Contributor Opinion By Bob Wright: Kagan Followed Letter And Spirit Of The Law
Sep 3, 2010 16:25 - 2 Comments
This contributor opinion is by Bob Wright:
Today I received a negative mailer from Jennie Forehand attacking the ethics of her opponent, Cheryl Kagan. Because Jennie raised the same issue at their debate on Tuesday, August 31, and Cheryl easily refuted it, I know the facts. You can view a recent video of the debate at this web site.
Other people know the truth too. People like Congressman Chris Van Hollen. He recently commended Cheryl for her work to limit the excessive influence of special interests in politics.
Ironically, the basis of Jennie’s charge proves just how ethical Cheryl is. Back in the mid-‘90s, before she met and married her husband David, Cheryl dated a man who happened to be a lobbyist. At the time there were two other couples in Annapolis who were legislator-lobbyists. Of the three couples only Cheryl reported those dating expenses every male suitor incurs, e.g., movie tickets, dinners, etc. So in the interest of full disclosure, Cheryl allowed her personal life to become an open book.
Was Cheryl influenced by her boyfriend? Absolutely not! Cheryl voted against her lobbyist-boyfriend’s top client. So much for quid pro quo.
People noticed– and applauded. Newspapers from across the political spectrum praised her — in the words of a Montgomery Journal editorial (August 22, 1996 “All for the love of a legislator”)–for “slavishly following the law.” During this time she was advocating and voting for tough ethics and campaign finance laws. “She’s quickly won a reputation in her first term as a studious, smart and aggressive legislator committed to ethics reform and open government,” wrote the Journal.
This is another example of the old saying that no good deed goes unpunished. Yes, this is a campaign for State Senator and politics is politics, but I am disappointed with Jennie. For personal self-advancement, Jennie Forehand has turned the facts on their head and tried to smear Cheryl Kagan for following not just the letter of the law, but the spirit as well.
Meanwhile, I’m still waiting for an answer to the question Cheryl asked Jennie at the same debate. Who are the donors of $35,000 in campaign contributions to Jennie and when will she disclose them? After the primary election? That’s too late! It’s the donations that are hidden– not the ones that are disclosed– that worry me.
Bob Wright (former Rockville City Councilmember)
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Please take 3 minutes to view Cheryl Kagan address the FACTS related to Jennie Forehand’s misleading mailing at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbAeL9QtrNI
Can someone tell me what the issue of Jennie’s $35,000 contribution is about? I have offered to look at the checks and compile a report. At the Rockville Library debate Jennie stated that much of her campaign money is from past campaign fund raising. Would everyone be confident if I reviewed the checks? Let me know what specifically needs to be flagged.