January 03, 2006
Democrats Beware: Abramoff's Deal Not Just a Republican ProblemDemocrats are stumbling over themselves with joy about the news that Jack Abramoff is gonna roll.
Any such plea agreement likely would secure the Republican lobbyist's testimony against several members of Congress who received favors from him or his clients. The Justice Department is believed to be focusing on as many as 20 lawmakers and aides.But they're getting a bit ahead of themselves if they think he's the secret to securing Democrat victories this Fall. Even though the MSM is calling Abramoff a "Republican lobbyist", it's quite clear Abramoff was an equal opportunity politicker.
Some highlights the Democrats (and MSM) would rather ignore (hat tip: NoAgenda.org):
- Senator Harry Reid (Senate Minority Leader) received $66,000 from Abramoff tribal clients (and refuses to return it). He also claims to have never met Abramoff, even though his legislative counsel and assistant finance director of his Senate campaign went to work for Abramoff.
- Rep. Nancy Pelosi (House Minority Leader) received $3,000 from Abramoff tribal clients.
- Rep. Charlie Rangel took $36,000 from Abramoff tribal clients (and refuses to return it).
- Senator Max Baucus took almost $19,000 from Abramoff tribal clients (he's now donating tribal colleges in Montana).
- Senator Byron Dorgan (ranking Democrat on the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, which is currently investigating Jack Abramoff) received $67,000 in contributions from Abramoff tribal clients just weeks after supporting legislation favorable to Abramoff clients.(he's returning the money, but refuses to step down from the investigation).
- Rep. Patrick Kennedy took $128,000 in donations from Abramoff clients.
- Other Democrats used Abramoff's skybox, took foreign trips paid for by Abramoff and more...
So if Democrats think Abramoff's turning state's evidence will be a boon for their political aspirations, they better think again.
A study by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics found that 210 members of Congress have received campaign cash from Abramoff, his associates or his Indian-tribe clients.And they ain't all Republicans... so good luck with that strategy, Democrats.
UPDATE: C-SPAN is airing a call-in special on Abramoff... Make sure their viewers know about Abramoff's connections to Democrats... Try calling in...
Posted by Jason Smith on January 3, 2006 04:08 PM
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Comments
1) As near as I can tell, taking contributions -- within the boundaries of the law -- is perfectly fine but taking money for political favors is not.
So why are Abramoff's *client's* contributions under scrutiny?
2) If the logic here is that money given to politicians by *clients* of someone who acted illegally, should ALL politicians who recieved money from clients of those convicted give back the money?
Regards,
bodhi
Posted by: Jason at January 4, 2006 01:49 AM
Jason,
I believe that part of the reason that calls for returning Abramoff money have become muted is that the Democrats would have to return a bit more than a million dollars...something they don't want to do at the start of an election year, especially given the rather thin finances the Democrats have these days.
Lobbbying is s slick and unsavory business...but the Democrats are fooling themselves if they think they can keep this boxed up as a GOP scandal.
Posted by: Mark Noonan ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.gopbloggers.org/nav-commenters.gif)
at January 4, 2006 01:52 AM
If Nancy Pelosi is so concerned about the 'Climate of Corruption', she will be as vocal about Democrat Representatives being named as beneficiaries of Abramoff's 'generosity', as she will be about Republicans.
BTW...Abramoff pleaded guilty to criminal acts, but just what are the violations of the law that people like Delay are supposed to be guilty of?
Posted by: Hermie at January 4, 2006 08:27 AM
Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) Received At Least – $22,500
Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN) Received At Least – $6,500
Senator Joseph Biden (D-DE) Received At Least – $1,250
Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) Received At Least – $2,000
Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) Received At Least – $20,250
Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) Received At Least – $21,765
Senator Tom Carper (D-DE) Received At Least – $7,500
Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) Received At Least – $12,950
Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND) Received At Least – $8,000
Senator Jon Corzine (D-NJ) Received At Least – $7,500
Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) Received At Least – $14,792
Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) Received At Least – $79,300
Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) Received At Least – $14,000
Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) Received At Least – $2,000
Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) Received At Least – $1,250
Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) Received At Least – $45,750
Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI) Received At Least – $9,000
Senator Jim Jeffords (I-VT) Received At Least – $2,000
Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) Received At Least – $14,250
Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) Received At Least – $3,300
Senator John Kerry (D-MA) Received At Least – $98,550
Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) Received At Least – $28,000
Senator Pat Leahy (D-VT) Received At Least – $4,000
Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) Received At Least – $6,000
Senator Joe Lieberman (D-CT) Received At Least – $29,830
Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) Received At Least – $14,891
Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) Received At Least – $10,550
Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) Received At Least – $78,991
Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) Received At Least – $20,168
Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) Received At Least – $5,200
Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) Received At Least – $7,500
Senator Mark Pryor (D-AR) Received At Least – $2,300
Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) Received At Least – $3,500
Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) Received At Least – $68,941
Senator John Rockefeller (D-WV) Received At Least – $4,000
Senator Ken Salazar (D-CO) Received At Least – $4,500
Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) Received At Least – $4,300
Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) Received At Least – $29,550
Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) Received At Least – $6,250
Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) Received At Least – $6,250
Posted by: semby at January 4, 2006 04:25 PM
Mark,
Let me rephrase my question.
Do you advocate the abolition of all financial contributions or only the abolition of financial contributions with a tacit quid pro quo?
Ie, "I give you money, you do me favors." The latter is illegal, the former is not.
If you're saying the former, that's consistent. I don't agree, but it's consistent.
If you're saying the latter, then the democrats have nothing to do with this scandal until proven otherwise.
But Republicans do.
Regards,
bodhi
Posted by: Jason at January 4, 2006 10:56 PM
Not a single deim of Abramoff money went to Democrats. Whoever is spreading the lie that democrats received Ambramoff dough ought to be ashamed. He's polluting every Republican blog with this lie. Who is it? Who put this BS out there?
Posted by: Bill Jacobs at January 9, 2006 02:51 AM
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