OH: Ney’s Primary Only One of Many to Watch Tomorrow, Congressional Quarterly, by Greg Giroux, May. 01, 2006, “The political quandary of Republican Rep. Bob Ney has been the dominant story of this year’s House campaign in Ohio, which holds its primary elections Tuesday. Ney’s past associations with now-convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his associates are under investigation by federal prosecutors. Though Ney says he has done nothing wrong and will hold the support of voters who have consistently made him a big winner in eastern Ohio’s 18th District, the cloud of scandal has made him one of the most vulnerable House incumbents this year. But the Abramoff connection has only made Ney the headliner on a multi-contest House fight card in Ohio this year. Democrats also are making serious runs at the Columbus-based 15th District seat held by House Republican Conference Chairwoman Deborah Pryce and the Cincinnati-based 1st District of Republican Rep. Steve Chabot… 18th District (Ney): Just two years removed from a re-election contest that he won with 66 percent of the vote, Ney this year is running to distance himself from one very unwanted pseudonym: “Representative No. 1.” That is how Ney is referred to in court documents detailing the convictions of Abramoff associates who allege that the congressman performed official acts in exchange for gifts, meals and other largess. Ney’s political standing and his steadfast denials of wrongdoing will be put to the test Tuesday, when Republican primary voters decide whether to stick with the embattled congressman or choose a little-known primary challenger, financial analyst James Brodbelt Harris. Ney is expected to win, but the returns will be watched to see if there is a significant “protest” vote for Harris. The three leading Democratic candidates are Zack Space, the elected law director in Dover; Joe Sulzer, the mayor of Chillicothe; and Jennifer Stewart, vice president of the state board of education. Space and Sulzer have attracted the most attention… CQ rates the general election contest as No Clear Favorite.” Ohio Picks Governor Hopefuls Amid Scandals, Forbes, AP, by Julie Carr Smyth, May 1, 2006, “Voters in Ohio, a bellwether state that decided the 2004 presidential election, head to the polls Tuesday for a primary expected to foreshadow prospects for a national political sea change in November… But it is in Ohio, where the Republican party has been beset by scandal, that politicians are looking for signs of voter dissatisfaction… Nationally, Republicans are coping with scandal from the investigation into lobbyist Jack Abramoff, which has ensnared Republican Rep. Bob Ney of Ohio.” Prosecutors Opt for Wide Probe of Rep. Ney, Washington Post, by Susan Schmidt and Chris Cillizza, April 29, 2006, “Federal prosecutors signaled this week that they have decided to pursue a wide range of allegations about dealings between Rep. Robert W. Ney (R-Ohio) and lobbyist Jack Abramoff, rather than bringing a narrowly focused bribery case against the congressman. Ney faces a primary challenge in his eastern Ohio district Tuesday, as his ties to Abramoff have become national news. It is the first time since his 1994 election to Congress that Ney has had to compete for his party's nomination. Ney has been under investigation by federal authorities in Florida and the District for actions that helped Abramoff and two partners buy a Fort Lauderdale-based casino cruise line. The deal that Ney promoted in the Congressional Record hinged on the Abramoff group's creation of a counterfeit $23 million wire transfer. The Miami U.S. Attorney's office has vied with the Justice Department's Public Integrity Section over who would have primary jurisdiction in the Ney investigation. Last month, the Justice Department decided that any case would be brought in the District. Under the statute of limitations, Thursday was the deadline for bringing bribery charges against Ney focused solely on his actions related to the Florida casino boat transaction. Ney's lawyer, Mark Tuohey, said he has been in talks with Justice Department officials and expects to know within a month or two whether Ney will face criminal charges. He said the department asked for another extension of the statute of limitations in recent days, but this time Ney declined. "We're going through the facts with the government. I don't think there's a crime here," Tuohey said. "Nothing's decided." Court papers filed in recent months show that prosecutors have lined up at least four cooperating witnesses against the Ohio congressman: Abramoff, former congressional aides Michael Scanlon and Tony C. Rudy, and businessman Adam Kidan. All have pleaded guilty to various conspiracy, fraud or public corruption charges. The court filings that accompanied the plea agreements of Abramoff, Scanlon and Rudy accused Ney of accepting "a stream of things of value" in exchange for official actions. Prosecutors signaled their intentions with Ney by identifying him as "Representative #1" in pleadings filed with the court. In October, Ney was formally notified that he was under criminal investigation, and at the prosecutors' request he agreed to extend the five-year statute of limitations for six months while they investigated possible bribery charges. Ney's actions involving the cruise line could still expose him to criminal liability if the government brings a conspiracy case against him, legal analysts said. In that instance, the statute of limitations is pegged to the date of the last alleged criminal act in a chain, not the first. Ney's involvement with the cruise line took place in 2000, when Abramoff and partners Kidan and Ben Waldman were in difficult negotiations to buy SunCruz Casinos from Fort Lauderdale businessman Konstantinos "Gus" Boulis. Ney placed comments in the Congressional Record that year that first put pressure on Boulis to sell to the Abramoff group, and later praised the new owners as Boulis was complaining he had been cheated in the sale. Boulis was killed in a gangland-style hit in early 2001. Three men with ties to Kidan and to the Gambino crime family face murder charges in the slaying. Ney was also involved with Abramoff and his lobbying team on other issues under federal investigation. In 2002, Ney sponsored legislation at the team's request to reopen a casino for a Texas Indian tribe that Abramoff represented, and approved a 2002 license for an Abramoff client to wire the House of Representatives for mobile phone service. At the same time, Ney accepted many favors from Abramoff, among them campaign contributions, dinners at the lobbyist's downtown restaurant, skybox fundraisers -- including one at his then-MCI Center box the month after Boulis's murder -- and a lavish golf junket to Scotland in August 2002. Ney was directly implicated by three of the four who pleaded guilty to conspiracy and bribery charges: Abramoff, Scanlon and Rudy. Kidan's attorney said his client also would testify against Ney if asked. The allegations against Ney have taken a toll on his political career and his prospects for reelection. Ney will face off against financial analyst James Harris in next week's Republican primary in Ohio's 18th District. Despite his travails, Ney has won the uniform backing of district Republican officials and is favored to win. The November general election may be more difficult, as internal Republican polling conducted this year showed Ney trailing both Chillicothe Mayor Joe Sulzer and lawyer Zack Space -- the two Democrats given the best chance of winning their party's nod on Tuesday. Democrats acknowledge privately that the only way they can win in this Republican-leaning district, which President Bush carried with 57 percent in 2004, is for the election to be a referendum on Ney. He has vowed to remain in the race even if he is indicted.” Emphasis added. Ohio Republican Reasserts Innocence, Forbes from AP, April 29, 2006, “The Ohio congressman caught up in a lobbying scandal reasserted his innocence as a legal deadline passed. The statute of limitations expired Thursday for federal prosecutors in Miami to bring charges against Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio, involving his dealings with lobbyist Jack Abramoff and a Fort Lauderdale casino cruise line. But the Justice Department is continuing a broader investigation and has indicated that any charges would be filed in Washington… Ney's lawyer, Mark Tuohey, said Saturday "there is no crime here" regarding the Florida cruise line investigation. He said Ney refused a request from prosecutors to extend for an additional six months the deadline that would have provided the government extra time to seek charges on the matter. Ney had already granted one six-month extension of the statute of limitations… The Justice Department could take the position that, even though the deadline has passed in the cruise line investigation, it could be included in a broader conspiracy indictment against Ney. If the Justice Department were to take such a position, "we would not agree that you can reach back" to encompass such long-ago conduct in a criminal conspiracy indictment, Tuohey said. When Abramoff pleaded guilty to fraud charges in January, he told federal prosecutors Ney took thousands of dollars in gifts, travel and campaign donations from him and associates in exchange for official acts.” Emphasis added. Ney faces primary challenger, New Philadelphia Times Reporter, April 27, 2006, by Jon Baker, “U.S. Rep. Bob Ney, R-Heath, is seeking his seventh term to represent the 18th District in the U.S. House of Representatives under the cloud of his involvement with disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff. His opponent in Tuesday’s primary is James Brodbelt Harris of Zanesville, a financial analyst. During his travels around the district, Ney said, voters are telling him that the No. 1 issue they’re concerned about is jobs. They want to retain the jobs that are here and want new ones to be created, he said…. On trade issues, Ney favors getting tough on China, which exports more products to the United States than it imports… Ney said he does not support agreements such as the North America Free Trade Agreement and Central America Free Trade Agreement… And he had this to say about Sulzer and Space, who are both lawyers: “That’s the last thing we need is two more attorneys in Washington.” Harris has been running a low-budget campaign against Ney, writing his own press releases and operating his own Web site. He said he hasn’t solicited campaign donations. “I won’t swamp Bob Ney with campaign spending,” he said. He’s traveled all over the 18th District, which he describes as the largest rural district in Ohio. “With my rural roots, I could represent this district well,” said Harris, who participates in his family’s farm. He hasn’t been endorsed by any county Republican Party chairmen. “I don’t expect party officials would endorse a challenger,” he said. Harris said his differences with Ney are “the crux of my campaign.” “I am a Reagan Republican,” he said, which he defines as a person who favors limiting the size of government. He said the government already has lowered taxes, but the unfinished part of the agenda is restraining spending. He said Ney has voted against spending restraints. Harris said he and Ney also differ on trade. “I support greater trade,” he said. “Ney does not.” He doesn’t advocate tariffs and taxes on American trade, which Harris said would bring further stagnation to Ohio. “The U.S. has gotten rich on trade,” he said. “Any congressman who pursues fear and stagnation is leading us down the road to economic depression.” He said he would have voted for NAFTA if he had been in office at the time it was considered. Harris also supports the Patriot Act. He said the government’s No. 1 job is to protect the American people. But at the same time he favors safeguards to protecting people’s constitutional rights. Harris said he thinks he has a chance to beat Ney, but he concedes that it’s a difficult task. “Bob Ney is an entrenched incumbent. It’s no doubt a tough race to beat an entrenched incumbent.” Harris said he thinks Ney should step down if indicted. He also said he doesn’t want to profit from Ney’s troubles, but he is on record as asking the Republican Party to endorse him if Ney resigns. “I think he should retire, but if he has not been indicted, we’ll support our nominee in November,” Harris said.” Candidates talk economics, Ohio University’s The Post, April 27, 2006, by Meghan Nicholson, “Lowering the trade deficit and stopping the loss of jobs in Southeast Ohio are two major issues Republican candidates Bob Ney and James Brodbelt Harris are focusing on for their May 2 primary campaigns. While the candidates don’t agree on many policy issues, they have similar goals if elected to represent the 18th Congressional District of Ohio, of which Ney is an incumbent. The district includes Mount Vernon, Zanesville, Newark, Athens, Logan and Chillicothe. Although Harris doesn’t have the political experience Ney does, Harris is running for office to give the people of Ohio a choice, he said. “It’s not a choice between Harris and Ney, it’s a choice of philosophies,” Harris said. Ohioans moving from the state have dramatically affected the job market, something both candidates say they’re concerned about. “The country has an immigration crisis, but Ohio has an emigration crisis,” said Harris, a financial analyst in Zanesville. Harris’ campaign focuses on lowering Ohio taxes and bringing more jobs to the state. Harris criticized Ney’s approach to [gas taxes, tariffs, and overspending], saying this plan only leads to greater debt. Harris stressed that the federal economic growth rate and spending need to be slowed to decrease the deficit and lower taxes. “If we can slow the growth rate by, at most one percent, over time our savings will compound, and we can afford a lower tax culture and pay for the items Ohio wants,” Harris said. “In the long run, we can pay off the debt.”… If re-elected, Walsh said Ney plans to push two bills he has been working on. One is a new energy bill to create greater energy independence for both Ohio and the United States. The other is to create the first federal law against price gauging and introduce a bill to allow the building of new refineries… Though he is entering the race late in the game, Harris said he is happy with his campaign’s results so far. He has not spent a lot of money in this campaign as a result of a promise made to the GOP, but has attended Lincoln Day events all over the district to meet thousands of voters and get his message across, he said. Harris would be the only person that is a [chartered] financial analyst charter holder in Congress, which is good experience to have when working to slow the “out-of-control spending”” Emphasis added. http://www.ohiovotersguide.org/pdf/Tusc2006primary.pdf Ohio Voters Guide, James Brodbelt Harris, see p. 30. Candidates in Tuscarawas County including statements and questionnaire answers for all candidates in the OH-18 Congressional district. Ney faces GOP challenger; 4 seek Democratic nomination, Gannett News Service, April 27, 2006, by Malia Rulon, “Despite a federal investigation into his relationship with convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff, Republican Rep. Bob Ney is confident that he'll win re-election in his 18th Congressional District… He has a challenger in Tuesday's GOP primary - financial analyst James Brodbelt Harris, who has attacked Ney for his ties to Abramoff and stance on taxes. But Harris hasn't raised any money compared with the $474,000 Ney has in the bank. "Yeah, he is a Goliath with a Goliath-sized war chest. And I am sort of like David, I suppose, but I'm going to take my shot and we'll see what happens," said Harris, who didn't file a campaign finance report. Ney's real challenge is expected to come this fall when he would face one of four candidates battling it out in Tuesday's Democratic primary: Chillicothe Mayor Joe Sulzer, Dover law director Zack Space, Ohio Board of Education member Jennifer Stewart or retired engineer and perennial candidate Ralph A. Applegate. Ney's chances, however, hinge to a large degree on what happens in the Abramoff investigation… Ney's opponents see his ties to Abramoff as evidence enough that he should go. Space and Sulzer have called for him to resign from Congress; Harris said he should retire because of the "taint that he has brought to the Republican Party" and resign immediately if indicted.” Candidates Running In Ohio's 18th District Primaries, Gannett News Service, April 27, 2006, Candidates Running In Ohio's 18th District Primaries, with biographies, careers, and websites of the candidates. Control of House may rest with battleground Ohio, Times Reporter from AP, April 28, 2006, by David Espo, AP, “Welcome to Ohio, springtime crossroads in the battle for control of the House, where the political parties, outside groups, attack advertising, surrogate campaigning and more are in full flower. The two parties have spent more than $800,000 combined trying to influence the fate of Democratic write-in hopeful Charlie Wilson in one district, a highly unusual commitment that reflects the importance that Republicans and Democrats place on every potentially competitive seat. MoveOn.org, a liberal group, has pummeled veteran Republican Rep. Deborah Pryce in her Columbus-area district, paying for television commercials so controversial that some stations declined to run them.... Across the state, scandal-scarred Republican Rep. Bob Ney is expected to survive a primary challenge on Tuesday, but some party strategists privately say they hope he will then step aside and allow them to field a replacement candidate with a better chance of holding the seat in the fall. Overall, “I’d rather be us than them,” says Rep. Rahm Emanuel of Illinois, the chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. He made it clear the Democrats’ road to a majority runs through Ohio. Asked whether the party must win seats in the state to capture the House, he said, “Yes, and we’re going to. We have to, and we will.”