The Blue State

Yet another money scandal for Frist

Last year, Senate Majority Bill Frist found himself in the middle of a scandal involving his questionable stock trading practices.  That investigation is still pending.

Now, the Tennessee Republican, who will retire after the end of this year, is facing yet another scandal.  This time it involves his refusal during the 2000 election cycle to disclose a $1.44 million loan on his campaign disclosure form.  Frist is being investigated by the FCC for this violation.  The anti-corruption group Citizens for Responsible Responsibility and Ethics in Washington has the details about the illegal action:

In June 2000, Senator Frist took $1 million of the money that had beencontributed to his 2000 Senate campaign and invested it in the stockmarket, where it promptly began losing money. In November 2000, SenatorFrist sought to collect $1.2 million he had lent his 1994 Senatecampaign committee. As a result of the stock market losses, however,Frist 2000, Inc. did not have enough money to repay the loan. SenatorFrist solved this problem by having the 1994 and the 2000 campaigncommittees jointly take out a $1.44 million bank loan at a cost of$10,000 a month interest. Frist 2000, Inc. did not report this debt onits FEC disclosure forms.

The Raw Story web site reports that Senator Frist will have to pay an $11,000 fine.

This is yet another Republican scandal to add to the list.  Now there have been a total of -- wait, I lost track once we got to 15.

Video: SNL skit with Bush and Frist finding ways to win over public

On last night's Saturday NIght Live, the opening skit featured a meeting between President Bush and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist -- played by Tom Hanks -- which drew parallels between the GOP's $100 gas rebate proposal and your typical infomercial:

Click to watch clip >>> (Windows Media Player)

FRIST: "Now, what if I told you that every American was going to get $120 and three days and two nights at the lovely Busch Gardens Resort and Theme Park in Tampa Bay, Florida?"

BUSH: "Busch Gardens?  I'd say I was pretty interested."

FRIST: "Well, what if gas hits $5.00 a gallon?"

BUSH: "And once again, it's gonna."

FRIST: "We're going to need to buy some more oil refineries.  Now, would you want an oil refinery in your town?"

BUSH: "Well, no sir.  Those things smell bad, and they're an eye sore."

FRIST: "But, what if I told you that everyone in your town would get one of these?"

BUSH: "What is that?"

FRIST: "Why, it's the new magic mop.  It uses patented micro-fiber technology to spoon up both wet and dry spills on all household surfaces."

BUSH: "I don't know.  Looks hard to use."

FRIST: "It couldn't be easier, Mr. President, to use.  And to clean it, you just hold it under running water.  And if gas hits $5.00 by August 1st, they will get not one, but two replacement shammies."

BUSH: "So wait.  You're telling me that I get $120, the Busch Gardens vacation and the magic mop with two replacement shammies?  And all I have to do is allow drilling in Alaska, mining in the Grand Canyon and have an oil refinery in my town?"

FRIST: "It's an over $500 value."

The GOP are so nervous about this November that they are drumming up just about every possible strategy in order to reverse public sentiment.  The problem is that there is not an instant solution for the GOP on Iraq, high gas prices or the Washington corruption scandals without enacting policies that the Democrats have been begging for all along.