Reid: WH not for sale; asks Bush to disclose ties to Abramoff

[ProSense]

DEMOCRATIC LEADERS CALL ON BUSH TO DISCUSS ADMINISTRATION TIES TO JACK ABRAMOFF
Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Washington, DC -- Today, Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid, Assistant Senate Democratic Leader Richard Durbin, Senate Democratic Campaign Committee Chairman Charles Schumer and Senate Democratic Conference Secretary Debbie Stabenow, wrote President Bush asking him to explain the White House’s numerous connections to indicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff and to disclose further un-known ties so that the American people can be assured that the White House is not for sale.


The full text of the letter follows below:


January 17, 2006



The Honorable George W. Bush
1600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20500


Dear Mr. President:


The Justice Department is currently investigating the web of corruption surrounding lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Even at this early stage of the investigation, there is reason to believe that Mr. Abramoff may have had undue and improper influence within your Administration. There is no reason to wait for indictments or convictions before the American people learn of the role Mr. Abramoff played in the Bush White House. We therefore call on you to make public as soon as possible an accounting of Mr. Abramoff’s personal contacts with Bush Administration officials and the official acts that may have been undertaken at his request.


Some of Mr. Abramoff’s ties to the White House have already been reported in the press. For example, it is well known that Mr. Abramoff was a prodigious Republican fundraiser who attained the rank of “Pioneer” after raising over $100,000 for the 2004 Bush-Cheney reelection campaign. You have returned $6,000 of that money, but have not answered the question of what benefits, if any, were extended to Mr. Abramoff on account of his Pioneer status.


It has also been reported that Mr. Abramoff served as an adviser to your transition team and that you met with him personally. The American people have a right to know how many times you and senior staff met with Abramoff, and what benefits, if any, Abramoff received from this high degree of access.


In addition, it has been reported that your Administration removed a federal prosecutor who was investigating Mr. Abramoff’s secret lobbying contract with court officials in the U.S. territory of Guam. Indeed, the prosecutor was replaced only one day after he issued a subpoena for records, and the case was subsequently dropped. The Guam public auditor has since concluded that territory officials paid Mr. Abramoff, via a third party, a total of $324,000 in smaller increments in an effort to circumvent the requirement of a sealed bid. Did the White House exert any improper influence on behalf of Mr. Abramoff in this case?


Finally, David Safavian, who served as the chief procurement officer in your Administration, was recently charged with obstructing Senate and executive branch investigations into whether he aided Mr. Abramoff in efforts to acquire property controlled by the General Services Administration. Were other White House officials aware of Mr. Safavian’s ties to Abramoff, and did those ties play a role in Safavian’s appointment to a high-ranking Administration position?


While the above-described connections between Abramoff and the Bush Administration have been reported, others remain unknown. For example, Americans have a right to more information about Abramoff’s role in the “K Street Project,” the initiative launched by Republicans in the1990’s to link lobbyists to Republican officials in Congress and the executive branch. What role did your Administration play in the K Street Project, and did White House officials have direct contact with Abramoff in this regard?


In the upcoming State of the Union address, you will presumably call for reforms to address lobbying abuses. But such rhetoric will ring hollow until you reveal the ways in which Jack Abramoff himself may have improperly influenced your Administration over the past five years. As the leader of your party, you have the opportunity to set an example and call for openness and accountability from your fellow Republicans. The American people need to be assured that the White House is not for sale.


Sincerely,


Harry Reid
Richard Durbin
Debbie Stabenow
Charles Schumer


http://reid.senate.gov/record2.cfm?id=250467

[henslee]

1. Woohoo kick. Nominated.

[ikojo]

2. Mr Reid made a mistake...he addressed

George W as honorable...he is anything but.

[benny05]

3. I can't wait until there is a different way to address *

Dear Fmr and Impeached without Honor *

[Botany]

4. Blood in the water?

Feeding Time .... bush is toast!

[druidity33]

5. agreed...

I think it's a strategy to attack in sharp pointed bits, from several fronts... so much corruption, so little time!


...little bathroom stickers...

[Kablooie]

6. I wish

but I've seen this too many times before.
Bushies ignore the letter. The press ignores the letter and the only people
who know anything about it are the informed Liberals who already know it all.

Nothing will change, I'm convinced.

[Susan43]

22. Please get the word out.

What Kablooie has said is true. Please write everyone you can think of and send the link. Let's see if we can make this big news.

This is an inportant letter and deserves to be read by everyone. Let's face it, the dems have a hard time getting air time so let's see what we can do.

[tuvor]

7. And bush won't respond, and we'll all forget about it.

Pardon my doubt, but I've seen a lot of such letters republished on DU. Have any of them ever elicited a response from bush, let alone had any tangible effect on anything?

[ProSense]

8. Rember when these guys were running around like they were untouchable?

http://www.dccc.org/houseofscandal/main.html

[H2O]

9. Even so,

The questions have to be asked. We must continue to ask the questions, even if all we get are evasions. Of course, Bushco, would probably consider it "torture" to keep asking such questions :evilgrin:

[Cocoa]

14. several important letters about Plame

from Schumer, Daschle, Levin, and a few others.

