Merkley to Raise Cash During Session for Democrat Senate Bid

House Republicans issued the following “research briefing” on Speaker Jeff Merkley’s decision to raise money during the February special session:

Rep. Jeff Merkley used to oppose raising cash during the legislative session:
“‘Our heads need to be absolutely out of politics and into policy when we’re here,’ Merkley said, ‘and accepting campaign contributions seems inherently inappropriate.'” (Barriers to Raising Cash Slip in Salem, Jeff Mapes, The Oregonian, 2/9/2005)

Rep. Merkley used to attack Republicans for campaigning during session:
“We do not want to go from a Republican leadership that continued campaigning during a session to a Democratic leadership doing the same thing.” (House’s Potential New Speaker Shares Plans, Peter Wong, Salem Statesman Journal, 11/9/2006)

Has the Speaker, now a Democrat U.S. Senate candidate, changed his mind?:
“…Merkley said he would continue to raise funds from other individuals during the month-long session, even though the House’s operating rules ban its members from soliciting or receiving campaign money during legislative sessions.” (Merkley Fund-Raising Slowed, Not Stopped, by Oregon Session, Brad Cain, The Associated Press, 1/29/2008)House Republicans Blasted Merkley’s Double-Standard”¦:
“But the appearances of this is that everybody has to live by the fundraising ban but Merkley,” [House Republican Leader Bruce Hanna] said. “It puts the House speaker in a difficult position, because he is looked to as an example. He’s supposed to set the gold standard.” (Merkley Fund-Raising Slowed, Not Stopped, by Oregon Session, Brad Cain, The Associated Press, 1/29/2008)

“¦And at least one Democrat Agrees:
“Merkley is “the one who put the rule in” banning fund-raising for House members during the session, said [Sen. Rick] Metsger [D-Welches]. “Now he wants to make contributions to federal office different than to state office. To me, that is a distinction without a difference.” (Metsger Zings Fund-Raising During Session, Jeff Mapes, The Oregonian-Mapes on Politics Blog, 1/29/2008)

Speaker Merkley promised not to accept contributions from Oregon lobbyists during session, yet this pledge has already been debunked:
“…Metsger noted that many lobbyists belong to the Capitol Club, which prohibits its members from making contributions during the session anyway. All they’re doing, he said, is saying, ‘I’m not going to accept money from the people who can’t give me money anyway.'” (Metsger Zings Fund-Raising During Session, Jeff Mapes, The Oregonian-Mapes on Politics Blog, 1/29/2008)