Defending a 'Wide Stance' Requires a Thick Wallet

Rehberg's reelection campaign report lists a nearly $300 expenditure on Feb. 25 for "lodging" at the Tune Inn, a storied dive bar on Capitol Hill whose walls are covered with mounted deer heads (and a few deer butts).

An inn, the Tune Inn is not. But we called just to be sure they didn't have rooms hidden away someplace. Bartender Matt Manley assured us the bar does not offer any type of lodging, at least not really.

"There's a cot in the basement," Manley explained. "But usually people just pass out on it."

We had to wonder if Rehberg helped himself to the cot, given his past cavorting on congressional trips. (In Kazakhstan in 2004, Rehberg had several shots of vodka before he fell off a horse, was trampled by another and broke at least one rib.) But it did seem odd, given his tremendous personal wealth: He's the 11th-richest member of the House, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

As Kevin O'Brien, spokesman for the Montana Democratic Party, said, "You'd think being worth 50 million bucks and making 170 grand a year, a guy could find somewhere other than a saloon to sleep." (Rehberg faces a challenge this year from a retired National Guard lieutenant colonel.)

But Rehberg spokesman Bridger Pierce says the congressman didn't sleep on the cot at the Tune Inn, or in a booth, or anywhere else there. The campaign just mistakenly listed the Feb. 25 Tune Inn expenditure under "lodging" instead of "food," Pierce explained. He described the event as a "voter appreciation/campaign meeting."

It must have been a pretty big group, and people must have been really thirsty and hungry. Racking up a $300 tab at the Tune Inn takes serious effort. A cheeseburger costs $7 and a Busch draft beer goes for $3.50. So, do the math.