PoliTick-Tock

Biden, Dodd drop out

After posting just 1 percent support in Iowa, Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., and Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., are dropping out of the race.

Here's an e-mail Biden sent to supporters:

I wanted to send a short note to say how incredibly grateful I am for the support you have shown me in this campaign. My entire family and I are in awe of the many of you who opened up your hearts and homes to us during the campaign to give us a chance to change this race, and the country, for the better.

And we succeeded. Whether it was keeping the Democratic Party focused on finding a political solution in Iraq, securing funding for MRAP vehicles for our troops, or calling for a fundamentally new approach to Pakistan, we had an impact on this election in ways that will reverberate into next November, when we elect a Democrat to the White House.

Although I am ending my Presidential campaign, I am not going away. I'm returning to the Senate as the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and will continue to ensure that we protect the nation's security and show our country that Democrats know how to keep America safe, keep our commitment to our troops and restore our country's respect in the world.

Again, thank you so much for making all of this possible.

Joe

Swatzel swats at Vida Miller

Citing a Washington Post article that ran last month, Georgetown County Republican Party Chairman Tom Swatzel said state Rep. Vida Miller should return "tainted" money given to  her by a political action committee controlled by presidential candidate Sen. Joe Biden.

"I urge Rep. Miller to return Joe Biden's tainted money as soon as possible," he said in a statement.

The Post reported that Miller, D-Pawley's Island, had received money from a PAC controlled by Biden, D-Del., before she endorsed him.

The article said:

While it's not unusual for members of Congress to distribute money to state legislators, the difference for Biden is that his contributions continued after he formally announced his bid for the White House. Michael Toner, a former Federal Election Commission chairman who in 2003 wrote the regulation governing how politicians can use their leadership committees, said it is "very dangerous to be operating a leadership PAC while simultaneously running for president." Toner is now counsel to GOP candidate Fred Thompson.

Rasky, Biden's spokesman, noted that the FEC rules do not specifically address donations to local officials.