Hookergate: The company Republicans keep

The story of the DC Madam, Deborah Jeane Palfrey, took a tragic turn yesterday was she was found hanging in a shed on her mother's property in Florida.  Deborah said several times that she was not suicidal and that if she ended up dead, there needed to be an investigation.  While I never expect there to be an investigation, (other than the apparent suicide notes found by her side) at least anything that makes any findings that aren't suicide, it's important to note the relation this story has to Indiana.

In 2007, well-known Indiana Republican Randall Tobias resigned from his position as Deputy Secretary of State when it came out that he had been involved with Palfrey's prostitution ring.  To remind everyone of Tobias' influence here in Indiana, here is a rundown of his campaign contributions:

Mitch Daniels:  $171,000
Indiana Republican Party:  $216,000
Frugal Hoosiers:  $5,000
House Republican Committee:  $7,100  (Not including donations to individual members,including Brian Bosma)
Atty General Steve Carter:  $16,000  (Since most of these donations came AFTER the accusations against Tobias came out, I can't help but wonder if this was "please do not investigate me" money.)
Marion County Republican Party:  $11,500

Now, it's one thing to receive money from someone when you don't know that they are getting their kicks from high priced call girls in DC.  However, once the accusation comes out and they resign from their highly public position because of it, you would think the Republicans would recognize the PR nightmare it would cause.  One would think.  Since resigning in shame, Tobias has continued his massive donations, and the Republicans have continued to accept them.  In the year since his departure from DC, Tobias has donated $97,500 to Republicans in Indiana, $76,000 of which was to Governor Mitch Daniels.

So, to recap:  DC Republican bigwig gets caught with his pants down (almost literally), in the ensuing investigation a couple people end up dead, and the Indiana Republicans continue cashing his checks like kids in a candy store.  Anyone else see a problem with this?

Posted by tdwblog@gmail.com

Update:  A wise friend reminded me that earlier this year Mayor Greg Ballard appointed Tobias to run the Indianapolis Airport Authority Board.  I guess this now means Tobias can have the girls flown to him... 

Comments

I really don't see the negative side to a hooker/pimp/madam getting killed. Sorry... the world was just done a favor, I really don't think it has a thing to do with Republican/Democrat. Besides, remember a little scandal with whatshername Lewinsky? Does that mean if any intern on the face of the earth gets killed it's the democrats to blame? I certainly hope not...

There is no reason to give the donated money to charity since nothing about the donated money is associated with his sex life.

"In her own words she said she was not suicidal and if she turned up dead, it would be murder."

If only Marilyn Monroe had Alex Jones. I'll tell ya', they're gettin' bolder. She goes on Alex Jones and predicts what would happen to her, and she gets taken out, anyway?

They operate in the light of day, and they know that if the networks run the prepared headline, you people won't believe any other story.

"But other than that, the economy is absorbing the collapse of the subprime market pretty well if you read some serious newspapers this week, Wall Street is starting to rebound as well."

What? Have you checked the exchange rate, lately? Commodities prices? Wall Street has to rebound mightily to keep pace with rampant inflation, and it hasn't come close.

What you're seeing in your consumer transactions has yet to reflect the complete erosion of the dollar.

All these funds that the government is loaning the banks through the discount window is being invested by banks in the commodities markets as a hedge against the declining currency.

You're whistling by the graveyard.

SAVE TDW:

Please notice that it wasn't the blog author talking about forgiving Clinton because of the gas prices being low, that was a commenter. You can't blame the bloggers for the comments of others.

Did anyone else see that the economy isn't as terrible as everyone running for an open seat or against an incumbent would like? Unemployment dropped to 5% and the economy has yet to see a quarter of negative growth. Sure, gas is high and that sucks. But other than that, the economy is absorbing the collapse of the subprime market pretty well if you read some serious newspapers this week, Wall Street is starting to rebound as well. Wouldn't it just be horrible if the economy didn't completely collapse? I mean, what would we do with all of these political ads we have in the can?

[SAVE TDW]

So to sum up this whole post and comments. Tobias solicited prostitutes, someone murdered the DC madam and all the republicans who accepted his money are just as guilty as Tobias, and sex in the oval office is okay if gas is cheap. Get over yourselves.

If this blog had an gusto anymore (Jen) it would have gone like this. She would have called out Tobias for his connection to the DC madame, then shown Tobias' connection to the local GOP, and said something sensible like, "the should have distanced themselves from him, or gave back the money, etc". I am pretty confident even the "most disgusting woman in politics" would not be saying things like, its okay to fornicate in the oval office as long as gas is cheap. Of course I doubt she would have posted this anyway.

The difference, Tim, is that when Clinton
did what he did middle class people were
making decent money, gasoline wasn't $3.65
a gallon (In fact, I remember I got my first SUV in fall 1998 when regular had fallen to $ .88 a gallon then) AND the unemployment rate was relatively manageable.
In short, when people are doing relatively
well, we're more willing to overlook other's
indiscretions. When the economy is in the
toilet for so many Americans, people are
far more critical of the indiscretions of
the elites.

