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It's a Bipartisan Scandal (Democrats Also Ended Up Receiving Money From Jack Abramoff)
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ^ | January 30, 2006 | Jack Kelly

Posted on 01/30/2006 4:16:40 AM PST by RWR8189

It was no way to treat a lady. On Jan. 15, Washington Post ombudsman Deborah Howell wrote a column praising her paper for exposing crooked lobbyist Jack Abramoff. By Jan. 19, a section of the Post's Web site for reader comments was deluged with so much obscene e-mail from outraged liberals that the Post had to shut it down.

Mr. Abramoff pled guilty earlier this month to defrauding his clients (Indian tribes who owned casinos) and the Internal Revenue Service.

Ms. Howell's critics were in high dudgeon over a distinction without a difference. In the seventh paragraph of her column lauding reporter Susan Schmidt, she wrote: "And [Abramoff] had made substantial contributions to both major parties." In an effort encouraged by liberal blogs and other Web sites, hundreds of critical comments, many using profane language, poured into the Post.blog section of the newspaper's Web site.

In her Jan. 22 column, a stunned Ms. Howell wrote that "I should have said [Abramoff] directed his client Indian tribes to make campaign contributions to members of Congress from both parties. My mistake set off a firestorm. I heard that I was lying, that Democrats never got a penny of Abramoff-tainted money, that I was trying to say it was a bipartisan scandal."

All of Mr. Abramoff's personal contributions went to Republicans. But the big money was what Mr. Abramoff directed his clients to contribute.

"Records from the Federal Election Commission and the Center for Public Integrity show that Abramoff's Indian clients contributed money to 195 Republicans and 88 Democrats between 1999 and 2004," Ms. Howell noted.

(Excerpt) Read more at post-gazette.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Editorial; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 109th; abramoff; abramoffdems; abramoffscandal; harryreid; indiantribes; jackabramoff; reid
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1 posted on 01/30/2006 4:16:44 AM PST by RWR8189
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To: RWR8189

It's amazing how in-denial-of-reality rank-and-file Dem activists are on this issue.

Then again, maybe not. They live in denial.


2 posted on 01/30/2006 4:18:46 AM PST by FreedomPoster (Guns themselves are fairly robust; their chief enemies are rust and politicians) (NRA)
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To: FreedomPoster

All I know is that I'm damned tired of being embarrassed by people who represent me. The average democrat knows no shame.


3 posted on 01/30/2006 4:29:26 AM PST by SWAMPSNIPER (MAY I DIE ON MY FEET IN MY SWAMP)
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To: FreedomPoster
They live in denial.

Shhh....! We don't want them waking up before they go over the edge of the precipice.

4 posted on 01/30/2006 4:39:43 AM PST by AmericaUnited
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To: RWR8189

I know this, you know this, how many other know this?

My friends know this stuff, even the democrats I know are aware that tyhe money was spread across the board, and even if 90% of the money would have been given to Republicans that doesn't prove complicity. But the election cycle is beginning soon. How many people are out there that will be held sway by the media. There are alot of ill informed voters out there that vote a name because they know the name. If that name wrongly gets attached to criminal acts because they are a Republican those poorly informed voters may unwittinly vote a demorat in by voting a Republican out.

I guess, keep the people you know informed. I try to.


5 posted on 01/30/2006 4:43:10 AM PST by raynearhood ("America is too great for small dreams." - Ronald Reagan, speech to Congress. January 1, 1984.)
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To: RWR8189
Now I'll have to see if I can find that FOX news interview with Howard (the Duck) Dean this weekend..

I'm pretty sure he stated categorically that no Dems recieved any such money..
( Maybe he meant direct Abramoff contributions..)

I sure hope he wasn't "parsing"..

6 posted on 01/30/2006 4:45:49 AM PST by Drammach (In the kingdom of the blind, the one-eyed man is king..)
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To: RWR8189

I would strongly recommend Vince Flynn's "Term Limits". An outstanding book about money in politics and the bloated budget. A thriller.


7 posted on 01/30/2006 4:53:52 AM PST by happydogx2 (Let Freedom Reign!!)
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To: RWR8189

Well,,,,,if you watched the laughable Howard Dean on Chris Wallace's show Sunday morning...only the REPUBLICANS are corrupt and not law abiding....


8 posted on 01/30/2006 4:54:39 AM PST by auto power
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To: RWR8189

Got to love this paper. Suppose this article will cause some Dems heads to explode in Pitt today


9 posted on 01/30/2006 4:56:42 AM PST by MNJohnnie (Is there a satire god who created Al Gore for the sole purpose of making us laugh?)
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To: FreedomPoster

What's really amazing is how cowed the media is in covering these contributions.

Of course, it is their pals there are protecting.


