Well, isn't this cozy?

The loathsome Congressman James Moran's brother, Brian Moran, is running for governor of Virginia. And big brother has already helped to shovel campaign cash from his donors to his brother's race.

More than a dozen defense contractors with business before U.S. Rep. James P. Moran Jr. (D-Va.), a member of the powerful House Appropriations defense subcommittee, have donated thousands of dollars to Moran's younger brother Brian, a candidate for governor of Virginia.

Brian Moran filed a campaign finance report this week that shows he collected $80,000 during the first three months of 2009 from 18 contractors that have been longtime backers of the congressman. Seven of the firms are awaiting approval of Moran-backed earmarks totaling $14.5 million.

Many of the firms are Virginia-based, and those executives who would speak about the gifts said they have long been politically active in the state and have known both brothers for years. Others have been heavy federal contributors with little involvement in state politics. Most have benefited from Jim Moran's role in crafting defense spending bills each year.

Moran aides said it was inevitable for the brothers to experience some overlap in their base of financial support and for contacts that Jim Moran cultivated over the years to migrate into Brian's camp. Brian Moran's former state legislative district was located entirely inside his brother's congressional district. Defense contracting is a mainstay of the Northern Virginia economy. And the two share a top political consultant -- Mame Reiley -- who has helped raise money for both.

Sure, sure. It's just a coincidence that federal contractors wanting to get something from the Congressman are involved in a state election. You might remember Jim Moran from his comments blaming the Iraq War on Israel. Or perhaps from this comment when running to get a Democratic Majority in 2006.

“When I become chairman [of a House appropriations subcommittee], I'm going to earmark the shit out of it,” Moran buoyantly told a crowd of 450 attending the event.

And he has. He's one of the prominent Democrats connected to the PMA Group which is being investigated by the FBI for the money it sent to politicians who then got earmarks put in the budget for their clients.

For Mr. Murtha, Mr. Visclosky and Mr. Moran, the practice has paved the way for their congressional careers. In 2007 and 2008, the three directed $137 million to defense contractors who were paying Mr. Magliocchetti's PMA Group to get them government business. That kind of clout put the midsized 33-lobbyist firm into the big leagues, ranking it in the top 10 in billings among Washington lobbying shops.

And now he's spreading the wealth around to his younger brother. How sweet.

But remember when the mere "appearance of impropriety" was supposed to be enough?