Bidding Over $2M for Dems Anti-Rush Letter

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Bidding Over $2M for Dems Anti-Rush Letter

October 19, 2007 12:34 PM

ABC News' Z. Byron Wolf Reports: Who says the political fingerpointing in Washington is all for naught?

Back in September, when Democrats and Republicans were sniping at each other over the Iraq war, Republicans passed a nonbinding resolution in the Senate condemning Moveon.org for calling David Petraeus, the commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, "General Betrayus" in a newspaper ad.

For their part, Democrats sent a letter calling for Rush Limbaugh to be reprimanded for calling soldiers who opposed the war "phony soldiers."

The furor seemed to have died down as the Senate moved away from voting on a string of Iraq resolutions to voting on domestic spending bills.

But today comes word that a Wasghinton, D.C. area philanthropist, Betty Casey (or bettyc588, as she is known on Ebay) is going to pay over $2 million for a letter Senate Democrats wrote to Mark Mays, President of Clear Channel, asking him to condemn Rush Limbaugh for the "phony soldiers" comment.

All proceeds from the auction of the letter will go to the Marine Corps - Law Enforcement Foundation, which distributes aid to the families to the children of fallen Marines on behalf of law enforcement officers.

Rush Limbaugh himself put the letter up for auction on EBAY. Limbaugh sits on the board of the foundation and he has reportedly said on his show that he will match the winning bid -- a total of $4.2 million for the foundation.

Rush identified Casey on his show today as a listener since the show's inception. Casey is listed as trustee of the foundation named for her late husband, the real estate developer Eugene B. Casey, who died in 1986 and had worked as director of the Farm Credit Agency under President Franklin Roosevelt.
Betty Casey seems to have disparate political interests. According to campaign finance reports, In past years she has given money mostly to Republican Senate candidates, from Mel Martinez, who succeeded in Florida, to Pete Coors, who was unsuccessful in Colorado.

She gave money to Rudy Giuliani's exploratory committee in 1999 and then Rick Lazio, the Republican who ultimately challenged Senator Hillary Clinton in that the 2000 race for senate in New York.

But this year, Casey gave the maximum individual contribution to Clinton's chief opponent for the Democratic Presidential nomination, Illinois Senator Barack Obama. Both Clinton and Obama signed the letter Casey spent $2.1 million on. In fact, their signatures are right next to each other and the "n" at the end of Clinton runs into the "B" at the beginning of Barack.]

Casey was described in 2004 by the Washington Post as eccentric and press-shy. She had at one point tried to create a lavish $50 million mayoral residence for the mayor of Washington, D.C., but those plans fell through amid squabbling with city officials. Casey donated the land for the mansion to the Salvation Army, stunning city leaders.

Back on October 1st, Harry Reid brought the letter to the Senate floor and asked Republicans to join him condemning Limbaugh for saying that soldiers who oppose the Iraq war are "phony soldiers."
No Republicans signed the letter and Limbaugh has made light of it. Also on Ebay, you can buy a t-shirt that reads "Phony 41" on the back. 41 Democratic Senators signed the letter to Limbaugh.

This was a line of political rhetoric that fed off Republicans and their condemnation of Moveon.org for the "General Betrayus" ad. There were nonbinding resolutions and letters written and that was supposed to be it.

At the time, Reid called on Republicans -- who had condemned Moveon.org for the General Betrayus ad -- to sign the letter condemning Limbaugh. But only 41 Democrats, including Reid, signed the letter.

Today, Reid was more conciliatory to Limbaugh and whoever is paying for the letter. Though he said on the Senate floor that as he had watched the bidding throughout the week, he never thought it would get to $2 million.

"Now, everyone knows that Rush Limbaugh and I don't agree on everything in life and maybe that is kind of an understatement," Reid said.

"But without qualification Mark May, the owner of the network that has Rush Limbaugh, and Rush Limbaugh should know that this letter that they're auctioning is going to be something that raises money for a worthwhile cause. I don't know what we could do more important than helping to ensure that children of our fallen soldiers and police officers who have fallen in the line of duty have the opportunity for their children to have a good education," he said.

