Kentucky Congressman Geoff Davis hasn't gotten this kind of attention from the national press since he whipped Democrat Ken Lucas in last November's election.
The Politico, the newest media outlet in Washington, slammed the Hebron Republican hard on Tuesday, naming him its "Pander of the Week.''
Davis' sin? Authoring a House resolution that paid tribute to Barbaro, the 2006 Kentucky Derby winner who had to be euthanized last month because of complications from a leg injury that he suffered in last year's Preakness.
Davis' resolution honored "the historic achievements of Barbaro, his unparalleled athleticism and his unwavering spirit'' and thanked the champion horse "for capturing the hearts and imagination of racing enthusiasts across the country and across the world.''
All six of Kentucky's House members signed onto the resolution, but The Politico reserved its criticism for Davis, who was the lead sponsor. The paper accused Davis of "exploiting a popular racehorse's death for meaningless political points.''
If Davis wants to honor Barbaro, he can write an editorial for his local paper in Kentucky. However, according to Iraq Casualties, Kentucky has lost 54 service members in Iraq. Davis should be doing something to make sure that more American don't die in Iraq.
What has Geoff Davis done? Here are some samples:
Predatory lenders are seriously harming the U.S. military, and one member of Congress is fighting to keep it that way.
A Pentagon report last month found that as many one in five U.S. service members “are being preyed on by loan centers set up near military bases” that can charge interest of 400 percent or more. Increasingly, soldiers have debt levels so high they are barred from serving overseas; others suffer from “bankruptcies, divorces and ruined careers.” (More facts HERE.)
The Pentagon has joined consumer, military, and veterans groups in backing a bipartisan amendment from Sens. Jim Talent (R-MO) and Bill Nelson (D-FL) that places a cap of 36 percent on high interest rates for short-term payday loans to military members.
But one conservative congressman, Rep. Geoff Davis (R-KY), is trying to gut the amendment. Davis has proposed his own language — praised by the payday lending industry — that sets no real limits on predatory lenders. One of Davis’s aides admitted last week that he consulted on the legislation with “CNG Financial of Mason, Ohio, one of his top campaign donors and owner of national payday lender Check ‘n Go.”
Here are some additional facts about Geoff Davis (Link-Vote Smart):
Davis voted against Stem Cell research, and Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendation Act.
Has Davis supported Veterans? No. Here is some info from Project Vote Smart:
2006 In 2006 Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America gave Representative Davis a grade of D.
2006 Representative Davis supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans 66 percent in 2006.
2005 Representative Davis supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans 0 percent in 2005.
Davis needs to do some serious work.
