Politics

The Incumbent’s Dilemma

By Geoffrey Norman
Published October 10, 2013 7:02pm ET
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The Incumbent’s Dilemma
Just because the government is shut down (sort of), that does not mean that members of Congress are magically relieved of the need for money to finance the next campaign during which they will spend the money to persuade constituents to return them to Washington to continue in their good work. Some consider the solicitation […]

Just because the government is shut down (sort of), that does not mean that members of Congress are magically relieved of the need for money to finance the next campaign during which they will spend the money to persuade constituents to return them to Washington to continue in their good work.

Some consider the solicitation of campaign contributions during these times a bit unseemly and, as Abby Livingston of Roll Call reports:

When the government shut down last week, many members rushed to cancel long-planned events at restaurants, spas and shooting ranges.  

One can understand why appearing at spas and shooting ranges might be a little dicey. Still, there are no hard and fast rules so:

Without an edict from party leaders, members must decide individually whether it’s kosher to bring in bucks during the spending impasse.

So, some do and some don’t.  And, interesting, many of those who don’t really need to. 

… continued to prime the pump. Reps. John D. Dingelland Sander M. Levin of Michigan and Reps. Charles B. Rangel and Nydia M. Velázquez of New York went forward with their fundraising events. “Why shouldn’t I?” Dingell responded to a question about one of his events. “I don’t have to ask permission to have a fundraiser do I?”

Nor for anything else he wishes to do.

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Barack Obama Blog Congress Geoffrey Norman Government Government Shutdown Money TWS Archive