Otten Shows Why We Need Clean Elections

We all know that political contributions are often made by interest groups, businesses and individuals in order to buy access to legislators and influence legislation. Rarely, however, do these contributors admit in plain language that that's what they're up to.

Maybe that's why I found Republican gubernatorial candidate Les Otten's response to being accused of giving money to Democratic candidates so jarring. He defended himself by claiming that the contributions were made not on the basis of ideology, but were instead just basically bribes given in order to gain influence.

"I’ve been in business in Maine for 37 years and you cannot create jobs in the business world - the real world - by being completely partisan.

Businessmen often contribute to different political campaigns to get the attention of all legislators because important legislation affecting our companies and our employees is created in a bipartisan manner."

3 responses to “Otten Shows Why We Need Clean Elections”

#1Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on November 2, 2009 - 5:24am.

Otten

You're criticizing Otten for this? I have criticisms of Mr. Otten on several fronts but this just goes to show how completely out of touch you are with the real world. In the business world, this is how you get things done and while he's had some hits and some misses there, bottom line is he's created jobs, met payrolls and paid a shitload of taxes in Me. over the years. I am no supporter of Les Otten, Paul LePage is my guy, but kudos to him and other candidates who don't steal Me. taxpayer money to fund their shenanigans.., can you say Barbara Merrill?

#2Submitted by Lee (not verified) on November 2, 2009 - 9:39am.

criticism

All the other candidates with business backgrounds have managed to refrain from giving money to politicians they disagree with.

Otten's contributions aren't a big thing (and I don't think this blog implies that they are) but Otten's statement is an interesting insight into how he thinks and how he works as a businessman.

#3Submitted by Matt (not verified) on November 2, 2009 - 9:42am.

How you get things done?

Hahahahahahahaha... In the business world, this is how you get things done? What in God's name are you talking about?

You never saw Mitt Romney donate to two sides of the same race... hell, he never even donated to a Democrat... and yet, somehow... magically, he became such a phenomenal businessman that he parlayed it into a Governorship and a run for the presidency.

If you want to use some local examples, both Bruce Poliquin and Rosa Scarcelli seem to be doing just fine in the business world, and neither of them has given a penny to the opposing party, nor two sides of the same race.

What in God's name are you talking about? This is how you get things done? By bribing lawmakers for sweetheart deals?

Can you tell me what Otten's bribes have brought the state of Maine in the way of jobs?

Oh wait, Otten ran his business into the ground. All those favors sure helped out American Ski Company.