Congressman Jim Gerlach, Republican representing Pennsylvania's Sixth District, last week illustrated how a man without a spine behaves. Mr. Gerlach sold his spine to Congressman Tom DeLay's PAC Americans for a Republican Majority in return for $30,000 in campaign contributions.
More after the fold....
PA-06 is probably the most closely contested seat in the country. Though it was designed expressly to elevate State Senator Gerlach to Congress, Lois Murphy, a Montgomery County attorney, came very close to defeating him in her first run for public office.
As a result Gerlach has been forced to moderate his votes on a number of issues, especially in comparison to his first term. His environmental record preceding this vote was a mixed bag. Now he will be forever remembered as the Jellyfish Congressman.
The energy bill up for a vote was rather controversial. As described in the Philadelphia Inquirer,
"The congressman from Chester County fell for a dubious fix to America's refinery shortage.
The legislation gives tax incentives to oil companies already reaping record profits. It delays smog cleanup for years, endangering public health. It offers a laughable nod to energy conservation.
While purporting to address the lack of refining capacity revealed by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, this bill creates a raft of other problems."
Let's recap for a minute exactly how events transpired on the floor of the House of Representatives.....
When the Bill came up for a vote the rules allowed a five minute period for all the Congresspersons to vote. As the tally showed the Bill might not pass, former Majority Leader Tom DeLay held the voting open for an additional 45 minutes while he twisted enough arms to insure the oil companies got their deserved (to him) payoffs.
Congressman Gerlach had voted AGAINST passage of this insidious piece of legislation. He had also accepted the $30,000 of dirty money from DeLay. He had also just stated to Reading Eagle reporter Kori Walter that he has no intention of returning DeLay's campaign cash.
Lo and behold, after some arm twisting (and a few subtle reminders?) Gerlach switched his vote and the Bill passed 212-210.
This is one more example how the GOP has sold out Americans to Corporate America, and how money, especially corporate cash, has corrupted our political system. Gerlach has chosen to ally himself with Karl Rove, Tom DeLay, Rick Santorum, President Bush, and the oil industry. He has done this at our expense.
Lois Murphy, while acknowledging that Rep. Gerlach has not violated any law or ethics, he has done something "unsavory."
Accepting money from Tom DeLay, having Karl Rove headline a fundraiser, and contributing to the culture of corruption and cronyism, Gerlach has weakened his chances of re-election in 2006.
This is to our advantage. Lois Murphy, someone I have come to know, respect, and admire, is poised to recapture the Sixth CD for the people of Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Express your outrage to Jim Gerlach. Show him what you think of the politicians he chooses to align himself with. Visit Lois Murphy's Website and read about this progressive candidate.