1/23/06 'd'-termined Bunch: Granny D, People's Legislature Go The Distance For Reform
Monday, January 23, 2006
Samara Kalk Derby The Capital Times {CORRECTION} A story in The Capital Times Monday noted that U.S. Rep. Dave Obey, D-Wausau, and other Wisconsin representatives received money from tribes represented by the law firm of convicted Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
Obey's name was on a list compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics earlier this month that showed possible links to Abramoff.
The nonprofit research group later revised its list, removing Obey and other lawmakers, Obey's press secretary pointed out. (Correction published 1/24/06)
She's no longer logging the same kind of mileage, but Doris "Granny D" Haddock is still going the distance for campaign finance reform.
"I wouldn't mind if I died five minutes from now because I think the movement has started," said Haddock, who walked 3,200 miles across the country six years ago to draw attention to the issue of campaign finance reform.
"I don't think the movement will die right now."
Haddock, whose speech is punctuated by short gasps for air, was 90 when she completed her 14-month walk. She turns 96 Tuesday.
A great-grandmother of 16 and unsuccessful 2004 U.S. Senate candidate, Haddock was here today to organize Wisconsinites around camaign finance reform.
She spoke during a forum at the Capitol this morning as part of the People's Legislature, a year-old grass-roots citizen assembly whose mission is to take back government from the special interests.
"I don't mind going out and planting a few more seeds, but I expect other people to nurture them," Haddock said Sunday evening during a private conversation at a small reception in the home of People's Legislature organizer Ed Garvey.
While the federal McCain-Feingold law, which prohibits the use of "soft money" in election-related communications, has lacked teeth, Haddock said she is encouraged by a recent breakthrough in Connecticut.
Late last year, the state passed a set of reforms that wouldd prohibit donations from lobbyists and others and create a voluntary system of state financing and spending limits for political races. Arizona and Maine have both approved similar public finance laws through ballot measures.
Haddock is also optimistic that the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal that has gripped Washington in recent weeks will lead to new, stronger reforms. She compared it to the 2002 Enron debacle, which gave McCain-Feingold the push it needed after other campaign finance proposals withered in Congress.
House Majority Leader Tom DeLay "was the first one to get caught with his hand in the cookie jar," said Haddock. "Way over here in Wisconsin, there were four or five people involved with Abramoff."
According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Republican Congressman Paul Ryan said he didn't know Abramoff but was donating $950 to charity to offset the $949 that his campaign received from the ex-lobbyist in 2000.
Other Wisconsin lawmakers also stressed that they didn't know Abramoff or why some of his Indian tribe clients, none of which were based in Wisconsin, gave them political donations.
Tribes represented by Abramoff's firm also gave money to Republican Rep. Tom Petri and Democratic Reps. Ron Kind and Dave Obey, the Journal Sentinel reported.
To be safe from the appearance of impropriety, U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., returned four donations from Abramoff associates totaling $1,600. One $500 donation made in 2004 was from Abramoff's former law firm, seven months after Abramoff left the firm.
Garvey, for his part, said he is disappointed that campaign finance can't gain more traction in Wisconsin. Gov. Jim Doyle, who declined a request to appear at the People's Legislature event, won't take the lead on reform, Garvey said.
Today's event was billed as a "public telling" to give Doyle and legislative leaders a chance to tell the public where they stand on campaign finance and other issues.
"I think people are ready for this reform," Garvey said. "We just can't get the leadership to take a position and fight for it."
No one gives you $1,000 just because they like you, Garvey pointed out.
"Have you ever had anyone give you $1,000?" he asked.
"It's because they want something."
\ E-mail: skalk@madison.com