Did Delaware Democrat Eleanor Holmes Norton Shake Down Lobbyist?

PoliticsDaily.com:

A sub-theme of the GOP's 2010 midterm election strategy is that Democrats have become corrupt -- that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's plans to "drain the swamp" were just talk.

The ethics woes of Reps. Maxine Waters and Charlie Rangel have strengthened the argument, and it's possible another name may be added to the list.

BigGovernment.com -- a site run by conservative Andrew Breitbart, who created a firestorm this summer with his release of a video of Shirley Sherrod that was edited to make her appear racist -- has obtained audio ostensibly of D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton shaking down an unnamed lobbyist.


While most citizens would probably be shocked to hear even the most ethical political leader asking for money, BigGovernment argues Norton -- Washington's non-voting House member -- may have crossed the line for a variety of reasons, including:

"her frequent mention of her seniority and her Chairmanship of a subcommittee. She is attempting to solicit funds based on her past actions taken in her official capacity in Congress. She is implying to the lobbyist that, should he decline to donate, he will be turning down a senior member of Congress who Chairs a subcommittee highly relevant to his "sector".

. . . Worse than that, she details her role overseeing a large economic development project in the District, funded by 'stimulus' funds. It would appear that either the lobbyist has an interest in this project, or the Congresswoman thinks he does, as she states she is 'frankly surprised' the lobbyist hasn't given to her.