Congressman Ken Calvert is under fire and needs our help.  Red County Riverside has been on top of this story, and you can follow our posts here and here.

The republican blog RedState.com has declared war on Congressman Calvert.  It is an empty attempt to get media attention.  I am confident in calling it empty, because you will not see a RedState.com recruited candidate running against Calvert in 2008.

The time has come for us to help Congressman Calvert.  He has not done anything illegal.

If you'd like to write a letter to the editor or news department, explain the following two points:

1. An analysis showed the interchange was about 16 miles from Calvert's land. -(Press Enterprise)

2.  Calvert on Tuesday provided copies of correspondence with members of the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, whom he asked for guidance about a potential earmark near seven properties that he owns in Corona.     

In a letter dated March 14, [2006] Calvert sought advice on whether a $7 million earmark to fund the Corona Transit Center would be considered in his financial interest because of his nearby holdings.

The committee found that the seven buildings -- which range from one-tenth of a mile to 1.7 miles from the Corona Transit Center -- would not be directly or significantly affected by the earmark.  -(Press Enterprise)

Here's the article in todays Press Enterprise:

Right-wing blog 'declares war' on GOP over Calvert appointment

By BEN GOAD
Washington Bureau  The Press-Enterprise     

       WASHINGTON - Rep. Ken Calvert's ascension to the House Appropriations Committee has drawn fire in recent days, and not just from political opponents.

On Tuesday, Calvert fired back.   

Redstate, a popular conservative blog, has "declared war" on Republican leadership over Calvert's assignment to the panel that controls federal spending.  Story continues below      

      

         

                              

      

Calvert, R-Corona, replaced Rep. John Doolittle, R-Rocklin, who stepped down last month amid an FBI probe. The decision was a mistake considering that the FBI looked into Calvert's own finances last year following questions about a land deal, Redstate Chief Executive Erick Erickson said.

In an interview Tuesday, Calvert denied any wrongdoing and called the criticism a distraction, namely from attempts to reach an accord with Democrats over the proposed supplemental spending bill, which includes funding for the war in Iraq.

The seven-term representative, who has never been accused by authorities of any wrongdoing with regard to the land deals, said he is well-versed on proper ethics and congressional rules.

       "And those rules always apply," Calvert said. "I will continue to        conduct myself as I always have."   

The criticism comes as Republican leaders have set out to reverse perceptions of poor ethics that observers believe contributed to November's GOP defeats in House and Senate races. Minority leader John Boehner has said the party will not tolerate lapses of ethics. Two members -- Doolittle and Rick Renzi, R-Ariz. -- have relinquished key committee posts because of FBI scrutiny.

Calvert also posted his own entry recently to the Redstate blog, writing that all concerns were aired before last week's vote.

      

       Grilling by GOP    

"I faced some tough questions from my leadership and my colleagues in the House Republican Conference," Calvert wrote. "We had a candid, frank discussion, and I answered all of the questions I was asked and was approved."

Several other Republicans were vying for the coveted Appropriations seat, but in part because Doolittle was from California and committee seats traditionally are assigned by region, Calvert had the upper hand.

Erickson's blog, which he says has between 30,000 and 40,000 user accounts and gets between 25,000 and 35,000 hits per day, has called upon supporters to challenge Calvert's position on Appropriations by complaining to members of the GOP steering committee that appointed him.

The steering committee vote was confidential, but at least one Republican congressman, Rep. Ray LaHood of Illinois, has acknowledged opposing Calvert's bid. LaHood spokeswoman Joan Mitchell on Tuesday confirmed his position, but LaHood could not be reached for comment.

At least two other groups -- the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a watchdog group that mainly targets Republicans -- have also criticized Calvert's selection to the panel.

Among the deals at issue is Calvert's sale of 4.3 acres of land in the Perris area for $985,000, a significant profit over the $550,000 he paid for the land. A community activist accused Calvert last year of pushing for an $8 million federal earmark to pay for a freeway interchange project in 2005 that helped raise the value of his property.

       Miles Away    

       An analysis showed the interchange was about 16 miles from Calvert's land.    

Calvert has repeatedly denied using his clout in Congress to help his business dealings, and has maintained that local officials were the ones pushing for the interchange.

"I have never personally interjected myself in an earmark," Calvert said Tuesday. "This was the county's choice to make."

Additionally, Calvert on Tuesday provided copies of correspondence with members of the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, whom he asked for guidance about a potential earmark near seven properties that he owns in Corona.

In a letter dated March 14, Calvert sought advice on whether a $7 million earmark to fund the Corona Transit Center would be considered in his financial interest because of his nearby holdings.

The committee found that the seven buildings -- which range from one-tenth of a mile to 1.7 miles from the Corona Transit Center -- would not be directly or significantly affected by the earmark.

Erickson, of Redstate, pointed to the FBI's May 2006 inquiry into Calvert's financial disclosure statements spanning 2000 through 2005 as further evidence that Calvert's installation to the committee sends the wrong message. Rebecca Rudman, Calvert's press secretary, said the office has never heard back from federal officials and suggested the agent was just performing due diligence following the questions over the congressman's deals.

       The FBI does not comment on investigations.    

       'Bizarro Politics'    

Jack Pitney, a government professor at Claremont McKenna College, called the Republican criticism "bizarro politics" and evidence that the party has a self-destructive streak.

       "It's hard to see how you win a battle by decapitating your own side,"        he said.    

Pitney said without hard evidence of wrongdoing, the criticism amounts to "guilt by accusation," a risky precedent.

But Erickson said party leaders must recognize the perceptions that accompany controversy if they want to have any hope of regaining a majority in the Congress.

    

      

         Archive      

          Calvert denies any wrongdoing in land deal (May 16, 2006)      

          Finances of Lewis, Calvert inspected (June 10, 2006)      

          Sale of park site drawing questions (August 18, 2006)