Editorial: 1 Good Thing About Ol' Tom: He's Consistent

By Daniel Ruth , Tampa Tribune

September 28, 2007

What might we call this dubious dishonor for Rep. Tom Feeney, R-Where's Mine?

The Trifecta of Cronyism?

For the third straight year Feeney, R-Yes I Think I Will Have Seconds, has been labeled one of the 22 most corrupt members of the United States Congress.

Uh … way to go, Tom!

The accusation that the congressman has stickier fingers than Spiderman was leveled by CREW (Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington), an embarrassing distinction Feeney, R-Dinner Bill? What Dinner Bill?, shares with the likes of Senators Pete Domenici, Mitch McConnell, Ted Stevens and House members, Duncan Hunter, Heather Wilson and Don Young.

In but a mere five years in the House, Jeb Bush's former running mate has accumulated such a remarkable record of freeloading, junketeering and vague record-keeping that pols with much more experience could only envy the chutzpah of it all.

Big Leagues

But then again, Feeney, R-I Love Paris In The Springtime, cut his teeth as the Congressman Who Came To Dinner as a former Speaker of the Florida House, an institution that never met a lobbyist it wouldn't roll over to please and yelp for a Snausage.

Since moving up to the big league buffet table in Washington, according to CREW, Feeney, R-Room Service, has taken trips in violation of House rules, including travel to South Korea, which was paid for by the Korea-U.S. Exchange Council - a no-no.

Of course, Feeney, R-Fore!, is best remembered for his Jack Abramoff-organized golf trip to Scotland, which he reported cost $5,643 but in actuality cost as much as $20,000.

The best part about this story is that Feeney, R-A Wee Whopper, insisted he had no clue the disgraced influence peddler had anything to do with the trip, as if the politico woke up one morning and as if by magic, there was the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews outside his window.

He may not be on the take, but being on the tab is entirely another matter.

Petulant Pouting

For his part, Feeney, R-Bo Peep, insisted he was as pure as the driven snow and will continue to fight for the great unwashed against partisan attacks.

The congressman's press pro-counsel, Pepper Pennington, petulantly pouted CREW was little more than a "pitiful partisan attack dog organization, created by Hillary Clinton and funded by George Soros and other wealthy socialists. It's the left-wing arm of the Democratic Party."

It certainly is true CREW is populated by former Clinton administration officials. It is equally true, the group included four Democrats on its most corrupt list: House members Alan Mollohan, John Murtha, David Scott and the recently indicted William Jefferson.

Regardless of CREW's political bloodlines, having any organization list a politician as one of the most cheesy, sleazy, unethical corrupt members of the United States Congress is hardly a shining moment on one's resume.

Still Feeney, R-Travelocity, is running for re-election. And why not? So many golf courses, so little time.