… Ohio also stands as a symbol of the national competition between Republicans, a dozen years in the majority, and Democrats, who need to gain 15 seats to take control. Bush’s statewide popularity has declined since Ohio voters sealed his re-election victory in 2004.” Emphasis added. Deadline Looms for Ney, Volz, Roll Call, The Newspaper of Capitol Hill, Apr 24 2006, by John Bresnahan, Subscription Only; the following text excerpted by third party: “For Rep. Bob Ney (R-Ohio) and other lawmakers caught up in the Jack Abramoff scandal, the calendar is quickly becoming as big an enemy as federal prosecutors. Members who face criminal indictment in an election year rarely have been able to resolve their cases before Election Day without pleading guilty. Even with unresolved prosecutions hanging over them, however, some of these lawmakers were still able to win re-election despite their legal woes. Ney was implicated in Abramoff’s January plea agreement with federal prosecutors, as well as similar plea agreements involving Michael Scanlon and Tony Rudy. In November, the Justice Department subpoenaed any documents belonging to Ney or his aides related to Abramoff, including e-mails. The Ohio Republican has also been forced to shell out more than $230,000 in campaign funds to cover his legal bills. Ney, who stepped aside as chairman of the House Administration Committee in January, has repeatedly declared that he is innocent, and the Ohio Republican has mounted a full-scale re-election campaign as he seeks a seventh term in the House. This week, however, the statute of limitations for criminal charges related to Abramoff’s purchase of SunCruz Casinos expires for Ney and one of his former top aides, Neil Volz (the Ohio Republican signed a waiver with the Justice Department last October extending his personal deadline in the SunCruz case until April 27). Ney’s lawyer Mark Tuohey did not return calls seeking comment on whether Ney would agree to sign another waiver or the status of DOJ’s probe of the Ohio Republican. Ney’s office also declined to comment. Ney placed statements in the Congressional Record in March and October 2000 that aided Abramoff’s bid to buy SunCruz, a Florida-based casino cruise-ship company. In return, Ney received $14,000 in campaign contributions, $10,000 of which was sent to the National Republican Congressional Committee on Ney’s behalf, prosecutors alleged in the Abramoff and Scanlon plea agreements. If Ney or any other Republican embroiled in the Abramoff scandal were to be indicted this year, it would be nearly impossible for the case to be wrapped up before November. A survey of similar corruption probes going back several decades showed the criminal cases usually dragged on for months and years, with Members often copping pleas after leaving office or being found guilty by a jury made up of their former constituents. For instance, former Rep. Dan Rostenkowski (D-Ill.) was indicted in May 1994 following a two-year federal probe, and was immediately forced to give up the gavel of the Ways and Means Committee. Rostenkowski, who refused to cut a plea deal with the Justice Department prior to the indictment, lost his bid for a 19th term that fall. In April 1996, Rostenkowski pleaded guilty to two counts of mail fraud and was sentenced to 17 months in prison and fined $100,000. He was later pardoned by former President Bill Clinton. Rep. Nicholas Mavroules (D-Mass.) was indicted in September 1992 on racketeering, bribery and extortion charges. Mavroules lost his re-election bid that November, and the following April, Mavroules pleaded guilty to accepting illegal gifts. He ended up serving more than a year in prison. Former Rep. Patrick Swindall (R-Ga.) was indicted for perjury on Oct. 17, 1988, just 22 days before he went before the voters. Swindall ended up losing a bitter race against former Rep. Ben Jones (D-Ga.). Swindall was convicted of lying to a grand jury about trying to get a loan from a drug-money launderer and an undercover cop, and he was given a year-long jail term. The prosecutor in the Swindall case was Bob Barr, who at the time was serving as the U.S. attorney in Atlanta but would go on to serve several terms as a House Republican. Former Rep. Joshua Eilberg (D-Pa.) was indicted on Oct. 24, 1978, on criminal conflict-of-interest charges for taking money paid to his law firm in exchange for helping a client obtain a federal grant. Furious over what he saw as a political death blow, Eilberg blamed then-President Jimmy Carter and Attorney General Griffin Bell for his indictment. Eilberg had called Carter about replacing a Republican-appointed federal prosecutor conducting the investigation into his finances, but the House ethics committee agreed that his actions were objectionable as well. Eilberg lost on Election Day, and the next year, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years probation.” Emphasis added. Four Democrats, two Republicans vying for seat, This Week in Licking County, April 23, 2006, by Scott Hummel, “U.S. Rep. Bob Ney, a Republican who moved to Heath from St. Clairsville last summer, is being challenged by Republican James Brodbelt Harris of Zanesville in the May 2 primary for the party's bid against one of four Democrats vying for the 18th U.S. House seat. The four Democrats are Ralph Applegate of Columbus, Zack Space of Dover, Jennifer Stewart of Zanesville and Joe Sulzer of Chillicothe. The 18th congressional district serves eastern Licking County and parts of 15 other counties. ThisWeek submitted a questionnaire to the six candidates. Ohio Elects, Columbus Dispatch, Online Congressional candidate comparison chart for U.S. 18th District, a central Ohio rural district from Mount Vernon in an arc around Columbus including Newark, New Philadelphia, Coshocton, Zanesville, Logan, and Chillicothe. Ney campaign follows an us-vs.-them path: Opponents attack his role in Abramoff scandal, The Columbus Dispatch, April 23, 2006, page one, by James Nash, “Ney and Wellston political leaders meet in the now-empty Kuppenheimer Building to discuss its economic possibilities… The sun-dappled hills of southern Ohio smile in the distance, but on this day, Bob Ney is perturbed. For months, federal prosecutors have been investigating the Republican congressman’s links to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Newspapers have speculated that Ney could be indicted as he stands for re-election in November. Democrats who are vying to challenge Ney have bypassed the normal primary campaign to pile on Ney from several angles. But today, as Ney shuttles from campaign stop to campaign stop across his sprawling east-central Ohio district, he is reserving his strongest bile for a little-known Republican named James Brodbelt Harris. A Bexley native who [returned to Ohio] from New York City three years ago, Harris is mounting a primary challenge to Ney consisting mostly of e-mailed treatises about government spending. But it’s not so much the criticism, or even Harris’ infrequent references to Abramoff and corruption, that really irks the six-term congressman. It’s Harris’ short tenure in a district where people measure their ties to the area in generations rather than years. "He doesn’t care about this district!" Ney thundered. "Our people are not going to be used by some city slicker from New York." Harris may prove little more than a distraction as Ney faces his toughest election since at least 1998, attempting to overcome the taint of his relationship with Abramoff and the possibility of an indictment. But Ney’s comment illustrates his strategy in the race, if not a more deeply held belief: It’s us against them, underserved and God-fearing eastern Ohio against clueless outsiders in politics and the media. For weeks, Ney kept a deliberately low profile as he spoke to small groups of GOP faithful, often covered only by glowing local press reports, in a district that spans 16 Ohio counties from Ross to Carroll. Last week, however, his campaign began releasing his schedule and allowing reporters to accompany him… The Abramoff scandal, however, has energized his opponents. Democrats Zack Space and Joe Sulzer, who are running in the four-candidate Democratic primary, are eschewing attacks on each other in favor of advertisements linking Ney to the lobbying corruption scandal. Ney accepted golf trips, tickets to sporting events and concerts and meals from Abramoff and Tony C. Rudy, a former aide to Rep. Tom DeLay of Texas who pleaded guilty to conspiring with Abramoff, according to plea documents filed by both lobbyists. Ney allegedly reciprocated by publicly disparaging the owner of a fleet of cruise ships in the Congressional Record. The owner had been feuding with an Abramoff client over the sale of the casinos. Ney also introduced legislation to allow an Indian tribe, also an Abramoff client, to reopen a casino after the tribe donated $32,000 to Ney’s campaign and political-action committees, according to Abramoff’s plea agreement. Ney later withdrew the legislation, and he maintains he was duped by Abramoff. Nearly 400 miles from Capitol Hill, amid the rolling farmland and decaying industries of southeastern Ohio, many voters say they don’t grasp the complexities of the case. But it’s never far from people’s minds, as when a woman told Ney at a gathering of Vinton County Republicans that she supports him but doesn’t know what to tell friends who ask whether Ney’s political career is in peril. Ney’s response appeared well rehearsed. "At the end of the day, facts are going to be separated from fiction," he told an audience of 16 at the Spartan community center in McArthur…. Ney then lashed out at The Washington Post, which won a Pulitzer Prize last week for its reporting on the Abramoff scandal, and billionaire investor George Soros, who bankrolls liberal causes that have attacked Ney, DeLay and the Bush administration.… He’s unabashed in his support for congressional earmarks, which have long been criticized as pork-barrel spending and more recently linked to corruption. Ney’s message is carefully calibrated to a district where distrust of government runs high but many people want Washington to help wire rural communities to the Internet, build water and flood-control projects and expand local airports. Much of Harris’ campaign is built around criticism of Ney’s allegedly extravagant federal spending. "It’s your tax dollars," Ney said. "It can’t all go to New York and California and Chicago." Then, Ney takes another swipe at Harris, saying his opponent doesn’t understand or appreciate the unique needs of a district that hugs the Appalachian Mountains. "I normally don’t comment on primary opponents, but this one is out to lunch," Ney said. "He ain’t one of us. He’s never going to be one of us. He doesn’t know these people." Told of Ney’s comments, Harris said the incumbent is trying to divert attention from his legal woes. Ney has spent more than $200,000 in campaign funds on legal defense related to the Abramoff investigation. "I think he’s running scared," Harris said. "I think he’s worried about his waiver running out and a possible indictment in April." For all his woes, and carefully scripted answers to questions about Abramoff, Ney does allow himself some levity when discussing the lobbyist, who accompanied Ney on a golf trip to Scotland in 2002 for which Abramoff paid. The lobbyist also bought Ney meals at his Washington restaurant, where a steak went for $74. When the bill came after a meal of $3 ham sandwiches and "freedom fries" at a diner in downtown McArthur, Ney broke into a mischievous grin. "If we don’t have enough, we can just ask them to charge it to Jack Abramoff," he said, laughing.” Emphasis and correction added. Yomiuri News, leading daily newspaper in Japan. An article published April [19], 2006 in Japanese by Igarashi Aya and Linda Yun in Japanese with the following topic, [On the scandal relating to the Republicans that might favor the Democrats – with interviews of Bob Ney and James Harris at the Guernsey County Republican Lincoln Day dinner]. The article in translation discusses Bob Ney, Ohio, and his defense of the Abramoff accusations, as well as the Republican dominance in Ohio and the Democratic hopes, under State Chair Redfern to take back the state. The article discusses and quotes James Brodbelt Harris, who has challenged Ney in the May primary. The reporters work in the Washington D.C. bureau of the Japanese paper, and traveled on the campaign trail to Cambridge, Ohio, to interview Ney and Harris for their Japanese readers. FEC.gov Campaign finance reports. 2006 Pre-Primary reports available. Ney's (pre-primary) 2006 FEC report - spending. Ney’s recent report shows his campaign is spending at double the rate of donations. His legal fees (about $100,000 paid Jan. 5th, 2006) average about $33,000 per month, and apparently 2006 legal fees accrued were not reported. Many analysts wonder if he will hoard campaign funds, then retire while tapping remaining funds for ongoing legal fees. No current TV advertising is being run against Joe Sulzer. Open Secrets website - Ney's campaign spending 2005. An analysis of Ney’s 2005 and also 2006 campaign spending shows that only 7% of campaign spending is used to directly contact voters and affect their opinion (advertisements, literature, postage, etc.). Most of Ney’s spending (93%) is apparently put into legal fees, political advice or polling, office staff and overhead, food, travel and refunds, taxes, or donations. For further analysis, see Excel file regarding Ney’s campaign funds on http://www.harrisforohio.com/pages/10/index.htm Republican candidates meet citizens, Mount Vernon News, by John Boyce, April 21, 2006, “Knox County Republicans had an opportunity to meet the Republican primary candidates Thursday night at The Inn at HillenVale, courtesy of the Knox County Republican Women’s Club… The only other candidates who were there to speak on their own behalf were Knox County Auditor Margaret Ann Ruhl and Ohio 90th District Rep. Thom Collier, both of whom are unopposed in the primary election; and U.S. 18th Congressional District candidate James Brodbelt Harris. The following candidates had a representative there to speak briefly on their behalf: Governor/Lt. Gov. candidates J. Kenneth Blackwell/Thomas A Raga and Jim Petro/Joy Padgett; Ohio Attorney General candidate Betty Montgomery; Auditor of State candidate Mary Taylor; U.S. Senator candidate Mike DeWine; 5th Appellate Court Judge candidate Judge Steven F. Belden; Ohio 19th District Senator candidate Bill Harris; and U.S. House 18th Congressional District Representative candidate Bob Ney.” Emphasis added. OH 18: Ethics Issue Makes Ney’s Re-Election Bid a Tossup, Congressional Quarterly, by Greg Giroux, Apr. 20, 2006, “A close past association with now-convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff has put long-popular Republican Rep. Bob Ney at risk as he seeks a seventh term in Ohio’s 18th District. The Democrats’ intent to aim squarely at Ney’s Achilles’ heel was inherent in a TV ad released Monday by Chillicothe Mayor Joe Sulzer — which says “a culture of corruption in Washington” has rendered the government incapable of curbing rising gas prices and the outsourcing of Americans’ jobs to other countries, issues troubling many voters in the mainly working-class 18th. With an ongoing continuing federal investigation into Abramoff’s Capitol Hill contacts clouding Ney’s re-election prospects, CQPolitics.com has moved the 18th District race into its No Clear Favorite, or tossup, category, from Leans Republican. Ney has strongly denied allegations by Abramoff and two of the ex-lobbyist’s former associates that they showered Ney with gifts and campaign donations in exchange for official actions on behalf of their clients. But Ney’s political security has clearly deteriorated since his 2004 re-election contest, which he won with two-thirds of the vote. Sulzer, though, is not just focused on Ney’s problems. His ad also mentions President Bush, who dominated the 18th District by 57 percent to 42 percent over Democratic challenger John Kerry in 2004 but whose own poll numbers have since plummeted. “Bob Ney, George Bush and the Republicans have failed us. It’s time for a change,” says the narrator, who promises that Sulzer will work to toughen ethics laws, protect veterans’ benefits and repeal trade pacts that Sulzer says are harmful to the district. Sulzer told reporters that his ad “certainly does indicate that we truly believe that we are the Democratic candidate that will beat Bob Ney in November.” Sulzer’s ad is airing on network television stations in Columbus, which is just west of the 18th’s boundary, and Zanesville, which is in the district’s geographic center. Sulzer said his ad was intended to reach the roughly half of the Democratic electorate that he said still is undecided about the race. Ney spokesman Brian Walsh said Sulzer’s campaign is courting a voter backlash by attacking the congressman. “Considering the vast majority of people in the district have never even heard of Joe Sulzer, I personally think it’s a questionable strategy to introduce yourself to voters with a purely negative and angry ad, especially when the perception people have of their Democrat leaders in Washington ... is anger and negativity,” Walsh said. Sulzer faces three opponents in the primary: Zack Space, the elected law director in Dover; Jennifer Stewart, the vice president of the state Board of Education; and frequent candidate Ralph Applegate. Space rejects any suggestion that Sulzer is the favorite to win the primary. He said in an interview Wednesday that his campaign has a “strong grass-roots network” and that he was “delighted with the reception that our campaign and our message have received throughout the district.” Space, who is also emphasizing anti-corruption themes, said that the voting public has a lower tolerance for excesses by the Congress because so many people are struggling economically. “Money is talking in Washington, D.C., and the voices of the people in this district are not being heard,” Space said. “And that’s a message that is being very well-received. People identify with that — they understand that intuitively. And I think it dovetails with the corruption issue.” Space claimed some demographic advantages in the race. He noted that his base is in Tuscarawas County, the most populous of the 16 counties that are wholly or partly in the district. Sulzer’s home county of Ross is in the more rural southwestern part of the 18th. Space said his campaign would go on television in the next day or two. He acknowledged campaign fundraising difficulties in a district that has no large city and where the median household income is the third-lowest among Ohio districts. Updated campaign finance reports are due Friday and will cover the period between Jan. 1 and April 12. Sulzer is expected to continue leading all Democrats in campaign receipts. He loaned his campaign $100,000 late last year, though Sulzer said Monday that his most recent report would not include additional personal loans. Ney, meanwhile, faces Republican James Brodbelt Harris in the GOP primary. Ney is favored to win handily, but the returns will be watched to see if any GOP voters go to the polls to express disenchantment with the congressman. Ney has promised an active campaign, and on Wednesday he released a list of more than 75 elected officials who are backing his re-election effort. “From the moment I announced my re-election bid in January, I made clear that I would run a vigorous campaign and that I was in this race to win in November,” Ney said in a statement.” Emphasis added. Ohio: Will It Be Sulzer or Space vs. Rep. Ney? Washington Post, Chris Cillizza, “An interesting poll came across The Fix's desk this morning that made me think twice about the conventional wisdom regarding the Democratic nominee in Ohio's 18th District. Political insiders have long told us that Chillicothe Mayor Joe Sulzer is the favorite to win the May 2 primary and challenge embattled Rep. Bob Ney (R) in the fall. But according to a survey done by Democratic pollster Alan Secrest for hotel developer Zack Space's campaign, Space leads the four-way field with 22 percent of the vote compared to 12 percent for perennial candidate Ralph Applegate, 11 percent for Sulzer and eight percent for former Zanesville school board member Jennifer Stewart… "This election is going to be decided in the last three weeks," said Leopold. "Once voters start really tuning in they are going to hear Joe Sulzer's message loud and clear." National Democratic observers say either Space or Sulzer could win the primary and are quick to point out that that they approached Space about a potential candidacy last year but were told he would not even consider the race until his wife won reelection -- a decision that led them to push for Sulzer. The identity of the Democratic nominee may make little difference given Ney's problem in relation to the pay-to-play lobbying scandal that has Jack Abramoff at its center. Private Republican polling conducted earlier this year showed the six-term congressman trailing both Space and Sulzer in head-to-head match-ups. Emphasis added. Summary of Ney campaign FEC reporting in April 2006: See Ney Expenditures 2005-06 Excel spreadsheet: http://www.harrisforohio.com/pages/10/index.htm Ney: 'I'm not going nowhere' - Congressman speaks to GOP faithful at banquet, New Philadelphia Times Reporter, April 20, 2006, by Jon Baker, “Rep. Bob Ney, R-Heath, gave area Republicans a pep talk to energize them for the November election when he spoke at the Tuscarawas County Republican Party’s Lincoln Day Banquet Wednesday. The embattled congressman didn’t make mention of his political troubles. Ney has been linked to convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff, the center of a Washington corruption scandal. His only apparent reference was when he told the crowd, “I’m not going nowhere.” Ney got a standing ovation before and after his speech from the local GOP party faithful and state Republican candidates attending the event in Dutch Valley Restaurant. In his speech, Ney touched upon many of the current hot political topics in the country. He said that lawmakers should not “get the fever” to do away with earmarks, which are last-minute appropriations made by members of Congress for specific projects. They have been blamed for the skyrocketing federal deficit. Ney said he favors “transparency” in the process, in which lawmakers would have to put their names on their earmarks. But he doesn’t favor abolishing them… He spoke in favor of abolishing the estate tax and the marriage penalty tax. “Why should you be penalized for being married?” he asked. He said that if the Democrats win control of Congress in November, they would reverse tax relief while creating a bigger deficit. Ney reserved harsh criticism for billionaire George Soros, who has funded the liberal group Moveon.org. Ney said Soros has been behind a telephone campaign targeting voters in the 18th District to influence their opinion of Ney. “Soros is trying to run your life, to twist your life,” he told the crowd… Soros, Ney said, is an atheist who favors legalizing drugs…. He predicted that this November’s election