Will John Hall Follow Up Rhetoric & Return IBM Money?

As Nation Hits 25-Year High in Unemployment, Hall “Condemned” IBM But Is Bought & Paid For by the Computer Giant

Washington - While the federal government today announced a twenty-five year high in unemployment at 8.5%, it seems Rep. John Hall (D-NY) is fairly content keeping thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from IBM, the very same company that is laying off hundreds in New York and sending jobs overseas while it seeks taxpayer-funded stimulus dollars. Hall voted in favor of the pork-laden, trillion dollar stimulus package and was one of IBM’s top recipients for campaign cash.

According to the Poughkeepsie Journal, Hall has expressed condemnation towards the computer giant,:

“U.S. Rep. John Hall, D-Dover, has condemned IBM Corp. for developing a method of maximizing the economic impact of sending jobs to lower-cost countries.” (Poughkeepsie Journal, 04/01/2009)

However, according to the non-partisan website OpenSecrets.org, IBM has been generous in doling out almost $20,000 in campaign contributions to Hall’s campaign account.

“The message to John Hall is simple - actions speak louder than words,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “If Hall is willing to condemn IBM for sending jobs overseas, he should be more than willing to return the nearly $20,000 he’s received from them during the course of his political career.”

(Source: OpenSecrets.org, accessed 3/27/09, http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cid=N00027888)