[tim zank]

Silly me, I had forgotten those on the left side of the aisle had changed their mind about the illegality of anything involving sex. Hmmmmm, In Bill's case, he obviously broke the law by lying under oath, but the left cried "it's only about sex, the lying and lawbreaking is inconsequential cuz it's just sex.

But now, the illegality of prostitution is suddenly a major deal?

How do you guys sleep at night or look your kids in the eye? Talk about hypocrisy, sheesh....

[GI JANE]

Over at Hoosiers For Fair Taxation, Melyssa posted a link to a radio interview that the DC Madam gave to Alex Jones. In her own words she said she was not suicidal and if she turned up dead, it would be murder.

Yet, the press runs with a hearsay account of a writer that spoke with Ms. Palfrey stating she was prepared to commit suicide before going to federal prison again.

Why would the press publish hearsay before recorded documentation from Ms. Palrey herself? The answer is that they don't want you to know the truth.

www.InfoWars.com has the Palrey interview.

"It's illegal to solicit prostitutes"

Only in some states, and only very recently. Across the world, the practice is rarely illegal.

We're full of dumb Puritans.

It's standard for government attorneys to get a sentence, then have the convicted give up the goods on much bigger fish in exchange for a sentence reduction.

Looks like some people who wouldn't have benefited from Step 2 have cut short the process.

[tdwblog@gmail.com]

Good link Tim, though you still forget that cheating on your wife isn't a crime. It's disgusting, but not a crime.

Tobias committed a crime. Of course, I am not excusing the OH ATG, he should be gone too, but at least what he did wasn't criminal.

[IndyDan]

Maybe we can install booths in the new airport where hookers can provide various sex acts ...this would help raise money to pay off the bonds and we all know that air travel is stressful and this would provide some relief....Tobias should be supportive of that.

[tim zank]

Here's just another one of the many reasons those in either party's glass houses shouldn't throw stones...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080502/ap_on_re_us/ohio_attorney_general_scandal;_ylt=AqjIgTnHk3shC99AAjmtR5as0NUE

The answer to Diva's comment is simple: It was illegal. We all make errors in judgement, but this was actually breaking the law. It's illegal to solicit prostitutes, doing so also meant he cheated on his wife, and then there is the whole issue of whether or not he practiced safe sex or if he submitted both his wife and his prostitutes to diseases. He didn't only mess up his life, but he potentially made his wife into a victim too.

Then, on top of that, he is still working in the public domain as the Airport Authority director. He can't follow the law but he is working for Government.

If a Democrat had done this, the Republicans would refuse to let it go, and then they would DEMAND that all money received from this guy be returned or donated to charity. Then they'd hammer us again for not automatically doing it, they had to tell us to.

The guy is scum, but since he has money his Republican friends are letting it fly.

[divanongrat]

The glass houses comment is exactly what I meant.

I don't know- and have never met Mr. Tobias but I think forming a judgement of the man's character is precipitous at this point.

If someone can give any substantive reason (besides campaign donations) that I should look down on a fellow human who might've made an error in judgement, I won't hold my breath.

Fox Host Suggests Evidence Points To DC Madam Murder

http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/may2008/020508_b_host.htm

All the information looks as if Tobias was in the wrong, but how does the saying go?? Something about those who live in glass houses...

"...in the ensuing investigation a couple people end up dead..."

Recollections of Vince Foster.

Tobias is a corporate lowlife who has
little or no shame that the implications are that he was cheating on his wife.
BTW has his wife gotten tested?

[tdwblog@gmail.com]

Tobias' political actions are completely fair game, especially in light of yesterday's happenings.

I am sure that his wife is a great person, and his charity work should be lauded and encouraged, it's his political work that needs to be questioned. Tobias has disgraced himself politically and professionally and there needs to be some real questions asked about his contributions to the Governor. I don't care if the guy is your friend or not, you are defintiely judged by the company you keep, and in politics, perception is everything.

If Tobias really wants to do good, he should pull himself out of politics and spend his money on charity. $97,500 would go a long way to helping feed and clothe children, get medical care for indigent, or even support artists or anything his heart desires. I know many non-profit organizations that would love $97,000.

[varangianguard]

Uh, no.

[divanongrata]

Easy, y'all. I think we're pointing a very quick finger to Mr. Tobias. We weren't there; we don't know what specifically happened. Each party has their main funding sources. Can't we let sleeping dogs lie?

Mr. Tobias should be judged by the good he has done for our state. He is a passionate advocate for the arts and his wife is a lovely lady.

Can we call off the dogs, please? (Even though the foremention BBoz is one of my favorite targets?)

[tim zank]

Somehow I doubt the average person will draw a distiction between receiving "free yet coerced" head and "compensated" head when you are married. Seems to me it's probably a "no-no" in most households, of course the times they are a changing.

[tdwblog@gmail.com]

Oh Tim, good to see your crazy ass back here again. I assume that you mean Bill Clinton when you say "Billy-Jeff." If that's the case, it's important to remind you that blowjobs are not illegal, but paying for them is....

[tim zank]

In fact, I can't believe you're really ballsy enough (or dumb enough) to go there...

heh heh heh

[tim zank]

What's the problem? Hillary and half of the Democrats still accept VERY public help from Billy-Jeff. Same diff....