John Doolittle

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John Doolittle
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 4th district
Assumed office
January 3, 1991–
Preceded byNorman Shumway
Personal details
Political partyRepublican
SpouseJulia Doolittle
This page is about the politician; for the fictional animal doctor, see Doctor Dolittle.

John Taylor Doolittle (born October 30 1950), American politician, has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 1991, representing the 4th District of California (map). He held a leadership role as the Deputy Whip for the Republican party in the House.[1]

Early life and education

Doolittle was born in Glendale, California. He grew up in Cupertino, California, graduating from Cupertino High School in 1968. He graduated with honors with a B.A. in History from the University of California, Santa Cruz. He also has a law degree from McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific, in Sacramento, in 1978.

Doolittle spent two years as a missionary in Argentina for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints before going to law school. [2] Doolittle is married to the former Julia (Julie) Harlow. They have a son and daughter. [3]

Career prior to the U.S. House

In 1979, Doolittle worked as an aide to state senator H.L. Richardson, the conservative founder of Gun Owners of America and the Law and Order Campaign Committee.

In a 1980 race for the California State Senate, Doolittle, then 29, stunned everyone by narrowly defeating Democrat Al Rodda. In the Senate, one memorable stunt was when Doolittle tried to get square dancing designated as the official dance of California.[4]

In 1981, the Democratic state legislature's redistricting plan, which used creatively drawn districts to squeeze out Republican lawmakers, dumped Doolittle into a Democratic district, where he lost to then-Assemblyman Leroy Greene in 1982. But by a quirk of redistricting, Doolittle was able to keep his original seat until 1984, when he won another term by beating Ray Johnson, a Republican turned independent from Chico.[5] An administrative law judge later found him guilty of violating campaign finance laws when his campaign helped his Democratic opponent, to pull votes away from Johnson.[6] Doolittle won re-elections in 1986 and 1988. From 1987 to 1990, he was chairman of the Senate Republican Caucus.

U.S. House of Representatives

Doolittle is member of the House Appropriations Committee. He also serves on the Budget and Administration committees.

Initial election and re-election

In 1990, Republican Norman D. Shumway, also a Mormon, retired from Congress. In the November general election, Doolittle defeated Patty Malberg, a Democrat from Lincoln, getting 51% of the vote, in what was then the 14th Congressional District. He was re-elected in 1992 with 50 percent of the vote, again defeating Malberg.

Political positions and actions

In his first years in Congress, Doolittle was a member of the group known as the Gang of Seven, which had a role in exposing the House banking scandal.

According to the Associated Press, "Doolittle is a generally loyal supporter of the Bush administration — though like many House Republicans he opposes Bush's support for an immigration guest worker program." He is in favor of partial privatization of Social Security, saying he would like to see people "gain ownership over their own funds". He is against gun control, and opposes abortion rights.

Doolittle is known for boosterism of the Auburn Dam project, despite uncertainties about the impact that such a dam would have on seismic activity in the area. A mid-1990s preliminary United States Geological Survey report cited concerns about the likelihood of earthquakes caused by that project.[7] Doolittle's stated reason for supporting the Auburn Dam is for flood control of Sacramento. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, he portrayed the flooding in New Orleans as an example of why the project was needed. Critics replied that the Gulf Coast, with its hurricane season and the torrential rainfalls associated with it, is not a valid comparison to a region of the country which historically often has droughts, and said that Folsom and Nimbus Dams should suffice in an intense rainy season. Opponents of the project point out that the proposed Auburn Dam, despite its potential for breaking in the event of an earthquake, will also accelerate urban sprawl east of Sacramento and downriver from the proposed dam. Placer County has one of the highest growth rates in the country. In 2005, Doolittle secured funding for studies on moving the project forward.

In January 2006, the Sacramento Union quoted Doolittle as saying that "A liberal front is underway to find God and all things pertaining to him unconstitutional."[8]

In February, 2006, Doolittle was praised by the El Dorado Irrigation District for his assistance in obtaining funds for hydroelectric power projects.[9]

Recent re-election campaigns

2002

In 2002, Doolittle defeated Republican challenger Dr. Bill Kirby of Auburn, California, 78%-22%.[10] In the general election, Doolittle defeated Mark Norberg, 65%-35%, while raising $1,024,986 compared to Norberg’s $8,202.[11]

2004

In 2004, Doolittle's Democratic opponent, David Winters raised only $2,300 and won 35 percent of the vote. For that race, Doolittle took in more than $1 million in contributions.[11]

2006

Main article: California 4th congressional district election, 2006

In the Republican primary on June 6, 2006, Doolittle was challenged for his party's nomination by Mike Holmes, the mayor of Auburn. Doolittle raised more than $1.1 million in campaign contributions, more than 14 times that of Holmes. Doolittle won the primary with 67% of the vote.[12]

In the general election, Doolittle's Democratic opponent was retired Air Force Lt. Colonel Charles Brown. Doolittle agreed to a single debate, on October 11, 2006.[13] Doolittle defeated Brown, getting 49% of the vote to Brown's 46%.

