Murphy won't follow DNC, Obama on PAC rules

Going against guidelines adopted by the Democratic National Committee and the party's presumptive nominee for president, U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Bucks) says he will accept money from political action committees for his reelection campaign.

His decision, reported by The Bucks County Courier Times, comes after the DNC yesterday enacted a new policy barring donations from federal lobbyists and PACs. The new policy puts the party in line with Sen. Barack Obama's (D-Ill.) presidential campaign, though it does not specifically bar other candidates from accepting PAC money. Still, Murphy's decision could raise the ire of Republicans and even some fellow Democrats.

Murphy, who is running against Republican Tom Manion in the 8th Congresional District, has collected more than $1.2 million from PACs since 2005, The Courier Times reported.

Adam Abrams, a Murphy spokesman, told The Courier Times that the "vast majority" of his campaign contributions come from individuals, and that PAC money was necessary to responsd to attacks from independent interest groups.

Murphy's reelection bid is expected to be on of the more compettive Congressional races in Southeastern Pennsylvania