From the 'Do As I Say, Not As I Do' File
Congressman Anthony Weiner (D-NY-09) is talking the talk, but not walking the walk. From the New York Times:
There is no doubt that Anthony D. Weiner wants to be mayor of New York. And there is no doubt, to that end, that he has seen an opening to wound a rival: criticizing Christine C. Quinn and the City Council he once was a member of for doling out money to favored groups in their districts.
“We should get rid of earmarks altogether, get rid of these member items altogether,” Mr. Weiner said last week, saying such a move would “restore public confidence” in government.
Of course, as a congressman, Mr. Weiner has his own earmarked funds to spread around his district — and he has shown a willingness to do so.
In recent years, Mr. Weiner has sponsored at least 40 earmarks, including appropriations of roughly $235,000 to fight beach erosion in the Rockaways and $3.7 million to restore a salt marsh in Brooklyn. The congressman has also directed nearly $450,000 to Agudath Israel, a national Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization that plays a significant role in city elections.
Weiner got a measly 2% on the Club's 2007 RePORK Card.