In January 2007, Doolittle announced ten steps he said he would take to re-establish the confidence of the district in his holding office. He announced the planned changes in an op-ed piece he distributed to newspapers in his district. [14][15]

Controversies

On September 20, 2006, the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) a group headed by former Democratic Congressional staffer Melanie Sloan[16], released its second annual report on the most corrupt members of Congress, titled "Beyond DeLay: The 20 Most Corrupt Members of Congress (and five to watch)". Doolittle was one of the 20. The organization said "His ethics issues stem from his wife’s relationship to his campaign and political action committees, as well as campaign contributions and personal financial benefits he accepted from those who sought his legislative assistance." [17]

Abramoff connections

Main article: Jack Abramoff Indian lobbying scandal

John Doolittle has been entangled in the scandal involving Jack Abramoff. Doolittle has denied any wrongdoing, and on April 18, 2006 he hired David Barger, a former prosecutor from Ken Starr's office, as his media adviser on the matter.[18] Doolittle has estimated that he received about $50,000 from clients of Abramoff, mostly Indian tribes.[19] Abramoff also personally donated $14,000 over the period 1999-2004 to Doolittle's congressional campaigns.[20] Doolittle also used Abramoff's luxury sports box for a fundraiser without initially reporting it. [21] Doolittle is currently being investigated by a federal probe into his relationship with Abramoff. [22] As of October 2006, Doolittle had reported paying an attorney more than $38,000 to talk to the Justice Department concerning its investigation.[23][24]

Small towns pressured to hire lobbyists

Dan Landon, a Republican and the executive director of the Nevada County CTC, said that he was told recently by Doolittle's staff that "it also doesn't hurt to have a lobbyist". Sharon Atteberry, city administrator for the city of Oroville, said she had also been urged to hire a lobbyist by Doolittle's staff. "They encouraged us that a lobbyist is very important to any city or county government" she said.[25]

Activities of Julie Doolittle

John Doolittle, Steve Lund (President of the Roseville Rotary) and Julie Doolittle at a Rotary lunch on August 1, 2006.

During the 2001-2005 period, Julie Doolittle had at least three different occupations: she worked for Jack Abramoff doing event planning (see above); she worked as a bookkeeper for a lobbying firm; and she worked on commission as a fundraiser for her husband. Payments to Julie Doolittle during the period were done via a company called Sierra Dominion Financial Solutions.[26] It was founded in March 2001, just after Congressman Doolittle gained a seat on the Appropriations Committee. It is based at the couple's home in Oakton, Virginia; Julie is the only employee. The company (that is, Julie) has continued to do fundraising, but no event planning or other work, since the Abramoff scandal first became public in early 2005.[26]

Work for lobbying firm

From 2002 until mid-2005,[27] the Alexander Strategy Group, a Washington, D.C. lobbying firm with close ties to Congressman Tom DeLay, paid Sierra Dominion for bookkeeping work for a nonprofit group called the Korea-U.S. Exchange Council (KORUSEC), created by Ed Buckham, a partner in the firm,[28] and located at the ASG headquarters. KORUSEC is also connected to Kevin Ring, one of Doolittle's former assistants.

ASG is now closed due to the scandals surrounding Jack Abramoff. Julie Doolittle's records regarding her work there were subpoenaed by the Department of Justice.

