Another Reason To Support Kirsten Gillibrand

Rep. John Sweeney (R., NY-20) is really a moron. His office requested an ethics opinion about whether he could participate in a fundraiser. The House Committee on Standards replied, yes, but only if you get an invitation "without your involvement".

Opinion in hand, what did Sweeney do? Sent the invitation out to himself and several of his staff -- from his Congressional office.

Jeez, could the guy be any dumber?

Albany (NY) Times Union: Ethics issues raised at hearing
State official alleges Sweeney helped draw up guest list for a lobbying event in Lake Placid

ALBANY -- A state official testified Tuesday that U.S. Rep. John Sweeney played a key role in drawing up the guest list for an annual congressional winter weekend in Lake Placid, a practice deemed inappropriate by the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct.

Olympic Regional Development Authority President Ted Blazer, speaking at a state Assembly hearing, said invitations to the Congressional Winter Challenge -- an event held to highlight Lake Placid Olympic facilities in hopes of securing federal funding -- were "assembled by the Washington office of Congressman Sweeney and the United States Olympic Committee."

The event has been held annually since 1998. ORDA documents state that certain participants -- including fellow House members, past and present Sweeney staffers, members of his family and lobbyists -- were invited by the Clifton Park Republican.

Last August, Sweeney sought guidance from the House Committee on Standards. He said he planned to invite House and Senate colleagues and staffers to Lake Placid Jan. 6-8 this year for the Winter Challenge and sought an opinion "as to the propriety of members of Congress and congressional staff making the trip." He did not ask about the lobbyists.

The committee informed Sweeney he could follow up invitations made by ORDA and the USOC, but only after those entities issued the invitations "without your involvement."

You can contribute to Sweeney's Democratic opponent, Kirsten Gillibrand, here. Let's Paint New York Blue in November.