I've been meaning to write a post on this anyway, but MoveOn beat me to the punch:

Your representative, Rep. Kolbe, received $5,026 from Tom DeLay's fundraising PAC. Will you call Rep. Kolbe and ask him to return the money?

Here is what you need to know to make the call.

Congressman Jim Kolbe
Phone: 202-225-2542

Tell the staff member who answers that you are a constituent and something like the following.

I heard that Rep. Kolbe took money from Republican leader Tom DeLay's PAC. I urge him to return the money in order to remove any question about the nature of the contribution. Associations with Tom DeLay create the appearance of corruption in our elected officials. I would like him to return the money and please send me a letter explaining his position on this issue.

We encourage you to speak from your heart about this issue when you call—don't feel bound by our suggested script. The person answering the phones should ask for your name and address so they can send you the letter.

After you make your call, click on the link below to let us know how your call went and help us keep a tally of the number of calls made.

http://political.moveon.org/call?tg=FHAZ_08&cp_id=103&id=6081-2966911-yCPGPN_LBOIspPeT3QrvWQ&t=1

I'm actually a little surprised he hasn't given the money back yet. With the way he's outraised his opponents in the last several elections, I would think a measley $5K would be a paltry sum to return, especially when it reeks of corruption.

The fact that Congressman Kolbe did not immediately return DeLay PAC money after the former Leader was indicted can and should be used in next year's election. Corruption breeds corruption; Kolbe would do well to place as much distance between him and his party's leaders as possible.

Then again, let him continue contributing to the accurate impression of cronyism and the District 8 Democrats will finally retake the seat.