Fundraising commissions from Doolittle campaign revenues

Sierra Dominion charges Doolittle's campaign and his Superior California Political Action Committee a fifteen percent commission on any contribution that Julie Doolittle helps bring in. As of March 2006, federal and state campaign records show that she had received nearly $180,000 in commissions from for such fundraising since late 2001.[26] Doolittle aides said even though the PAC had made payments to other fundraisers, Julie Doolittle was entitled to 15 percent of all money the PAC brought in because those donations were raised at events she helped organize.[29]

In December, 2005, Richard Robinson, Doolittle's Chief of Staff, defended the commission structure. "Sierra Dominion's compensation is based entirely on performance in that it receives a percentage in what it is directly involved in raising. This arrangement is not only consistent with that of other fund raisers but is designed to avoid the appearance that Sierra Dominion is compensated for anything other than its tireless and effective work. Any suggestion otherwise is completely without merit."[30]

In January 2007, Doolittle announced that he would no longer employ his wife as his campaign fundraiser. Instead, he said, he would hire an outside fundraiser. [14]

2005 trip to Asia

KORUSEC, which employed Doolittle's wife (see above) and the U.S.-Malaysia Exchange Association, another non-profit firm operated by ASG, paid the $29,400 cost of a vacation to South Korea and Malaysia taken by Doolittle and his 12-year-old daughter in 2005. These trips included a stop at "the Berjaya Beach & Spa Resort on the Malaysian island of Langkawi.

KORUSEC and the U.S.-Malaysia Exchange Association, which were operated by by a Washington lobbying firm, Alexander Strategy Group, were, as of November 2006, being investigated by the FBI as possible conduits for illegal influence in U.S. affairs by a foreign corporation (KORUSEC) and a foreign government (USMEA). A spokeswoman for Doolittle said that he believed that his trip was proper and that it had nothing to do with the earmarks.[31].

Connections to Brent Wilkes

PerfectWave is a company owned by Brent Wilkes; Doolittle has had significant involvement with both. Wilkes has become controversial because disgraced Congressman Duke Cunningham admitted receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and favors from Wilkes for his efforts to help another of Wilkes' companies, ADCS Inc.

In 2002, Wilkes hired the Alexander Strategy Group (ASG) to do lobbying for the PerfectWave.[32] In November, 2003, Wilkes hosted a fund-raising dinner for Doolittle. Between 2002 to 2005, Doolittle received at least $118,000 in campaign contributions from Wilkes, PerfectWave associates and their wives, and ASG lobbyists Edwin A. Buckham and Tony C. Rudy (two former aides of Tom DeLay) and their wives. [33]

Doolittle, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, said in January, 2006 that he had helped steer defense funds totaling $37 million to PerfectWave ($1 million in 2002, $18 million in 2003, and then $18 million in 2004.) Doolittle said that his support was based "on the project's merits and the written support of the military."[34] But the San Diego Union-Tribune reported that "The money was not requested by the Navy but was instead inserted by the Appropriations Committee as part of the closed-door congressional earmarking process."[35] They further reported that "[T]he only evidence Doolittle's office could provide to show military support for the project was a letter of praise from Robert Lusardi, a program manager for light armored vehicles at the Marine Corps dated Feb. 25 – two and a half years after PerfectWave got its first earmark. By the time Lusardi wrote his letter, the company had received at least $37 million in earmarks."[32]

In February 2006, Doolittle said that he was glad he supported PerfectWave, saying "it has unique technology ... that ensures the safety of our armed forces in the war on terror.[36]

Investigation of Charles Hurwitz

On January 8, 2006, the Los Angeles Times reported that "Reps. John T. Doolittle and Richard W. Pombo joined forces with former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay of Texas to oppose an investigation by federal banking regulators into the affairs of Houston millionaire Charles Hurwitz, documents recently obtained by The Times show." Furthermore, "When the FDIC persisted, Doolittle and Pombo — both considered proteges of DeLay — used their power as members of the House Resources Committee to subpoena the agency's confidential records on the case, including details of the evidence FDIC investigators had compiled on Hurwitz." The FDIC investigation was ultimately dropped.[37]

The Times reported that "Although Washington politicians frequently try to help important constituents and contributors, it is unusual for members of Congress to take direct steps to stymie an ongoing investigation by an agency such as the FDIC." The article concluded, "in the Hurwitz case, Doolittle and Pombo were in a position to pressure the FDIC and did so."[37][38]

