Lori Edwards On Dennis Ross Receiving Joe Barton Money

Dennis Ross is the likely Republican nominee for the Florida district 12 Congressional release. Ross received $2,000 from Rep. Joe Barton's Texas Freedom fund PAC. Barton's now famous apology to BP CEO Tony Hayward was seen as insensitive. Ross's campaign manager Fred Piccolo told the Tampa Tribune Ross disagrees with Barton but will keep the PAC money. A true profile in courage.

Ross' campaign manager, Fred Piccolo, said the candidate disagreed with Barton when he apologized to Hayward. But he isn't giving back the money he received via the Texan's committee, Piccolo said.

Democratic district 12 candidate Lori Edwards is asking Ross to return Barton's PAC money.

“Ross' refusal to give back Joe Barton's dirty money or explain his view that more offshore drilling is the key to our energy future makes it clear that his loyalty lies with big oil not with those most affected by this environmental disaster," said Edwards Campaign Manager Tony Coppola. "It's unfortunate that Dennis Ross is siding with Joe Barton and big oil even at a time when the oil spill is threatening Florida's economy and destroying its beaches.

“I understand the link between protecting our beaches and growing our economy, said Lori Edwards. "We need a representative who is willing to stand up to big oil not for them."

Ross supports drilling in the environmentally sensitive Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the Gulf of Mexico. The Ross website states being against unsafe drilling. Ross doesn't say how he would make offshore drilling safe.

The BP disaster is proof there is no way to cap a deep water offshore drilling accident. An anonymous oil industry expert told the Young Turks show there is no way to make deep water drilling safe.