will be “one of the most fascinating and most difficult elections in the history of our country and state.” He told the crowd, “This election is in your hands.”” Emphasis added. Ney sounds off on gas prices, lobbying scandal during local visit, Zanesville Times-Recorder, April 20, 2006, by Rachel Streitfeld, “U.S. Rep. Bob Ney (R-Heath) called on oil executives to rein in fuel prices on Wednesday, saying he fears sky-high costs at the pump may be a long-term problem and that "something needs to be done." "These are so excessive, and I think you've got to haul the oil executives in and say ... you have to help us lower these prices," said Ney, who is running for re-election in November. "They need to be part of the solution, the oil executives who are bringing in record profits." Ney was speaking outside the John and Annie Glenn Historic Site in New Concord, where he took a guided tour and met with local officials. Afterward, he answered questions about fuel prices, immigration, the president's low poll numbers and the Washington lobbying scandal. Ney is working to defend the seat he's held since 1995 in the midterm elections this November. A Republican financial planner from Zanesville, James Brodbelt Harris, is challenging Ney for his seat in the party primary on May 2. Harris, 36, bills himself as a "Reagan Republican" who wants to restore fiscal responsibility to Congress… Ney said he isn't taking anything for granted in the primary, though he has received endorsements from the Ohio Republican Party and party leaders in Muskingum, Coshocton, Athens and Guernsey Counties, among others. He said he had not broken the law in his dealings with disgraced former lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who was convicted on fraud and conspiracy charges earlier this year. Ney has been linked to Abramoff because of a golf trip to Scotland the lobbyist funded in 2002, and federal prosecutors have said the congressman might be indicted on bribery charges. Ney distanced himself from Abramoff, saying the lobbyist needs to look in the mirror and say a prayer for himself because he has wronged so many people. The congressman said he has occasionally discussed the matter with constituents, and asserted again he has acted ethically. "They've asked questions here and there, but I've answered them," he said. "I did nothing wrong. Fact will be separated from fiction on this issue."” Emphasis added. Ney's role in lobbying scandal casts long shadow over race, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 18, 2006, by Sabrina Eaton, “Few certainties exist in the southeast Ohio congressional district where five candidates want to oust Republican Rep. Bob Ney from the job he has held since 1994. Looming over all else is the prospect that Ney may be indicted for his role in a Capitol Hill lobbying scandal that contributed to the resignation of former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay. Ney's legal problems emboldened four Democrats and one Republican to take on the entrenched incumbent, who has coasted to victory in recent years. Court documents filed in several cases say that Ney took official actions on behalf of lobbyist Jack Abramoff in exchange for perks including sports tickets, meals and a golf trip to Scotland. Ney hasn't been charged and insists he has done nothing wrong. Only Justice Department prosecutors know whether Ney will be indicted, and they're not talking. Ohio Democratic Party spokesman Brian Rothenberg believes that regardless of whether Ney faces criminal charges, the congressman's problems give Democrats a "very good shot" at picking up the seat. He says an indictment would significantly improve those odds. Ohio Republican Party spokesman John McClelland calls such talk "wishful thinking." He expects Ney to be re-elected because of "tremendous support" in the 18th District that backed President Bush with 57 percent of the vote in 2004. Ney got 66 percent of the vote. McClelland wouldn't discuss how an indictment might alter that scenario. "We will cross any bridges when we reach them," he says. Ney, 51, of Heath, hasn't talked much to the media since his ties to Abramoff surfaced in late 2004. His spokesman, Brian Walsh, says the congressman is maintaining his usual heavy schedule of local events and isn't taking his Republican primary challenge from political newcomer James Brodbelt Harris particularly seriously. Harris recently moved to the district and is running a low-budget race… Harris, a 36-year-old financial planner who lives in Zanesville, is attacking Ney's support for pork-barrel spending and his votes against trade bills. He urges Republicans to back him instead of Ney because he's a "real Reagan Republican." "I feel the true scandal in the Capitol is government obesity and overspending," Harris says. "As I get my information out there about policies, I'm getting a good reception." It takes stamina to campaign in Ohio's largest congressional district, which spans multiple media markets and takes 3½ hours to cross by car. The rural district is dotted with regional hubs like New Philadelphia, Chillicothe and Zanesville that have seen their fair share of Ohio's economic woes.” WMVO, 1300 AM, Mount Vernon, “AM Knox County” at 11 A.M. Marty Trese interview with James Brodbelt Harris, April 17, 2006, discussing government obesity, spending, pork, taxes, healthcare, social security, the war on terrorism, immigration, and special interest lobbying. OH 18: Like DeLay, Primary Could Be an Omen for Ney, Congressional Quarterly, April 10, 2006, by Greg Giroux, “Rep. Bob Ney has denied wrongdoing in the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal and insists that he has no intention of resigning. But the federal investigation has taken its toll, all but ending the Ohio Republican’s political dominance in his sprawling, conservative-leaning district in the eastern part of the state. Ney ran unopposed in the 18th District in 2002 and took two-thirds of the vote in 2004, but GOP officials acknowledge that he faces a very close race against the winner of a May 2 Democratic primary in which four candidates are competing. Ney, who stepped down early this year as chairman of the House Administration Committee, is the unnamed “Representative No. 1” in Justice Department documents. These records allege that Abramoff and Tony C. Rudy — a former top aide to then-House Majority Leader Tom DeLay who pleaded guilty last month to conspiracy — “offered things of value” to Ney in exchange for favorable action toward Abramoff and his clients. The strongest Democratic hopefuls appear to be Joe Sulzer, the mayor of Chillicothe and a former state House member, and Zack Space, the elected law director in the city of Dover… Sulzer’s campaign has emphasized ethics, arguing that Ney’s travails have distracted and weakened him and that he no longer effectively represents his district… “Once again, Joe Sulzer and his liberal allies in Washington have demonstrated that they have absolutely no positive ideas or vision on the issues that matter to the people of the 18th District,” Ney said in a statement that also said both Sulzer and Space “constantly resort to mudslinging and negative, personal attacks.”… No well-known Republican stepped forward to challenge Ney in the primary, though the congressman will face a GOP opponent for the first time in his career. Ney’s lone intraparty challenger is James Brodbelt Harris, a financial analyst and political unknown. The Republican primary will be closely watched, not for whether Ney wins or loses — indeed, it seems clear that he will prevail — but for what percentage he will receive. Just as DeLay’s underwhelming 62 percent in a primary last month revealed a deep vulnerability among base Republican voters in his Texas district, a sizable “protest” vote against Ney would expose the Ohioan’s own political weakness. Harris has sought to draw contrasts to Ney on policy issues. Ney was one of 27 Republicans who voted against a bill to implement the Central American Free Trade Agreement (PL 109-53). Harris supports free trade pacts. Ney’s opposition to trade pacts is a minority view in the Republican caucus, but it has served him well politically in a mostly working-class district that long viewed such agreements as detrimental to the area’s once-robust steel industry. Democrats also face the challenge of convincing many conservative-leaning voters in the 18th to abandon Ney and vote for a Democrat. President Bush carried the district with 57 percent of the vote in the 2004 election. CQPolitics.com rates the general election race as Leans Republican.” Lawmakers clash on immigration, New Philadelphia Times-Reporter, April 6, 2006, by Paul M. Krawzak, Copley Washington Bureau Writer, “As the Senate debates how to respond to an unprecedented level of illegal immigration, Ohio lawmakers are divided over how tough the federal government should be and how to solve the problem in the long term. Republican Sens. Mike DeWine and George Voinovich favor what they call a more comprehensive approach to dealing with the estimated 11 million to 12 million illegal immigrants than the tougher legislation passed in the House last December with the support of Reps. Bob Ney, R-Heath, and Ralph Regula, R-Bethlehem Township… While the House bill toughens borders enforcement, “It doesn’t do anything to solve the long-term issues or problems,” DeWine said. “It doesn’t deal with the 12 million people who are here (illegally), and it doesn’t deal with any kind of guest worker program.”… Voinovich blasted the House bill last week, saying it was “absolutely horrible.” Voinovich said the bill would allow criminal prosecution of religious and social service organizations that assist illegal immigrants… “I have a severe, severe problem with a guest worker program,” Ney said Wednesday… President Bush supports many elements of the Senate bill, including a guest worker program… Regula said a provision in the bill that would make being in the United States illegally a felony is “pretty harsh.” He also has reservations about sanctions against employers who hire illegal immigrants… DeWine argues it is unrealistic to try to round up millions of illegal aliens and then deport them back to their countries of origin, even if they have children who are U.S. citizens by virtue of being born in this country. Ney said he’s in favor of attempting to find and deport them. “I think the children should go with their parents,” he said. “Unless I’m wrong, there’s nothing in the Constitution that says if you come to the United States illegally and have a child we have to take care of the child.”” Emphasis added. House: Will Rep. Ney Follow DeLay's Lead?, The Fix: Washington Post Political Blog, by Chris Cillizza, April 6, 2006, “Tom DeLay's decision to resign from Congress rather than risk his (and his party's) political future at the ballot box has stoked talk that embattled Ohio Republican Rep. Bob Ney will follow his colleague's lead. In the immediate aftermath of DeLay's announcement Monday night, Ney issued a statement seeking to dismiss any comparison. "While I respect Tom DeLay's decision, I am not Tom DeLay," Ney said. "I have absolutely no intention of retiring." While Ney may have no plans to retire, there is growing sentiment among Republican insiders in the nation's capital that he should do just that for the good of the party. "Tom DeLay knew that not running was always a possibility and did the honorable thing to keep his seat in Republican hands," said a GOP strategist who was granted anonymity so he could speak candidly without fear of reprisal. "Bob Ney, up to this point, has refused to acknowledge the gravity of his situation." Let's take a closer look at Ney and DeLay to compare their predicaments. For the sake of clarity, we've decided to separate the legal situations of Delay and Ney from their political circumstances. …DeLay has never been directly implicated, and he has said publicly that investigators have told him he is not a focus of the Abramoff probe. Ney, on the other hand, has been repeatedly referenced by both Abramoff and Tony Rudy in their plea agreements with prosecutors -- although never by name. Known as "Representative #1" in the Abramoff plea document, Ney is alleged to have accepted a variety of trips and gifts from Abramoff and his associates in exchange for official actions. Ney has denied any wrongdoing, although he has acknowledged his legal peril by declaring that he will run for reelection even if he is indicted. The chairman of the Ohio Republican Party has said Ney should resign if indicted. Politically, an argument can be made that Ney is currently in as much, if not more trouble than DeLay. DeLay's resignation announcement came almost a month after his formally becoming the party's nominee; Ney will face voters in his 18th District for the first time on May 2. In that primary race, Ney is matched against financial analyst James Brodbelt Harris, a youthful, first-time candidate given no chance of ousting Ney. Even Ney's biggest critics within his party want him to stay on the ballot through May 2 -- if he dropped from the race before that time, Harris would need just a single vote to win the nomination. National Republicans would prefer the opportunity to influence the selection process of a replacement nominee, which is only possible if Ney steps down after becoming the party's official nominee. In talking to Republicans familiar with internal polling in the DeLay and Ney races, the Ohio Congressman is currently in worse shape. Although DeLay made his final decision to resign after being presented with a poll that showed him essentially tied with former Democratic Rep. Nick Lampson, Ney continues to forge forward although private surveys have shown him trailing the two most likely Democratic candidates -- Chillicothe Mayor Joe Sulzer and attorney Zach Space. Brian Walsh, a spokesman for Ney's campaign, insists that Ney is in far stronger shape in his home district than DeLay -- pointing out that his boss won a sixth term in 2004 with 66 percent of the vote, overperforming President George W. Bush in the district by nine points. By contrast DeLay won an eleventh term in 2004 with 55 percent of the vote, nine points less than Bush received in the 22nd District. "[Ney] recognizes that the negative news articles have raised questions in the minds of his constituents which is why he has been working overtime in getting out and around the district at countless events and answering any and all questions that his constituents might have," Walsh said. While true, a comparison between the last reelection contests of Ney and DeLay is a bit misleading. In 2004, a wide variety of liberal soft-money groups spent heavily to defeat DeLay in his district, running ads informing voters of his alleged ethical transgressions. These groups also helped Richard Morrison, the Democratic nominee, raise and spend better than $685,000. Ney's '04 opponent, on the other hand, spent just $18,000 on his campaign and there was no involvement from large liberal 527s during the campaign. Ney is sure to be target no. 1 of these groups should he remain on the ballot in November. "It's hard to see how he can raise money and beat back the Democrat 527s," said one prominent Republican consultant. At the end of 2005, Ney had $582,000 in the bank.” Emphasis added. DeWine to help Ney, Cleveland Plain Dealer, “Openers”, by Stephen Koff, “Mike DeWine plans to appear with Bob Ney and Pat Tiberi at a Republican dinner in Licking County tomorrow night -- and at a fundraising reception for the controversial Ney beforehand. This was confirmed to The Plain Dealer by the dinner sponsor, the Licking County Republican Patriots Club, and by DeWine's campaign spokesman. Let's see . . . Ney's under an FBI investigation involving claims by a lobbyist who says he tried to bribe the congressman. DeWine's in a tough reelection battle. His opponent, Sherrod Brown, already likes to link DeWine to the party of Bush, Taft and Ney, knowing that in Ohio, that's a heck of a trifecta. This is almost too easy. "Sen. DeWine does support Bob Ney," DeWine campaign spokesman Brian Seitchik said. "Sen. DeWine is going to run a campaign based on his accomplishments, and he'll be judged on his 11 years in the United States Senate come November."” Foes want Ohio's Ney to follow DeLay; he says no way, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Foes want Ohio's Ney to follow DeLay; he says no way, April 05, 2006, Sabrina Eaton, ”Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's departure from Congress fueled calls on Tuesday for the resignation of Ohio's Bob Ney, whose involvement with lobbyist Jack Abramoff is being scrutinized by federal law enforcement authorities… "While I respect Tom DeLay's decision, I am not Tom DeLay," Ney said in a press statement. "I have absolutely no intention of retiring. My constituents will make that decision in the next election and I am grateful for the very strong support I receive when I travel around the district."… Court documents filed as part of guilty pleas in the lobbying scandal say that Ney accepted perks including sports tickets, meals and a trip to Scotland from Abramoff in exchange for official actions. Federal prosecutors have subpoenaed records and testimony from Ney's office. Ney has not been charged, and has repeatedly proclaimed his innocence. Ney, whose district became more Republican after the last census, believes he hasn't been wounded as badly as DeLay by the allegations against him. Ney faces a political newcomer in May's Republican primary and boasts of endorsements from all 16 county GOP chairs in his district, as well as from the national and Ohio Right to Life committees… "He has his hands full, but he believes he is doing well," said Boehner, Republican of West Chester, adding that neither DeLay nor Ney has faced GOP pressure to step aside…. Melanie Sloan, of the watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, said DeLay's departure from Congress would only focus more public attention on Ney's problems.” http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/docs/rudy-information/?resultpage=1& March 31, 2006, Tony Rudy’s Guilty Plea, TPM Document Collection. http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/1121052scanlon4.html, November 21, 2006, Michael Scanlon’s Guilty Plea: Factual Basis, The Smoking Gun document archive. Abramoff plea document, Findlaw’s online copy of U.S. Justice department document where Abramoff acknowledges he bribed a certain Congressman. Ney in spotlight after exit by DeLay, Dayton Daily News, April 4, 2006, By Jessica Wehrman, “U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay's resignation drew political reverberations in Ohio Tuesday, as political opponents of U.S. Rep. Bob Ney urged him to resign because, like DeLay, Ney has links to fallen lobbyist Jack Abramoff… "It is unfortunate, but when you have 535 members of Congress representing every walk of American life, we have got great members and we have got some that are weaker than they should be," Boehner said. In Ohio's 18th District, which encompasses all or parts of 16 eastern Ohio counties, Ney finds himself facing a tough re-election bid, with upstart Republican James Harris challenging him in the primary and two Democrats, Chillicothe Mayor Joe Sulzer and Dover law director Zack Space, serving as prospective front-runners among the Democratic opposition.” Emphasis added. Ney won't follow DeLay's resignation, April 4, 2006, Ney won't follow DeLay's resignation, David Hammer, A.P., “An Ohio Republican at the center of a federal probe into allegations of influence peddling on Capitol Hill said he won't follow Rep. Tom DeLay's lead and leave Congress. And the GOP doesn't want him to, at least not for the next four weeks. Rep. Bob Ney was asked Tuesday by a potential rival to retire because of his connections to disgraced GOP lobbyist Jack Abramoff, the day after DeLay announced he would resign over his own Abramoff ties. But while the formerly high-ranking lawmakers are both cited by prosecutors in the ongoing Abramoff case, their situations are different, forcing them and their supporters to follow different campaign strategies. While DeLay had already won the GOP nomination for his Houston-area seat March 7, Ney must wait until a May 2 primary. If Ney were to drop out before then, his primary opponent, Zanesville financial analyst James Brodbelt Harris, would need just one vote to win by default. If Ney resigns or quits the race after winning the primary, the GOP chairmen and secretaries of the counties in the district would be able to appoint a replacement. "Even if we had somebody hand-picked who