Today's
Washington Post has a series of articles that, while long, are must reading for anyone who's a constituent of Rep. Tom Davis (R-11). Basically, what the Post does is lay out in great detail a
highly questionable, suspiciously slimy web of influence and favors surrounding Tom "DeLay" Davis and his wife, Virginia State Sen. Jeannemarie Devolites.
In short, Rep. Davis, who ironically serves as Chairman of the Committee on Government Reform, has extremely close ties - and provides very helpful,
highly lucrative favors - to ICG Government, a consulting company for technology firms seeking government contracts. What's the problem with that?
Well, among other things:
*The fact that Davis' wife, Jeannemarie Devolites, is a partner with ICG.
*The fact that - according to the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, "[t]he principal of ICG, Donald Upson, is a personal friend of [Rep. Davis'] whom you have known for 20 years."
*The fact that Davis intervened in a highly suspicious manner on behalf of an ICG client, Artel Inc., by pressuring the Pentagon to maintain a $2.2 billion satellite services contract that was facing termination, and which "represented nearly 70 percent of Artel's revenue."
*The fact that Davis denies any knowledge of a letter, largely written by Artel, which has his signature on it and which went to the Pentagon official (Charles Croom) in charge of the satellite services contract.
*The fact that Davis' friend Upson - also a lobbyist for Juniper Networks Inc. - arranged to have Juniper's chairman and chief executive, Scott Kriens, testify at a Congressional hearing on bird flu. Juniper, it turns out, is very interested in bird flu as part of its strategy to push teleworking technology and earn money in that line of business. Getting Kriens a slot testifying before Davis' committee was "create a reputation for Juniper in Congress was, according to the Post, part of "an 18-month plan to create a reputation for Juniper in Congress as a 'thought leader' on technology issues." Obviously, large amounts of money was at stake in becoming said "thought leader."
*The fact that the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, despite being controlled by members of Davis' own party, admonished him by urging him to "avoid a claim that you are allowing your official title to be used for private gain." In addition, the Conduct Committee repeatedly came to the lukewarm conclusion - "Generally, the answer is 'no'" - when asked about possible ethical or conduct standards violations by Davis and his wife. Not exactly a ringing absolution for Tom "Team Abramoff" Davis.
*Finally, the fact that Davis is a major Republican leader in Congress at a time when Congress has completely failed - under pressure by interest groups - to deliver on its promise of major lobbying reform in the aftermath of the Jack Abramoff scandal. In fact, according to the Post, even minor changes "are in jeopardy." (Note: let's not forget that Tom Davis was a recipient of "Team Abramoff's" largesse).
Fascinating, eh? Apparently, for Tom Davis, Ethics R Not Us. Questionable Favors and Cronyism, however, most certainly are.
P.S. As a frequent critic of the "corporate media" in general, and the Washington Post specifically, my hat is off to the newspaper on this journalistic investigation into Rep. Davis. Great work by reporters Robert O'Harrow, Jr. and Scott Higham! This is EXACTLY what the media's supposed to be doing ALL the time - ferreting out corruption and acting as a check on our "leaders."
P.P.S. Go Andy Hurst!
Lowell Feld is Netroots Coordinator for the Jim Webb for US Senate Campaign. The ideas expressed here belong to Lowell Feld alone, and do not necessarily represent those of Jim Webb, his advisors, staff, or supporters.