Thanks for bringing this up, George: "Coble still has $822,937 on hand in his campaign chest -- all of which he can claim as a personal gift, tax free, as soon as he retires from politics."

Few that I've spoken with understand that the monies left over after policical campaigns are "bequeathed" to the politician.

IMO - this is THE serious problem, clearly leading to votes being bought by large doners. Just look at the records of many politicians, as you exampled above, to demonstrate the point.

Until we demand an end to this, we'll never solve this basic conflift of interest.

I believe they are entitled to any money that they don't spend during their campaign. When a person donates money to a politician it's like donating to a charity so what are they going to do? Give it back to the donor so they can dump into another politicians pocket?

I think not.

Leave ol' Howard Coble alone....he's probably been the best representative we've had from our parts in a long time.

P.S. I think the "injured and the disabled" are being represented just fine. In case you haven't noticed, several of them have made the news by getting ridiculous rewards and "compensation".

Dear Mr Coble:
Please bequeathe me some of that money.
I'm running for Govenor next election. I could use it.
PS I remember you as a child, you used to "visit" my neighbor. *tee hee hee*

This explains why old Howard turned down his congressional pension, the special intrests he fronts for are taking good care of him.

Currently it's legal to retain unused campaign contributions. If you don't like it, work to get the law changed.

Howard Coble is a good and decent man. When his critics have to resort to reporting him complying with the law as a their "smear" tactic it betrays their small mindedness bitterness.

An aside, I saw Howard driving down Wendover ave. one day in cheapo Ford Contour with Gov. tags. How many times do we see national political officials doing that?

I never said I didn't like Mr. Coble. Infact, he has helped several people in my immediate family who needed help. I'm sure alot of folks out there can say the same thing about him. He's definately not the "stereotypical" politician. That's what I like about him, cuz I'm not either. :)

Sounds to me like he is getting some "fair and balanced" support. The same folks,The Association of Trial Lawyers, who supported John Edwards are also contributing to Howard Coble. Wonder if they are mad at him for his votes on limits to frivolus lawsuits.

No matter the take on Howard Coble. If you need help with sorting out government red tape or any other regardless of your party affiliation. Turn around time after contacting his office is usually less than 48 hrs. I don't care is he rides on the back of a donkey or an elephant he is fine representative.
I

Instead of picking out just one representative from NC, go ahead and list the rest who still have money left over, or would that be incorrect thinking.

Just how much was given by the American Trial Lawyers and to whom was it given.
If Howard Cobles 2nd largest donation was from this group his chest is shrinking. His total from these folks : $6000.00, not bad for a Republican. Now read the rest: I have included all the donations listed on the site quoted by the writer and the numbers don't add up.

Just for the record:
Name
Office
Total Contributions

Bowles, Erskine B (D-NC)

Senate
$10,000

Butterfield, G K (D-NC)

House
$10,000

Etheridge, Bob (D-NC)

House
$10,000

Miller, Brad (D-NC)

House
$10,000

Price, David (D-NC)

House
$10,000

Watt, Melvin L (D-NC)

House
$10,000

McIntyre, Mike (D-NC)

House
$8,000

Keever, Patricia (D-NC)

House
$7,500

Coble, Howard (R-NC)

House
$7,000

Edwards, John (D-NC)

Senate
$6,000

Ballance, Frank W Jr (D-NC)

House
$2,500

Dole, Elizabeth (R-NC)

Senate
$1,000

Now for the #1 contributor according to the letter: Mr Coble received in 2004Coble, Howard (R-NC)

House
$10,000
For all cycles:89-04: Coble, Howard (R-NC)
$40,700

Anheuser-Busch for all cycles: Coble, Howard (R-NC)
$6,000

Unfortunately Youbet.com does not appear on the site quoted by the writer.

As you point out, Mr Produce -- it's rampant ... and a problem, because votes are bought. Cobel may be a fair and decent man, but there're a few hundred that aren't.

tater: hoe can you be so cavalier about this -- it seems at the CORE of the political crap.

I am not being "cavalier" about it Mr. Rockefeller, but people make contributions to campaigns all the time. If it was the McDonalds Corporation making the donation people would be screeching about that and claiming that he was being bought out to fight for more fatty hamburgers. If it was a church people would say they church is trying to press their beliefs into politics and buy votes. It doesn't matter who it is or what it is....people are going to fuss....

If I made a large, personal donation to his campaign it would only be to help him get elected to office and to represent my beliefs to the best of his ability. If he didn't hold up his end of the deal then I would donate the following year. Should anything be left over, it's up to his discretion as to how he spends it. That's the law so there really isn't all that much to fuss about because I seriously doubt the lawmakers will do something that will adversely effect their income. I agree that special interest groups are lining the pockets of politicians; however, there really isn't way to change the system. If you force people to give the money back to the donors after the campaign is over then people may take offense and not donate as much, hence putting more of a burden on the politician. (This goes for both parties) Not to mention the fact, that the politicians will only find another way to play accounting games and get the money anyways.....

I am more curious to know why we are isolating Howard Coble here when it seems to be a majority of Dems on that list that Mr. Elledge sent out. Could it be that the trial lawyers are wanting to see their frivilous lawsuits protected and fear the Republicans may actually pass a law limiting settlements? Look through that list and tell me how many have a "D" beside their name.

"If he didn't hold up his end of the deal then I would donate the following year. "

I meant to say WOULD NOT....

Naw, Tater, I sent that one out on the Trial Lawyers. Lots of good info on the link that was provided however as I said, unless I missed something on there, the figures just ain't addin up. I could be wrong or just not finding them but I sure looked through the site carefully.

"If I made a large, personal donation to his campaign "
Tater - if YOU did, no problem, unless "you" were Enron, and YOU made a large, personal donation to his campaign - and were then invited to the secret planning policy on energy which, surprise surprise, ended up seriously favoring energy explotation (read as screw the stupid Californians).

- unless "YOU" were Exxon, and YOU made a large, personal donation to his campaign - and were the let off the hook for the 5 billion dollars you had been required to pay for messing up Alaska.

It goes on forever - and I'm getting really pissed about it.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2001/11/07/national/main317258.shtml

ALSO: "Over the last 20 years, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has developed a reputation for being wrong more often than any other federal appeals court.

"In recent years, in cases involving medical marijuana, assisted suicide, disabilities and more mundane issues, dozens of the court's decisions have been reversed unanimously by the Supreme Court.

"Judge Andrew J. Kleinfeld ... was appointed by the first President George Bush."

and a personal "corruption and hypocracy" favorite:

http://www.democraticwings.com/democraticwings/archives/civil_liberties/001628.php