" thisguy really is in deep with the neoConservative faction. Just because one of them got caught doesn't mean there isn't more of the same backing Johanns. It seems like when candidates make a career of politics they become associated with guys like Stevens and then act as though a simple donation of funding clears their slate. Why would Johanns accept PAC money from an Alaskan interest when he sould be representing Nebraskans? Wasn't there a conflict of interests when the funds were accepted? How many more PACs contaminate Johanns campaign? "

" Mary, go to the FEC website, and look up Johanns contributors. Be sure to look at PACS and committee's donations. It isn't too hard to figure out who is paying for the band. and who will be getting all the dances. When will Nebraskans figure out that Johanns stands for corporate America, and the National GOP? Closed door fundraisers with President Bush, and the wealthiest and richest of Nebraska. So much for the small town kid from Iowa. He can afford to give back six grand of "bad" money. "

" Another scandal for the GOP. "

" I'm not voting for you, but good for you Mike. "

" I don't think the PAC money only contaminates Johanns campaign. I think its in everyone's campaign. Without PAC money, candidates can't afford to run. Its sad and not ethical, but I don't think ANYTHING about politics is ethical. The whole process makes me sick (both parties are equally to blame). "

" So where do Democratic candidates in Nebraska get some of their money? I don't know of any federal campaigns in Nebraska that only run on Nebraska donations. "

" Instead of donating the money and getting a pat on the back for the donation, Johanns should have returned the money and said "Thanks, but no thanks." That would have been the honorable thing to do but we're talking about republicans. "

" I am another that still won't vote for you, but will give you a "good job". "

" "Voice of Reason" if you want to look at who donates, then look at Kleeb as well who has received a lot of money from labor unions. Labor unions are bad for the economy and most are not in Nebraska. Based upon your comment, Kleeb should return all of that money to those unions. Looking at Johanns list of PAC contributors (which is only have of the money he has raised), I see contributions by veterinarians and CPAs, and a wide variety of PACs. Is it possible, the people contributing actually would prefer Johanns over Kleeb? So if the rules are the same for either Johanns or Kleeb, why is it wrong for people to contribute to one campaign over another? Should we limit contributions only from NE individuals, NE PACs and NE Corporations? Unless you change the constitution, that will be your only way to have your utopia. "

" Is Johanns running in Nebraska or DC/Virginia? It seems that a lot of people from out of state want Johanns elected. How can he possibly serve the state of Nebraska when he's obviously taking money/orders from the DC big money party. Seriously folks, go to the FEC website and look at where his money is coming from, this Alaska deal is the least of my concerns. "

" Curious is right on track. Johanns never has been and never will be more than a republician puppet. He does what the big money Republicians tell him to and in turn they support him. "

" Let's see, it seems to me the minute he found out about this, he gave the money to a charity (that probably wouldn't have gotten a dime from all of you whom have already posted). Hypothetical: You receive $1,000 from your rich aunt or uncle for a birthday gift - 2 days later you find out he / she has been indicted for embezzlement from their place of employment. Do YOU give the money back to the employer or keep it??

look in the mirror folks - things aren't always as easy as they are in some of your simple minds. "

" Before getting worked up about Johanns' DC and out-of-state influences it's appropriate to take a looksy at Kleeb's PAC donations. FEC report shows 10 PACs contributed to Kleeb in 08. 7 are from DC, 1 from San Francisco, 1 from L.A....and just one from Omaha. Before that fur raises up on your back, best to check the facts. Good luck to both candidates. "

" That is true about Kleeb's donations, but I think you should also look at the AMOUNT of money involved. Kleeb and his people are clearly not in the same tax bracket that Johanns is in. It's just sad that you have to be rich and have rich friends to win an elected office. If it gets too close again (think Smith vs. Kleeb) then those big money folks flex their muscles at the last minute. "

" Yes, look at the donations on the FEC. You will find that over 90% of Kleeb's money comes from individuals, and actually most is from small donations. Johanns, on the other hand, has nearly 50% of his money from PAC's and special interests, 95% of which is from out of state. Also, with twice the amount of time to raise money, he's only managed about $300,000 more than Kleeb in individual donations. On average, Kleeb has raised more, from real people, not special interests, than Johanns had. It's clear Johanns is bought and paid for my special interests, and this Stevens matter is just the tip of the corrupt iceburg that he is a part of. By the way, why is Stephanie still living in the $1 Million plus home in the DC area? I think they plan to stay there and never had any intention to really call Nebraska home. "

