LaTourette fund-raiser to cash in CAFTA vote

[Kolesar]

LaTourette fund-raiser to cash in CAFTA vote
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Stephen Koff
Plain Dealer Bureau Chief

Washington- U.S. Rep. Steve LaTourette's last-minute flip-flop on the Central American Free Trade Agreement has caused no shortage of embarrassment. But the Lake County Republican may be getting something for his trouble.

Tonight, U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman, President Bush's chief emissary on CAFTA, will co-host a political fund- raiser for LaTourette. Donors who put up $500 to $2,500 to see Portman at the Capitol Hill Club will be benefiting LaTourette's political treasury.
...
LaTourette, of Concord Town ship, voted for CAFTA in July after telling people that he was against the trade pact. He said he changed his mind after being contacted by Kraftmaid, the Geauga County-based cabinet maker, and being told that passing CAFTA was necessary to eliminate costly tariffs and preserve company jobs.

But The Plain Dealer revealed that those tariffs were already exempt under other trade rules, making it impossible for Kraftmaid's jobs to be at risk.

LaTourette then said through his office that he had relied on Kraftmaid and Portman's office for his information, leading some to suggest that LaTourette had been duped.
...
http://www.cleveland.com/politics/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/ispol/1127300132299950.xml&coll=2

[Algorem]

1. Success in marriage:lobbyist he dumped previous wife for gets $$$

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/insidepolitics/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1127554697276461.xml&coll=2

...She took U.S. Rep. Steve LaTourette's last name after marrying the Concord Township Republican, her former boss, in February. She also has increased her billings with at least two of her clients, new federal lobbying records show.

Last year, Ms. Laptook billed the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority $40,000 every six months. But this year, the new Mrs. LaTourette listed $60,000 for the first six months, according to the new records.

And her firm's previous $60,000-per-six-month fee from the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, back when she filed her lobbying reports as Ms. Laptook, has grown to $80,000 for Mrs. LaTourette.

Considering that the Clinic recently got $7.1 million from Congress to build a parking garage, and the Port Authority got $6 million for a ferry terminal, it may have been money well spent...

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2004/10/05/lobbyist/index_np.html

[MeDeMax]

2. PD link didn't work

it took me to a current topic on Daschle attending a dinner in Iowa.

If you can locate the correct link please post it.

The salon link predates his 2004 election, a bit out of context with regards to his CAFTA vote flip-flop, wouldn't you say ?

thnx for the info though.

[Kolesar]

4. I am puzzled. It does work for me.

Let me try it using html Plain Dealer

[MeDeMax]

5. that worked, thnx n/t

[Algorem]

3. story,under wife one,about sleaze LaTourette that Plain Dealer didn't put

on web-"Rich Coincidences"

"A congressman sits on a committee that secures money for transportation projects.People who want that money are looking for opportunities are looking for opportunities to say "hi" or "thanks."

Can you think of a better alignment of interests for raising money?On Wednesday morning,Stephen LaTourette,a ranking member of the House transportation committee,was a "special guest" at a fundraiser for Pat Tiberi,a Republican congressman from Columbus.The event was billed as a Transportation Industry Breakfast.

That means Tiberi was raising money for his re-election,and special guest LaTourette was a magnet to draw transportation people and their money.

Next Wednesday,LaTourette will be the star attraction again,this time at a Railroad Reception benefitting Randy Kuhl,a Republican congressman from New York."