GOP Goes Drinking and Gets Naked in Israel: Billy Long May Have Been There

The Springfield News-Leader asked Billy Long a softball question yesterday about his campaign finance reports. Randy Turner went through Congressman Long's finance reports to find Long has been using campaign donations to go to Las Vegas. In typical News-Leader fashion they asked Billy Long the question, let him answer with lots of spin, and then gave him a pass without doing much research in Long's campaign finance reports. Usually spin gets Billy out of trouble, but in this case the spin may be burying him deeper.

In the News-Leader article Long tries to take the attention off of Las Vegas, knowing everyone now knows he loves to gamble despite denials two years ago, turning the attention to Israel.


Campaign disclosure forms show Long has taken four trips this year, which includes flights to Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

Long’s critics, which include bloggers Jim Lee of Springfield and Randy Turner of Joplin, have questioned why Long is flying west instead of returning home to spend time with constituents.

The trips include: a Jan. 8 trip for the Consumer Electronics Association meeting in Las Vegas; a Feb. 10 fundraiser for the Safari Club International in Phoenix, Ariz.; and a June 24 Los Angeles fundraiser for the Republican Jewish Coalition.

Long, however, argued the trips were for topics he’s passionate about, such as continued U.S. support for Israel.

“I think supporting them is the right thing to do and only thing to do,” Long said.

Two years ago, Long showed little interest in making Israel part of representing Southwest Missouri in Congress. Long has made the trip to Israel, just like other GOP Congressmen. We are now finding out why Long all of a sudden may be so pro Israel. Israel sounds like a party retreat for the GOP, who are hitting the down drinking lots and then getting naked while funded by your tax dollars on fact finding missions.

The Politico writes:


The FBI probed a late-night swim in the Sea of Galilee that involved drinking, numerous GOP freshmen lawmakers, top leadership staff – and one nude member of Congress, according to more than a dozen sources, including eyewitnesses.

During a fact-finding congressional trip to the Holy Land last summer, Rep. Kevin Yoder (R-Kan.) took off his clothes and jumped into the sea, joining a number of members, their families and GOP staff during a night out in Israel, the sources told POLITICO. Other participants, including the daughter of another congressman, swam fully clothed while some lawmakers partially disrobed. More than 20 people took part in the late-night dip in the sea, according to sources who were participants in the trip.

Long was on this trip; although no proof has surfaced yet that Billy Long took off his clothes. Remember two years ago, Long's campaign was under attack for some local parties Long supposedly attended.

What do you expect from the GOP? They act like Democrats on most other parts of life like spending and more government. Why not get drunk and naked too on the taxpayer's dime!