GOP, NRCC still wants Foley's money

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Republicans nationwide have been donating funds from Mark Foley to charity at a blazing speed, apparently seeing no upside to having contributions from a scandalous sexual predator. Go figure.

But the National Republican Congressional Committee, whose chairman, Rep. Tom Reynolds (R-N.Y.), is up to his ears in this mess, continues to have one principle that stands above all else: greed.

Earlier this week, the NRCC said it hoped to get some or all of the $2.7 million Foley has left in his campaign account. Yesterday, the NRCC added that, unlike GOP candidates everywhere, it will keep the money Foley already contributed to the committee.

Mark Foley may be an embarrassment to the Republicans, but they still like his money.

The National Republican Congressional Committee intends to spend the $100,000 the former Florida legislator gave this summer - before his sordid e-mail exchanges with male teenage congressional pages turned him into a grand old pariah.

"We're going to do with it what we do with other donations - use it to help elect Republicans," said NRCC spokesman Carl Forti.

Asked whether the committee would consider returning the money, Forti replied, "Nope."

I'm not sure the NRCC has thought this one through.

Dems appear anxious to localize the Foley scandal as much as possible. It's a challenge, but they're going for it. If, however, the NRCC keeps Foley's $100,000, and starts distributing it to key House races, it offers Dems a chance to talk about "Foley money" all the time.

But, the NRCC will say, the $100,000 went into a larger general fund, from which the committee is drawing. There's no way to say GOP candidate X is getting money from Foley, because it's all too indirect.

But, the Dems will say, that's the beauty of the argument. So long as the NRCC is keeping money they know came from a disgraced sexual predator, all of the NRCC's money becomes suspect. Every race the campaign committee invests in offers Dems an opportunity.

"Foley gave money to the NRCC, and now NRCC is giving money to candidate X. Contact candidate X today and tell him he shouldn't be taking money from a disgraced sexual predator."

Sure, it's hardball, but if the shoe was on the other foot, would the NRCC hesitate? http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/archives/8690.html