Ethics panel chief Voinovich opposes key lobbying reform

[Algorem]

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1141896830231690.xml&coll=2

Washington- As the Senate debates a crackdown on some of the lobbying excesses brought to light by Jack Abramoff's criminal antics, Sen. George Voinovich has become the foremost foe of a major reform sought by watchdog groups.

The Ohio Republican, who chairs the Senate Ethics Committee, ardently opposes creation of an independent "public integrity" office to police members of Congress. He says that's his committee's job, and he promises to lead the fight against the proposed office.

Voinovich says his committee will "get into the Abramoff situation" after the Justice Department finishes investigating the lobbyist's claims of bribing members of Congress. He insists that the new institution championed by Republican Sens. John McCain of Arizona and Susan Collins of Maine "would be redundant."

"Why create another entity that will do the same thing we are already doing and build up a big staff?" asked Voinovich, who fears it could be used to trumpet politically motivated charges...


Larkin's view
http://www.cleveland.com/weblogs/openers/index.ssf?/mtlogs/cleve_openers/archives/2006_03.html#119541

Sen. George Voinovich's curious obsession with raising funds for a possible re-election campaign in 2010 is leaving the impression with many Republicans that he cares more about his own political fortunes than he does about the GOP's struggle to retain the governorship and Ohio's other U.S. Senate seat.

At a time when Sen. Mike DeWine, the Republican candidates for governor and other GOP officeholders are in very real danger of defeat and desperately need campaign funds, Voinovich continues to shake the Republican money tree.

Voinovich seems oblivious to the fact it might be polite to wait until after the Nov. 7 election. This week, he sent out yet another fundraising letter - even though his term doesn't expire until the end of 2010.

Voinovich has not said he will seek re-election to a third term, but has been aggressively raising money since last year. At the end of a third term, Strom Voinovich would be in his 81st year.

--Brent Larkin