10 posted on 01/30/2006 5:00:32 AM PST by kjo
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To: Drammach

I think what you're looking for can be found here:

Dean Implicates Harry Reid in Abramoff Scandal
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1567357/posts


11 posted on 01/30/2006 5:02:46 AM PST by FreedomPoster (Guns themselves are fairly robust; their chief enemies are rust and politicians) (NRA)
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To: RWR8189; All

Money from Ambranoff


http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1555916/posts?page=7#2


Not just a GOP problem....(posted by mystery-ak http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1551333/posts?page=13#13)

* 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








Abramoff Lobbying & Political Contributions to Democrats,
per FEC Records
# # # # #

Democratic Senatorial Campaign Cmte $423,480
Democratic Congressional Campaign Cmte $354,700
Democratic National Cmte $65,720
Patrick J. Kennedy (D-RI) $42,500
Patty Murray (D-Wash) $40,980
Charles B. Rangel (D-NY) $36,000
Harry Reid (D-Nev) $30,500
Byron L. Dorgan (D-ND) $28,000
Tom Daschle (D-SD) $26,500
Democratic Party of Michigan $23,000
Brad R. Carson (D-Okla) $20,600
Dale E. Kildee (D-Mich) $19,000
Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md) $17,500
Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) $15,500
Democratic Party of Oklahoma $15,000
Chris John (D-La) $15,000
John Breaux (D-La) $13,750
Frank Pallone, Jr (D-NJ) $13,600
Richard A. Gephardt (D-Mo) $12,000
Mary L. Landrieu (D-La) $11,500
Barney Frank (D-Mass) $11,100
Max Baucus (D-Mont) $11,000
Maria Cantwell (D-Wash) $10,000
Democratic Party of North Dakota $10,000
Nick Rahall (D-WVa) $10,000
Democratic Party of South Dakota $9,500
Democratic Party of Minnesota $9,000
Ron Kind (D-Wis) $9,000
Peter Deutsch (D-Fla) $8,500
Joe Baca (D-Calif) $8,000
Dick Durbin (D-Ill) $8,000
Xavier Becerra (D-Calif) $7,523
Tim Johnson (D-SD) $7,250
Democratic Party of New Mexico $6,250
Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) $6,000
David E. Bonior (D-Mich) $5,000
Jon S. Corzine (D-NJ) $5,000
Democratic Party of Montana $5,000
Fritz Hollings (D-SC) $5,000
Jay Inslee (D-Wash) $5,000
Thomas P. Keefe Jr. (D-Wash) $5,000
Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md) $5,000
Deborah Ann Stabenow (D-Mich) $5,000
Earl Pomeroy (D-ND) $4,500
Tom Carper (D-Del) $4,000
Kent Conrad (D-ND) $4,000
Jerry Kleczka (D-Wis) $4,000
Sander Levin (D-Mich) $4,000
Robert T. Matsui (D-Calif) $4,000
George Miller (D-Calif) $4,000
Kalyn Cherie Free (D-Okla) $3,500
James L. Oberstar (D-Minn) $3,500
Charles J. Melancon (D-La) $3,100
Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) $3,000
Cal Dooley (D-Calif) $3,000
John B. Larson (D-Conn) $3,000
David R. Obey (D-Wis) $3,000
Ed Pastor (D-Ariz) $3,000
Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif) $3,000
Richard M. Romero (D-NM) $3,000
Brad Sherman (D-Calif) $3,000
Bennie G. Thompson (D-Miss) $3,000
Max Cleland (D-Ga) $2,500
Grace Napolitano (D-Calif) $2,500
Henry A. Waxman (D-Calif) $2,500
Bill Luther (D-Minn) $2,250
Gene Taylor (D-Miss) $2,250
Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii) $2,000
Ken Bentsen (D-Texas) $2,000
Dan Boren (D-Okla) $2,000
Rosa L. DeLauro (D-Conn) $2,000
John D. Dingell (D-Mich) $2,000
Doug Dodd (D-Okla) $2,000
Ned Doucet (D-La) $2,000
Lane Evans (D-Ill) $2,000
Sam Farr (D-Calif) $2,000
John Neely Kennedy (D-La) $2,000
Carl Levin (D-Mich) $2,000
Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark) $2,000
Nita M. Lowey (D-NY) $2,000
Robert Menendez (D-NJ) $2,000
Adam Schiff (D-Calif) $2,000
Ronnie Shows (D-Miss) $2,000
Adam Smith (D-Wash) $2,000
Ellen O. Tauscher (D-Calif) $2,000
Mike Thompson (D-Calif) $2,000
Maxine Waters (D-Calif) $2,000
Peter DeFazio (D-Ore) $1,500
Norm Dicks (D-Wash) $1,500
John Kerry (D-Mass) $1,400
Barbara Boxer (D-Calif) $1,000
Dennis Cardoza (D-Calif) $1,000
Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) $1,000
Jim Costa (D-Calif) $1,000
Susan A. Davis (D-Calif) $1,000
Eliot L. Engel (D-NY) $1,000
Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif) $1,000
Tim Holden (D-Pa) $1,000
Patrick Leahy (D-Vt) $1,000
Joe Lieberman (D-Conn) $1,000
Jim Maloney (D-Conn) $1,000
David Phelps (D-Ill) $1,000
Charles S. Robb (D-Va) $1,000
Brian David Schweitzer (D-Mont) $1,000
Pete Stark (D-Calif) $1,000
Gloria Tristani (D-NM) $1,000
Derrick B. Watchman (D-Ariz) $1,000
Rick Weiland (D-SD) $1,000
Paul Wellstone (D-Minn) $1,000
Ron Wyden (D-Ore) $1,000
Bob Borski (D-Pa) $720
Shelley Berkley (D-Nev) $500
Howard L. Berman (D-Calif) $500
Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) $500
Democratic Party of Washington $500
Barbara Lee (D-Calif) $500
Loretta Sanchez (D-Calif) $500

