Oct 24, 2011
Congressman Reid Ribble: “I’m a Distraction” to Jobs
Congressman Reid Ribble (WI-08) got caught ducking out early of a jobs fair to fundraise with donors each paying $1000 for his attention. His excuse? Ribble claimed that he was “a distraction” at the jobs fair as reported by Fox 11 and Talking Points Memo.
Although Congressman Ribble promised to attend the local employment fair from 9am to noon this past Saturday, he was simultaneously billed to headline an exclusive fundraiser at 11:30am at a location 45 minutes away. Given the House GOP’s agenda focuses on ending Medicare instead of fixing the economy, it should come as no surprise that Ribble is the founder of the Congressional jobs caucus.
“Congressman Ribble’s made priorities clear: he cares more about protecting his job than helping Wisconsinites get back to work,” said Haley Morris of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “By Congressman Ribble’s own logic he belongs at the jobs fair about as much as he belongs in Congress. Wisconsin families won’t be distracted by Ribble’s out of touch agenda that ends Medicare and does nothing to create jobs.”
Background
Ribble Scheduled a Fundraiser during Jobs Fair. On Saturday, October 22, Ribble scheduled a sporting clays fundraiser for his 2012 re-election campaign beginning at 11:30 a.m. in Brillion, WI. The fundraiser cost $100 per person to attend as a “general attendee” and $1,000 per person to attend as a “host.” [Ribble for Congress Invitation, 10/22/11]
Ribble Personally Publicized the Jobs Fair. On his congressional website, Ribble publicized his Saturday, October 22 Job Fair at the Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. [Rep. Reid Ribble Press Release, 10/22/11]
Ribble Tweet: “I’m hosting a free job fair.” On October 14, Ribble noted that he himself was hosting a Job Fair, tweeting, “I’m hosting a free job fair on October 22nd from 9am-12pm at the Fox Valley Tech College in Appleton. http://ribble.house.gov/jobfair #4jobs” [@RepRibble, 10/14/11]
Fundraiser and Jobs Fair Were 45 Minutes Away from Each Other. Google driving directions note that the two locations are at least 48 minutes away from one another. [Google Maps]
Ribble Touted His Creation of the Congressional Jobs Creators Caucus. In March 2011, Ribble formed the “Congressional Jobs Creators Caucus,” a “working group” of members of congress tasked with applying job creating experience to the legislative process. [Rep. Reid Ribble Press Release, 3/29/11]
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