we wanted to replace Bob Ney, we couldn't do it anyway. But that's not the case. Bob Ney is our endorsed candidate," Ohio GOP spokesman John McClelland said. DeLay and Ney deny wrongdoing and neither has been charged in the Abramoff lobbying investigation. Ney said Tuesday that DeLay's decision to step down doesn't affect him. "While I respect Tom DeLay's decision, I am not Tom DeLay. I have absolutely no intention of retiring," Ney said in a statement. DeLay said an increasingly close election fight, not the Washington lobbying probe or state campaign-finance charges in Texas, forced him out. Ney and national and state Republicans are confident he is in no such trouble at the polls. They point out that while DeLay won re-election in 2004 with 55 percent of the vote, Ney cruised with 66 percent the same year. "If the election were held today, Bob Ney would destroy whichever of the Democrats ends up on the ballot against him," said Ed Patru, spokesman for the House Republicans' campaign organization. Four Democrats are seeking the nomination in the sprawling, rural southern and eastern Ohio district. One of them, Chillicothe mayor and former state lawmaker Joe Sulzer, called Tuesday for Ney's retirement. State GOP Chairman Bob Bennett has said Ney should step down if he is indicted, but deserves the party's support if he isn't charged. Even Harris, who wants Ney to retire and has little chance of beating him in the primary, doesn't believe Ney should have to resign because of a pending investigation.” Scandal sparks Ney’s rivals: Congressman’s links to Abramoff help bring on challenges from one Republican and four Democrats, The Columbus Dispatch, April 03, 2006, by James Nash, “When Bob Ney ran for his sixth term in the U.S. House in 2004, he stomped his Democratic opponent by a nearly 2-to-1 margin… This year’s election promises to be much different. For that, the Heath Republican can thank Jack Abramoff. The congressman representing a wide swath of east-central Ohio faces a rare Republican primary challenger, and four Democrats are vying to take on the GOP winner. All say they were emboldened to some degree by Ney’s ties to Abramoff, a Washington lobbyist who has pleaded guilty in a widening political-corruption scandal… Ney’s Republican opponent, James Brodbelt Harris, said the incumbent’s quest to shower his district with federal money runs counter to Republican principles of fiscal restraint. Harris said the Abramoff scandal has been a black eye to Republicans and Ney in particular, but he’s more concerned about Ney’s spending record. "His view is that a congressman can create jobs through spending and porkbarrel projects," Harris said. "I view the economy as something that is created by businessmen and venture capitalists and entrepreneurs. I just reject the idea of a larger government." Harris points to Ney’s so-so grades from the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste and the National Taxpayers Union as evidence that Ney is not committed to reining in government spending. Walsh countered that Ney secured an unprecedented $52 million in highway spending for the district during the most recent highway-appropriations bill — money that is much needed in the underserved areas of the district. Walsh said Ney was busy voting this week and not available for an interview. Ney isn’t taking Harris seriously as a challenger, Walsh said, noting that Harris only recently moved into the 18th Congressional District and has not filed campaign-finance reports required of those spending at least $5,000. Ney’s sweep of nearly two thirds of his electorate in 2004 shows that voters approve of his approach, Walsh said. But Democrats view the seat as within reach because of Ney’s links to Abramoff and the developing scandal in Washington. On Friday, former Abramoff associate Tony Rudy pleaded guilty to fraud and agreed to cooperate with a federal investigation into possible misconduct by members of Congress. While working for Abramoff in 2001 and 2002, Rudy funneled gifts and perks to Ney, according to information filed with his plea agreement. Ney denies wrongdoing but hasn’t publicly responded to the allegations in detail. Democrats are attempting to paint Ney as part of a Republican money-and-influence cabal in Washington and see the indictments as an opening to attack Ney. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which helps select and bankroll Democratic candidates, views the race as a top priority, spokeswoman Adrienne Elrod said. "Ohioans have come to realize that Bob Ney cares more about taking care of Jack Abramoff and his special-interest pals than he does taking care of the needs and priorities of Ohio families," she said. "But come November, Ohioans will put their yearning for a change into action when they vote Bob Ney out of office." Four Democrats are running to challenge Abramoff [Columbus Dispatch meant Ney, not Abramoff]... All three are running as moderate Democrats, noting the district’s conservative leanings and blue-collar base. Joseph P. Sulzer, the Chillicothe mayor and a former Ohio legislator, said his pro-gun rights and anti-abortion positions make him a viable opponent to Ney. Sulzer said he would push for more economic development programs in the district, such as cleaner-burning coal and flood-control projects. He also would move to pare back or repeal free-trade agreements, calling them harmful to Ohio workers. "I’m the Democratic candidate who fits the district," Sulzer said. "I have the experience and the leadership." Zack Space, the law director of Dover, is hitting at Ney’s alleged ethical lapses by promising not to accept dinners, gifts or junkets from lobbyists if elected. Space calls Ney "Jack Abramoff’s bagman." Space also touts his limited experience in government — his current post is his only elected office — as an asset. "I don’t have a history of dealing with lobbyists," Space said. "I’m not a career politician." Jennifer Stewart, vice president of the State Board of Education, said the Abramoff scandal has fueled public desire for new representation in Washington. Stewart, a former teacher, did not directly attack Ney’s ethics, but said she would bring a new approach to the job. Ney has gone along with the Bush administration’s cuts in the No Child Left Behind program and in college grants, Stewart said. "I firmly believe that education needs to be the top priority in our nation," she said. "It’s closely related to jobs and economic development."” 18th Congressional District Candidates, The Columbus Dispatch, table with photographs and biographical sketches, April 3, 2006. Nap Time for Ethics, Washington Post, editorial, April 1, 2006, “REP. ROBERT W. NEY (R-Ohio) has been implicated in accepting lavish trips and other gifts from Jack Abramoff in exchange for helping the lobbyist's clients… On the Democratic side, a former aide to Rep. William J. Jefferson (La.) has pleaded guilty to helping Mr. Jefferson try to obtain bribes for brokering telecommunications deals in Africa. And that's not even the whole roster of alleged ethical improprieties. Busy times for the House ethics committee, right? If you answered yes, you don't know this ethics committee… Whatever the reason for the stalemate, the panel's inactivity in the face of scandal is itself scandalous… What, exactly, will the House ethics committee be able to say for itself when the issue comes up in that body?” Plea further implicates Ney, New Philadelphia Times-Reporter, April 1, 2006, by Paul M. Krawzak, Copley News Service, “A guilty plea on Friday by a former lobbyist and aide to Rep. Tom DeLay added new evidence linking Rep. Bob Ney to a corruption scandal now rocking Congress. Tony C. Rudy’s conspiracy plea, the latest development in a wide-ranging federal corruption probe, shows that Ney, R-Heath, is still in peril of being indicted despite his efforts over the past several months to convince prosecutors he is innocent. However, Ney’s spokesman Brian J. Walsh said his boss is confident of exoneration once all the strands in the complicated case have been untangled… In a plea agreement accepted by U.S. District Judge Ellen Segal Huvelle, Rudy claims he invited Ney and his chief of staff William Heaton on a controversial all-expenses paid golf trip to Scotland in August 2002. Rudy, who was working for lobbyist Jack Abramoff at the time, told Heaton in an e-mail that the trip “would involve golf, drinking and smoking Cubans,” the nine-page plea deal says. As part of the deal, Rudy admitted his role in a bribery conspiracy that involved lavishing “things of value” on public officials, who, the document says, corruptly accepted them “knowing that they were given with the intent to influence or reward official action.” In specific reference to Ney, Rudy alleges that he participated with Abramoff in offering Ney free drinks and meals, tickets to sporting events and concerts and other inducements in exchange for congressional favors provided by the lawmaker. Ney is identified only as “Representative No. 1” in court papers. Abramoff recently pleaded guilty to his role in the scheme. Rudy alleges that the favors included Ney’s agreement in March 2001 to “support legislation” enabling Abramoff’s clients to continue to manufacture clothing with misleading labels. The scheme involved marketing the garments as having been made in the United States when they actually were produced overseas by American companies exempt from U.S. wage and labor standards. Abramoff reportedly collected more than $11 million in lobbying fees from the Northern Mariana Islands between 1994 and 2001. The U.S. commonwealth hired Abramoff to block extension of the minimum wage to American garment interests there. Rudy, 39, also alleges that he worked with Abramoff to win Ney’s agreement in March 2002 to use an election-reform bill as a vehicle for lifting a ban on casinos owned by two Indian tribes in Texas that were Abramoff clients. Ney, co-chairman of a House-Senate conference committee overseeing the bill, has acknowledged that he sought to include the provision in the legislation. But Ney has said he gave up the attempt after Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., the Senate sponsor of the bill, objected to it. Ney has insisted that he was duped by Abramoff and has not done anything wrong. After Rudy’s plea, Walsh issued a statement saying that “today’s court papers make clear yet again that Jack Abramoff and his subordinates engaged in a collaborative and deliberate strategy to defraud, manipulate and lie in order to advance their own personal greed.” “In doing so, they lied to their clients, they lied to their colleagues and they lied to members of Congress,” Walsh said. The revelations that emerged from Friday’s hearing mark the first time that Rudy, a former deputy chief of staff to DeLay, has publicly implicated Ney. Abramoff and his lobbying associate, Michael Scanlon, previously linked Ney to their schemes to defraud Indian tribe clients. They pleaded guilty to bribery and fraud and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors beginning late last year. Like Abramoff and Scanlon, Rudy agreed to cooperate in return for a reduced sentence. He faces up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and up to $100,000 in restitution… After Rudy became a lobbyist, he began offering bribes to public officials such as Ney to ensure favorable official action and other assistance for his clients, the plea says.” DeLay ex-aide's plea names Ney in corruption case, The Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 01, 2006, Sabrina Eaton, “A former top aide to Rep. Tom DeLay has pleaded guilty to participating in an influence-peddling conspiracy that included soliciting official actions from Ohio Republican Rep. Bob Ney in exchange for a golf trip to Scotland, restaurant meals and sports tickets. Tony Rudy, DeLay's former press secretary and deputy chief of staff, faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine under a plea deal filed Friday in U.S. District Court in Washington… After joining Abramoff's lobbying firm in January 2001, Rudy helped arrange an August 2002 golf trip to Scotland for Ney and his chief of staff, Will Heaton. He told Heaton via e-mail that the trip would involve golf, "drinking and smoking Cubans." Court papers say Ney, "in exchange for this stream of things of value," which also included meals and concert tickets, agreed to "take favorable official action and render other assistance on behalf of the clients of Abramoff and defendant Rudy." Specifically, it said Ney backed a measure that would allow an Indian tribe represented by Abramoff to reopen a closed casino in Texas and another that would permit garment makers in the Northern Mariana Islands to keep labeling clothes "Made in the USA" although they lacked the continental United States' wage and labor standards… The charges say Rudy lobbied his former employer, DeLay, within a year after leaving and that he encouraged Neil Volz, a former Ney staffer who went to work for Abramoff, to lobby Ney within a year of his departure. Such lobbying by former congressional staffers soon after their departure is prohibited, and violations are punishable by up to five years in prison and a $50,000 fine. Volz and his attorney did not return telephone calls seeking comment. Stanley Brand, a Washington lawyer who has defended numerous members of Congress in corruption cases, said guilty pleas by Rudy, Abramoff and former DeLay aide Michael Scanlon typify the way the Justice Department pursues such charges. "They try to convict people who are lower down in the chain of command to gain their cooperation against higher-ups," said Brand… Brand said Ney has been "a goner" since Abramoff's guilty plea identified him as a bribe recipient. Brand, whose clients included former Reps. Dan Rostenkowski, Tony Coelho and Joe McDade, says it often takes years to investigate a congressman. "The government does not typically name people in an existing indictment and then walk away from them," Brand said. "You have to assume at some point that they are going to charge him. It is just a question of when."” Yet another ex-lobbyist accuses Ney of misdeeds: Court papers indicate Scotland trip was for golf, drinking, ‘smoking Cubans’, The Columbus Dispatch, April 01, 2006, By Jack Torry, “A third former Washington lobbyist pleaded guilty yesterday in a widening political corruption scandal, and all three of the lobbyists are cooperating with federal prosecutors in their investigation of Ohio Rep. Bob Ney and other members of Congress... Tony Rudy, who previously served as a deputy chief of staff to Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Texas, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to a charge of conspiracy to corrupt elected officials. Rudy joins former lobbyists Jack Abramoff and Michael Scanlon in telling prosecutors that Ney and his staff were plied with trips, tickets to sporting events and food in return for Ney helping Abramoff’s business clients. Rudy, who left DeLay’s office to join Abramoff’s firm, invited Ney and a top aide on a 2002 trip to Scotland, telling the Ney aide the trip involved golf, "drinking and smok- ing Cubans," according to documents made public yesterday. "The American public loses when officials and lobbyists conspire to buy and sell influence in such a corrupt and brazen manner. By his admission in open court today, Mr. Rudy paints a picture of Washington which the American public and law enforcement will simply not tolerate," said Alice Fisher, assistant attorney general in charge of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. Rudy says in the court filing that Ney, a Republican from Heath, in Licking County, supported a bill in 2001 to help an Abramoff client in the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. commonwealth. The measure would have enabled the client company to continue to label its clothing as "Made in USA" without adhering to labor and wage standards required of firms inside the continental U.S. Rudy said that in May 2002 he personally invited Ney and his chief of staff to fly to Scotland that August, the documents say. Ney’s chief of staff at the time was William Heaton, who joined Ney on the Scotland trip. Prosecutors released part of an e-mail that Rudy sent to Ney’s chief of staff, saying that the trip would involve golf, drinking and smoking Cuban cigars. Rudy and Abramoff told prosecutors that they solicited money to pay for the $130,000 golf trip from their lobbying clients, which would violate House rules. The e-mail appears to contradict Ney’s public assertion that the trip’s purpose was to meet with government officials and attend a military festival. Ney has repeatedly said that Abramoff told him a nonprofit group was financing the travel, which is permitted by House rules. The trip to Scotland took place, Abramoff and Rudy say, while Ney was trying to lift a federal ban against commercial gambling, which would benefit a Texas tribe represented by Abramoff. Ney attempted to insert the gambling provision into an election law he sponsored that was nearing congressional approval, according to Abramoff and Rudy. Brian Walsh, a Ney spokesman, said, "Today’s court papers make clear yet again that Jack Abramoff and his subordinates engaged in a collaborative and deliberate strategy to defraud, manipulate and lie in order to advance their own personal greed. In doing so, they lied to their clients, they lied to their colleagues and they lied to members of Congress… Rudy noted that a nine-page litany of misdeeds involving Abramoff, Ney and others is merely a summary, adding: "It does not include all of the facts known to me concerning criminal activity in which I or others engaged."” Former DeLay Aide Pleads Guilty, Forbes, from AP, by Mark Sherman, March 31, 2006, “A former top aide to Rep. Tom DeLay pleaded guilty Friday to conspiracy and promised to help with an investigation of bribery and lobbying fraud that has already netted three convictions and sparked calls for ethics reform in Congress. Tony Rudy, DeLay's former deputy chief of staff, admitted conspiring with convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff - both while Rudy worked for the Texas congressman and after he left the lawmaker's staff to become a lobbyist himself… While the court papers said nothing damaging about DeLay, prosecutors again alleged that Ney took action in exchange for trips, meals and tickets provided by Abramoff, Rudy and others. Ney's lawyer, Mark Tuohey, said a guilty plea by Rudy doesn't change Ney's situation.” Former DeLay aide pleads guilty in Abramoff probe, The Hill, March 31, 2006, by Elana Schor and Roxana Tiron, “Tony Rudy, a former high-ranking aide to Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas), pleaded guilty Friday to one count of conspiracy stemming from his lobbying partnership with Jack Abramoff…While the filings refer to DeLay, they appear to implicate Rep. Bob Ney (R-Ohio) who has been identified as the "Representative #1" mentioned in a Justice Department investigation of Abramoff. The prosecutors argue that Rudy offered things of value "to a member of the U.S. House of Representatives (Representative #1) and members of his staff." The filings also state that Rudy, with Abramoff, "solicited and received Representative #1's agreement" to insert into election-reform legislation an amendment that lifted a gambling ban for one of Abramoff's Indian-tribe clients.” Buckeye GOP Circles the Drain: A complacent party descends into corruption, Wall Street Journal, p. A15, March 30, 2006, by John Kasich, former Ohio Congressman, "…Over the past year and a half, the list of political operatives and government officials (both elected and appointed) implicated in corruption scandals has grown exponentially, and yet the message hasn't registered. In Buckeye politics, it's business as usual. The biggest scam in town--but by no means the only--is the "pay for play" practices of office-holders at every level. Of course, not all public servants are guilty--most are not. However, Ohio Republicans have held every statewide office since 1994, and the governorship and secretary of state since 1990. They currently have longstanding, lopsided majorities in both houses of the general assembly. The endemic culture of money-for-influence is a testament to the corrupting consequences that inevitably follow when one party holds power for too long. Exhibit A in this mire is Toledo coin dealer and Republican fundraiser Tom Noe. His "coingate" scandal, as it has been inelegantly termed, demonstrated a total breakdown in ethics and was a direct result of one-party domination of the political process. Mr. Noe