Washington Post columnist Dana Milbank seems more concerned with Republicans who take defense industry funds than with Democrats who rely on the trial lawyers.
This bias matters in his October 3 column on Rep. Henry Waxman's hearing about Blackwater, with Milbank implying that GOP congressmen were kind to Blackwater CEO Erik Prince because they receive significant defense industry campaign contributions.
But Milbank (pictured) says nothing about how much Waxman and his Democratic colleagues receive from the trial lawyers. This is important, because a prominent California trial lawyer prompted current House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Waxman last December to hold hearings on Blackwater on behalf of his clients. (Click here for the trial lawyer's letter to Pelosi and Waxman.)
Writes Milbank: "'Blackwater will be held accountable today!' vowed Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), who has received only $6,300 from defense contractors over the past 17 years.
"'Blackwater appears to have fostered a culture of shoot first . . . and then ask the question,' trumpeted Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), whose career contributions from defense interests tally a mere $1,200."
Well and good. But what about Waxman's trial lawyer money?
