send to a friend | print | comment

Callahan wants to see all BP cash donated

BETHLEHEM—Democrat John Callahan marched right up to his opponent’s district office here Thursday, employing a bit of political theater to drive home his point of the day: that elected officials should donate any campaign contributions they’ve received from BP employees or political action committees to charities that will benefit residents of the Gulf.

Callahan, the Bethlehem mayor, also took a chance to once again spotlight campaign cash that Congressman Charlie Dent (R-15) has received from Congressman Joe Barton (R-TX), who famously apologized to the oil company last week and said it was subjected to a “shakedown” by President Obama. Callahan made his call for elected officials in both parties to return BP-tied money in an open letter he released Thursday—a letter he delivered to Dent’s office with an open line for the incumbent’s signature.

“[The letter] calls on all federal elected officials, Democrat and Republican… to donate any of their BP contributions from BP’s political PAC or BP employees,” Callahan said during an afternoon news conference.

Prior to that, Dent’s campaign had pushed back against Callahan’s attempt to tie him to the unpopular oil company, saying Dent never received BP money and noting that Democratic leaders like Obama and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer have received such checks.

“If John Callahan wants to send a bipartisan letter to President Obama regarding giving his campaign contributions to charity, he knows how to reach us,” the Dent campaign had said in an earlier statement.

Callahan confirmed to pa2010.com that his letter was also being sent to Obama himself. Callahan is a White House recruit for the Lehigh Valley district, and enjoys strong backing from party leaders.

“This was not easy to do,” Callahan campaign manager Justin Schall said. “But in the end we have to just run our own race.”

Responding to the letter, Dent campaign spokesman Gregg Bortz said Dent would not sign a letter that was not addressed directly to Obama. Presently, it reads “To whom it may concern.”

“The congressman agrees with the overall content of the letter,” Bortz told pa2010.com. “He was on the floor of the House today and only had a few minutes to read it, so he needs a chance to sit down and make changes.”

During the news conference, Callahan also called on Dent to return money he’s received from Barton. Bortz said that won’t happen.

“What’s relevant is that Congressman Dent came out clearly saying ‘I disagree with those comments,’” Bortz said.

Click here to see Callahan’s letter.

June 24, 2010 at 9:41 pm

--Donald Hoegg

Tags: Charlie Dent, John Callahan, PA-15

comments

comments [3] | post a comment