" Thanks for the info, that encouraged me to go to the FEC.gov website. I was overwhelmed with all of the special interests and PACs from outstate who “own” Johanns. And, in the 1st District Fortenberry had listed only 9 of his 48 PACs with Nebraska addresses. I wouldn’t be surprised if both of tese candidates are 80 per cent financed by outside the state influences. "

" No matter Johanns' motives, Friendship Home can certainly put the funds to use, for there is great need of their services. How do you tell a battered wife who finally understands that domestic violence tends to escalate with each episode and applies for a safe place, to put her name on a waiting list! Johanns surprises me - such a Republican conservative donating to a group begun by, and generally run by, feminists and largely funded by liberals (and a wonderful thing they're all doing). I imagine they're grateful but speechless! "

" I don't have a problem if both candidates give back all of their PAC donations. If they could only accept monies from individuals within their state it would benefit all of us. All I'm saying is that if you compare the percentage of money that Kleeb and Johanns get. Johanns gets a lot more of his money from the "big boys" than Kleeb does.

As far as Unions go, I'm not a union member, but when I get a paid vacation, legal holidays, decent wages, benefits, and some job security, I think of, and thank the Unions. Most importantly, only because of Unions do we have safe work places, workers compensation, and employee rights.

What bothers me the most about this Justice, is that we have campaign reform to divide soft and hard money, but they create their own firewalls that allow unlimited giving with almost no restrictions. They create "Do not call lists" but exempt political calls. They all want to reform robocalls, but almost all of the campaigns use them against their opponents. They stand on their pedastals and deny any involvement, but fail to say one of their biggest contributors might have paid for them "without their knowledge" These PACs are slowly destroying our democracy. I've said enough. "

" Yes, look at the donations on the FEC. You will find that over 90% of Kleeb's money comes from individuals, and actually most is from small donations. Johanns, on the other hand, has nearly 50% of his money from PAC's and special interests, 95% of which is from out of state. Also, with twice the amount of time to raise money, he's only managed about $300,000 more than Kleeb in individual donations. On average, Kleeb has raised more, from real people, not special interests, than Johanns had. It's clear Johanns is bought and paid for my special interests, and this Stevens matter is just the tip of the corrupt iceburg that he is a part of. By the way, why is his wife still living in the $1 Million plus home in the DC area? I think they plan to stay there and never had any intention to really call Nebraska home. "

" kleeb cant get the big money because they wont back a candidate thats going to loss. if you cant get the money to run you cant get the votes in DC so you might as well stay home. its politics folks. thats the game and money is how its played. if you dont like it, change it. if you cant change it then change your attitude about it. "

" This is a nice gesture, I'm sure the group can use the money, even if it's "dirty money". And "Mary" is correct, Johanns is in deep with the Neocons, the most dangerous threat to Liberty and Freedom this country has. Johanns must not be elected. "

" who you people think make up special interest groups. These groups don't just appear out of thin air to try to pull strings in the halls of Congress. These groups are made up of the so called "real" people that many of you have mentioned. These "real" people have a desire to influence their elected officials, which is their right and I would argue their responsibility, and they decide to band together in the form of a special interest group so they have a larger influence than anyone can have on their own. Special interest groups are not the evil machines that people think they are. I'm sure most of the commentators on this page belong to some form of special interest group themselves. "

" What Johanns is done is to extend the reach of corruption to the Shelter. And as it desperately needs assistance, the “donation” (bod money), is supposed to look good. That is sleezy. We shouldn’t be surprised if he tries to take a tax deduction too! As mentioned, the ethical conduct would be to return the funds.,. "

" The truth is “JUSTICE” labor unions are only bad for corporate America and their greed. As an American citizen and a veteran of the Iraq conflict I am offended when people suggest that unions are the demise of the economy. I think President Lincoln sums up what I believe best; "Labor is prior to, and independent of, capital. Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed. Labor is the superior of capital, and deserves much the higher consideration." These values are lost on big money, corporate America who outsource their work to cheep, underage and enslaved workers. Explain this; during the height of the labor movement (50’s) the standard of living was arguably good. Fast forward to 2008 and you could argue that the middle class has steadily been shrinking and the gap between the rich and poor are at the largest margins in history. These are the people Johanns represent, and while I haven’t bought what Kleeb is selling the fact that groups of middleclass and poor Americans have pooled their money together called themselves labor unions to fight Big Business interests are fine with me. So justice, don’t say unions are the demise of America, because WE are the only thing standing between this country turning into England or worse yet. UPAV (Union Proud American Vet) "