Most Senate Dems Took Abramoff Cash

newsmax.com ^

[doesnt suffer fools gladly]

Most Senate Dems Took Abramoff Cash

Nearly ninety percent of Senate Democrats took money linked to disgraced "Republican" lobbyist Jack Abramoff, according to a list compiled by the Republican National Committee.

Though reporters continue to insist that the Abramoff imbroglio is "a Republican scandal," 2008 Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton took more than $12,000 in tainted cash.

Compared to the party's 2004 standard bearer, however, she's a piker. John Kerry raked in nearly $100,000 in Abramoff-linked donations.

In fact, 40 of the party's 45 U.S. senators made the Jack Abramoff dishonor roll, including:

• Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), who received at least $22,500 in Abramoff-linked cash.

• Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN), who received at least $6,500 in Abramoff-linked cash.

• Senator Joseph Biden (D-DE), who received at least $1,250 in Abramoff-linked cash.

• Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), who received at least $2,000 in Abramoff-linked cash.

• Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), who received at least $20,250 in Abramoff-linked cash.

• Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), who received at least $21,765 in Abramoff-linked cash.

• Senator Tom Carper (D-DE), who received at least $7,500 in Abramoff-linked cash.

• Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY), who received at least $12,950 in Abramoff-linked cash.

• Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND), who received at least $8,000 in Abramoff-linked cash.

• Senator Jon Corzine (D-NJ), who received at least $7,500 in Abramoff-linked cash.

• Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), who received at least $14,792 in Abramoff-linked cash.

• Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND), who received at least $79,300 in Abramoff-linked cash.

• Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), who received at least $14,000 in Abramoff-linked cash.

• Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), who received at least $2,000 in Abramoff-linked cash.

• Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI), who received at least $1,250 in Abramoff-linked cash.

• Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), who received at least $45,750 in Abramoff-linked cash.

• Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI), who received at least $9,000 in Abramoff-linked cash.

• Senator Jim Jeffords (I-VT), who received at least $2,000 in Abramoff-linked cash.

• Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD), who received at least $14,250 in Abramoff-linked cash.

• Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA), who received at least $3,300 in Abramoff-linked cash.

• Senator John Kerry (D-MA), who received at least $98,550 in Abramoff-linked cash.

• Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA), who received at least $28,000 in Abramoff-linked cash.

• Senator Pat Leahy (D-VT), who received at least $4,000 in Abramoff-linked cash.

• Senator Carl Levin (D-MI), who received at least $6,000 in Abramoff-linked cash.

• Senator Joe Lieberman (D-CT), who received at least $29,830 in Abramoff-linked cash.

• Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) Received At Least $14,891 in Abramoff-linked cash.

• Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), who received at least $10,550 in Abramoff-linked cash.

• Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), who received at least $78,991 in Abramoff-linked cash.

• Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL), who received at least $20,168 in Abramoff-linked cash.

• Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) Received At Least $5,200 in Abramoff-linked cash.

• Senator Barack Obama (D-IL), who received at least $7,500 in Abramoff-linked cash.

• Senator Mark Pryor (D-AR), who received at least $2,300 in Abramoff-linked cash.

• Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), who received at least $3,500 in Abramoff-linked cash.

• Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), who received at least $68,941 in Abramoff-linked cash.

• Senator John Rockefeller (D-WV), who received at least $4,000 in Abramoff-linked cash.

• Senator Ken Salazar (D-CO), who received at least $4,500 in Abramoff-linked cash.

• Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD), who received at least $4,300 in Abramoff-linked cash.

• Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), who received at least $29,550 in Abramoff-linked cash.

• Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), who received at least $6,250 in Abramoff-linked cash.

• Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), who received at least $6,250 in Abramoff-linked cash.

[SoFloFreeper]

I'll look for this to be reported on the "Today" show with Katie Couric. If it isn't there, I'm sure it'll be on the front page of the NY Slimes.

[raynearhood]

In contrast, is there a list of Republican Senators that recieved money?

[Just A Nobody]

The traitorous junior SINator from mASSachusetts has the largest amount recorded, he is seldom mentioned.

You hear about Dorgan and Reid, but rarely jFk.

[Logical me]

All good news, but how does this get out to the public. Just staying here on FR does not reach those who need to hear this. Maybe Rush will get it out, but much of the RAT population I fear don't listen to Rush or any other conservative outlet. Fox news lately has been lame.

[twigs]

And what % of Republicans? And what are the amounts? It makes sense to me that this money would go to Republicans since they are the party in power. I find this info very interesting indeed.

[L98Fiero]

Wow, according to Alan Colmes last night, this is a Republican scandal.

[nmh]

You know they'll say the RNC is LYING and that it is a, ready for this AGAIN

A RIGHT WING CONSPIRACY

designed to discredit them.

[Theodore R.]

