Democrats unload Weiner campaign donations
Washington (CNN)–In a sign of widening political fallout from so-called “Weinergate,” two House Democrats who represent competitive districts announced Tuesday they were donating campaign contributions from Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-New York, to charity.
Weiner confessed Monday that he had lied about sending inappropriate text messages and photos to several women. He said he is not resigning, but top House Democrats called for the House ethics committee to investigate the matter.
Rep. Betty Sutton was the first to announce she was unloading campaign cash donated by Weiner. A spokesman for the Ohio Democrat confirmed to CNN that Sutton will make a $1,000 donation to local charities instead of keeping the campaign contribution from him. The announcement was first reported by the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Anthony DeAngelo, spokesman for Sutton, said half the money will go to Honor Flight Canton Akron, a nonprofit organization that transports veterans to Washington to visit the nation’s war memorials. The second half will go to a local homeless shelter in Ohio for women and children.
Minnesota Democrat Tim Walz also decided to give to charity the $3,000 he received from Weiner.
A statement from Rep. Walz’s campaign provided to CNN said, "Today, Congressman Walz donated funds given to his campaign by Mr. Weiner to a local chapter of the Disabled American Veterans."
These announcements came just hours after the National Republican Congressional Committee distributed a press release Tuesday morning asking, “Will Dems Return Embattled Congressman Weiner’s Tainted Cash?” pressuring Sutton and more than a dozen other Democrats to give up or return any money donated by Weiner.
NRCC spokesman Paul Lindsay said the members now face “a choice between returning the scandal-tainted donations (they’ve) received from Congressman Weiner or silently condoning (their) colleague’s lewd and bizarre behavior that could lead to a potential ethics violation.”
WOW- with friends like that, who needs enemies! As just a voter, I am torn whether or not I would vote for him again, I mean is all the good things he has done nothing, but as a friend, I dont think I would ever turn my back on him, this is shameful, and I would NOT vote for these men!
I say keep the contributions and blow them trying to get re-elected in 2012. Democrats will need all the money they can beg, borrow and steal. They may be able to buy their way out of an errant tweet, but they can't buy their way out of an Administration of failed policies and poor performance.
Cockroaches scattering when the light comes on...ho-hum.
Pass the mustard,.. the Weiner is done to a crisp. If only Anthony had confessed right off the bat, instead of lying and letting it spiral out of control. I believe the actual crime is nothing that he should resign over,.. just immature judgement,.. but the lying part, brings into question his credibility, and as such he should resign.
I won't make a "weiner" joke. The man's s a Sleaze.
there is nothing wrong with this guy....o.k, it is quite common in any nation....just ignore....the girl whom he sent picture is alright, the guy that sent picture is alright, and his wife is alright, who are these GOP thugs to talk?????? It is a sheer drama from GOP thugs...o.k, It is the time to quit these silly stuff, and focus, on jobs, jobs, and jobs, energy, energy, and energy....o.k, economy, and economy....not these silly things in nation....
Taken out of context, this really is the best headline ever.
Congressman Weiner... I think you should resign, then work on re-establishing people's trust. Your sexting mistake does not bother me as much as the coverup. One can forgive mistakes, but knowingly deceiving your supporters is a strong punch in the guts. You have lost our trust. Come back in a few of years if you have learned from the experience and regained our trust. Right now, you are a distraction and a diservice to the Democratic agenda.