Set High Standards this election

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November 10, 2006

Set high standards this election

By Ed Martin

    Early in the Republican primary race for the 13th Congressional w district, Tramm Hudson ran an ad emphasizing ethics in government. I saw it as distancing himself from Katherine Harris’ problems — illegal campaign contributions and attempts to get $10 million for Mitchell Wade of MZM Inc.

    It turned out he had opponent Vern Buchanan in mind, not just Harris.

    In what became a dirty campaign that set new lows, Buchanan won over veteran state legislator Nancy Detert — by far the best Republican candidate — and Hudson.

    Buchanan had the most money and the most troubling background, which involves a failed company, allegations by potential partners in real estate investments that he did not present an accurate picture of himself, and more. Perhaps he feels that if Harris could win here, he should not worry about voters’ feelings about ethics and low opinions of Congress.

    He is spending more personal money than in any Congressional race in the nation. Will this money and his attack ad campaign work against Christine Jennings as it did in the primary? I don’t think so. I think voters here are genuinely sick of candidates with big money, nasty ads and no substance. There are enough in Washington now.

    Christine Jennings, in contrast, has an excellent reputation among people who know her best — those here in Sarasota. (Buchanan finished third here where people know him, but won in Manatee by enough votes to prevail.)

    Jennings started a career in banking as a teller at 17. She worked her way up in banking, winning confidence and customers until she was CEO and chair of the board of Sarasota Bank, starting the first women-owned bank here.

Republicans for Jennings

    Detert and Hudson have publicly stated they will stay on the sidelines, refusing to endorse and support Buchanan.

    Detert said, tellingly, “I would never question her (Jennings’) integrity.” (Gondolier Sun/Pelican Press.)

    Four members of the local Republican Executive Committee resigned their seats to work and raise money for Jennings, including a former chair, Ed Stafford. Sarasota banker Jody Hudgins called her a “fine businesswoman and a person of integrity.” He and the others began a “Republicans for Jennings” group.

    Buchanan is now running an attack ad, saying that she wants to raise taxes on married couples, children, etc. As she has made clear, she does not favor ending those parts of the tax law, only increasing the share paid by people in the top 1 percent of income. Only if you make $250,000 a year you may be affected.

    If you want a U.S. Representative without a dirty laundry, one known by Republicans and Democrats in the community for service and integrity, Christine Jennings should be your choice.

Integrity — Chapter 2

    About a decade ago I wrote that Katherine Harris was ethically challenged.

    In a 1994 race for state Senate she received $20,600 in illegal contributions from Bill Griffin, CEO of Riscorp. It was part of more than $400,000 in illegal contributions that landed Griffin in jail.

    Although Harris was in a small circle of Sarasota politicians with Griffin, had introduced him to various legislators and sponsored legislation designed to block Riscorp’s competitors from getting a larger share of the workers comp insurance market, she said she did not know the contributions were illegal.

    She was not charged with a crime, but her lack of awareness seemed unlikely.

    In 2005 and 2006 Harris once again was unaware that she was receiving illegal contributions — this time $32,000.

    The donor was Mitchell Wade, the head of a company called MZM Inc., who was implicated in the bribery conviction of former Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham.

    Harris shared a dinner with Wade that cost him $2,800 according to former Ronald Reagan aide Ed Rollins, who was associated with her campaign before resigning after losing confidence in her. A representative can take a gift, including dinner of $50, legally.

    Harris, according to Wade, spoke with him at dinner about another fundraising effort (beyond the $32,000) and also about a project his company wanted. Harris wrote a letter to the Appropriations Committee asking for $10 million for MZM. She says the money would have funded a project in this district.

    Rollins, interviewed in CQPolitics (Congressional Quarterly), said he tried very hard to verify her story but could find no indication the project would be located here. That, among similar doubts, led to his resignation.

    He was not alone. Gov. Jeb Bush suggested she consider withdrawing.

    This week Harris suggested a national sales tax. An analysis by the Institute on Taxation Policy said such a scheme would raise taxes for 95 percent of Florida’s taxpayers — $4,100 for the lower 60 percent in income. The top 1 percent would save $255,000. Enough about competence and ethics?

    U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, on the other hand, has had a political career in Florida, the House of Representatives and Senate that has highlights, not low-lights.

    He serves on the Armed Forces Committee and the Foreign Relations Committee, making him a vital player in our security and our relations with the world.

    On the domestic front he serves on the Budget Committee (supporting balanced budgets), and on the Committee on Aging. As head of the space subcommittee he was part of the crew on the space shuttle Columbia, orbiting the Earth.

    He has demonstrated his ability to work with Republicans and Democrats alike. His reputation is for integrity.

    I am going to succumb to a note of frivolity: The choice is between a space expert and a space cadet.

Ed Martin was staff director of a House of Representatives sub-committee and served in the executive branch in Republican and Democratic administrations. He has taught public policy at Harvard and Columbia universities.

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