June 2003, CBS News -- Rep Blunt stinks of tobacco, and more ...

[understandinglife]

GOP Whip Tried To Aid Tobacco Pals
June 11, 2003

House Majority Whip Roy Blunt is coming under fire for trying to help tobacco giant Philip Morris USA in last November's homeland security bill.

The Washington Post reports that just days after he was named to the House's third-highest leadership post, Blunt - who has close personal and political ties to Phillip Morris – tried to slip a pro-tobacco provision into the bill creating the new Department of Homeland Security.

When Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., found out about Blunt’s idea, he immediately yanked it out of the bill. Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Tex., also said he opposed Blunt’s effort and “worked against it” when he found out about it.

Several Republicans told the Post they felt a pro-tobacco provision had very little support and that Blunt’s actions could have proven “embarrassing” to the party and its new Whip.

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http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/06/12/politics/main558356.shtml

Blunt's ties to the company include large campaign donations from the company - $150,000 since 2001 to committees affiliated with Blunt. His son, Andrew, also works as a lobbyist for Philip Morris back in his home state of Missouri.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/092805S.shtml

Spread it.


Peace.

[Your_Moment_Of_Zen]

1. you're too clever

I couldn't let that title pass without a comment. Just hilarious. :smoke:

[understandinglife]

2. Thank you and welcome to DU!

Peace.

[newyawker99]

4. Hi Your_Moment_Of_Zen!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Bozita]

3. I'd bet the farm on his new wife being a lot younger than his ex

love to see some pics of her.


http://gonemild.com/

In 2003, Rep. Blunt divorced his wife of 31 years to marry Philip Morris (now Altria) lobbyist Abigail Perlman. Before it was known publicly that Rep. Blunt and Ms. Perlman were dating – and only hours after Rep. Blunt assumed the role of Majority Whip – he tried to secretly insert a provision into Homeland Security legislation that would have benefitted Philip Morris, at the expense of competitors.





I believe Asa Hutchison did the same thing just before he got un-elected.

Trophy wives are big status items in Republican circles.

Good post!