Money For Politicians

On the issue of setting limits on donations, San Antonio city politicians act like someone yelled, "Freeze!"

They've done virtually nothing to set up rules on donation caps, self loans and other cogs in the political money machinery. Politicians need money almost more than air.

In 2002, newspaperman Rick Casey reported on a court case in which Senator Jeff Wentworth was to collect $337-thousand from "real estate dealmaker" Joe Mangione.

Mangione bought Wentworth to make connections with important people whom he couldn't get to on his own— trying to get big deals to happen, although they usually didn't. After working on a proposed Convention Center deal, Wentworth wrote to Mangione asking to be paid for his services. He wrote, "I got state law changed..."

(BUZZER)! To take money for legislation is criminal. Mr. Wentworth knows that. He then claimed, quote, "I was angry with Mr. Mangione for his complete failure to honor the bargain that we had, and I overstated my role in that."

In a commentary, I asked: "So was Senator Wentworth lying then, or is he lying now when he says he was lying then? He's welcome to come on my program and explain whether both, or only one, was a big fat lie. If he shows up I expect his pants to be on fire."

In the two years since, the good Senator hasn't spoken to me on the air. It illustrates politicians having a tough time deciding whether breathing is more important, or money.

Brad Messer, commentary, KTSA.