The Enron scandal was blamed on the GOP too, but Kenneth Lay also gave to Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-LA.

[WatchYourself]

BUSH IS LYING ---- ITS A WEB OF DECPTION ---- LIES LIES LIES

LoL...

[eraser2005]

That's something I'd like to see as well... A combined list of all the bought members of congress would be nice, and from a source I would trust more than Newsmax (I've seen too many false stories there)....

And what is Newsmax's definition of "linked"? If there is evidence that someone (regardless of party) knew or suspected that the cash was coming from him, they should be booted. But I could see some of these being unwitting recipients, simply because of the VERY small amount they received (Bayh, Biden, Bingaman, Feinstein, Feingold, Jeffords, even Kennedy to name a few). But you'd better look long and hard at Reid, Murray, Kerry, and Dorgan...

I was kind of disappointed to see Byrd (winner of the Daily Show's "coot-off" vs. Ted Stevens last night) not on the list...

[Gabz]

According to a report earlier in the week in a Delaware newspaper Carper received $4,000 and Biden $0 rom Indian Tribal clients of Abramoff......but according to Carper, who is not going to return the money, it's no big deal because it didn't come from Abramoff himself.

[alice_in_bubbaland]

What really ticks me off is that not one word is uttered that Kerry received $98,550 form Arbamoff! Not one word!

I guess it's just a Republican problem. (sarc)

[4integrity]

Several nights ago, Channel 13 news from Tampa/St. Pete, had a full screen list of the Florida Republicans that received contributions from Mr.Abramoff. I will call the station today to ask when they plan to report on Democrat Sen. Bill Nelson's contribution from Abramoff.

[karnage]

Abramoff and the Injuns gave money to everybody. When everybody's doing it, in a strange way the scandal shrinks. It's so big it becomes nothing. Maybe a few of the most obvious quid-pro-quo types will go down, but otherwise I think it will be something that all challengers can use against incumbents regardless of party.

[raynearhood]

The way that I figure, if the number of Dems greatly outnumbers the Republicans that received money then this will be spun as another branch of the VRWC. The "criminal" Republicans tricked the unsuspecting good Senators into taking the money from Abramoff, the Reps that took money knew what dirty things they were doing.

Never mind all that, though, just speculation. However, I do agree that there is probably a good number of unwitting recipients, as you suggest. I'm sure money comes and goes in an out of the Senators office and a good chunk of it is unknown to the Senators themselves.

As far as this list goes, despite what Rush says, I would believe that, specifically, Sen. Rockefeller can be lumped into the unwitting group, along with the short list you put together. These senators, whether I agree with their politics or tactics, were probably ignorant to a couple thousand dollars that came in and out of their office. I do agree with Rush on this part of the issue though: What needs to be proved is that this money, even the small amounts, influenced the votes of any of these senators.

The numbers that trouble me are pretty much all money above $10,000 dollars. I may be wrong, but that amount just seems much more problematic than $4,000. If any amount of money, though, can be proved to influence a vote of Senator, then impeachment hearings should be held.

Side note: The House impeaches, but how does the Senate convict if a strong majority of the Senate sits on trial.

[xkaydet65]

While this is true, the question Abramoff owns the answer to is who specifically did something in return for cash and perks. Taking a donation is a fact of life. Returning a specific legislative action for that donation is corruption.

Seeing who Abramoff names is where the news will be.

[manwiththehands]

"Wow, according to Alan Colmes last night, this is a Republican scandal."

That's funny. Alan Colmes always comes across as reaching and desperate for the latest "Republican" scandal.

The truth is it's a scandal for both parties.

And again, I'm going out on a limb but I still think there won't be much to this latest "scandal" because both parties are involved. The MSM won't make much of it because they will have to go after the 'Rats, too.

[cloud8]

It might be so big, it just gets in the way of itself and fizzles, like you say. OTOH, remember the House Post Office scandal? That took out a bunch of corrupt hacks. One can only hope for similar carnage.

I wonder if Abramoff is a mole. Nahhh!

[eraser2005]

And that's why I want to know what "linked means"... I mean, if Party A strikes a deal with Abramoff and gets money off of it, and later Party A donates $1000 to Party B, that doesn't mean that Party B is necessarily being influenced by Abramoff. Shoot, you could say the money I spent at Sears a year ago was "linked" to a Hamas attack because a % of that money went to the government in taxes, some of which then went to the Palestinian Authority and then some of which then got funnelled to Hamas.... Doesn't make me guilty, though.

$4k is really small peanuts in politics - I'd tend to give those players the benefit of the doubt. But I want explanations from those who received $40,50,even $100k or more or had close ties with Abramoff that may have led to funneling of cash to other congressmen. And that's still a fair number of politicians, from BOTH parties....