obtained several contracts totaling some $50 million to pursue investment opportunities for the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation, in this case rare coin speculation. With limited oversight of his operation, Mr. Noe allegedly began laundering campaign contributions to state and federal candidates (including President Bush). In February Mr. Noe was indicted on 53 felony counts and faces a mandatory 10-year prison term if convicted of corruption. At this point $10 million to $12 million remains unaccounted for. Unfortunately, coingate isn't the only prominent Republican scandal…Add to these scandals regnant political infighting and widespread distrust between the different ideological wings of the GOP. This year's election, in addition to a contentious re-election campaign for Sen. Mike DeWine, features a gubernatorial primary race in the wake of Mr. Taft. Mr. Blackwell is strongly supported by social conservatives and their allies within the fundamentalist Christian movement. He is pitted against Attorney General Jim Petro, supported by more moderate elements. This widening division has spilled over into a nasty dispute between conservative, moderate and liberal clergy…Yet the debate between the moderate and conservative wings of Ohio's Republican Party goes beyond Messrs. Petro and Blackwell. Some conservatives are angry at Sen. DeWine, and are threatening to withhold support, largely because he joined forces with the "gang of 14" to end the judicial filibuster spat last spring. Ironically, two of Mr. Bush's most conservative nominees to the federal bench, Priscilla Owens and Janice Rogers Brown, would not have been confirmed without this agreement, and arguably Justices John Roberts and Samuel Alito would have faced filibusters from Senate liberals opposed to their nominations. Nonetheless, his relationship with some conservatives has worsened. With Gov. Taft's ratings running as low as 16% approval in one poll, and with charges of corruption and cronyism rampant throughout the party, Ohio Republicans face some pretty tough obstacles in this year's elections. Add to this broken campaign promises that resulted in the highest tax increase in Ohio history, an exodus of the state's young people to pursue opportunity elsewhere, the general trend against Republicans nationally, and the complete ineptness of Republican leaders to enunciate any kind of bold political initiatives--and you have the makings of a Democrat sweep this November. The biggest advantage going for Republicans, in purely electoral terms, is the ineptness of the Democrats. They have a long tradition of turning sure things into might-have-beens. This, however, is simply not enough. Democratic incompetence has led to Republican domination, which, with no effective opposition, has untethered the GOP from its first principles. In the absence of these, corruption has reigned. The political lens might be clouded and growing darker; but Ohio Republicans need to decide whether or not they want to stand for something.” Abramoff gets prison sentence: Rep. Bob Ney is still person of interest in lobbying scandal, Newark Advocate, March 30, 2006, by Nicole Gaudiano, Gannett News Service, “Jack Abramoff, the lobbyist convicted of conspiring to bribe Rep. Bob Ney of Ohio, was sentenced to five years and 10 months in prison Wednesday. Abramoff had pleaded guilty in January to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud in the 2000 purchase of SunCruz casinos in Florida -- a deal prosecutors have claimed Ney, R-Heath, helped him secure by inserting comments favorable to Abramoff and his business partner, Adam Kidan, into the Congressional Record. Abramoff, who was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Miami, still awaits sentencing in Washington for mail fraud, tax evasion and conspiracy to commit bribery after pleading guilty to bilking his Indian tribe clients of about $25 million in fees. Ney, accused in court documents of accepting bribes from Abramoff, had no comment Wednesday on Abramoff's sentence. No action has been taken against Ney. Court documents referring to Ney as "Representative 1" say he accepted a "stream of things of value," such as campaign contributions and a lavish golf trip to Scotland, in exchange for official acts. Among the allegations, Ney also is accused of agreeing to support legislation on behalf of Abramoff and associate Michael Scanlon and meeting with them to promote Abramoff's services. In his written comments in 2000, Ney condemned the former owner of SunCruz for taking illegal bets, and he later praised Kidan as having "a renowned reputation for honesty and integrity." But the pair defrauded lenders by sending them fake wire transfers of a $23 million contribution toward the business, a condition of the loan, when they never made any contributions. Kidan received the same sentence as Abramoff. The Justice Department has subpoenaed Ney in connection with the investigation. Asked whether Ney was a target, a spokesman would not confirm or deny any investigation. Ney has pledged to cooperate in the investigation and repeatedly offered to meet with the House ethics committee… The scandal has cost Ney his chairmanship of the House Administration Committee, at least temporarily, and a bundle in legal fees -- $135,881 for one payment in August.” Ney discusses record, future, Mount Vernon News, March 27, 2006, by Nick Worner, “Congressman Bob Ney, R-Heath, is the incumbent from Ohio’s 18th congressional district, of which Knox County is a part. In addition to competition from the Democratic Party, this year Ney will also face a Republican primary challenger in James Brodbelt Harris, his first primary challenge from a fellow Republican since being elected to Congress in 1994… “In parts if this district they have known me for going on 20 years; whether I get headlines good or bad they know me,” he said. “If I get bad headlines, the ones with the Abramoff controversy for example, they’ll decide what kind of job I’ve done and whether I’ve told the truth or not.” Speaking about his primary challenge, Ney said the race should help clarify where his party and its voters stand with him after the bad press generated by the Abramoff controversy… Traditionally, Ney has enjoyed support from some Democratic voters as well and his votes over the years have led some to view him as a moderate conservative. Harris has made traditional party principles a focus of his campaign and has challenged Ney’s votes against the Patriot Act and Republican budget initiatives, characterizing them as out of line with the will of Republicans. Ney counters that his duty to his constituents rises above his party allegiance, and also challenged Harris’ grasp of the 18th district flavor, saying Harris has lived out of the state for many years and that he picks and chooses which issues are “conservative.” “I think among people who have known me for years, if you ask them what I am they will say ‘Bob Ney.’ I don’t think they’ll put me in a category,” said Ney. “Sometimes I’m conservative on issues, sometimes I’m moderate. Talking about some of his “moderate” positions, Ney defended his stance on the budget reconciliation bill as well as his opposition to extending permanent trade status to China. He also addressed financial earmarks, the practice of lawmakers appropriating money for their home districts through amendments to legislation. Harris has raised the issue in his campaign, calling the practice wasteful pork-barrel spending. Ney defends the earmark practice, saying it is part of the job of a congressman to bring local tax dollars back home to help accomplish projects that would not otherwise get done… Regarding the Patriot Act, Ney defended his votes. One of only three Republicans to vote against the original Patriot Act, he said the vote drew heat from some members of his own party, one of whom even said it would cost him his seat… “The true conservative vote on the first Patriot Act was to vote against it. Ironically the liberal vote was also to vote against it,” said Ney… “We have a good Republican record to stand on,” he added. “But I’m also proud that when I’ve had to make decisions I leave the party label behind and do what’s right for citizens.”” Ney indictment doesn’t look as likely as it once did, New Philadelphia Times-Reporter, Dick Farrell, editor, “Here’s an elephant in the room, especially if you happen to be running for the 18th Congressional District seat: Why hasn’t Rep. Bob Ney, R-Heath, been indicted? It was in early January when convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff agreed to spill the beans about his relationships with members of Congress. Pundits from here to Washington speculated that the Abramoff net would catch a lot of Republicans, including Ney, opening the door for Democrats to regain control of Congress.But something strange has happened. Despite the evidence and promised testimony from Abramoff and buddy Michael Scanlon, also a convicted lobbyist, the Department of Justice hasn’t officially accused via indictment any member of Congress of doing anything wrong in relation to Abramoff.” Suncruz Scandal: Abramoff sentenced to six years, Miami Herald, March 30, 2006, by Jay Weaver, Knight-Ridder wire story, “One-time powerhouse lobbyist Jack Abramoff will soon be trading in his pinstripes for prison stripes. Abramoff was sentenced Wednesday in Miami federal court to a prison term of five years and 10 months for a fraudulent loan deal to buy a South Florida fleet of gambling ships. His business partner, Adam Kidan of New York, received the same sentence before U.S. District Judge Paul Huck… Abramoff had already pleaded guilty in a parallel corruption probe in which he admitted giving members of Congress and their staff members bribes, foreign trips and gourmet meals. Several lawmakers -- including an Ohio congressman who operated behind the scenes in the SunCruz deal and other Abramoff activities -- may be indicted this spring, according to sources familiar with the case… Both men are supposed to help Broward County authorities in their investigation into the February 2001 mob-style murder of SunCruz founder Konstantinos ''Gus'' Boulis, who had been feuding publicly with Kidan over the future of the gambling-ship empire, which eventually filed for bankruptcy… Abramoff, in particular, is helping both South Florida and Washington federal prosecutors with the broader influence-peddling investigation in the nation's capital. Abramoff has admitted to allegations about a SunCruz bribery conspiracy as well as his collection of tens of millions of dollars in fraudulent fees from his Indian tribal clients and his payoffs to congressmen… Among them: A fundraiser for U.S. Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio, a target of the federal probe who could soon be indicted, according to sources familiar with the investigation. Ney denies any wrongdoing. It was the SunCruz sale almost six years ago that provided momentum for the Justice Department's public corruption probe. During negotiations of the SunCruz deal in 2000, Abramoff asked his ex-lobbying partner, Michael Scanlon, to do him a favor. Scanlon, who has pleaded guilty in the Washington corruption case, once served as a top aide to House Republican leader Tom DeLay. Scanlon contacted Ney's chief of staff, Neil Volz, to arrange to have the lawmaker publicly disparage SunCruz's owner, Boulis, in the Congressional Record. Ney agreed. Incriminating e-mails also show that Abramoff and Scanlon approved a $10,000 donation from SunCruz -- made at Ney's request -- to the National Republican Congressional Committee. Prosecutors say the money was an alleged illegal payback for the congressman's ''official act'' in the SunCruz sale. The donation was made Nov. 1, 2000. Authorities are putting pressure on Volz, who once worked as a lobbyist with Abramoff, to turn on Ney, according to sources. But Volz and his defense lawyers have been resisting the Justice Department's overtures. Volz has denied any wrongdoing.” Ethics Measure in U.S. Senate Avoids Fundraising, Trip Rules, Bloomberg News, by Jonathan D. Salant and Kristin Jensen, March 30, “The U.S. Senate backed away from adopting some of the most stringent new proposals to curb ethical abuses in Congress, prompting warnings that lawmakers may pay a price with voters in the November elections… The senators overhauled ethics rules for the first time in more than a decade because of the furor over Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who admitted to defrauding clients and trying to corrupt public officials with gifts and golf trips. They passed the legislation just hours after Abramoff was sentenced to more than five years in prison in an unrelated fraud case in Florida. ``It's extremely weak,'' Arizona Republican John McCain, 69, told reporters at the Capitol yesterday, speaking of the legislation. ``The good news is that there will be more indictments, and we will be revisiting this issue.''… The charges against Abramoff in Washington make reference to Representative Bob Ney, an Ohio Republican who accompanied the lobbyist on a golf trip to Scotland. Ney, 51, placed statements in the Congressional record and undertook other acts that were helpful to Abramoff, according to prosecutors. Ney has denied wrongdoing.“ Abramoff Gets Almost Six Years of Prison Time in Casino Deal Case, Fox News, March 29, 2006, “A federal judge in Miami sentenced the once powerful Washington lobbyist, Jack Abramoff, to five years and 10 months in prison Wednesday on criminal fraud charges stemming from a business deal involving a Florida casino boat company… The Florida charges, which relate to the 2000 purchase of the SunCruz Casinos gambling fleet, are separate from an earlier guilty plea Abramoff entered in Washington on political corruption charges stemming from political kickbacks and pay-to-play schemes he and associates used to bilk American Indian tribes of about $46 million. The Florida sentence will run concurrently with any sentence Abramoff will get from the political corruption charges in the Washington case. Abramoff entered pleas to both the Washington- and Florida-based cases in January… In the meantime, federal investigators grew suspicious of a boat deal that Abramoff and Kidan struck. Both have pleaded guilty to falsifying bank statements through a $23 million fraudulent wire transfer, which inflated the worth of their personal assets and allowed them to make the $147.5 million purchase of SunCruz Casinos. The deal also drew attention after Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio, took specific efforts to mention the company in the Congressional Record, and the former owner of the company, Konstantinos "Gus" Boulis, was murdered in a mob-style hit. Three men were charged last fall and have pleaded not guilty. Both Abramoff and Kidan have denied involvement in the slaying… As part of the agreement, Abramoff agreed to assist in the federal investigations probing possible corruption in Congress and the Bush administration.”. Rep. Johnson takes flak for missing budget vote, The Hill, March 29, 2006, By Jonathan E. Kaplan, “Initially, Johnson spokesman Brian Schubert told a Connecticut newspaper that she had “led a group of moderate Republicans who told the House Speaker they would object to any budget that failed to contain adequate funding for education, healthcare, veterans and seniors.”… Johnson helped persuade 23 centrist Republicans, including Reps. Christopher Shays (Conn.), Rob Simmons (Conn.), Bob Ney (Ohio), Ray LaHood (Ill.), Mike Castle (Del.) and Heather Wilson (N.M.), to sign a letter to Hastert threatening to vote against spending bills that do not include 2 percent increases for non-security, non-emergency discretionary programs. “We would have strong reservations voting for any budget that would result in real cuts in a number of programs. … Failure to make such a commitment in the overall budget amount could make it difficult for members to support individual appropriations bills as they move forward,” the lawmakers wrote.” Republican Challenging Ney, Wheeling News-Register; March 27, 2006, also in the Intelligencer, by Joseyln King, “A financial analyst from Zanesville wants to give voters a choice in the May 2 Ohio Republican primary against incumbent U.S. Rep. Bob Ney. “Obviously, my opponent is an entrenched incumbent,” said James Brodbelt Harris, 36. “In the past, he has had a lot of support. I’m trying to maintain a good policy debate and keep things on a higher [plane]. “I have an authentic agenda — a Reagan Republican agenda,” Harris continued. “It’s a fair assessment that this rural district has a choice to make. It’s not just a choice between Ney and me, but a real policy choice for the region.” For example, Harris said Ney would consider it a compliment to be called “a Rhodes Republican,” as Ney often has said he was inspired by former Ohio Gov. James Rhodes. Harris defines a “Rhodes Republican” as a Republican who favors big government and more spending. As for Harris being a “Reagan Republican,” he grew up in the early 1980s, when President Reagan was in office. “I saw the job losses, the stagnation and the fear,” Harris said. “Then Ronald Reagan came in with hopes for growth, prosperity and trade and restricting taxes to allow people to keep what they made and produced.” Harris said he would have voted in favor of the North American and South American free trade agreements that Ney oppose[s]. “I support increased American Free Trade,” he said. “I don’t believe that stagnation and xenophobia are productive for our economies. It’s not an easy message to hear, but I believe in sharing with others our expertise, and they will share their expertise with us.” Harris is a native of Central Ohio, and he grew up [working] on the farm his family has owned and operated for [over] 100 years. After graduating from Dartmouth College in three years, he began a financial investment career in New York. He lived in New York throughout [most of] the 1990s before returning to Central Ohio three years ago. Harris now owns his own investment business and is a [Chartered] [F]inancial [A]nalyst. He believes that if elected to Congress, he would be the only such analyst in the U.S. House. Harris interned for former U.S. Rep. John Kasich, R-Ohio, and also was part of a high school cultural exchange in 1987 during which he spent several months in a Russian town [in] Siberia.” Committee Stands Behind Ney, Wheeling Intelligencer, March 27, 2006, by Joselyn King, “The National Republican Congressional Committee will stand behind incumbent U.S. Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio, despite the fact he has been linked to a federal corruption investigation, NRCC Deputy Communications Director Ed Patru said. ‘‘We are an incumbent retention committee,’’ Patru said. ‘‘We will support Bob Ney as long as he is a candidate for Congress… Patru admits Ney will have difficulties seeking re-election this year. ‘‘Absolutely,’’ Patru said. ‘‘But the problem for the Dems is that it is hard to win races that have don’t have good candidates or the money. They are fielding relatively weak opposition that will be underfunded.’’ Ney faces opposition in the Republican primary from James Brodbelt Harris of Zanesville. Democrats in the race are Joseph Sulzer of Chillicothe, Zachary Space of Dover and Jennifer Stewart of Zanesville.” All 18th District party chairmen endorse Ney, New Philadelphia Times-Reporter, “U.S. Rep. Bob Ney, R-Heath, has received endorsements from Republican county party officials from all 16 counties in Ohio’s 18th District for his re-election campaign. Ney also has the official endorsement from the Ohio Republican Party and county Republican parties in Belmont, Coshocton, Jackson, Knox and Muskingum counties. Ney, under the shadow of an alleged link to convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff, has vowed to fight to retain his congressional post… In his endorsement, Harrison County Republican Chairman Dennis Watson praised Ney for his record of delivering results to the people he represents. “In Harrison County alone, Bob Ney has answered our request for federal funding for the reconstruction of Industrial Park Rd.,” Watson said. He also said Ney secured funding for the construction of the dental clinic in Freeport, and that his support of Harrison Ethanol has been critical to the project’s success… Ney also faces opposition in the May primary election by fellow Republican James B. Harris of Zanesville. Four Democrats, including Dover Law Director Zack Space, are seeking the Democratic primary nomination to attempt to unseat Ney if he is the successful Republican candidate in November. Other Democrats seeking the nomination are Joe Sulzer, Chillicothe’s mayor; Ralph Applegate of Columbus; and Jennifer Stewart of Zanesville.” Ohio Republicans Racing Storm Clouds, Washington Post, by Peter Slevin, March 26, 2006, “Sen. