The Hill reports that the leading recipients of pork-barrel projects under the new Democratic leadership in Congress are freshmen Democrats in swing districts:
A new study of December’s omnibus spending package shows that the party in power has resisted pressure to abandon earmarking, at least to the extent of handing lawmakers in tough districts plenty of pet projects they can boast about to voters… Freshman Reps. Nick Lampson (D-Texas) and Nancy Boyda (D-Kan.), two of the Republicans’ top political targets this year, were among the biggest beneficiaries. Lampson collected $15.2 million in earmarks by himself. Including projects he shared with colleagues, Lampson grabbed $42 million. Boyda secured for herself an astonishing $20.7 million worth of projects. She shared another $17 million worth of projects with colleagues. Senate Democratic leaders also doled out political protection money. Sen. Mary Landrieu (La.), the chamber’s most vulnerable Democratic incumbent, shared $469.7 million worth of projects with colleagues…
Not to belabor the point, but Democrats will actually be forced to defend the general practice of earmarking when they campaign against Senator McCain. Articles like this will not help.