October 19, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (1114)

User Comments

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The letter shows Senator Reid and the other signers as the demagogues they are. Now that he is trying to claim credit for the amount raised for a worthwhile charity, I will be waiting to hear how much of his money (not my tax money that I already know he likes to 'invest') he has donated. In other words, will he put his money where his mouth is?

Also waiting for ABC to get the story straight. Please hurry, I'm not young!

Posted by: Mary Ellen | Oct 19, 2007 1:47:28 PM

ABC needs to rewrite this article. It is all wrong. Whether intentional or not it is misleading at best.

Posted by: jim | Oct 19, 2007 1:48:57 PM

Well I guess after reading all the comments enough said ABC SCREWS UP AGAIN!!!! I guess at least ABC covered it kinda. NBC and CBS still don't have even the wrong news on their website. When will these 3 companies start actually reporting the news.

Posted by: Brent Wilson | Oct 19, 2007 1:49:26 PM

As William and Well Informed stated. THIS IS NOT ANYTHING THAT THE DEMS DID. Rush Limbaugh is the one that deserves the credit to break the news of how pathetic the Dems are. Rush asked Harry Reid if he would match the bid, Reid was silent. He said nothing and will do NOTHING. The reporter needs to pull his head out of whereever it is and get the story staight. The charity will be getting an amazing 4.2 million for an amaging and wonderful cause. And the credit does NOT go to the Democrats, it goes to Rush Limbaugh, Clear Channel, Ebay, and Betty Casey. They are the ones you should pay tribute to. If the dems try to capitolize on this it will be one more straw to the camels back that will eventually come back to destroy them. That is what they do best...destroy. Get the facts straight ABC!!!

Posted by: Todd | Oct 19, 2007 1:57:23 PM

Sen. Reid's letter, signed by 40 other Democrat Senators, is valuable because it is a historic document; clear and unequivocal evidence of the worst ABUSE OF POWER by the Senate we have seen in this decade, possibly ever.

Posted by: TheOldTrooper | Oct 19, 2007 1:59:44 PM

If the bid is actually legitimate, I would suspect that someone figures on a hellatious deduction for charitable contributions. Imagine their surprise when the IRS takes the position that they didn't make a contribution... they bought a historical document at fair market value.

Posted by: Dutch | Oct 19, 2007 2:04:53 PM

How can everyone in the world get this story correct and not ABC. God, I miss Peter Jennings, he would have never let a story get out without the facts as this one has.

Posted by: Jason | Oct 19, 2007 2:05:42 PM

These idiots think they are above reproach....they will not match the bid...at least not unless they pass themselves a big raise...mmm..maybe teddy will say he left his in his wet pants?

Posted by: James Boles | Oct 19, 2007 2:06:41 PM

I'm really disappointed by the reading comprehension skills of all the people condemning this article for not specifying that Rush Limbaugh put the letter up for auction. What does this line mean to you, "Rush Limbaugh himself put the letter up for auction on EBAY."?

Although the proceeds are going to a good cause, who really cares what Rush does or says? He became irrelevant years ago. Still, the fact that the letter was written in the first place indicates the signers' inappropriate priorities as members of Congress. Rush is free to criticize as he wants (but not free to illegally acquire prescription drugs).

Posted by: Chris | Oct 19, 2007 2:08:01 PM

This is classic liberal democrats. When in doubt, take someone else's credit for their work. Harry Reid is a disgrace to this country. He's nothing but a partisan who thinks nothing about the people of this country. He needs to resign. The bid about the "phony soldier" had to do with a literal phony soldier - he claimed credit for the sacrifice that others made for him. I cannot stand people like him. ABC news needs to rewrite this story to set the record straight, that is if you care to be anything beyond "phony journalism." It's up to you. This is a free country and Rush is taking advantage of the freedom to take something aimed at him to turn it into a blessing. God bless this nation.

