Democratic Sen. Inouye Raising Dough for GOP Sen. Stevens

by Jonathan Singer, Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 11:10:29 AM EDT

This is rather disappointing (sub. req.):

Putting their friendship above party, Democratic Sen. Daniel Inouye (Hawaii) will headline a fundraiser today for one of the Democrats' top targets this cycle, Republican Sen. Ted Stevens (Alaska).
Inouye, who chairs the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, on which Stevens is the ranking member, is the "special guest" at the noon event at 101 Constitution Ave. NW. According to the invitation, the lunch is organized by a several high-profile lobbyists, including Stevens' former top aide, Lisa Sutherland. The fundraiser seeks $1,000 in contributions from individuals and $5,000 from political action committees to aid Stevens' bid for an eighth term this fall.

Dan Inouye and Ted Stevens have long been friends, representing America's two youngest and most westerly states together for the last 40 years. During that time, the two have served on committees with one another and worked to ensure funding for each other's state.

But while bipartisanship within the Senate chamber serves important purposes at times, fundraising for a member of another party -- particularly when that member is in serious electoral jeopardy -- is a whole other matter. This is particularly true when the incumbent up for reelection is endangered because of his own questionable actions, actions that led to the FBI and IRS raising his house and, more recently, an Interior Department investigation (again, sub. req.).

The good thing for the Democrats, notwithstanding Inouye's fundraising move, is the fact that they have an extremely strong and popular challenger for Stevens in Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich, whose roots in the state run deep (his father represented Alaska in the United States House, for instance). What's more, Begich has a real shot at winning this race, with both Rasmussen Reports and Research 2000 polling showing him running at least neck-and-neck, and perhaps better, against Stevens. So if you want to counteract the Inouye fundraiser, head over to Begich's campaign site and make a contribution to his campaign today.

Tags: AK-Sen, Alaska, Senate 2008 (all tags)

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I thought folks wanted unity.

There ya go.

by gotalife 2008-04-30 11:15AM | 0 recs

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Friends

I have no problem with these two being friends. I have no problem with Inouye refusing to campaign against the guy (he's not in his state). I have no problem with the two occasionally crossing party lines to support causes that they wouldn't usually support (because they're friends and because of the symbolic relationship between Hawaii and Alaska).

But raising money for him? That's pathetic. That should not be tolerated.

by Democratic Unity 2008-04-30 11:18AM | 0 recs

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Re: Friends

Agreed 100%.

by Airb330 2008-04-30 11:29AM | 0 recs

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That's not great.

Inouye is treating the Senate like a social club. His friend is on his way out, and he's doing what he can for the guy.

In another situation, it's commendable. In this situation, it's inexcusable. The most Inouye should do is have Stevens over for a beer and bitching session in Hawaii if he loses. THAT is what friends are for.

MANDITORY PRIMARY PARTISANSHIP: Inouye endorsed Clinton.

Okay, now that that's over with, I'd just like to say that I hope Stevens loses badly; he's one of the most corrupt people in the Senate, and even the (awesome) Republican governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin, isn't thrilled with him.

This reminds me of Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, who refuses to campaign for the south Florida Democrats because she's comfortable with her Republican friends that control the state and don't seem to try very hard to oust her.

ANOTHER MANDITORY PARTISAN MOMENT: Wasserman-Schultz endorsed Clinton, too.

Yeah yeah, I'm done.

by Dracomicron 2008-04-30 11:36AM | 0 recs

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Re: Democratic Sen. Inouye Raising

Disappointing does not quite capture my reaction.

WTF!

by reggie44pride 2008-04-30 11:38AM | 0 recs

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Re: Democratic Sen. Inouye Raising Dough for GOP S

And wasn't Inouye under indictment or suspicion at one time too? Maybe why he would do this. Creeps.

by Pat J 2008-04-30 11:43AM | 0 recs

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Put him on the traitor list with

Debbie Wasserman-Shultz and Kendra Meek.

Sometimes the Democratic party seems to be merely a subsidiary of the GOP in a good cop/bad cop scam.

by ClintonBushDynasty 2008-04-30 11:59AM | 0 recs

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Hah, from that article:

Brian Wolff, executive director of the DCCC, says the bloggers are making "much ado about nothing." He says it's "customary" for members to remain neutral in races involving GOP members of their congressional delegations. In other words, he says, a refusal to endorse a Democratic challenger isn't a tacit endorsement of the GOP incumbent.

Pardon my french, but that's a pretty shitty "custom" in a two party system.

by Dracomicron 2008-04-30 12:10PM | 0 recs

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Re: Hah, from that article:

It's less a two party sytem than an incumbent protection racket.

by ClintonBushDynasty 2008-04-30 12:52PM | 0 recs

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Old Guys

I think Inouye is a special case since he was Hawaii's first congressperson and been a Senator from there since 1963(and is currently 83), but anyone else who does this deserves a primary challenge. I would support it against Inouye if I thought it would be successful.

Inouye has never been particularly progressive and joins Stevens in the clearly "crazy old coot" club. Stevens is the worst and most corrupt Senator in a group where that is extremely difficult. The internet is just a "bunch of tubes" to him, and he hasn't met a greasy dealer that he hasn't liked.

Getting the most corrupt Senator out of office should be a number one priority.

by wengler 2008-04-30 12:03PM | 0 recs

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Re: Democratic Sen. Inouye Raising Dough for GOP S

Maybe Ed Case can primary Inouye like he did with Akaka. He came pretty close.

by bosdcla14 2008-04-30 12:23PM | 0 recs

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Re:

Ed Case is blacklisted in Hawaii after he ran against Akaka. The Democrats here run a tight machine and waiting your turn is highly valued. Unfortunately that leads to corruption, weakness, and awful politicians, but that's the way Democrats in states like this keep their power. Compare to New Jersey or Massachusetts.

Case only got so close (45-55) against Akaka because we have an open primary and independents and Republicans turned out in record numbers to try to defeat the liberal Akaka (Ed Case had a decidedly centrist voting record, such as voting for the war and the bankruptcy bill).

If Case runs for anything ever again the Dem machine will invest a lot of money in making sure he loses. Running against Inouye is an exercise in futility anyway, the guy is 83 years old, the seat is his for as long as he wants.

by Skaje 2008-04-30 12:57PM | 0 recs