Ohio GOP Asks: "Has Weiner's Money Bought Sutton's Silence?"

This release asks a good question...

COLUMBUS - Ohio Republican Party Communications Director Christopher Maloney released the following statement regarding Congresswoman Betty Sutton's financial support from dishonorable New York Congressman Anthony Weiner:

"It's time for Betty Sutton to show that Members of Congress should be held to a higher ethical standard of conduct by calling for Anthony Weiner's resignation; it's time for her to show that his cash has not bought her silence," Maloney said.

"Just as she did with Charlie Rangel's campaign contributions, Betty Sutton should immediately direct her campaign committee to donate Anthony Weiner's money to charity. The longer Betty Sutton holds onto Anthony Weiner's $1,000, the more apparent it is that she publicly condones his disgusting behavior. The people of the 13th Congressional District, namely the children she represents, deserve a public servant who doesn't need to be told when to take an ethical stand."

Background Information:

VIDEO: Rep. Betty Sutton campaigned to change the way Washington "does business": "When I ran for Congress in 2006, one of the promises I made to the people I sought to serve, was that we would change the way Washington does business...it's about keeping faith with the American people and preserving the public trust."(Rep. Sutton MSNBC Interview, 3/2/10)

Betty Sutton turned over 4 year-old Rangel donations to local charities: "Copley Township Democratic Rep. Betty Sutton announced today that her re-election campaign will donate to charity the $7,000 that embattled New York Congressman Charles Rangel and his PAC gave her campaign in 2006." (Sabrina Eaton, "Rep. Betty Sutton Will Give Rangel Money to Local Charities," Cleveland Plain Dealer, 3/2/10)
Sutton received $1000 from Anthony Weiner's campaign committee: On April 23, 2010 Betty Sutton's reelection campaign received a $1,000 campaign contribution from embattled US Congressman Anthony Weiner. (Federal Election Commission, Accessed 6/7/11)

Anthony Weiner asked a porn star to lie for him: "Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) and porn star Ginger Lee exchanged 'scores of emails' and that he offered her public relations help -- a possible ethics violation -- and asked her to lie. ..." (Taegan Goddard, "Weiner Asked Porn Star to Lie for Him," Political Wire Blog, 6/7/11)

Weiner emails show he proactively attempted to lie to American public: "Rep. Anthony Weiner encouraged a porn star to lie about their on-line relationship and offered her the help of his public relations team, according to a report on Tuesday." (Jennifer Epstein, "Report: Anthony Weiner Coached Woman to Lie," Politico, 6/7/11)

Democrat leaders may seek resignation: "Many Democrats say that if Weiner doesn't take himself out of Congress in a few days, party leaders may do it for him." (Celeste Katz, "Anthony Weiner will never be NYC mayor, says expert, as Nancy Pelosi demands probe of sext scandal," NY Daily News, 6/7/11)

Weiner's support from Democratic colleagues "collapses" after "embarrassing" House of Reps: "No sooner had Mr. Weiner delivered a startlingly abject admission and apology - carried live on television Monday from a circuslike news conference in Manhattan - than top Democrats on Capitol Hill began distancing themselves from him and his behavior." (David Halbfinger, "Democrats Shy From Weiner As G.O.P Seizes on Scandal," NY Times, 6/7/11)

CNN: Weiner has "broken public trust": "There's a big difference between breaking a campaign promise by failing to deliver on something and breaking the public's trust with an outright falsehood." (Ruben Naverrette, Jr., "Weiner's Only Choice is to Resign," CNN, 6/7/11)

The Atlantic: Weiner "doesn't deserve the job anymore": "Weiner's survival shouldn't hinge on some ridiculous technicality such as whether he used government resources or lied to the press. He has already admitted to behavior that is unbecoming of a congressman. That is reason enough to call for his resignation if Weiner himself is too blinkered, arrogant, or shameless to step down on his own. He doesn't deserve the job anymore." (Joshua Green, "Anthony Weiner Should Resign," The Atlantic, 6/7/11)