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio) wants you to know he is not President Bush, whose popularity has plummeted… Or Ohio Rep. Robert W. Ney, who is under investigation. Yet the well-publicized troubles of DeWine's GOP colleagues are becoming one of the biggest obstacles to his election to a third term in November against an energized Democratic opponent, Rep. Sherrod Brown, and his long-thwarted party that smells a chance to paint red-state Ohio a shade of blue… The race is expected to be among the most competitive in the nation, and its outcome will say much about whether the GOP can retain its current 10-seat majority. Fifteen Republican seats and 18 Democratic seats are on the ballot this fall. With a far smaller number considered truly competitive, specialists agree that Democrats face a tough road to win the six they need… Jennifer Duffy, who studies Senate races for the Washington-based Cook Political Report, considers the Senate race a tossup. She said DeWine's biggest problem is the growing unpopularity of Republican-led governments in Columbus and Washington… Ney, who represents central Ohio, is suspected of performing official actions in return for favors… from former Washington GOP lobbyist Jack Abramoff and an associate. Abramoff and the associate, Michael Scanlon, have pleaded guilty to federal corruption charges. Ney denies doing anything improper. "It's really the environment that gives DeWine a problem," said one Republican adviser in Ohio who asked not to be identified. "Ohioans have not been happy for a long time with the direction of the state, and they're not happy with the direction of the country, either."” Abramoff statement sought for slaying trial, St. Petersburg Times, by Associated Press, March 25, 2006, “Former lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his ex-partner in the ill-fated SunCruz Casinos deal will likely be subpoenaed to give statements in the case against three men charged with killing the gambling fleet's former owner… Boulis was ambushed in his car by a gunman on a Fort Lauderdale street a few months after Abramoff and Kidan bought the SunCruz fleet from him. Boulis was feuding with Kidan, claiming he had reneged on parts of the deal. Abramoff and Kidan are scheduled to be sentenced Wednesday in federal court after pleading guilty earlier this year to fraud charges stemming from the purchase. As part of their plea deals, they are required to cooperate with prosecutors in any state or federal investigation. Through their attorneys, both men have repeatedly denied any role in or knowledge of the Boulis slaying. Abramoff, once a prominent Republican lobbyist and fundraiser, has also pleaded guilty to federal charges in a Washington corruption investigation and agreed to assist prosecutors in that case…” Abramoff Clearing [Tom] Delay, Human Events: The National Conservative Weekly, “Politics”, by Robert Novak, editor of the Evans-Novak Political Report, Mar. 25, 2006, “Disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff has advised friends that he has no derogatory information about former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay and is not implicating him as part of his plea bargain with federal prosecutors. Abramoff's guilty plea on fraud, tax evasion and conspiracy charges requires him to provide evidence about members of Congress. That led to speculation that this would mean trouble for DeLay, who faces money laundering and conspiracy charges in Texas. However, Abramoff has not given a clean bill of health to any other congressman -- including Rep. Robert Ney, who has stepped down as chairman of the House Administration Committee. Ney was the only member of Congress named in court papers connected with Abramoff's guilty plea Jan. 4.” Ohio 18: Going, Going, Gone?, Rothenberg Political Report, a non-partisan analysis of American politics and elections, by Nathan Gonzales, March 24, 2006, “GOP Cong. Bob Ney is in serious trouble. He has not been indicted… but his reelection prospects are in jeopardy. The ethical questions surrounding Ney and his relationship with lobbyist Jack Abramoff has put the Republican Party at risk of losing Ohio’s 18th Congressional District. Democrats wanted former state senator Greg DiDonato to run, but he declined. Instead, Chillicothe Mayor Joe Sulzer, Dover Law Director Zack Space, and state board of education member Jennifer Stewart are fighting for the Democratic nomination.… Filing has past for candidates, and Ney is joined on the primary ballot by financial analyst/farmer James Harris. Ney is expected to win the primary, and if he were to come under indictment or drop out of the race after winning the nomination, filing would re-open and a special primary would take place (only on the GOP side). By the numbers, this district leans Republican. But with the embattled Ney on the ballot, Democrats have an excellent takeover opportunity…” GOP leaders love Ney (but do their followers?), Cleveland Plain-Dealer, “Openers”, March 24, 2006, By Stephen Koff, “Congressman Bob Ney's campaign announced this afternoon that Republican officials from all 16 counties in his district have endorsed his reelection effort. That, the campaign says, demonstrates the embattled Ney's popularity and the strength of his reelection bid. Maybe. But nods from county chairs are not the same as official endorsements from the parties they represent. Only five county parties in Ney's district have officially endorsed him: Belmont, Coshocton, Jackson, Knox and Muskingum. So what about the other 11? Some have yet to vote on endorsements, some don't make endorsements in primaries, and some may take a pass rather than risk embarrassment in the event Ney gets indicted in a bribery investigation. (He says he is innocent, and the fact is, he is said to be darn good when it comes to constituent service.) Ney's campaign notes that none of the 11 have endorsed someone else. That's logical; they're more likely not to make an endorsement at all than to disrespect a sitting congressman, even one in the FBI's sights.” Hearing Friday for Abramoff associate, MSNBC/Washington Post, by Melina Mara, “The influence-peddling scandal surrounding disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff heats up again on Friday when a former Bush administration official and associate of the disgraced lobbyist appears at a pretrial hearing in federal court. David Safavian, the White House's former top procurement official, is charged with misrepresenting his connections with lobbyists — specifically, Abramoff — while working at the General Services Administration...” Group displays opposition to Congressman Ney, Mount Vernon News, March 24, 2006, “A group of protesters gathered this morning outside of the Knox County Service Center, many of whom came to voice their opposition to Congressman Bob Ney. According to Dave Lore, spokesman for the Licking County Pro-Active Citizens Political Action Committee, most of the group was made up of concerned Knox and Licking county citizens who are seeking to remind election year voters of Ney’s legal troubles… About a dozen people were in front of the Knox County Service Center at 8 this morning with signs protesting Congressman Bob Ney… The 18th congressional district congressman was in Knox County at the commissioner’s office to listen to constituents about the Community Development Block Grant program…. Lore acknowledged that Ney retains popularity in his district and said that the group’s mission was to get the word out about the lobbying scandal to voters who may not be keeping a close watch…” Space: Return to core values key, Mount Vernon News, March 22, 2006, “Getting back to the core of Democratic Party values is the key to being successful in the political arena, according to Zack Space. … “The people who represent our district — the farmers, coal miners, factory workers, teachers — are ordinary, hard-working Americans. They are not asking too much from their representative. They should expect nothing less.”… “If I’m lucky enough to get through the primary, I look for this to be a very interesting general election. I think common sense will prevail and the people will say no to corruption,” Space said. “Two years ago, I would have said there was no way Bob Ney would get beat. The constituents were not aware of his dark side. They are now. The bottom line is, do you feel comfortable with your congressman — your sole voice in Washington.” … “The numbers are staggering. We’re spending $900,000 more a minute than we’re taking in. How long can this continue?” Space asked. “We’re engaged in a war that is costing us $100 to $150 million a week and giving wealthy Americans tax cuts. That’s fiscally irrational behavior. We need to prioritize what we’re spending money on and look at where we’re getting money from. “We need to start with rolling back the tax cuts for the wealthy ... and to re-examine our position in Iraq. This war is crippling our economy. The longer it lasts, the worse the damage will be.”… “Jobs are the most significant issue we have. We need to rethink our current trade policies, and, at the same time, do more to revitalize the economy in our district,” Space said… “We need to rethink how we deliver health care and how we pay for it. We need a clean slate and to look at all options and stop letting the insurance and pharmaceutical companies write legislation.” Space has been picking up quite a few endorsements during his campaign, including many from city and county officials in the district, as well as the United Auto Workers, the FOP and firefighters. But it’s the local support that Space feels is the best.” “Harris challenging for 18th District seat”, Mount Vernon News, By Dylan McCament, News Staff Writer, March 20, 2006, “MOUNT VERNON — Republican James Harris is challenging incumbent Rep. Bob Ney, R-Heath, for the party’s nomination for Ohio’s 18th Congressional District, of which Knox County is a part. Harris lives in Zanesville and operates an investment firm. On Friday, he visited Mount Vernon and spoke about his principles, goals and his campaign. He said he grew up in central Ohio and can see that growth from metropolitan Columbus is spreading toward more rural areas. Knox County, like other counties in central Ohio, have the opportunity to tie into and benefit from that growth, he said. Harris calls himself a “Reagan Republican,” and said economic growth is the focus of his campaign. Harris said he wants Ohio Republicans to stay loyal to party principles — limited government, fiscal conservatism, lower taxes. … “If we can restrain size of what I call obese government and taxation on all levels, I feel that will naturally allow for greater economic growth,” Harris said. “Over time, greater growth will allow us to pay for many things we want as a society.” He said his experience working as a financial analyst, dealing in stocks and property investments, would serve him well in his designs to promote economic growth in the district. He said he has the know-how to help Ohio and the country “live within our means.” Although Ney could be facing indictment for his ties to former Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who pleaded guilty in January to a number of charges including corruption, embezzlement and bribery, Harris said he doesn’t want to attack his opponent personally but wants to focus on policy issues. He said Ney had strayed from party principles for having voted against the Republican reconciliation bill to restrain spending growth and American free trade. He said that although Ney recently voted for the Patriot Act, he voted against it in 2001 and 2005. Harris said he thinks the scandal and the congressman’s alleged involvement “has been terrible for the district, Ohio, and the party,” and criticized Ney for recently refusing to debate with him. Harris spoke at length about his opposition to, and his opponent’s support of, special-interest lobbying and pork-barrel spending. Harris said these projects bring economic benefits to one specific location, and local representatives get the credit for “bringing home the bacon.” Every congressional district would like to see congressmen bring home special pork projects. But there are 435 congressmen in Washington, D.C., Harris said, and each is asking for special spending. Adding it all up, Harris said that although many such projects are interesting, they can be very wasteful. “It’s the American taxpayer and Ohio families that have to pay for all these, and many are local projects,” he said. “I feel our Ohio tax dollars should not go to Washington, D.C., through a bunch of middlemen, only to come back to the local district.” Harris said billions of dollars are at stake, and there is too much potential for lobbyists and congressmen who deal in pork spending to cut political deals that are not in the interests of the country. He said he believes local taxes should pay for local processes, where there is better oversight on spending. Harris said that, unlike his opponent, he favors lowering taxes on gasoline and import tariffs. He also favors more international and diplomatic alliances, as well as cultural exchanges. On social issues, he said he holds “traditional Ohio Republican values.” Harris said he does not intend to swamp his own primary campaign with money. If victorious in the primary, Harris said he has the means to help finance his own campaign, can raise campaign funds, and will bring the fight to the Democrats. But instead of seeking the financial support of “artificial entities” like corporations, labor unions and special-interest groups, he primarily intends to seek out “hard” money — money from individual donors. Harris said Ohio’s 18th District has a choice to make. The choice is not between himself and Ney, but between free trade, controlled spending, and overall economic growth on the one hand, and stagnation, xenophobia and backward economic policy on the other.” "Protect borrowers": Lead Editorial, The Columbus Dispatch, Lead Editorial, published Monday, March 20, 2006, “Ohio measure would curb predatory lending; toothless federal bill should be dumped”; “The experience of at least 28 other states shows that Ohio is on the right track with a proposed law to limit predatory lending. The Ohio House should follow the lead of the Senate and pass Senate Bill 185 without weakening its protections. A weak bill in Congress that purports to protect borrowers’ interests nationwide instead would hamstring state laws. This legislation should be killed before it can halt the hard-won progress against the predatory-lending scourge… Ohio lawmakers have as much reason as any in the nation to attack predatory lending, as the state’s lax oversight has helped give it the highest rate of mortgage foreclosures in the land… Now, along come U.S. Reps. Bob Ney, R-Heath, and Paul E. Kanjorski, D-Pa., with a federal bill backed by the mortgage-lending industry that is aimed at limiting states’ ability to pass their own regulations. The arguments in favor of the bill — that state regulations are ineffective and that strict rules could restrict credit to some borrowers — don’t hold water in light of the study by the Center for Responsible Lending. The involvement of Ney, a key water-carrier for disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff, is in itself a reason for skepticism. Unsurprisingly, mortgage bankers donated more than $89,000 to Ney’s 2004 election campaign and have ponied up $51,000 so far for the 2006 election, putting Ney — along with Kanjorski — among the top 10 recipients of political cash from mortgage bankers since 2004. Senate Bill 185 would reduce abuse of Ohio’s most-vulnerable borrowers. Ney’s bill, in contrast, would limit protection for borrowers nationwide. The General Assembly should step up to protect consumers by passing the state bill, and Congress should butt out.” "Washington’s Invisible Man", Vanity Fair, April 2006, by David Margolick, “The plea agreement also charges Abramoff with “corruption of public officials,” in particular “Representative #1,” universally understood to be Republican congressman Bob Ney of Ohio. It states that in exchange for “a stream of things of value”— foreign and domestic travel, golf fees, food, jobs for relatives, and both campaign contributions and a contribution to the National Republican Campaign Committee at his request—Ney became Abramoff’s fixer on Capitol Hill. … The other shoe seems poised to drop in Washington, implicating perhaps a handful of senators and congressmen, as well as their staffs, relatives, and other public officials. The most obvious target is Ney. In their heyday, he and Abramoff played golf together, traveled together, philosophized together. Ney was one of the few elected officials Abramoff invited to the BarMitzvah of one of his three sons. Now Ney says that Abramoff “duped” and “misled” him. But, according to the plea agreement, Ney threw a lucrative contract to an Abramoff client, intervened with agencies and offices to seek favors for other Abramoff interests, helped a relative of one of Abramoff’s Russian clients obtain an American visa, agreed to introduce legislation that would help reopen the Tigua casino, and, to assist Abramoff in buying the SunCruz line, read two statements into the Congressional Record, one in which he described Abramoff’s main partner in that deal, Adam Kidan... as a man of the utmost integrity. For such services, Ney, according to the plea agreement, got “a stream of things of value” from Abramoff and those he represented: a “lavish” golf trip to St. Andrews, seats in Abramoff’s sports boxes, freebie dinners at Signatures (Ney was a “sushiholic,” one eyewitness recalls), and at least $37,500 in donations to various political-action committees on his behalf. Rather than go for Ney immediately, prosecutors appear to be encircling him, possibly striking plea deals with frightened staffers, themselves desperate to stay out of jail.” Cleveland Plain Dealer weblog "Openers", Friday, March 17, 2006, By Ted Wendling, “After saying your OPEN correspondent falsely reported that Rep. Bob Ney turned down six debate dates proposed by the League of Women Voters of Athens County, Ney's spokesman Brian Walsh now concedes that the League did propose six dates after all. But he says Ney isn't going to debate his Republican primary opponent, James Brodbelt Harris, no matter how many dates the League proposes. Between his congressional duties and campaign events in the 18th district to which he's already committed, Ney doesn't have time to debate Harris, Walsh said. Besides, he said, Harris isn't a credible candidate because he hasn't registered with the Federal Election Commission, meaning he hasn't raised $5,000 yet. "His campaign consists of sitting around his apartment in Zanesville, sending out bizarre attacks on Rep. Ney on his computer," Walsh said. "I think the whole thing is a little silly. The congressman, like 99% of the people in the district, has not the slightest idea who Mr. Harris is." Harris' response to Walsh's contemptuous dismissal of his candidacy? “I’m a farmer’s son," he said. "I’m frugal with my campaign dollars and, if elected, I’ll be frugal with our taxpayer dollars. I’m in this race, I’m serious and I’m going to take my shot.” If Ney agrees to a debate, the 36-year-old financial analyst said he's even willing to forgo any mention of the criminal investigation swirling around Ney's association with indicted political fixer Jack Abramoff. Until then, he said, he'll promote himself as a true Republican -- a member of the party of Lincoln -- pointing out that Ney and his high-rolling "porkbrokers" belong "to the party of Lincolns."” Republicans tout vision, strengths: Ross GOP gather for event to support candidates, officials, Chillicothe Gazette, By Jessica Burchard, Gazette Staff Writer, “Republican candidates statewide used Thursday's 60th Anniversary Lincoln Day Dinner to showcase the strength of their convictions. The keynote speaker at the annual event was Ohioian Jo Ann Davidson, who now serves as co-chair of the Republican National Committee in Washington, D.C. She addressed how Republicans continually are rising to the challenge of running the country and fighting in Iraq… More than 150 local supporters and Republicans now holding office and the many seeking seats in the state legislature supported Davidson's message with a standing ovation. There also was a silent auction organized by residents to raise