Here in the DC market, we see the t.v. ads for the Maryland and Virgnia races. Michael Steele's has been running ads attacking Ben Cardin for taking money from the drug companies -- and makes the implication he won't be bought that way. Only problem for Steele is just before that ad began running, he was having a drug company fundraiser:
In a recent commercial advertising his bid for U.S. Senate, Maryland Republican Michael S. Steele tells voters that his opponent, Democrat Benjamin L. Cardin, has been tainted by contributions from pharmaceutical companies and special interests.Steele is not only a hypocrite, he's using a dog as a prop to spread his venom. That's animal cruelty.
"Congressman Cardin took money from drug companies," Steele says. "I want to ban gifts from special interests."
The ad does not mention that less than a week before the commercial began airing, a top drug company executive and an industry lobbyist hosted a $1,000-a-person fundraiser for Steele at a K Street steakhouse in Washington.
The invitation to the fundraiser, obtained by The Washington Post, says the Sept. 20 lunch reception was to be hosted by Sally Walsh, a director of federal government relations at GlaxoSmithKline, and Michael Carozza, a lobbyist for Bristol-Myers Squibb.
It advises donors to send contributions to lobbyist Frederick T. Dombo III, who identifies himself on his Web site as a Steele campaign volunteer. Federal records show that Dombo represents AmerisourceBergen Specialty Group, one of the largest pharmaceutical services companies in the country.