From July 2003 through January 2004, and Ashcroft eventually recused himself and we know the rest.

[Vinca]

10. I want to see the photos.

You know somewhere that has to be a photo of Jackoff and the Shrub together.

[ProSense]

11. White House Silent on Abramoff Meetings

White House Silent on Abramoff Meetings

By NEDRA PICKLER, Associated Press Writer
1 hour, 10 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - The White House is refusing to reveal details of tainted lobbyist Jack Abramoff's visits with President Bush's staff.

Abramoff had "a few staff-level meetings" at the Bush White House, presidential spokesman Scott McClellan said Tuesday. But he would not say with whom Abramoff met, which interests he was representing or how he got access to the White House.

Since Abramoff pleaded guilty two weeks ago to conspiracy, mail fraud and tax evasion charges in an influence-peddling scandal, McClellan has told reporters he was checking into Abramoff's meetings. "I'm making sure that I have a thorough report back to you on that," he said in his press briefing Jan. 5. "And I'll get that to you, hopefully very soon."


Snip...

McClellan said Bush does not know Abramoff personally, although it's possible the two met at the holiday receptions.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060118/ap_on_go_pr_wh/white_house_abramoff_4

[Beth in VT]

12. excellent - they are definitely hiding something.

[UrbScotty]

13. Constituent of Stabenow here

She ain't perfect, but she's good.

[NativeTexan]

15. Hell, all Bush has to do is...

...declare it is LEGAL and it is LEGAL...am I the only one that reads the papers?....LOL

[ProSense]

16. Scotty gets grilled at WH press briefing

Snip...

Q Scott, what was the subject matter when Jack Abramoff met with staff here?

MR. McCLELLAN: I'm sorry?

Q What was the subject --

MR. McCLELLAN: I just indicated earlier to Elisabeth's questions that we just don't get into discussing White House staff-level meetings. We never really have.

Q Can you say who Mr. Abramoff was representing when he came in here?

MR. McCLELLAN: No. Again, we don't get into discussing staff-level meetings. If you have something specific to bring to my attention, I'll be glad to try to look into that. But I'm not aware of anything specific that you have.

Q What got him in the door here? How did he qualify for meetings here?

MR. McCLELLAN: Again, I checked on this. What I was asked is to go and check on this, and I did. And there were only a couple of holiday receptions that he attended, and then a few staff-level meetings on top of that. And that's the way I would describe it.

Now, what I can't do is go and say with absolute certainty that he did not have any other visits. We did a check at your request and what I have learned from that request is exactly what I am telling you.

Q Was it senior staff, at that level?

MR. McCLELLAN: I'm sorry?

Q Would you qualify it as senior staff that he met with here?

MR. McCLELLAN: I'm just saying staff-level meetings is the way I would describe it. And if you have anything specific, I'll be glad to take a look into it.

Q Well, we're counting on you for the specifics --

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, if there's any reason for me to check into it, please bring it to my attention.

Q He's pled guilty to some serious charges.

MR. McCLELLAN: And so are you insinuating something?

Q We're just trying to find out the facts.

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, if you've got something to bring to my attention, do so, and then I'll be glad to look into it.

Q Scott, that's not a fair burden to place on us. This is a guy who is a tainted lobbyist, and he has connections -- we want to know -- with whom in the White House. You shouldn't demand that we give you something specific to go check it out. I mean, this guy is radioactive in Washington. And he knows guys like Karl Rove. So did he meet with him or not?

MR. McCLELLAN: I know of nothing that --

Q Don't put it on us to bring something specific. It's a specific question about a specific individual.

Q Can you tell us if he met with Karl Rove?

MR. McCLELLAN: Because we don't discuss staff-level meetings --

Q Of course you do, whenever you want to discuss staff-level meetings. And if Karl Rove, who has ties to Ralph Reed, which he does, we want to know if he has ties to Jack Abramoff, and if they met --

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I can answer that.

Q Oh, great. Well, before you said --

MR. McCLELLAN: No, I mean, about if he knows -- yes, he knows -- he knows Mr. Abramoff. They are both former heads of the College Republicans. That's how they got to know each other way back, I think it was in the early '80s. And my understanding is that Karl would describe it as more of a casual relationship, than a business relationship. That's what he has said.

But if you've got specific matters that I need to look into, it's my point that I think it's your obligation to bring that to my attention and I'll be glad to take a look into it.

Q Well, I don't --

MR. McCLELLAN: There's been no --

Q -- no, no, but I don't think it's our obligation to do anything. If we want to know whether there was pending business that Abramoff represented to members of the staff here at the White House, what do we need --

MR. McCLELLAN: There's been no suggestion of anything like that out of this White House.

Q -- some kind of an affidavit to bring you to --

MR. McCLELLAN: There's been no suggestion of anything like this in this White House.

Q I'm just asking. I'm not suggesting.