money for the local party. The items were donated by local people as well as state officials such as John Carey, an Ohio senator… One new candidate made his debut as an option for voters in May by attending the dinner. James Brodbelt Harris, a businessman [and native of] Columbus, announced an interest in running against Rep. Bob Ney, R-Heath, to serve Ohio's 18th District. "I'm here to meet people," he said. "I feel that if I can meet lots of people in these rural areas, I can get my ideas across." Some of Harris' ideas include moving the smaller cities in Ohio forward in the economy. "I think this rural district surrounding Columbus needs to tap into the growth coming from there," said Harris. "I think I would be able to help with this because I would be the only CFA or financial analyst in (Ohio's) Congress, which would be helpful." Harris has no previous political experience, but cites being an entrepreneur and involvement with grass roots organizations as experience. He is eager to address his points in a public debate with either Ney or any Democrats. "I'm happy to appear in a forum or participate in a debate," he said. "I've contacted some Democrats Web sites about it, but have not heard back yet." At this time, Harris wants to focus on generating awareness about his candidacy and showing his commitment to Republican policy.” Ney spokesman says schedule conflicts keep rep from attending candidate forum, The Athens News, by Johnathan Hunt, 2006-03-16, “A spokesman for U.S. Rep. Bob Ney said Tuesday that the 18th District congressman, whose district includes northwestern Athens County, had prior obligations that caused him to decline an invitation to a Nelsonville candidates' forum… Walsh disputed whether Ney, a six-term Republican from Heath, had turned down as many as six dates proposed by the League of Women Voters of Athens County. Tina Burger, a board member and co-chair of voter services for the organization, described on Sunday her unsuccessful efforts to invite Ney to the forum. Burger said that, besides the preferred date of April 11, she offered Ney's campaign potential dates of March 30, April 4, 5, 19 and 25… The press secretary said that Ney's only Republican opponent in the May primary, James Harris of Muskingum County, hasn't filed his candidacy with the Federal Election Commission, and Walsh questioned how seriously Harris should be taken as a candidate. "Mr. Harris's bizarre attacks are not worthy of a response from the congressman," he said, characterizing some of the anti-Ney rhetoric by Harris in recent weeks. Harris claimed credit when Ney reversed his position on the USA Patriot Act, which he had voted against twice, but voted to extend on March 7. Harris said the pressure of his candidacy led Ney to change his position and favor the legislation, which many Republicans support. Walsh said it was legitimate for Ney's camp to point out that Harris lived in New York City for much of the past decade, because it's part of why voters haven't heard of him, though he disputed whether this constituted an attack. "I don't view him as being credible enough to even be worthy of an attack," said Walsh… While the press secretary downplayed any threat posed by Harris on Tuesday, and was generally dismissive of his run for office, he did charge the candidate with committing one major faux pas. "He has no problem with violating Ronald Reagan's '11th commandment,' which is 'thou shalt not speak ill of a fellow Republican,'" said Walsh. The reality of modern politics requires significant campaign fundraising, he added, which Harris will be unable to do without filing with the FEC. FEC spokesperson Kelly Huff confirmed Wednesday that Harris has not filed his candidacy with the FEC. "He's not required to file with us unless he's raised or spent in excess of $5,000," said Huff… Ney faces possible criminal indictment for his alleged role in a national scandal involving convicted former lobbyist Jack Abramoff. However, the congressman remains popular in the 18th District, and some observers feel he will remain a strong favorite unless or until an indictment comes. While bribery convictions are also hard for prosecutors to obtain because they are notoriously difficult to prove, formal charges would increase pressure within the GOP for Ney to step aside… In a Tuesday press release, Harris issued an open-debate challenge. "I argue that Ney is afraid of debating me and my Reagan Republican economic policies, but it's also possible that his handlers or lawyers don't want him debating any candidate or talking to any reporters while he's under federal investigation for felonies involving Jack Abramoff or bribery," Harris said.” "Congressional Candidate Signs Taxpayer Protection Pledge", Americans for Tax Reform, “WASHINGTON, D.C. – James Brodbelt Harris, a Republican vying for Ohio’s 18th Congressional District seat, recently signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge sponsored by Americans for Tax Reform (ATR). The Pledge commits signers to “oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rates for individuals and/or businesses … and oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates." ATR has offered the Pledge to all candidates for federal office since 1987. To date, President George W. Bush, 46 U.S. senators, and 222 members of the U.S. House of Representatives have signed the Pledge. Additionally, six Governors and over 1,260 state legislators have signed the Pledge as well. “America needs leaders who are committed to protecting taxpayers, and signing our Pledge demonstrates that kind of leadership,” said Grover Norquist, president of ATR. “By signing the Pledge, James Brodbelt Harris demonstrates allegiance to hard-working taxpayers nationwide, as well as dedication to taxpayers in Ohio. I applaud James for the leadership and dedication he showed by signing the Pledge.”” “Ney's congressional race starting to get interesting, with more candidates”, The Athens News, “If federal prosecutors are "encircling" U.S. Rep. Bob Ney, R-Heath, as Vanity Fair magazine assesses in its latest issue, political challengers for Ney's congressional seat are, at the very least, starting to line up. And, according to a local representative of the League of Women Voters, the embattled incumbent is now refusing to participate in a public campaign forum in Athens County, despite several opportunities… James Harris, a financial planner from Muskingum County, has become Ney's lone Republican foe in the May primary… This campaign promises to be interesting, to say the least. Ney faces possible criminal indictment for his involvement with convicted former Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff. The January indictment against Abramoff outlined a pattern of bribery allegedly involving "Representative No. 1," widely understood to be Ney. (The congressman has strongly denied any wrongdoing.) Even before the legal intrigue, the enigmatic incumbent defied description. Ney is, on one hand, a fire-breathing conservative who proposed renaming french fries "freedom fries" after France wouldn't back the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, and who regularly rails against environmentalists, China, the United Nations and New Yorkers. Yet the six-term congressman once taught in Iran, speaks the Persian language Farsi fluently and defends trade policies benefiting unions in the region. He also has a record of securing significant federal spending in his district. Already, Ney's press office has attacked Harris for living in New York City in recent years. Harris is a Dartmouth graduate and financial planner who boasts strong Ohio roots - but who comes across as aristocratic compared to Ney, a skilled Rust-Belt politician who's comfortable gulping coffee with constituents in Glouster and around the district. Harris was an intern in Congress for former U.S. Rep. John Kasich, but has never held political office. He is a descendant of Andrew Lintner Harris, Ohio's governor from 1906 to 1909. In a Friday interview, Harris made clear his support of free trade and low taxes, and said Ohio is at a "fork in the road" economically. "It does need to decide what road it goes down," he said. Voters must decide between "fearful protectionism," "a little bit of xenophobia" and "rust-belt stagnation," and "whether to embrace the enormous growth coming out of the Columbus metropolitan area," according to Harris. The new GOP candidate is forthright about the way the 18th District was gerrymandered to favor his party, and Harris has said a Democrat could only win the 18th in the presence of a Republican scandal. "If this (redistricting) trend continues in America, then, obviously, voters will have no choice in November," and primary elections will become more important, he said. "I would prefer a more geographically compact district." Harris has asserted that Ney's advocacy of pork-barrel spending is a major difference between the two candidates. "I believe we absolutely need to live within our means, and he does not," he said. "Already, I'm competitive (by) putting forth my Reagan Republican positions." … NEY'S CAMPAIGN STAFF WAS offered six different dates for a candidates forum at the Nelsonville Public Library but couldn't accommodate the request, said Tina Burger, a board member and co-chair of voter services for the League of Women Voters of Athens County. "We will, unfortunately, have to cancel the candidate forum for 18th District Republicans this primary season," reported Burger in an e-mail interview. "After not receiving a reply to the e-mails I sent to the campaign, first inviting Ney to participate and then informing him of Mr. Harris' acceptance, I called campaign headquarters last week to extend an invitation by phone. A representative from the campaign said he'd check the schedule and return my call. A few days later, I called back to follow up on that conversation. At that time, I was told by the same representative (whose name I did not catch) that Congressman Ney was not available on April 11." April's Vanity Fair feature calls Ney Abramoff's "fixer" on Capitol Hill, and suggests prosecutors are waiting to indict him until key aides and associates give testimony. E-mails between the congressman, his staffers and Abramoff's organizations could form the nexus of the government's case.” “Evans-Novak Political Report”, Human Events: The National Conservative Weekly, by Bob Novak, Republican syndicated columnist and editor, Mar 10, 2006, “Since everyone—including panicky GOP congressmen—seems to be talking about a “probable” Democratic takeover of the House, we thought it would be appropriate to lay out the precise scenario in which this could happen. What follows is an account of the GOP’s doomsday scenario, which would result in a Democratic majority with 218 to 220 seats (a one to five-seat margin)… A Democrat wins the seat being vacated by Rep. Bob Beauprez (R-Colo.), while Rep. Bob Ney watches his district’s election results from prison as some obscure Democrat gets his seat by default. This scenario represents a gross Democratic gain of 20 seats. If all of these dominoes fall, and Republicans can’t manage to pick up six Democratic seats, then Democrats will have netted 15-plus seats and a majority in the U.S. House for the first time since 1994. This is a possible, but unlikely scenario… A two to five seat Democratic majority would have the committee subpoena power to make Bush’s life miserable, but it would surely lack the strength to govern in any meaningful way. Bear in mind that if the Supreme Court orders another round of redistricting in Texas later this year, it could change everything…” "After voting no twice, Ney votes to renew Patriot Act", Zanesville Times-Recorder, (Newark Advocate and AP), “U.S. Rep. Bob Ney's vote reversal on the controversial USA Patriot Act Tuesday night helped Republicans finally pass the bill through Congress and on to President Bush, who will sign it. The 280-138 vote Tuesday evening passed by just two votes more than needed under House rules requiring a two-thirds majority for legislation handled on an expedited basis… Ney voted against the Patriot Act in 2001 when it was first adopted and during the initial vote on renewing the act late last year. "(Our) security cannot and must not come at the expense of American citizens' individual freedoms," Ney wrote last year in a column. "If the United States suspends the freedoms guaranteed in the Bill of Rights, then the terrorists will have succeeded. "It is for this very reason that I opposed passage of the Patriot Act in 2001, and I opposed its reauthorization when it came to the House floor this past week. I simply could not support legislation that deprives citizens of those very freedoms we are attempting to prevent terrorists from taking.” Ney's Republican primary opponent, Zanesville financial analyst James Harris, immediately took credit for prompting Ney's reversal. "I am pleased that Mr. Ney has finally voted affirmatively with almost all other Republicans on this important issue. ... Obviously Ney has been pressured by my primary challenge against him, and he has decided to flip-flop and vote for the act's renewal. If my involvement in this campaign has forced this embattled incumbent to vote more Republican than usual, then my candidacy is already successful." Ney spokesman Brian Walsh scoffed at the idea. "Congressman Ney could not even tell you which borough of New York City Mr. Harris has been living in the last 10 years before moving to Ohio, let alone where he purports to stand on particular pieces of legislation," Walsh said in a statement. "So the idea that Mr. Harris had any bearing on the congressman's vote is absolutely ridiculous."” [JBH: Walsh negatively spinning and trying to undercut Harris’s extensive Ohio roots and 20+ years residence in East-Central Ohio (incl. Zanesville). Article also appeared in substantially same form in the Coshocton Tribune: "After voting no twice, Ney backs Patriot Act". "D.C.'s Political Report", Campaign Summaries, March 10, 2006 (Subscription, archives), “Chillicothe Mayor Joseph P. Sulzer (D-OH) said U.S. Representative Robert W. "Bob" Ney (R-OH) should resign if he is named directly in the Abramoff criminal ethics probe. Ney's Republican primary challenger, James Brodbelt Harris (R-OH), has asked Republican leaders to issue statements that they will support his candidacy in the event prosecutors indict Ney for a felony, for bribery, or for any crime against the government.” “Open Seats Draw Candidates To Congressional Primaries; Petition Snafu Threatens Wilson In 6th District”, Gongwer Ohio, Political Report (subscription only), Volume #75, Report #33, Article #03 --Friday, February 17, 2006, “18th District: U.S. Rep. Bob Ney (R-Heath), a Democratic target by virtue of his links to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff, drew an opponent in the Republican primary. James Brodbelt Harris of Zanesville, a chartered financial analyst who describes himself as "a pro-growth Reagan Republican," charges that Mr. Ney's actions have "smeared Ohio's global image and are risking Republican electoral chances across America." Mr. Harris is a descendant of Andrew Lintner Harris, the 44th governor of Ohio (1906-1909), and the last of the Civil War veterans to serve as the state's chief executive. Candidates in the Democratic primary include former state Rep. Joseph Sulzer of Chillicothe; Jennifer Stewart, a member of the State Board of Education from Zanesville; Zachary Space, law director for the City of Dover; and Ralph Applegate of Columbus.” “Ney helps to pass Patriot Act: Area representative voted against law in 2001”, Chilicothe Gazette, “WASHINGTON — Rep. Bob Ney’s vote reversal on the controversial USA Patriot Act late Tuesday helped Republicans finally pass the bill through Congress and onto President Bush, who will sign it. The 280-138 vote Tuesday passed by just two votes more than needed under House rules requiring a two-thirds majority for legislation handled on an expedited basis… Ney voted against the Patriot Act in 2001 when it was first adopted and during the initial vote on renewing the act late last year [citing privacy reasons]. “It is for this very reason that I opposed passage of the Patriot Act in 2001, and I opposed its reauthorization when it came to the House floor this past week. I simply could not support legislation that deprives citizens of those very freedoms we are attempting to prevent terrorists from taking”, [Ney said]. Ney’s Republican primary opponent James Harris, a Zanesville financial analyst, immediately took credit for prompting Ney’s reversal. “I am pleased that Mr. Ney has finally voted affirmatively with almost all other Republicans on this important issue. ... Obviously Ney has been pressured by my primary challenge against him, and he has decided to flip-flop and vote for the Act’s renewal. If my involvement in this campaign has forced this embattled incumbent to vote more Republican than usual, then my candidacy is already successful.” Ney spokesman Brian Walsh denied that Ney's action had anything to do with Harris' candidacy. "Congressman Ney could not even tell you which borough of New York City Mr. Harris has been living in the last ten years before moving to Ohio let alone where he purports to stand on particular pieces of legislation so the idea that Mr. Harris had any bearing on the Congressman's vote is absolutely ridiculous," Walsh said.” [Ney’s campaign attempting to undercut Harris’s enormous roots in Central Ohio and Ohio agriculture, note by JBH] "NEY REVERSES VOTE ON PATRIOT ACT", Newark Advocate, March 8, 2006, “Congressman Bob Ney’s vote reversal on the controversial USA Patriot Act Tuesday night helped Republicans finally pass the bill through Congress and onto President Bush, who will sign it. The 280-138 vote Tuesday evening passed by just two votes more than needed under House rules requiring a two-thirds majority for legislation handled on an expedited basis… Ney voted against the Patriot Act in 2001 when it was first adopted and during the initial vote on renewing the act late last year. “(Our) security cannot and must not come at the expense of American citizens' individual freedoms,” Ney wrote last year in a column. “If the United States suspends the freedoms guaranteed in the Bill of Rights, then the terrorists will have succeeded… It is for this very reason that I opposed passage of the Patriot Act in 2001, and I opposed its reauthorization when it came to the House floor this past week. I simply could not support legislation that deprives citizens of those very freedoms we are attempting to prevent terrorists from taking” [Ney said]. Ney’s Republican primary opponent James Harris, a Zanesville financial analyst, immediately took credit for prompting Ney’s reversal. “I am pleased that Mr. Ney has finally voted affirmatively with almost all other Republicans on this important issue. ... Obviously Ney has been pressured by my primary challenge against him, and he has decided to flip-flop and vote for the Act’s renewal. If my involvement in this campaign has forced this embattled incumbent to vote more Republican than usual, then my candidacy is already successful.” For some, congressional passage comes none too soon after a season of political combat that stalled the legislation and forced Congress to postpone the expiration date twice…” "Sulzer: Ney should resign if named in probe", Zanesville Times-Recorder, by Lori McNelly (Lancaster Eagle-Gazette), “If named directly in a criminal ethics probe involving Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff, Congressman Bob Ney should resign and a special election should be conducted for his replacement - at least according to Chillicothe mayor and potential Ney opponent Joe Sulzer… “He's going to be spending his time now raising more money for his legal defense than taking care of the district."