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July 5, 2008

Carney raps Hackett over DeLay visit

By Bill O'Boyle boboyle@timesleader.com
Times Leader Staff Writer
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Former GOP House Majority Leader Tom DeLay held a fundraiser in Clarks Summit on Tuesday night. Republican congressional candidate Chris Hackett said he wasn’t involved in the visit, but his opponent, U.S. Rep. Chris Carney, doesn’t believe it.

Carney, through his campaign manager Vince Rongione, issued a scathing press release and accused Hackett of bringing DeLay to the area.

Hackett is challenging Carney, a freshman Democrat, in the 10th Congressional District.

Hackett said he had nothing to do with DeLay’s visit and did not attend the event. The DeLay fundraiser was in support of Coalition for a Conservative Majority.

DeLay was scheduled to speak at the Ramada, according to a hotel employee.

Rongione said Hackett was “embracing one of the most corrupt and dishonest politicians in decades” by “bringing” DeLay to the district.

Hackett spokesman Mark Harris called the release by the Carney camp a “ridiculous and baseless attack.” Harris said Hackett has not spoken to DeLay.

Republican Lou Barletta, who is running against Democrat incumbent Paul Kanjorski in the 11th Congressional District, did not attend the DeLay event, said spokesman Shawn Kelly.

In 2005, DeLay and Associates was indicted on money-laundering charges and conspiracy to commit money laundering in an attempt to circumvent a Texas ban on using corporate money to fund political campaigns.

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