(Thanks to an anonymous comment for the tip.)

If you've ever read Dave Barry Hits Below the Beltway, comedian Dave Barry's take on politics in Washington, you might recall a sequence in which Barry includes the text of attack ads between two fictional candidates. With grainy black-and-white photos, it quickly spirals out of control, with one candidate using doctored photos of the other one, say, shaking hands with Adolph Hitler or Darth Vader.

In one, a photo is described in which the candidate is "hitting a kitten with a hammer." It's terrible, but I laughed a lot when I read it. Pretty soon, that's what negative advertising will devolve into.

But, the reason it's funny is because everyone knows how ridiculous it is. Everyone loves animals!

Except, maybe, Congressman Tim Walberg. He's not hitting any kittens with hammers, no, but he's not making any friends either.

The Humane Society Legislative Fund is the lobbying affiliate of the Humane Society of the United States, released their midterm report for the 110th Congress. They allocate points for different actions taken by members of Congress that are pro-animal rights. The best you can get is 100 points (or 100+, for some leaders on animal rights issues).

Congressman Tim Walberg scored... 17/100. He voted "yes" on one bill, which sets harsher penalties for animal fighting offenses, mostly in response to the Michael Vick incident. Walberg failed to support two bills (one protecting wild horses, the other protecting polar bears) and is not a cosponsor of two upcoming animal rights bills. Walberg also chose not to sign a letter encouraging more funding for existing animal protection laws.

What could Tim Walberg possibly have against protecting animals?

Maybe Walberg would be more helpful to the animals if they were to spend millions of dollars smearing his opponents. That seems to work well for other groups.

Labels: 110th Congress, Animal Rights, Humane Society, Issues, Tim Walberg, Walberg Voting Record