Cong OH-2: Schmidt (R) Got Most Cash From Hastert and Boehner

The campaign of Dr. Victoria Wulsin (D-Indian Hill) reports that while House Republican leaders sink in the mire, opponent Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-Loveland) is bound to them hand and foot:

Jean Schmidt has taken $20,000 from Hastert's PAC this election cycle – double the amount of any other congressional candidate in the country.

Schmidt has also taken $20,000 from House Majority Leader John Boehner's PAC – also double the amount of any other congressional candidate in the country. According to his own admission, Boehner knew about Foley's actions 11 months ago.

Schmidt has taken $10,000 from Rep. Tom Reynolds's PAC. Reynolds is the chairman of the Republican National Congressional Committee, who also has known about the situation for a long time.

Finally, Schmidt has taken $15,000 from Rep. Deborah Pryce, the 4th ranking Republican in the House. Pryce's knowledge of the situation has come into question and will likely be investigated in the upcoming House probe and FBI investigation.

Yesterday, former Foley aide and current Reynolds chief of staff Kirk Fordham resigned his post and told the press that he had informed Speaker Dennis Hastert's office of Rep. Mark Foley's inappropriate behavior at least three years ago. Previously, Hastert's office said it had only gotten the information last year. Calls for Hastert's resignation have come from members of Congress, some conservative commentators, and editorial boards including the Washington Times.

"It's clear that the Republican leadership has failed to protect the young pages who worked in Congress," said Wulsin today. "It's clear that they have put electoral politics above the safety of these young boys and girls. Their behavior is shocking and embarrassing. We need new leadership in the US House of Representatives."