CL EDITORIAL – CL Gives Lott Grief over PAC

PAC man: Personal influence now Lott’s agenda

Now comes word that Lott is converting $1.2 million left in the Senate campaign fund into a political action committee that will help solidify his influence on Capitol Hill in his new career as a lobbyist.

A former Lott staff member said the move came so Lott could increase the amount of money he gives to candidates. Individuals and individual campaign committees may contribute no more than $2,300 to a federal candidate each election. But the PAC limit is $5,000.

What Lott is doing is legal, but rather unseemly.

Common Cause lobbyist Sarah Dufendach said the practice of turning personal campaign funds into PACs is “legal, but weird.”

Clarion Ledger Editorial
4/24/8