Horn sounds off over Clegg's lobbyist activity

25th March 2008

Horn sounds off over Clegg's lobbyist activity

By KEVIN LANDRIGAN, Telegraph Staff
klandrigan@nashuatelegraph.com

CONCORD – Republican congressional candidate Jennifer Horn pounced on The Telegraph's investigation of lobbyist influence Monday to discredit a primary rival who received the most 2007 campaign donations as a state senator.

Sen. Robert Clegg, R-Hudson, topped the list of all state lawmakers with the $5,299 lobbyists gave him last year.

"The report in the Nashua Telegraph that Bob Clegg received more political contributions from lobbyists than any other lawmaker is both disturbing and revealing,'' Horn said in a statement.

"Bob Clegg can offer many excuses, but nothing will hide the fact that as a state senator, he is a friend to special interest. What makes us think in Congress he will be any different?''

Horn, a former Telegraph columnist and radio talk-show host, is a first-time candidate for elected office. Clegg is completing a 14-year career as a former House and Senate Republican leader.

During a telephone interview Monday, Clegg denied doing special favors for any of the 25 checks from lobbyists representing a broad range of interests, from alcohol and trucking industries to hospitals and the humane society.

"My stance is still the same as it has always been. Everyone knows I have an open mind and an open door and that's why people donate to my campaigns and I won't apologize for it,'' Clegg said."Everyone has the right to participate in the political process and I didn't know Jennifer Horn gets to decide who can and who can't donate.''

Lobbyists gave to all 24 members of the state Senate last year. The popular, two-term Democratic Gov. John Lynch got by far the most from lobbyists – $23,525 – or four times more than what Clegg received last year.

But Horn persisted that Clegg's donations make him an unsuitable GOP nominee to knock off first-term Democratic Congressman Paul Hodes. "Another career politician can't beat Paul Hodes. Voters are not going to substitute one politician for another,'' Horn said, declaring she's the only candidate who can beat Hodes.

"People are tired of the backroom politicking of lawyers and professional politicians who feel more accountable to lobbyists than to their neighbors at home. We need to send someone who will represent the people over the lobbyist.''

Fellow, Republican candidate Grant Bosse, of Hillsboro, said that as a former journalist and a defender of the First Amendment, he believes candidates should be judged not on their donations, but their actions.

"Bob Clegg is free to raise money wherever he chooses. The voters get to decide whether any of these donations were for sale,'' Bosse said.

The first priority of the next Congress is to eliminate earmarks or special pet projects slipped into federal spending bills, Bosse continued. "We've got to root out the real corruption in Washington, those earmarks often created in exchange for campaign donations,'' he added.

Hodes declined comment on the matter through his spokesman, Mark Bergman.

Republican candidate James Steiner, of Concord, said he's not accepting special interest money from political action committees but condemned any attacks against fellow Republicans.

"We all have choices to make. I've made mine and Senator Clegg has made his,"Steiner began.

"I'd never resort to attacking another candidate over where they choose to get their donations."