Terry’s Critics Charge “Cozy” Relationship with Lobbyists
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Eight months after admitting he used lobbyist-written speeches during the health care debate and promised to use his own words in the future, Nebraska Congressman Lee Terry’s lobbying troubles have increased in a New York minute.
This week a New York Post column known as “Page Six” included Terry in a story noting, “Some Republican congressmen have been warned to keep their distance from the female lobbyists who prowl Capitol Hill.”
The column, which Terry calls “repulsive and inaccurate garbage,” claims Terry “was witnessed by Page Six in close conversation with a comely lobbyist at the Capitol Hill Club in DC recently.”
The Post quotes Terry asking the lobbyist, “Why did you get me so drunk?” According to the newspaper “When Terry realized he was sitting near a reporter, he quickly changed the topic of conversation to his three children and the struggle to pay their college tuition.”
Nebraska Watchdog has been unable to contact Terry but the Congressman did issue a statement insisting he’s the subject of a political attack that has crossed the line. According to Terry “all statements attributed to me by the New York Post Gossip columnist are completely false.”
Ian Russell, the campaign manager for Democrat Tom White who is running against Terry, tells Nebraska Watchdog the Post’s story is the “latest example of Lee Terry’s cozy relationship with Washington lobbyists.” Russell adding Terry even lets “industry lobbyists write his speeches.”
Last November the New York Times uncovered Terry and dozens of other House members, Republicans and Democrats, issuing statements ghostwritten word-for-word by lobbyists who work for Genentech, one of the world’s largest biotechnology companies.
According to campaign records with the Federal Election Commission on March 30, 2009 Terry received a $1,000 contribution from Roche Good Government Committee, the political arm of Genentech’s parent company.
Editor’s note: Terry’s full statement to Nebraska Watchdog.
“This type of innuendo is very hurtful to my family and all statements attributed to me by the New York Post Gossip columnist are completely false,” said Congressman Terry. “This attack on my character and my family’s reputation is obviously politically motivated and out of line. The people of Nebraska know me and know that I would never hurt my family in such a way as depicted in the article. I hope future discussion can center around important issues facing our country and not the repulsive and inaccurate garbage this newspaper has chosen to print.”
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Reported by Joe Jordan, joe@nebraskawatchdog.org
Posted under News, State Politics.
Tags: Genentech, Ian Russell, Joe Jordan, KMTV, Lee Terry, Nebraska Watchdog, New York Post, New York Times, Tom White
10 Comments For This Post So Far
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Terry on Lobbyist Report, “Crap…Happens”
[...] is Terry’s one word description of a New York Post article linking him with a [...]
5:48 pm on July 22nd, 2010
I suppose Tom White had no contact with any lobbyist, much less female, as a state Senator.
I wouldn’t vote for White no matter what he says now. To come out with this is blatantly hypocritical. Tell me Senator White, who is paying for your campaign? Is the SEIU, or any other union involved? Aren’t they lobbyists?
This whole story is crap.
11:05 pm on July 22nd, 2010
This story by the Post seems hard to believe. I mean come on, look at the picture of Rep Terry, does that guy look like a ladies man?
12:01 am on July 23rd, 2010
Dear Nebraska Watchdog, ie. Joe,
I rest on Lee’s record for MY vote! He has always done what is right for Nebraska and the USA! We need more just like Lee in Washington! Shame on you for this article!
8:35 am on July 23rd, 2010
They call it ‘gossip’ for a reason. If it was really news, it wouldn’t be in a gossip column.
9:05 am on July 23rd, 2010
Shame on Joe Jordan?
Why? A local, elected official is getting drunk with a young lass who obviously isn’t Mrs. Terry, and you blame the MEDIA? How about placing the blame where it belongs, on LEE TERRY.
This is typical GOP, blame the media when you can’t keep your (blank) in your pants after campaining on a ‘family values’ platform.
12:54 pm on July 23rd, 2010
(only responding to information Mr Terry admits happened)
Maybe Mr Terry should have spent less time sensoring books in Millard and spent more time writing his own speeches. Isn’t that one of the job duties in which he gets paid?
Interesting………
1:36 pm on July 23rd, 2010
(only responding to information Mr Terry admits to happening)
Maybe Mr. Terry should have spent less time sensoring books in Millard and more time writing his own speeches. Isn’t that part of the job in which he gets paid? Interesting……
2:23 pm on July 23rd, 2010
Interesting is right.
I don’t know a lot about Lee Terry, and find the suggestions from the columnist ridiculous, but who knows. I’m sure that a gossip columnist does not have a lot of credibility anyway. Unfortunately, politics is a pretty dirty game and people know that. I also know that Sarah Palin is an embarassment every time she opens her big stupid uneducated mouth. I suggest Mr. Terry not follow Sarah Palins lead to blame the “gotcha” media every single time he has a problem in the future.
10:09 pm on July 23rd, 2010
James, don’t ’shame’ Joe for writing the article maybe you should ’shame’ those worthy of such reporting? Unlike you, Joe reports the on news, this isn’t his opinion. Joe states both sides (go back & read the article) which allows each of us to draw our own conclusions.
Thanks Joe for being a good reporter and keeping us informed on the issues, even the tough ones!