Award To Craig Challenged

Democratic U.S. Senate challenger Walt Minnick contends an Arlington, Va., group giving Republican Sen. Larry Craig an award for his voting record on behalf of the elderly is a sham.

The 60 Plus Association said it is a 6-year-old non-partisan group with a half million supporters nationally. But conservative activist Richard Viguerie founded the organization and almost all the money it raised went to his mailing and fund-raising operation two years ago.

The group is giving Craig its highest honor, the Guardian of Senior Rights Award, for his efforts to lower the tax burdens of seniors, their children and grandchildren.

Minnick said it is hypocritical for Craig’s campaign to announce the support of an organization set up “to provide political cover for conservative politicians who say one thing and do another.”

Craig’s campaign spokesman, Mike Tracy, said the senator’s campaign distributed a news release from the 60 Plus Association.

“It is as simple as that, the same as any other award for recognition that we get,” Tracy said.

He declined to defend the group.