… All this is nothing new to James Harris. He's the Zanesville Republican facing Ney in the May 2 primary. He said he's been calling for Ney to retire for a while now. That's retire, not resign. "Just the whole Abramoff felony scandal has been terrible for the country and I believe it's a spending, overspending scandal. It's a scandal of obese government. It's a scandal of pork and special-interest earmarks," he said. "I do think Mr. Ney should retire." Harris said he recognizes Ney, who hasn't been indicted, has the support of the Republican Party. "I recognize he's an entrenched incumbent (and) at the moment not legally indicted, so, therefore, I'm taking the fight to him on Republican policy positions. I believe he has not voted with the party on three major issues." Harris cited Ney's votes on spending, trade and his votes against the Patriot Act in 2001 and 2005 as going against the Republican Party line."If he were indicted, I ask the party to endorse me," Harris said.” “Congress sends revised Patriot Act to Bush”, March 8, 2006, By Laurie Kellman Associated Press Writer, “The House renewed the USA Patriot Act in a cliffhanger vote Tuesday night, extending a centerpiece of the war on terrorism at President Bush’s urging after months of political combat over the balance between privacy rights and the pursuit of potential terrorists… Rep. Bob Ney, R-Heath, supported the renewal after opposing the Patriot Act in the past… The vote was 280-138, just two more than needed under special rules that required a two-thirds majority. The close vote caught senior Republican aides in both chambers by surprise. Nonetheless, the vote marked a political victory for Bush and will allow congressional Republicans facing midterm elections this year to continue touting a tough-on-terror stance…. Republicans on Tuesday declared the legislative war won, saying the renewal of the act’s 16 provisions along with new curbs on government investigatory power will help law enforcement prevent terrorists from striking.” [Article also appeared in other papers such as the Times-Reporter]. “Sulzer suggests Ney resign: Mayor wants Ney out if he's named”, Chillicothe Gazette, By Lori McNelly, Gazette City Editor, “If named directly in a criminal ethics probe involving Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff, Congressman Bob Ney should resign… according to Chillicothe mayor and potential Ney opponent Joe Sulzer. "In the indictments that have come down ... they've always named a Representative No. 1. They never really mentioned Bob Ney.” Brian Walsh, Ney's spokesman, discounted Sulzer's claims. "It speaks volumes that on the same day Bob Ney is hard at work doing his job in Congress by passing anti-meth legislation, supporting a bill to ensure all American ports are controlled by American companies and fighting for more LIHEAP funding, Joe Sulzer and his liberal friends from Columbus are once again lobbing negative attacks that have no basis in fact," Walsh said.” [NOTE BY JBH: WALSH IS REFERRING TO THE PATRIOT ACT RENEWAL WHICH INCLUDES SMALL METH AND PORT PROVISIONS, BUT HE DID NOT MENTION THE PATRIOT ACT BY NAME BECAUSE NEY VOTED AGAINST THE PATRIOT ACT TWICE IN 2001 AND 2005]. “All this is nothing new to James Harris. He's the Zanesville Republican facing Ney in the May 2 primary. He said he's been calling for Ney to retire for a while now. That's retire, not resign." "I recognize he's an entrenched incumbent (and) at the moment not legally indicted, so, therefore, I'm taking the fight to him on Republican policy positions. I believe he has not voted with the party on three major issues." Harris cited Ney's votes on spending, trade and his votes against the Patriot Act in 2001 and 2005 as going against the Republican Party line. "If he were indicted, I ask the party to endorse me," Harris said. Asked whether a Ney resignation would put the district in a state of flux with regard to representation, Sulzer said, "Under the federal law, there would be a special election and there would be a congressman elected from this area ... and a general election in November." But, Sulzer said, if he's elected the Democratic candidate for the 18th District, ethics won't be the only issue discussed.” “Harris '91 hopes to unseat incumbent”, The Dartmouth, by Conlan O’Leary, March 7, 2006, “Seventeen years after interning on Capitol Hill, James Brodbelt Harris '91 hopes to return not as an intern, but as a congressman. Harris, who interned for Representative John R. Kasich (R-Ohio) the summer after his freshman year at Dartmouth, will run in the 2006 Republican primary for the congressional seat of the 18th district of Ohio. He will square off against six-term incumbent Bob Ney (R-Ohio), who is currently embroiled in the Jack Abramoff bribery scandal… I'm taking the fight to him because he hasn't voted the way that he should vote," Harris said. "If it were one issue that would be fine, but on several important issues he goes against the party.” Although he has never held political office, Harris comes from a long line of prominent Ohioans dating back nearly 200 years. The most famous Harris, Andrew L. Harris, was a general in the Civil War, served as the governor of Ohio and was William McKinley's running mate [as Governor]… "The people of the 18th district of Ohio need to choose whether to accept the economic stagnation of the 'rust belt' to the east or the economic growth and free market economy of the metropolitan Columbus area," Harris said. Because he grew up [working on] on his family's farm, Harris believes that he has a unique understanding of the state's rural population and compared farming to creating a favorable economic situation for his district. "What you need are the right elements, good soil, rain and sunlight. You need to weed out all the stagnating plants and ground cover to allow your crops to thrive and the green canopy to achieve sunlight and photosynthesis," Harris said.” The Hotline: National Journal’s Daily Briefing on Politics, March 3, 2006, “Either Ney Has A Sense Of Humor, Or...”, “[Reference to picture of golf tees with ironic connection to Abramoff golf junkets to Scotland] "Ney for Congress" golf tees that Rep. Bob Ney's folks were handing out at Muskingum College Candidates' Night last night in New Concord, OH… Ney's primary opponent, James Brodbelt Harris, was in Washington today meeting with conservative groups. He argues that he's a faithful Republican who won't drag down the party.” “Harris '91 Running for Ohio Congressional Seat”, BuzzFlood, The BuzzLine - Recent News [at Dartmouth College], March 02 2006, “James Brodbelt Harris, CFA (AB 1991, class of 1992) is running for Congress in Ohio and has challenged in the Republican primary the Representative of the 18th District Bob Ney, the central figure in Congress under investigation in the Abramoff bribery scandal. Harris, a relative of a former Governor of Ohio, graduated with two majors in three years instead of the usual four, and during one summer while at Dartmouth Harris served former Rep. John Kasich (R-OH) as a Congressional Intern. Harris is running as a “Reagan Republican” proposing tax cuts, spending restraint, free trade and a continuation of the Patriot Act, against most of which his opponent voted “NAY”. While unseating a six-term incumbent is an uphill struggle, Harris is asking local Ohioans to remain loyal to their Republican principles and to vote the embattled Congressman out of office. In previous years, Harris actively promoted alumni governance reforms at Dartmouth. His website is www.HarrisForOhio.com … and the election is May 2, 2006.” Ney discussed Iranian issues in England, lobbyist says, The Columbus Dispatch, Comp. by Jonathan Riskind and Jack Torry, February 26, 2006, “Rep. Bob Ney hasn’t wanted to discuss a 2003 trip to England to meet with executives of a company called FN Aviation, citing national security. One of those the Heath Republican met with was a convicted American felon and airplane broker named Nigel Winfield. But a lobbyist who represented FN Aviation says the meeting revolved around lifting U.S. sanctions restricting sale of airplane parts to crash-prone Iran Air. Ney years ago taught English in Iran and has been involved in Iranian issues as a lawmaker. Dave DiStefano, former Ney chief of staff-turned-lobbyist, said he wouldn’t have introduced Winfield to Ney if he had known of Winfield’s past. FN’s deal went nowhere, DiStefano said, adding he obtained a waiver from the former client to discuss the matter. Ney "didn’t do anything. We never asked him to do anything. The trip was to talk about his (Iran expertise), introduce (Ney) to the client," DiStefano said. Newsweek reported Ney personally lobbied then-Secretary of State Colin Powell to relax Iran sanctions after the FN Aviation trip. Mark Tuohey, Ney’s attorney, said Ney has spoken to various government officials about Iran, but didn’t lobby Powell or anyone else on behalf of FN Aviation. Ney spokesman Brian Walsh said FN Aviation sought Ney’s views on "whether he felt support existed within the Congress to lift certain sanctions against that nation (Iran) for humanitarian reasons. At no point was he ever asked to lobby/help anyone and at no point did he lobby/help anyone." Newsweek also has reported that federal prosecutors investigating the separate matter of Ney’s ties to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff subpoenaed records about the FN Aviation trip. Tuohey would not comment on the specifics of what prosecutors have subpoenaed from Ney.” “Open Seats, Large Fields Give Ohio Races Chance to Rock”, Dayton Daily News, [unlinked article dated February 20, 2006], Jessica Wehrman, “With three open U.S. House seats, one congressman linked to a convicted lobbyist and the potential for a few feisty challenges to incumbents, Ohio's congressional races could make for an exciting political season, political analysts say. Among longtime incumbents, Rep. Bob Ney, R-Heath, appears to be the most vulnerable, thanks largely to a federal corruption investigation which has linked Ney with fallen lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Four Democrats — including Dover Law Director Zack Space and Chillicothe Mayor Joe Sulzer — have declared their candidacy, as has one other Republican, political newcomer James Brodbelt Harris of Zanesville… Political scientist Larry Sabato of the University of Virginia said Ohio scandals have the potential to help Democrats, but warns it's early to predict which races will be competitive. Still, he pegs Pryce, Chabot, Ney and freshman Rep. Jean Schmidt, R-Loveland, as likely to face significant challenges. Stu Rothenberg of the Rothenberg Political Report said he believes Chabot's and Pryce's races will be sideshows to the biggest House race in Ohio. "The Ney race is absolutely a top-tier race," he said. "He's one of the most vulnerable House members in the country." "If I Win the Primary, I've Won the Election", D.C.’s Political Report, Feb. 24, 2006, “If I Win the Primary, I've Won the Election: Congressional candidate James Brodbelt Harris (R-OH), who has filed to challenge U.S. Representative Robert W. Ney (R-OH) in the Republican primary, reports that Republicans have asked him to stop referring to Ohio's Eighteenth Congressional District as gerrymandered. Harris respon[ds] by saying "Of course Ohio’s 18th District is Gerrymandered Republican. The proof is twofold: the district votes 60% reliably Republican and everybody knows that this district geography has an “irritable protuberance” along the Ohio River which picked up Ney’s (former) residence in St. Clairsville in industrial Belmont County so that he could avoid fighting Congressman Ted Strickland (D-OH), and which put him squarely in a rural Republican central Ohio district. The Democrats could only win this district in a year with “bad news”" [Some hyperlinks removed; Alternative link here]. "Interesting Way to Campaign", Right Angle Blog, February 22, 2006, “By announcing your district is lost... Interesting way to [campaign]”; "”James Brodbelt Harris, CFA, a financial analyst from central Ohio who has challenged Bob Ney in the Republican primary for Ohio's 18th Congressional District, says that the district has already been lost by Ohio… "at least in terms of mathematical expectation and probability and we may blame economic stagnation and government obesity for the population loss. According to a basic analysis of population growth rates in the 50 states since the last census in 2000, accounting for the states and populations in D.C., P.R., and in the military, I calculate that Ohio lost the 18th District to North Carolina in August of 2000, several months after the last census count was taken. A more precise study of allocating seats by varying remainders might be more exact, but will not much change the outcome come 2010: Ohio's 18th Representative is lost."” Ney-sayers file for Congress, The Plain Dealer, by Sabrina Eaton, Monday, February 20, 2006, Cleveland. “A Zanesville investment manager who claims descent from a long-ago Ohio governor has filed to run against embattled Rep. Bob Ney in the 18th district Republican congressional primary. Four Democrats also filed petitions to run for the seat. James Brodbelt Harris urged GOP primary voters to reject Ney because of corruption allegations that surround his entanglement with Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff.” Congressman Ney Gets a GOP Challenger, GOPbloggers, by Mark Noonan, Feb. 18, 2006. “Representative Bob Ney, (R-OH), under fire in the Abramoff scandal, has picked up a GOP primary challenger… Our view at GOP Bloggers is that any attempt to further Reaganize the Republican Party is a worthy cause. Here's to a free and fair debate between the candidates and may the voters decide who is the best Republican.” Ney's GOP Challenger, D.C.'s Political Report, February 18-19 Newsletter, “Sensing an opportunity that rarely happens, Financial analyst James Brodbelt Harris (R-OH) decided to challenge U.S. Representative Robert W. Ney (R-OH) in the Republican primary. Harris said that the only way a Democrat could win this district is if Ney, who has been linked to convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff (R) by the press, is renominated. "I don't believe a Democrat could win this district in a normal year," Harris said. "But if Ney wins the primary, a Democrat could win the election."” [Some hyperlinks removed or added]. “Mistakes might put Democrat out of race”, The Columbus Dispatch, Saturday, February 18, 2006. “In the neighboring eastern Ohio 18th District, Rep. Bob Ney, R-Heath, will face James Brodbelt Harris in the Republican primary. Harris, 36, a tax analyst, says he’s a descendent of Ohio Gov. Andrew L. Harris, who served from 1906 to 1909.” "Zanesville financial planner to challenge Ney", Zanesville Times-Recorder, by Rachel Streitfeld, Feb. 17, 2006, Zanesville, “U.S. Rep. Bob Ney's newest challenger is 36-year-old "Reagan Republican" and financial analyst James Brodbelt Harris of Zanesville… I don't believe a Democrat could win this district in a normal year," Harris said…. But if Ney wins the primary, a Democrat could win the election…. I'm going to get in the race, and I will pursue my Reagan Republican principles," he said.” "Dramatic elections forecast", The Columbus Dispatch, Joe Hallett and Mark Niquette, February 17, 2006. “And Rep. Bob Ney, R-Heath, who is under federal investigation for his ties with former Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff, has one Republican and four Democrats in the hunt for his seat.” OH: State Looks Hot as Ever as Filing Deadline Passes CQPolitics.com, DC – Feb 16, 2006 “The most vulnerable officeholder in the state’s House delegation appears to be Republican Bob Ney, whose bid for a seventh term in the 18th District has been jeopardized by alleged ties to former lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who pleaded guilty last month to federal bribery charges. Federal prosecutors allege that Abramoff plied Ney and his staff with trips and meals in exchange for the congressman’s assistance. Ney has denied wrongdoing. Ney’s lone primary opponent is political unknown James Brodbelt Harris. The four-candidate Democratic primary includes Chillicothe mayor Joe Sulzer and Zack Space, the elected law director in Dover.” Ney faces unexpected challenge in GOP primary The Hill, DC, Jonathan E. Kaplan, Feb 16, 2006. "I believe any good Republican could hold this Republican gerrymandered district and the only way a Democrat could win this district is in the midst of a scandal." "If this bad news is in the papers for the next six to seven months, Republicans could lose 30 to 40 seats nationally."   Some earlier news about the 18th District: Ney votes “NAY” on Republican Budget. “Relating to consideration of the bill (S. 1932) to provide for reconciliation pursuant to section 202 (a) of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2006 (H. Con. Res. 95)”, House Clerk website, Feb. 1, 2006, Ney votes NAY on Republican budget reconciliation bill for third time. http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2006/roll004.xml Ney votes “NAY” on Republican USA Patriot Act in 2005. “H R 3199… On Agreeing to the Conference Report. BILL TITLE: USA PATRIOT and Terrorism Prevention Reauthorization Act”, House Clerk website, Dec. 15, 2005, Ney votes NAY on Republican USA Patriot Act for second time, one of 18 Republican votes against the Patriot Act (also voted NAY in 2001). http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2005/roll627.xml Ney votes “NAY” on Republican USA Patriot Act in 2001. Project Vote Smart, “USA Patriot Act of 2001, Bill Number: HR 3162, Oct. 24, 2001, Sponsor: Rep Sensenbrenner, F. James, Jr. [WI-9], Roll Call Number: 0398”, Ney votes NAY on Bipartisan USA Patriot Act, one of 3 Republican votes against the Patriot Act. http://www.vote-smart.org/issue_keyvote_member.php?vote_id=3108 "Rep. Ney: 'If I'm indicted, I'm running'", The Hill, Jan. 19, 2006. “Embattled Rep. Bob Ney (R-Ohio) said Thursday he will run for re-election even if he is indicted for his connections to disgraced Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff. In an interview with The Hill, Ney said, “I’m running -- if I’m indicted, I’m running.” Ney made the remarks in response to comments made by Ohio Republican Chairman Bob Bennett, who told Fox News, "If Bob Ney is indicted, that's a very serious charge. We would ask him to step down on that basis...that's where the line is drawn." Ney said, “My Republicans will decide if I am elected again – not the party boss.” http://www.thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/011806/ney2.html "Ney trips to London drawing renewed scrutiny." (Copley News Service Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge), Feb. 10, 2006. “In the winter of 2003, Ney flew to London and met with two men who, according to people familiar with the visit, were interested in selling aircraft parts to Iran's crash-prone national airline, something prohibited under U.S. sanctions without a special exemption. ... Some time after that meeting, Ney's staff says he returned to London, visited an exclusive casino frequented by al-Zayat and parlayed a $100 initial bet into $34,000 in winnings on just two hands of a card game, which gambling experts say would be extremely good luck.” http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2006/02/10/1361743.htm "A Washington Tidal Wave" Newsweek, by Michael Isikoff, Holly Bailey and Evan Thomas, Jan. 16, 2006. “Ney went to London to meet the operator of a Cyprus-based airplane firm, FN Aviation, which was seeking Ney's help in getting permission to sell U.S.-made airplane spare parts to Iran. … The owner of the company, Nigel Winfield, a thrice-convicted felon who once went to prison for trying to fleece Elvis Presley, wanted a "humanitarian" exception to a ban on the sale of U.S. high tech to Iran (Iran's aging Boeings had begun crashing). Ney, his lawyers acknowledge, did talk to the State Department.” http://msnbc.msn.com/id/10756433/site/newsweek/ “Ney’s trip to London nets $34,000”, February 12, 2006, by Toby Eckert Copley Washington Bureau, “Ney’s staff says he returned to London, visited an exclusive casino frequented by al-Zayat and parlayed a $100 initial bet into $34,000 in winnings on just two hands of a card game. Gambling experts say that would be extremely good luck.” http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=268984&Category=23 “Rep. Ney says he was 'duped' by Abramoff”, The Hill, by Josephine Hearn, “Ney said in a statement last night that he was “duped” and “misled” by Abramoff.” http://www.hillnews.com/news/111804/ney.aspx “Lobbyist admits he gave Ney bribes”, The Columbus Dispatch, Jan. 4, 2006, ”Congressman denies accusations but soon may be indicted himself” http://www.columbusdispatch.com (Jan 4, 2006) ”Rothenberg’s 10 Most Endangered House Incumbents”, Roll Call, The Newspaper of Capitol Hill, February 16, 2006, By Stuart Rothenberg. “With Ney on the ballot in November, the Republicans will probably lose this district, even though it was redrawn after the 2000 Census to make it reliably Republican. If Ney retires – and he has already filed to run again – the GOP would have a much better chance of holding the seat. Any normal Democrat (attorney Zack Space might meet that test) should beat Ney.” http://www.rollcall.com/issues/51_85/rothenberg/12213-1.html

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