Grand Total $1,541,673

Posted by TAB

2 posted on 01/11/2006 8:00:51 AM EST by conservativecorner
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12 posted on 01/30/2006 5:02:52 AM PST by G.Mason ("I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is to try to please everyone" -- Bill Cosby)
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To: Drammach

In particular, see post #94 there.


13 posted on 01/30/2006 5:04:34 AM PST by FreedomPoster (Guns themselves are fairly robust; their chief enemies are rust and politicians) (NRA)
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To: Drammach
I'm pretty sure he stated categorically that no Dems recieved any such money..

I saw him, too. That's what he said.

14 posted on 01/30/2006 5:22:40 AM PST by sockmonkey
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To: Drammach

Here is the transcript of the interview.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,183120,00.html


15 posted on 01/30/2006 5:22:47 AM PST by Arrowhead1952 (I never got a job from a person on a government program.)
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To: RWR8189
Distinctions without a difference:
Democrats (et al); "We did not receive one penny from Abramoff - we got it from his clients."
John Kerry: "I don't own an SUV - the family does".

The 'spin' didn't work with Kerry, won't work with the Dems.

16 posted on 01/30/2006 5:24:47 AM PST by Condor51 (Better to fight for something than live for nothing - Gen. George S. Patton)
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To: RWR8189

So what? Does this excuse the 'pubbies who took bribes? Let's get rid of our own scoundrels, not fall for an 'everybody does it' defense of them.


17 posted on 01/30/2006 5:25:22 AM PST by Grut
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To: Arrowhead1952
This is what I heard...

" DEAN: Yeah, they are pretty clean, Chris, and I'll tell you why. First of all, every dime of Jack Abramoff's money went to Republicans. Not one dime went to any Democrat or any Democratic organization — his personal money.

Secondly, he did direct contributions to mostly Republicans, but a few Democrats. But the Democrats, A, didn't know that he directed that — his clients to give them money and, B, they never produced anything for Abramoff.

The problem the Republicans have with this is that they actually did things. Senator Burns did a number of things for Jack Abramoff in exchange for a contribution. And the proximity of those contributions to the actual act of doing something for the lobbyist — that's what's illegal, and that's what's going to get them in trouble.

There's not one shred of evidence that any Democrat, A, knew that he was getting a contribution from Jack Abramoff and, B, did anything in exchange for it. And that's why this is a Republican finance scandal and not some sort of bipartisan scandal.

----------------------------------------------------------

Thanks for that interview link.. Great Job..

18 posted on 01/30/2006 5:30:42 AM PST by Drammach (In the kingdom of the blind, the one-eyed man is king..)
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To: Drammach

Here is the FR thread with more comments.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1567357/posts

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1567357/posts?page=94#94


19 posted on 01/30/2006 5:43:14 AM PST by Arrowhead1952 (I never got a job from a person on a government program.)
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To: FreedomPoster; RWR8189; AmericaUnited; raynearhood; Drammach; auto power; kjo; G.Mason; ...
The Republicans apparantly got about twice as much money as the Democrats did from Abramof related sources. So why aren't the Republicans using exactly this fact to club them over the head?

If you are a lobbyist, who do you want to influence? Those who have the power! The reason that the Dems didn't get as much cash is because they are weak, nuetered, small, marginalized LOSERS, not because of any virtue on their part! They would suck up all the cash they could but why would anyone offer it to them?!

It illustrates the Democrats weakness and fund raising difficulty. NOT their goodness!

20 posted on 01/30/2006 6:34:11 AM PST by getitright (Liberalism is irresponsible.)
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