References

  1. ^ "Committees". Representative John T. Doolittle. Retrieved 2006-08-17.
  2. ^ http://www.theunion.com/article/20060926/OPINION/109260117
  3. ^ http://doolittle.house.gov/biography/
  4. ^ Jeff Ackerman (publisher), "Perhaps it's time for a fresh face in D.C.", The Union (Grass Valley, California), September 26, 2006
  5. ^ Jeff Kearns, "Boss Doolittle: In the foothills, Representative John Doolittle hovers over local government and party politics with a presence that shapes government at all levels", Sacramento News and Review, July 22, 2004
  6. ^ California Political Fair Practices Commission, Enforcement cases
  7. ^ "Review of seismic-hazard issues associated with the Auburn Dam project, Sierra Nevada foothills, California". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2006-08-17.
  8. ^ "Doolittle and God". The Union. 2006-01-20. Retrieved 2006-08-17. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ "EID Board thanks Congressman John Doolittle" (PDF). El Dorado Irrigation District. 2006-02-24. Retrieved 2006-08-17. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ Miller, Michelle (2006-06-07). "Doolittle wins easily". Auburn Journal. Retrieved 2006-08-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  11. ^ a b Butler, Pat (2006-02-04). "Is a competitive House race possible?". The Union. Retrieved 2006-08-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ^ "U.S. Congress District 4 election results". 2006-07-14. Retrieved 2006-08-18. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  13. ^ "Terrorism, Iraq and Abramoff dominate Doolittle debate", Nevada Appeal, October 13, 2006
  14. ^ a b "Rep. John Doolittle: no longer employ wife for fundraising", Associated Press, January 12, 2007
  15. ^ John Doolittle, "Congressman Doolittle charts a new course for a new term", Op-ed, Auburn Journal, January 11, 2007 (also published in other local papers)
  16. ^ About CREW, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
  17. ^ CREW summary of ethics issues of Doolittle, September 2006
  18. ^ "Doolittle Taps Ken Starr To Fight Abramoff Fallout". Associated Press. 2006-04-18. Retrieved 2006-08-17. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  19. ^ Johnson, C. (2006-01-23). "Doolittle Chooses Talk Show to Discuss Abramoff Connections". KXTV. Retrieved 2006-08-17. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  20. ^ Willis, Derek and Stanton, Laura (2005-12-12). "How Abramoff Spread the Wealth". Washington Post. Retrieved 2006-08-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  21. ^ http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061115/ap_on_re_us/abramoff_prison
  22. ^ Brigham, Roger, Brown in tough fight against Doolittle 10/19/2006
  23. ^ Gus Thomson, "Doolittle: $38K to lawyer fees: Congressman says it is to clear his name", Gold Country News Service, October 20, 2006
  24. ^ Erica Werner, "Doolittle pays lawyer to talk to Justice Department in Abramoff probe", Associated Press, October 17, 2006
  25. ^ Cite error: The named reference Fundingfracas was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  26. ^ a b c Calbreath, Dean (2006-03-19). "Congressman Doolittle, wife profited from Cunningham-linked contractor". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2006-08-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  27. ^ Kiel, Paul (2006-06-23). "Totalling Mrs. Doolittle's Take". TPMmuckraker. Retrieved 2006-08-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  28. ^ Birnbaum, Jeffrey H. and Grimaldi, James V. (2006-01-10). "Lobby Giant Is Scandal Casualty". Washington Post. p. A01. Retrieved 2006-08-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  29. ^ Weisman, Jonathan and Birnbaum, Jeffrey H. (2006-07-11). "Lawmaker Criticized for PAC Fees Paid to Wife". Washington Post. p. A01. Retrieved 2006-08-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  30. ^ Thomson, Gus (2005-12-28). "Doolittle draws increased scrutiny". Roseville Press Tribune. Retrieved 2006-08-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  31. ^ Grimaldi, James V. and Schmidt, Susan (2006-11-03). "Foreign Lobbies Took the Guise of Nonprofits". Washington Post. p. A01. Retrieved 2006-11-04. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  32. ^ a b Calbreath, Dean (2006-02-05). "The power of persuasion". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2006-08-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  33. ^ "Brent Wilkes Fetes Rep. John Doolittle (R-CA)". Talking Points Memo. 2003-11-14. Retrieved 2006-08-18. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  34. ^ Weisman, Jonathan and Babcock, Charles R. (2006-01-27). "K Street's New Ways Spawn More Pork". Washington Post. p. A01. Retrieved 2006-08-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  35. ^ Calbreath, Dean (2006-01-25). "Four linked to area firm subpoenaed". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2006-08-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  36. ^ Probst, Jason (2006-02-24). "Doolittle offers answers to media questions". Roseville Press Tribune. Retrieved 2006-08-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  37. ^ a b Serrano, Richard A. and Braun, Stephen (2006-01-08). "A Donor Who Had Big Allies". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2006-08-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  38. ^ Grimaldi, James and Stanton, Laura (2005-12-29). "The Abramoff Galaxy". Washington Post. Retrieved 2006-08-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

External links

Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 14th congressional district
1991 – 1993 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 4th congressional district
1993–present 		Incumbent
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_Doolittle&oldid=116459683"