Lyin' Steve LaTourette has misled the voters of the OH-14 on a number of occasions, including his promise to only run for four terms (he's running for his seventh right now). But his betrayals to his district were deepest felt on two crucial votes. In the summer of 2005, LaTourette promised us and labor leaders that CAFTA was a bad bill and he would vote against it. But some late night arm twisting by Denny Hastert and the Republican leadership made LaTourette go against his word - and he cast the deciding vote in favor of another bad trade bill.
But even more unbelievable was his vote in November, 2005 for the Republican budget bill that cut education and welfare spending. Again the vote went late into the night to get passed. Again the vote was very close. And again a certain Congressman from Ohio went against his word.
The best part? That night the amazing story was caught on radio as it happened.
WCPN is Cleveland's excellent NPR affiliate. Chad Pergram, a reporter working for the Capital News Connection that broadcasts on WCPN and other affiliates, was the only one who caught up with Steve LaTourette after his first vote at 1:15 am and then again after his second vote at 1:55 am. For political junkies, it is an excellent report, worth the five minutes to hear a good story about a Congressman who refused to stand up for what was right. The link to the audio is at the bottom.
For the voters of the Ohio 14th Congressional district, the story will make your blood boil. Even if you are in favor of CAFTA and draconian Bush budget bills, you cannot admire a man who goes against his word -- twice.
As the vote occurred around 1:15 am, LaTourette voted against the budget legislation. Correspondent Chad Pergram interviewed LaTourette shortly after his no vote...
'I voted no because in my district people understand the need for tax relief because it's growing the economy, but they don't understand why when we achieve savings, it comes from programs that help people who are disadvantaged.'
But the GOP leadership desperately needed LaTourette's help to pass this controversial measure at the last minute.
So LaTourette caved and voted for the bill. And at 1:55 am, an incredulous Chad Pergram again interviewed LaTourette to find out how Republican leaders cajoled the Congressman to change his vote.
'The Speaker of the House and the leadership of the House came and indicated that we're a majority. We need to govern and that in order to govern you need to move a package out of the House. To do nothing and not get it over to the Senate I think would not be discharging my responsibility.'
Apparently honoring your promises to your constituents is also not his responsibility. Later in the interview LaTourette admits:
'It's still not right for the district... It's not right...'
How did LaTourette think people his district would react? This is probably the most famous words uttered in this whole campaign:
'Well, Chardon's under 12 inches of snow so they're really not worried what happened here tonight.'
Go listen to the whole thing here. Definitely worth your time.
Other diaries about this race:
OH-14: If Iraq is the question, Katz (D) is the answer
OH-14 by the numbers: Why Katz (D) can win Part II
OH-14: LaTourette Next Big Scandal? Research Needed!
OH-14: Why Katz (D) can win
OH-14: LaTourette (R) admits he's not doing his job