Zeitz hits Smith on Renzi donation
By Matt Friedman, PolitickerNJ.com ReporterDemocratic congressional candidate Josh Zeitz today questioned why his opponent, Rep. Chris Smith, donated $2,000 to outgoing Rep. Rick Renzi (R-AZ) less than a month after Renzi’s insurance business was raided by the FBI.
In February, Renzi pleaded not guilty to a 35 count indictment charging him with using his position to influence land deals. Reports of an investigation of Renzi surfaced in late 2006, and the case took on further controversy after its initiator, former Arizona U.S. Attorney Paul K. Charlton, was forced out of his position by former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.
Zeitz Campaign Manager Steve D’Amico said that Smith must have been aware of the controversy surrounding Renzi, as he temporarily resigned his position on the House Intelligence Committee the next day.
“Why did Chris Smith feel it was important to give cash to an obviously corrupt Congressman? No other Member of Congress made such a show of solidarity,” D’Amico wrote in a press release today.
Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.) did donate to Renzi four days after the raid, however.
Smith Campaign Manager Martin Gillespie characterized the charge as a "smear" and said that Smith and Renzi had a good relationship because Renzi was among a few House Republicans to demand full funding for veterans benefits back when the GOP controlled the House, which got both Renzi and Smith thrown off the veterans affairs committee (Smith had been chairman).
Gillespie pointed out that an article that mentioning Smith and Renzi's fight against the Republican leadership on veterans affairs is featured on Barack Obama's Web site.
And although it was well known that Renzi was under federal investigation, he was not indicted until almost one year later.
"Smith regarded Renzi to be a veterans champion," said Gillespie.
Zeitz, a former history professor who recently moved back to Bordentown, where he grew up, is running a long-shot race against Smith, the longest serving member of the New Jersey congressional delegation.
In August, 2007, Renzi announced that he would not seek another term.
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- Jul 2 2009
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Zeitz sure is getting
a lot of coverage on here and in the Trenton Times, more so than any of the recent Smith challengers...
a lot of coverage... of a non-story
Chris Smith's donation was made nearly a year before Renzi was indicted. So, what? Everyone around here knows that Chris is a straight shooter and an honest guy. This is just another attack job from Zeitz...
njbaseball strikes out
this is a huge story ... Smith made the contribution right after Renzi's office was raided and everyone knew he was guilty. Why was Chris Smith the only guy giving this crook more campaign money? Smith is arrogant and worse he has lost touch with his jersey roots.
Good work by the Zeitz campaign
As with a lot of Republicans, when you look at the money trail closely enough, you come across some shady stuff. Nice to see the Zeitz campaign takes research seriously. Chris Smith should be wondering what else they found.
I would be highly
surprised if the Zeitz campaign could dig up any dirt on Chris Smith.
Interesting
Please, Zeitz has nothing and his little jabs only make him look as futile and desperte as he is. Smith has had his past gone over and over upside and downside and guess what? All of the dems like Zeitz can only make little jabs because they know there is nothing on Smith.
YEAH - AND DID YOU KNOW THAT CHRIS SMITH LIVES IN VIRGINIA?
*yawn*
The Times article didn't mention Smith and Renzi's starring role on the Barrack Obama website. I hope Martin Gillespie took a screencap of that.
The Times's constant leftward lean is so transparent. They are giving Zeitz an open forum, but come November, they will take one more pot shot at Smith's abortion politics before grudingly endorsing him, just like they always do.
Hit Job Matt
The Smear/Hit job on Congressman Chris Smith who is a honorable,honest and has the highest level of integrity one can have is just another hit piece from Matt Friedman.The real facts are that the Josh Zeitz camp are just getting info from the Barrack Obama website which is nothing ,but a spin machine with smoke and mirrors.The contribution in question was made nine months before Mr Renzi was indicted.Congressman Smith gave the contribution to Rick because they shared a common interest in helping veterans.These smear tactics will not work and will back fire and only will unite Congressman Smiths supporters young and old to work harder and forge ahead to victory in November.
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