like you're doing your job, then you lose your job," Mahoney can be heard telling Allen.
"And guess what? The only person that matters is guess who? Me. You understand that. That is how life really is. That is how it works," Mahoney says on the call.
"You're fired," Mahoney tells her. "Do you hear me? Don't tell me whether it's correct or not."
...
The Terms of the Settlement
After Allen was fired, the 50-year old single mother of two hired a lawyer, Gregory Coleman, and threatened to sue the Congressman for more than a million dollars.
...
Mahoney reportedly insisted that Allen destroy all audio and video recordings of a sexual nature, they said.
...
Why John McCain?
-John McCain has the experience, judgment and character to lead this country as Commander-in-Chief.
-In this dangerous world, American needs a Commander-in-Chief like John McCain who has vital national security and foreign policy experience.
-He has proposed a strong agenda to help American families by lowering taxes, cutting spending, bringing free market principles to health care and ensuring that markets are open to American goods.
-In this dangerous world, American needs a Commander-in-Chief like John McCain who has vital national security and foreign policy experience.
-He has proposed a strong agenda to help American families by lowering taxes, cutting spending, bringing free market principles to health care and ensuring that markets are open to American goods.
Think the 2008 Election is the Height of Mudslinging?
Read today's Washington Post Column and you might think differently. In the election of 1800, Thomas Jefferson was attacked by ministers who accused him of being an "infidel" and an "unbeliever." A Federalist cartoon depicted him as a drunken anarchist, and the president of Yale warned that if Jefferson came to power, "we may see our wives and daughters the victims of legal prostitution." Think that is bad, wait to you hear what they said about John Adams!
Breaking: McCain Unveils New "Fighter" Speech
Politico reports that John McCain will unveil a new speech today "...designed to get voters and reporters to give him one more look..."
Excerpt: "Let me give you the state of the race today. We have 22 days to go. We're six points down. The national media has written us off. Senator Obama is measuring the drapes, and planning with Speaker Pelosi and Senator Reid to raise taxes, increase spending, take away your right to vote by secret ballot in labor elections, and concede defeat in Iraq. But they forgot to let you decide. My friends, we've got them just where we want them.
"What America needs in this hour is a fighter; someone who puts all his cards on the table and trusts the judgment of the American people. I come from a long line of McCains who believed that to love America is to fight for her. I have fought for you most of my life. There are other ways to love this country, but I've never been the kind to do it from the sidelines."
Excerpt: "Let me give you the state of the race today. We have 22 days to go. We're six points down. The national media has written us off. Senator Obama is measuring the drapes, and planning with Speaker Pelosi and Senator Reid to raise taxes, increase spending, take away your right to vote by secret ballot in labor elections, and concede defeat in Iraq. But they forgot to let you decide. My friends, we've got them just where we want them.
"What America needs in this hour is a fighter; someone who puts all his cards on the table and trusts the judgment of the American people. I come from a long line of McCains who believed that to love America is to fight for her. I have fought for you most of my life. There are other ways to love this country, but I've never been the kind to do it from the sidelines."
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