Senator Rips Own Party for Criticism of Trip

Published Sunday, December 18, 2005

Senator Rips Own Party for Criticism of Trip
Mike Bennett says he and three others shouldn't suffer for visit to Canada.

By Joe Follick
Ledger Tallahassee Bureau

TALLAHASSEE -- Sen. Mike Bennett attacked his own party Friday, saying the Republican Party of Florida shouldn't have criticized him and three other lawmakers for a trip paid for by a gambling company this summer.

"Why would the Republican Party be throwing its own members under the bus?" asked Bennett, a Bradenton Republican, comparing the action to the party's perceived failure to support U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris, R-Longboat Key, in her run for the U.S. Senate.

The company that owns South Florida's Gulfstream Park, Canada-based Magna Entertainment Corp., gave more than $48,000 as an in-kind contribution to the Florida GOP this summer to pay for four lawmakers' trip to the company's headquarters in Toronto.

In-kind contributions generally consist of services or supplies that benefit the party and are not direct cash donations.
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http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051218/NEWS/512180360/1004

Just another player in the culture of corruption.

Hekate

It's okay if you're a Republican. Even the most naked greed and corruption by you and your ilk should just get a pass from other Republicans, is that it Mr. Bennett? News flash: Corruption in the system hurts all of us, whether it's done by a Democrat or a Republican, Mr. Bennett. Some Republicans with integrity and ethics recognize that, and will indeed criticize members of their own party for their graft. True, they seem to be a vanishingly small minority of the party, but I'm glad to see them speak up from time to time. It makes those of us who truly believe in right and wrong -- and not just for cynical manipulation of the public -- feel a little less lonely over here on the Left.

And some of the GOPs are not part of the culture of corruption.