Posted by: Getalife | Oct 19, 2007 2:10:15 PM

I would like to apologize for dick durbin's existence. History will long remember the democrat leaders for thier lies and distortions, and the mainstream media for keeping the hate alive and making a dirty buck off it.

Posted by: Mitch | Oct 19, 2007 2:16:30 PM

Wow. I don't hear you whiny conservatives boo-hoo when your propaganda channel Fox "news" distorts information. I also don't hear any Repubes running home crying to mommy when your President Dubya lies on a daily basis.

Posted by: Mike | Oct 19, 2007 2:18:46 PM

Mr. Wolf you are a liar. A flat out liar. If there is anyone that is "phony" it is you sir. I understand that the news weatherman can be wrong most of the time but you take the cake. I hope your editor reviews the comments on this story and reconsiders your ability to provide objective news reporting. In two words I can sum up your story "PHONY REPORTER"

Posted by: chad | Oct 19, 2007 2:19:26 PM

At least ABC mentioned it, the Others do not even have it at all.

Reid, ABC both are wrong, ClearChannel's Head is MR MAYS not May, so I guess Harry 's close "friend"...ooops nope, he even got his name wrong in his speech...say Harry, Match the offer, like Mr. Limbaugh

Posted by: spearstx | Oct 19, 2007 2:23:02 PM

why is anyone here saying that abc is claiming or insinuating that rush didnt put the letter on ebay himself? wheres your reading skills? the article clearly states that rush himself put the letter on ebay . i quote... " Rush Limbaugh himself put the letter up for auction on EBAY. Limbaugh sits on the board of the foundation." i personally dont see any need for further clarification or explanation of the previous sentence whatsoever.

clearly, this is one of the reasons the republican party keeps getting in/staying in power , they have a large group of semi intelligent voters/zombies that cant understand a simple sentence. easy to confuse the dense and thats what the republicans count on.

i know public school education did you wrong but jeez.

please try to read and comprehend the written english language correctly before you trumpet out your unbridled ignorance (en masse) for all to see.

Posted by: bah | Oct 19, 2007 2:25:08 PM

Harry Reid is a complete Jackass. He is now trying to take credit for Rush Limbaugh's smart action to turn Harry Reid's abuse of government letter into a charity for our troops. Harry Reid who tried to get a "private citizen" fired for something he didn't say is now trying to take credit for Rush Limbaugh turning it around on him. Harry Reid is dispictable and you people in Nevada must be the dumbest people on Earth to send this guy to Congress. Please take him back, he is a total creep.

Posted by: Ray | Oct 19, 2007 2:27:21 PM

conservatives already know all the tricks of the IRS, and just let the IRS make it official that the Reid, et al., letter is indeed an HISTORICAL DOCUMENT, and its value will triple!

Cris: Rush Limbaughr irrelevant? Why then a letter from Dingy Harry and the 40 thieves about what Limbaugh might have said? It was heard by millions of his loyal followers. I heard the whole program, and anyone who says that Limbaugh impuned the troops - including troops who express disagreement with the war, is an unmitigated liar.

Posted by: TheOldTrooper | Oct 19, 2007 2:27:53 PM

I can't believe people actually take what Rush Limbaugh says seriously. You people know he's a drug addict right?

Posted by: Jon C. | Oct 19, 2007 2:29:43 PM

And Mrs. Clinton wants to be commander in chief? Buuwwaahahahahaha! NOT!

Posted by: BHMason | Oct 19, 2007 2:32:21 PM

Harry Reid is an out and out liar. He had nothing to do with the letter going on eBay. NOTHING! The lib media is running with the Reid version knowing the letter has been on eBay for SEVEN FULL DAYS yet have been ignoring it. This is about an abuse of power by Senate Democrats and ALL Who Signed (yes, Hillary Rodham Clinton signed it too) should be fined the bid amount or forced to leave office. The Senators are dispicable and Harry Reid just raised "dispicable" to a new level. And the lib media (ABC included) just joined them.

Posted by: Bill | Oct 19, 2007 2:33:29 PM

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