By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento It seems that former San Diego Republican Congressman Randy “Duke” Cunningham, now serving his sentence for corruption in a minimum security federal facility, has petitioned President Bush for clemency . And what Republican is more deserving? Elected on his war hero record, “Duke” became an icon of the Republican right. Following the entrepreneurial spirit that guided his party, Duke parlayed his position in the government and his GOP credentials to a point where he could influence the award of tax-paid contracts. A friend got the contracts. “Duke” got, among other things, a mansion. Isn’t that Republican teamwork? The American way? Of course, it was against the law. But “Duke” was bigger than a few silly rules. Besides, the good he did in conservative causes deserved a more fitting reward than a simple Congressional salary. He made money for others, it was only right they give some to him. Now, stripped of office and of his ill-gotten gains, he only asks that he no longer be treated like a common criminal. After all, is he worse than Karl Rove? Maybe the President should consider blanket pardons for all Republicans in public office during his two terms as President? After all, to err is human… Bill Cavala was Deputy Director of the Assembly Speaker’s Office of Member Services where he worked for over 30 years. He attended undergraduate and graduate school in the 1960’s and ...
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By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento It seems that former San Diego Republican Congressman Randy “Duke” Cunningham, now serving his sentence for corruption in a minimum security federal facility, has petitioned President Bush for clemency . And what Republican is more deserving? Elected on his war hero record, “Duke” became an icon of the Republican right. Following the entrepreneurial spirit that guided his party, Duke parlayed his position in the government and his GOP credentials to a point where he could influence the award of tax-paid contracts. A friend got the contracts. “Duke” got, among other things, a mansion. Isn’t that Republican teamwork? The American way? Of course, it was against the law. But “Duke” was bigger than a few silly rules. Besides, the good he did in conservative causes deserved a more fitting reward than a simple Congressional salary. He made money for others, it was only right they give some to him. Now, stripped of office and of his ill-gotten gains, he only asks that he no longer be treated like a common criminal. After all, is he worse than Karl Rove? Maybe the President should consider blanket pardons for all Republicans in public office during his two terms as President? After all, to err is human… Bill Cavala was Deputy Director of the Assembly Speaker’s Office of Member Services where he worked for over 30 years. He attended undergraduate and graduate school in the 1960’s and ...