OH-02: Republicans Nip At Mean Jean's Feet Over Pork Barrel Spending

I think holding Jean Schmidt to the principled, fiscally conservative positions she campaigned on is a good, solid exercise for both Republican bloggers, and her constituency. Afterall, that's what she claimed to be a fiscal conservative last November, so she should be acting like it now, no?

Well, that's not what PeeDee weenie Nixguy and Porkoplis claim today.

An earlier post today noted that Congresswoman Schmidt has requested a $100,000 earmark in the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 (H.R. 3074) for the John P. Parker Historical Society in Ripley, Ohio. The funds will be used for "refinement of site investigations and improvements for the John P. Parker residence."

And conveniently enough...

Publicly available information reveals that Congresswoman Schmidt's promotion of this earmark would allow constituents in her district to pose a legitimate question:

'Was the $100,000 earmark for the John P. Parker Historical Society influenced by the political contributions from Gary Meisner ($750 in 2005-2006 to the Schmidt for Congress campaign), Principal for the landscape architecture firm of Meisner & Associates?'

...interesting. Not too surprising though to see Republicans caving to the will of donors on the budget. Afterall, after watching them blow our spending out of proportion over the last six years or so, it's no real surprise to see even the avowedly "fiscal conservative" getting a big 'ole piece of the pork for their friends.

I'm sure Vic Wulsin and Steve Black are taking note of mean Jean's antics.