Posted on 01/03/2006 3:09:31 PM PST by LouAvul
WASHINGTON - The plea deal worked out by Jack Abramoff could send seismic waves across the political landscape in this congressional election year. The Republicans, who control Congress and the White House, are likely to take the biggest hits.
The GOP has more seats to lose and has closer ties with the former lobbyist. But some Democrats with links to Abramoff and his associates are also expected to be snagged in the influence-peddling net.
While the full dimensions of the corruption probe are not yet clear, some political consultants and analysts are already comparing its damage potential to the 1992 House banking scandal that led to the retirement or ouster of 77 lawmakers.
"You don't have to be a political genius to sniff the smell of blood in the water," said GOP consultant Rich Galen.
Galen said even lawmakers in seemingly safe districts, and those "who don't have a reputation for being fast and loose with the rules," could be vulnerable if voters rise up in reproach "and everybody drops five or six points" in this year's midterm contests.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
I don't care what party they are, it's time to take out the trash.
Just had a little soundbite on local radio....Durbin said he did not know Jack and took no money from him personally....didn't say what he plans to do with the donated money....
As I just posted on another thread, my husband counted last night (what a techie!), and found that Abramoff's contributions run 2 to 1, Republicans to Democrats.
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