June 17, 2003
Roy Blunt update

Remember Rep. Roy Blunt (R, Missouri), the House Majority Whip who tried to sneak some legislation favorable to Philip Morris at the last second into the Homeland Security bill? At the time, I didn't know exactly what his relationship with Philip Morris lobbyist Abigail Perlman was, but now I do:


Are recently divorced House Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and Philip Morris lobbyist Abigail Perlman headed for the altar? Word around town is that the two lovebirds -- whose romance has been raising eyebrows and giving fits to self-appointed ethics cops -- are planning to announce their engagement soon. Perlman didn't return our phone calls and Philip Morris spokesman Dave Tovar dismissed concerns that the relationship might bend House rules governing personal transactions between members of Congress and lobbyists with legislative business before Congress. "We have a very strict compliance and integrity program. As far as our lobbying is concerned, we are confident that we are in full compliance of all legal and ethical obligations," Tovar said. Meanwhile, Blunt's press secretary, Burson Taylor, told us: "I have a policy of never commenting on Congressman Blunt's personal life."

For the most part, I really don't care who our elected leaders sleep with. It wouldn't bother me if he were carrying on a passionate affair with Rick Santorum's dogwalker. Once they begin to use shady, under-the-table pork barrel legislative favors in place of chocolates and flowers for their inamoratas, however, that's where I draw the line. Roy Blunt needs to have his ethics investigated in a big way. Too bad it'll never happen.

Via Atrios.

Posted by Charles Kuffner on June 17, 2003 to Scandalized! | TrackBack
Comments

The real problem would be if he were carrying on a passionate affair with Rick Santorum's dog...

I would be a little surprised if Perlman married Blount just because he inserted legislation that she wanted. I am sure that she likes him for himself. (Which doesn't say much for her taste, but then she is lobbying for P-M.)

But in the corporate world, it is considered inappropriate to have romantic relationships with co-workers, vendors and other people whom one meets through business.
If two people who are connected through business want to have such a relationship, they are expected to alter their positions, whether it requires a transferral or quitting a job, so there is not even the appearance of improper favoritism.
If I had a role in ordering office supplies and I started sleeping with the bottle water guy, I think there would be a significant scandal.

Shouldn't we hold goverment officials, the taxpayers' servants, to at least as high a standard as those of us in the private sphere have to maintian?

Posted by: PG on June 17, 2003 1:37 PM

If I had a role in ordering office supplies and I started sleeping with the bottle water guy, I think there would be a significant scandal.

Shouldn't we hold goverment officials, the taxpayers' servants, to at least as high a standard as those of us in the private sphere have to maintian?

Careful...I hear the word intern being typed out there.

Posted by: Patrick on June 17, 2003 3:11 PM

Careful...I hear the word intern being typed out there.

Yep, but I think PG was reiterating the point I made, which is that it's nookie with influence shoppers that's the problem. I mean, if Monica had been lobbying for universal health care, then we'd have had ourselves a real scandal. ;-)

Posted by: Charles Kuffner on June 17, 2003 3:57 PM

I think Monica may have been more motivated to lobby for universal dry cleaning.

Posted by: Patrick on June 17, 2003 6:02 PM

Why will his ethics "never be investigated?" Why is it some folks i.e. Gary Hart, Tim Hutchison are taken to task about affairs, but others not. This guy is supposedly right wing, conservative, PRO FAMILY....but he leaves his wife of 35 yrs. for a sweet young thing & nobody does a thing?

Posted by: BC on June 19, 2003 11:32 PM

BC,

What you have described is not a matter for the ethics committee. The fact that the "sweet young thing" is a lobbyist may be an issue that they would address.

I would point out, however, that Hart and Hutchinson didn't get smoked by the ethics committee, they got taken to task by the voters.

Posted by: Patrick on June 20, 2003 9:28 AM

Sir,
Please check into the activities of the DFS office in this state. I realize this organization is subject to no agency other than the governor: has unlimited power both legally and state-wise. Sir, the people of the state should have a say in the irregularities of regular practice of this organization. Are you aware of how many families are destroyed daily by this agency? Are you aware they require a parent to give up legal custody of their child in order that they will provide protection from an abusing parent even though the parents have been legally divorced for over 11 years. What is the mandate for giving up a child for the child to be protected? I beleive most Misssourians would be appaled to discover the unlimited power of such an organization that so easily and without conscience destroys families.
Melba Bemboom
200 Sage
Ozark, Missouri

Posted by: Melba Bemboom on December 11, 2003 3:05 PM

For more facts about Roy Blunt, visit my homepage... http://www.bluntfacts.com

Posted by: Blunt Constituent on September 22, 2004 1:21 AM

RB on Meet the Press -- what a toady crony!

Posted by: American Statesman on April 17, 2005 11:17 AM

Abby Perlman Blunt is scary. When I used to work with her, I heard her say, "I'm going to be a second wife. And I'm going to raise my children to be second wives." Nice. She was . . . um. . hanging around with Billy Tauzin at the time.

Posted by: Stealth Farkely on October 1, 2005 3:56 PM