 Is
Bilbray playing by the Campaign Financing Rules?
He
sends out a questionable mailing and supports Sen. McCain's reform proposals
at a Town Hall Forum in San Diego, then votes against him once they return
to Washington DC
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A
recent column in the San Diego Reader wonders if Brian spent federal
funds for a campaign related event that featured Senator John McCain.
Tax Dollars at
Work (SAN DIEGO READER, JUNE 1, 2000)
"At
first glance, the glossy four-color brochure touting a "campaign finance
and government reform town meeting" sent out by Republican congressman
Brian Bilbray looks like a campaign piece.
"Please
join Congressman Brian Bilbray with special guest Senator John McCain to
learn more about efforts to reform the campaign finance system," says a
headline on the piece.
"Close
examination of the mailer reveals that it was sent out at government expense
and bears the label "Public Document, Official Business." |
A
June 2
San Diego Union-Tribune report on the meeting with Bilbray
and McCain noted that:
"The
two men stood side by side in their support of campaign finance reform...
"McCain
attended a fund-raising reception for Bilbray last night at a Rancho Santa
Fe home, where, he said, financial pledges were capped at no more than
$1,000 a person -- a limit in line with his finance reform package." |
Bilbray the Magician
tells the crowd: "Now remember folks-- watch what I say, not how I vote"
Rep. Brian Bilbray and
Senator John McCain at the
June 1 rally in San Diego.
One week later Bilbray turned his back on the Senator, and voted against
McCain's reform measure (see article below).
|
 Apparently,
Bilbray doesn't fully accept Senator McCain's proposals. In a classic "waffle"
turn around, one week after hosting the Senator in San Diego and raising
thousands of campaign donations, he voted AGAINST a reform measure that
McCain had fought hard to pass in the Senate:
Campaign disclosure
bill falters in House
ASSOCIATED
PRESS | June 10, 2000
WASHINGTON
-- "The House rejected a Democratic bid to force a new breed of campaign
organization to disclose the names of donors, but only after Republican
leaders agreed yesterday to bring a GOP version to the floor later
this month.
"A
similar effort succeeded in the Senate on Thursday as Sen. John McCain,
R-Ariz., and Democrats outmaneuvered Republican leaders.
"Rep.
Brian Bilbray, R-Imperial Beach voted with the majority" to defeat McCain's
efforts. |
