Once again, LaHood ducks the lobbyist-paid travel question
I just caught Ray LaHood answering WEEK’s Mike Dimmick’s questions about money from lobbyists and travel.
First, LaHood said that he proud of the fact that 70 percent of the money he gets comes from sources within the 18th Congressional District. He didn’t mention that lobbyists are the largest single source of his donations during this election cycle. And I will be looking up that disclosure statement he mentioned.
And when Dimmick asked him about travel, Ray once again focused on the trip to China paid for the Aspen Institute and how what he learned over there will benefit the district. The underlying (and incorrect) message was that he’s innocent the criticism that he’s going on trips paid-for by lobbyists.
At this point, Dimmick should have asked: “Yes, Congressman. But you did go on a trip to France and that trip was financed by the Nuclear Energy Institute, wasn’t it?”
Maybe one day I’ll hear that question asked.
The segment ended with LaHood’s platitudes about how ethics are important, but no commitment to change his personal behavior.
Read all my LaHood coverage here.
Billy Dennis is a former reporter and editor at small daily and weekly newspapers in Illinois and Missouri. He comments on media, news and politics. He also owns and operates 
