(GOP)-NRSC plans multi-state attack tying Democrats to Abramoff

[LiviaOlivia]

NRSC plans multi-state attack tying Democrats to Abramoff
By Peter Savodnik
12-08-2005

The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) is planning a public-relations offensive tying leading Democrats to lobbyist Jack Abramoff in an effort to neutralize accusations that Republicans have been embroiled in a “culture of corruption.”

The campaign will zero in on Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.); Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin, both Michigan Democrats; and the Democratic Senatorial Committee (DSCC), among others, for taking money from Abramoff’s former clients.

Stabenow is up for reelection next year; Reid and Levin are not. With the entry of Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard (R) into the Senate race in Michigan, many leading Republicans believe they have a reasonable chance of unseating the first-term senator.

Republicans have spent months trying to blunt Democratic ethics charges. But the new communications blitz — which will include disseminating talking points to Capitol Hill Republicans and flooding local media with information linking Democrats to Abramoff — marks a more coordinated effort to halt the anti-GOP tide.

~snip~

http://www.thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Campaign/120805_abramoff.html

[stepnw1f]

1. Must Be Nice to Have All That Power

you scumbag Republicans. You better wish we never become the majority again.

[Miss Chybil]

2. Ah, when the truth won't set you free, a PR campaign smearing the

other guy works every time.

[Tiggeroshii]

3. Wow.

But what is it gona do to that campaign when every Republican leader is snagged into the Abramoff scandal and NO Dems are? I'm guessing unless the majority of Americans are gullible enough to buy it, it'll get bought. However, the money that they'd need in order to continue this smear campaign would all need to be given back leaving the GOP nearly bankrupt. Sorry guys, you could have done it....

[Ignacio Upton]

4. They tried this same shit with Democrats & Enron in 2002:

<<Some Republican officials have drawn parallels between the party’s handling of the Abramoff scandal in 2005 and its effort to contain the Enron blow-up of 2002.

A GOP strategist agreed, pointing out that during the turmoil surrounding the corporate scandals, the NRSC put out a document that was more than 50 pages detailing Democratic ties to Enron.

“It’s good that they’re engaging on this issue to show the Democrats that this is not just a pox on their house,” the strategist said.>>

Apparently, a $2,000 donation to a Democrat is the same thing as greater than $10,000 to a Republican or use of their corporate jet during the Florida recount. I don't remember any of our Senators using the term "Kenny Boy" for Lay. However, Reid and the DSCC need to make sure that this doesn't become a repeat of 2002, where I remember our surrogates began to retreat at attacking the Republicans after they put out their bullshit analogies on Enron.

[LiviaOlivia]

9. Good point

Thanks. I'm hopeful Reid will come out honestly and all guns blazing on this one.

[dkofos]

5. We should do it first.

Any Dem in bed with that scumbag should be outed and not supported

Corruption is corruption no matter what party.

[MissWaverly]

6. Let's look before we leap

Scanlon and Abramoff were DC lobbyists and some of their activities were legitimate.

[MrBenchley]

7. Wonder if Abramoff's clients are funding the ads?

[pschoeb]

8. Is it really suprising that Levin and Stabenow would get donations

From the Saginaw Chippewa of Michigan(I beleive this is the only Abramoff client who donated to them), since they are their constituents. Whats suprising is Repugs who got donations from them, even though they were in different states. Levin and Stabenow didn't get contributions from any out of state Indian Tribes that were Abramoff clients, unlike the Repugs who are part of the scandal.

[Ouabache]

13. EXCELLENT point pschoeb, Saginaw Chipewas were their constituents

very good, just disseminate that widely. Then point out how Levin and Stabenow fought for THEIR constituents against corrupt GOP corporate cronyism !!!

[LeighAnn]

10. Talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face!

Oh, please don't throw me in the briar patch! I'd like to see "Jack Abramoff" be a household name. Nobody I know in the offline world had ever heard about him, until I told them.

[LiviaOlivia]

11. kick

[radfringe]

12. toss'em all out if they are dirty

repugs are pointing fingers and whining "...but they did it too..."

fine. then instead of hiding and whining - repugs should be tossing out their dirty members too. Where's the Republican-controlled ethics committee investigations?

Dems need to come clean on this too - release records/documents and call for investigations.

STOP SWEEPING THINGS UNDER THE RUG. It's about doing what is right for American and not what's good for saving their own butt.

[Toots]

14. I suspect most of the Democrats they can bring up will be DLCers

I'm sure a few regular Democrats will get mentioned but I can well imagine the DLC guys right in bed with contracters and lobbiests. I say let the Republicans bring out the dirt. If they are as guilty as the Republicans then they should go out with the Republican thugs. We should not try and cover up for any Democrat. If they commit a crime they need to go......