March 16, 2012 05:45 PM UTC

BREAKING: Gardner Snared In Access Peddling Junket Expose

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• by: Colorado Pols

Full video after the jump

UPDATE: The Colorado Independent has reaction from Rep. Cory Gardner's Democratic opponent, Senate President Brandon Shaffer, who needs more exposés like this one:

"This is just latest example of what's wrong with Washington and Congressman Cory Gardner," state Senate President Brandon Shaffer, who is running to unseat Gardner this year, told the Colorado Independent. "Despite campaigning on a pledge to stand up to the Washington special interests, Congressman Gardner has sold out to the highest special interest bidders and lobbyists. [He] has been a reliable vote to put the special interests and the ultra wealthy first, while leaving the middle class and seniors last."

 

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CBS News seems to be in the process of breaking a problematic story for our up-and-coming freshman representative in the relatively safe 4th Congressional District (video after the jump):

In 2010, many freshmen Republicans were swept into Congress on the promise of doing things differently. But fast-forward to 2012, and the Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, Fla. — an exclusive seaside resort and home to 54 holes of championship golf and a private marina full of luxury yachts.

That's where we caught up with a select group of Republican freshmen, engaged in business as usual. But they didn't come alone. They invited big campaign donors and lobbyists to join them – for a price. And we secretly sent our cameras along for a unique inside look at their first joint fundraiser, where special interests got the kind of access ordinary Americans can only dream of: on the golf course; over drinks at the resort bar; at a private beach lagoon…

Congressmen Canseco and [Cory] Gardner were seen on camera heading in to host happy hour. To get in, donors had to pay at least $10,000.

During his campaign, Gardner promised average voters would inspire his actions. One ad said, "I will always put Colorado families before the Washington special interests."

But in Key Largo, Gardner appeared to offer special interests lots of face time. [Pols emphasis] He was seen on camera talking to an attendee who said he works for a bank. In another shot, he's seen going charter fishing as part of the fundraising package — they head out on a group of boats including one named "Good Life."

While the story doesn't allege any laws were expressly broken on this trip, they raise the obvious questions about why lobbyists pay so much for this kind of intimate and prolonged access. Rep. Cory Gardner has quickly taken to the Washington, DC Republican elite culture since his election in 2010, playing a role in powerplays between Speaker John Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor and frequently cited as the "A-list" GOP member of our delegation. Gardner seems to have reached the hockey-stick moment in his upwardly mobile political career, with a newly-safer seat and and a clear path to the highest levels of GOP congressional power.

Folks, this is what you do behind the scenes–what some will say he must do–to be that guy. A fitting analogy we can think of, but probably wouldn't recommend, is one Rush Limbaugh and friends have made toxic. Whatever you call it, it looks very bad on a grainy hidden camera.

A poll follows–how "safe" is Cory Gardner, really?

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