The House Ethics Committee is to good government what the lottery is to sound financial planning, but maybe someone should refer the quote that Rep. Tim Holden gave to The (Allentown, Pa.) Morning Call for some scrutiny. Like many lawmakers, Holden secured an earmark for a contributor to his campaigns; thanks to the APME’s earmark project, he was also asked about it:

He scoffed at the suggestion that the company’s contributions to his campaign may have led to favorable treatment in return.

”Who is going to contribute to your campaign, people you don’t help?” Holden said, before adding: ”There is no quid pro quo here.”

Quids and quos but never a pro…