Lawmakers Holding Solid Seats Spend as if They Were Shaky

For example, FEC rules state that campaign funds may be used "in connection with the campaign for federal office" but also "in connection with duties of the individual as a holder of federal office." Some items are specifically banned: home mortgages, clothing, personal automobile expenses, country club and health club memberships, vacations, household food, nonpolitical admissions to concerts and sporting events, and tuition.

Otherwise, candidates have a fair amount of leeway in how they spend the money they raise. "I think it's more personal than political," said Stanley Brand, a Democratic ethics lawyer. "Some people are more liberal about money." Some throw lavish fundraisers, Brand noted. "Some are looking for ways to underwrite their existence, and some aren't."

The National Republican Senatorial Committee has launched a Web site, http://www.fancyford.com , chronicling the Davidoff cigar gifts and exclusive hotel stays of Rep. Harold E. Ford Jr. (D-Tenn.), who is running to succeed retiring Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.). The Bergen Record recently tallied up $80,000 in Morton's steakhouse bills that Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) amassed over five years as a House member. Menendez was recently appointed to fill an open Senate seat and is battling for a full six-year term against GOP candidate Thomas H. Kean Jr.

Rep. Ralph M. Hall (R-Tex.), elected to a 13th term in 2004 with 68 percent support, submitted more than 100 meal receipts, many of which were for low-dollar charges from Sonic, IHOP, Chili's and Applebee's outlets. He was more generous with gifts for donors, billing his campaign for $13,235 in Godiva chocolates. "He has it in his head that people love Godiva chocolate," said Hall chief of staff Janet Perry Poppleton, who added that he used to give away hams.

Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy (D-R.I.), elected in 2004 to a sixth term with 64 percent, filed more than $500,000 in campaign and PAC operating expenses for 2005. He racked up the highest number of Starbucks charges for one year, submitting 24 receipts ranging from $2 to $12. Every purchase was made at the same Main Road Starbucks in Middletown, R.I., near the congressman's home. Kennedy spokeswoman Robin Costello said the location was a "convenient place for his campaign staff to meet."

Rep. John P. Murtha, a 17-term veteran from a solidly Democratic Pennsylvania district, reported $620,066 in campaign operating expenses. Nearly 250 items were related to driving, including $6,800 for gas, car washes and travel-related petty cash charges, and $6,500 to lease a 2003 Buick. Murtha spokeswoman Cynthia Abram said her boss is "very active in local politics" and attends fundraisers and other events for local candidates around his central Pennsylvania district throughout the year.

Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), who was elected to a 17th term in 2004 with 72 percent support, filed one of the longest 2005 campaign expenditure reports, billing about $650,000 in total expenses to his campaign account and Midnight Sun PAC. Young listed $405 in snow-plowing charges, $300 to sponsor Miss Alaska, $345 for fishing licenses and $45 for a ladder. Myrna Maynard, office manager in Young's Anchorage office, said the ladder was needed because the ceiling lights are too high.

The $15,835 in flowers purchased by Brown, a seven-term incumbent who was uncontested in 2004, accounted for more than 10 percent of the total $123,243 Brown spent in 2005 on her campaign. Elias Ronnie Simmons, Brown's chief of staff, said her boss sends floral arrangements costing $60 to $80 apiece to the funerals of constituents. "You never think it's going to escalate like that," Simmons said.

"If you get in the habit of raising a lot of money, even if you don't have real races, the question is 'What are you going to do with it?' " said Fred Wertheimer, a longtime critic of political fundraising and spending and founder of Democracy 21, a nonpartisan group seeking campaign finance reform. "The fact is, there's just far more money in politics than anyone actually needs."