Political payback

Criticizing President Bush earns citizen groups political punishment

Sen. James Inhofe, R-OK, slapped two organizations that oppose President Bush's environmental plan with orders to turn over their tax and financial records. The order is apparent retribution for the groups' opposition to Bush's Clear Skies Act, a polluter-friendly piece of legislation.

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The two groups attacked by Inhofe collectively represent 48 state and 165 local air pollution control agencies. Executive Director William Becker denounced Inhofe's order as "retaliation against some very legitimate criticism of 'Clear Skies,'" and said his groups have not accepted money from environmental activists or other private interests.

The same purity can't be applied to Inhofe, a long-time magnet for pro-polluter special interests. Since joining the Congress in 1994, Inhofe has accepted over a million dollars from the energy and natural resource sector, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. In the 2002 election, Inhofe received more money from big oil and gas companies than any other senator except Texas' John Cornyn. In return, big energy received a senator who's earned a zero rating from the League of Conservation Voters on six different occasions.