Former Republican Sen. Larry Craig of Idaho should personally pay a “significant civil penalty” of $70,000 for his “serious violations” of campaign finance laws, the Federal Election Commission argues in a recent court filing. Craig’s campaign committee should also pay a separate $70,000 penalty, the FEC attorneys argue. The penalties totaling $140,000 would have a “real deterrent impact” on other politicians who seek to use campaign funds for personal purposes, the FEC declared in its Sept. 30 filing in federal court. The proposed penalties, in addition to having Craig pay back $216,984 to the campaign committee, would also resolve the FEC’s complaint that Craig had improperly used campaign committee funds to pay for personal legal expenses/Michael Doyle, McClatchy Washington Bureau. More here. (AP file photo, of former U.S. senator Larry Craig)

Question: An acceptable punishment?