Our views: It’s not enough

Congressman Tom Feeney is feeling the heat in his re-election bid.

So much heat he's running a TV ad apologizing for his role in the corruption scandal involving imprisoned lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

Feeney was a freshman lawmaker in 2003, when he took a luxury golf trip to Scotland paid for by Abramoff, who used the junkets to gain illegal favors. To date, one ex-congressman, two White House officials and several congressional aides have been convicted for their Abramoff dealings.

In the ad, the three-term Republican who represents northern Brevard County calls the trip a "rookie mistake" and says "I embarrassed myself, I embarrassed you, and for that, I'm very sorry," while soft music plays in the background.

What Feeney doesn't say is that he remains under investigation by the FBI for his Abramoff ties and has refused to publicly answer detailed questions about the probe since it began in 2007. That includes repeated requests from FLORIDA TODAY's editorial board.

Meanwhile, a press release his campaign e-mailed Wednesday is a tired rehash of previous Feeney statements on the subject and does nothing to clear the air.

Feeney owes voters a full public accounting of his actions, with every question asked and answered.

Hiding behind a warm and fuzzy TV ad and canned press release won't cut it.