Billy Long's Endorsement of Liberal Mitt Romney Draws Fire From His Republican Challenger

Mitt Romney's record supports gun control, abortion, tax and spend big government, funding for Planned Parenthood, and of course Romney ran the pilot program for Obamacare. These are things Long once claimed he was fed up of.

Just a few weeks ago, Billy Long used his office as Congressman Billy Long to endorse and influence others to support Romney. Considering the Romney record, Long's opponent Moon is now questioning Long's commitment to Southwest Missouri conservative values based on Long's endorsement of Romney.

Moon writes:

I asked Congressman Long why he endorsed Mitt Romney for president. His reply follows. If, according to his reply, he "may not use my office to respond to any type of inquiry about a political nature or to endorse or criticize any candidate in an electoral capacity" why did he, as an official U.S. Representative, make a public comment endorsing a political candidate? Is his endorsement not subject to the House Rules because he did not use stationery, e-mail, or the office phone? I don't get it... but this is typical of how our Congress "stretches" interpretations for their benefit.

Congressman Long replied:

Dear Mr. Moon,

Although I appreciate hearing from my constituents about all of their concerns and suggestions, United States House of Representatives Code of Official Conduct and House Ethics Rules forbid me to utilize my legislative resources to engage in any type of political activity. As such, I may not use my office to respond to any type of inquiry about a political nature or to endorse or criticize any candidate in an electoral capacity. I encourage you to contact me with any legislative issues or problems with a federal government agency, and my staff and I will be happy to assist you.



Sincerely,

Billy Long
Member of Congress

Candidate Moon makes a very good point. Long didn't endorse Romney as citizen Long, but used his office along with other office holders in Missouri to come together and support Romney.

Here's what I want to know. When Billy Long was harassing other Congressmen at 4:00 AM in the morning using his position in Congress to influence other Congressmen to use their office to endorse Romney, was he using his government issued Batphone?

If so, what is the difference between using paper stationary and electronic stationary paid for by taxpayers? You know, Billy Long didn't take the time to load all the Congress Critters' phone numbers in his iPhone, and a government issued Batphone would have easy access to all the other Congress Critters.

Billy Long's response to Moon is simple avoidance to explain about why he has thrown out his fed up rhetoric to support a liberal Republican who is everything that Long ran against in 2010.