MR. McCLELLAN: No, you're insinuating. Go ahead.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/01/20060117-3.html

[texpatriot2004]

17. Harry Reid has a posse. n.t

[wiley]

18. Nominated and Kicked

Go Dems!

CORRUPT REPUBLICANS at it 24/7.

[Captain Hilts]

19. Weren't there something like 195 WhiteHouse visits by Abamoff?

That's some serious White House access.

Kinda like Jeff Gannon...

[ProSense]

20. Democrats (DNC) to use Ohio in call for ethics reform

Article published Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Democrats to use Ohio in call for ethics reform

Party trumpets national anti-corruption campaign

By JAMES DREW and STEVE EDER
BLADE STAFF WRITERS


COLUMBUS - Howard Dean, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, plans to use Gov. Bob Taft's ceremonial office in the Statehouse as his backdrop this morning to call for national ethics reform.

snip...

Mr. LaVera pointed to Republican Governor Taft, who was convicted on ethics violations this summer for failing to disclose golf outings and gifts; U.S. Rep. Bob Ney, who has been implicated in the federal lobbying scandal swirling around Jack Abramoff; and former Toledo-area coin dealer Tom Noe, who is being investigated for his handling of Ohio's $50 million rare-coin fund. Mr. Noe was indicted in October on three felony counts related to the alleged laundering of $45,400 into the Bush-Cheney re-election campaign.

"It starts at the top with Governor Taft, the only governor in the country to be a convicted criminal and the first in Ohio's history to be a governor and a convicted criminal at the same time," said Mr. LaVera. "At the next level, you see Congressman Ney, who decided to step away from his committee chairmanship because of his role in the Jack Abramoff scandal."

snip...

Mr. LaVera said Mr. Dean's speech outside Mr. Taft's office in the Statehouse will coincide with Democratic congressional leaders introducing legislation in Washington to increase the time before public officials can become lobbyists after they leave government work.

More...

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060118/NEWS09/601180407

[flpoljunkie]

21. Will Dems "Honest Leadership Act" lead to real lobbying, campaign reform?

Harry Reid is set to announce the "Honest Leadership Act" tomorrow. How far will it really go toward cleaning up Washington? Lobbyists should not be allowed to raise money for Congress members' leadership PACs--money that they do not want to have to raise themselves, but money that is needed to run those damn 30 second TV commercials!

Let's hope Harry surprises us all!

http://www.thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/Business/...

As Democrats move to unite behind an anti-corruption agenda aimed at exposing political weakness in the scandal-scarred GOP, watchdog groups are warning that a Democratic leadership lobbying-reform package will not win their automatic support.

For the most part, government watchdog organizations have become stalwart Democratic allies, decrying ethical missteps by the Republican majority and helping to expose abuses of power in the lobbying industry. But the increasingly politicized debate over how to impose a new mandate of cleaner government on members, aides and lobbyists has watchdogs concerned that the Democrats will band together behind superficial reform.

Frank Clemente, director of Public Citizen’s Congress Watch division, said he was not satisfied after viewing an early draft of the “Honesty in Leadership” proposal that House and Senate Democrats will unveil next week. “It’s an important step in the right direction, but doesn’t go nearly far enough,” Clemente said. “It lacks a ban on lobbyist campaign contributions, permits way too much special-interest-funded travel.”

<>Clemente pointed to lobbyists’ widespread custom of serving as treasurers for leadership PACs and campaign committees, allowing them to curry favor with lawmakers by organizing fundraisers and securing donations. Dreier’s leadership PAC treasurer, Anthony Roda, lobbies for Dell, Coca-Cola and Time Warner, among other companies.

more...

[greiner3]

23. Thank you Harry!

It would shatter my faith in human nature if the WH gives up the info willingly!

[gulliver]

24. Nice one. Now what was all that ...

... stuff about Reid having some Abramoff exposure? Looks like Reid wants to call and compare hands.

[ProSense]

25. Another GD piece of paper that'll get under Bush minions skin (photo)

Wed Jan 18, 5:36 PM ET
Signatures of Democrats from the House and Senate, including Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-NV, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-CA, Sen. Barak Obama, D-IL, Rep Louise Slaughter, D-FL, appear on the "Democratic Declaration: Honest Leadership and Open Government" document during a press conference to unveil the statement in the Great Hall of the Library of Congress in Washington, DC.(AFP/Getty Images/Chip Somodevilla)

[realFedUp]

26. 5 Fed agencies can subpoena White House records of Jack visits.

A criminal task force of investigators from the FBI, Internal Revenue Service, the Justice Department's public integrity section, the National Indian Gaming Commission and the Interior Department inspector general's office is looking into payments Abramoff and Scanlon received from an array of clients, including 11 wealthy Indian tribes that operate gambling casinos, according to officials familiar with the investigation.

[Javaman]

27. This is the end game...

I have this feeling that all roads lead to abramoff via the WH. I just got this wild suspision this is the straw that will break their backs.
Unless abramoff starts coughing up some crap on moron* and his room full of dopes, we will now see stonewall after stonewall from the WH.
Bottom line is: if they aren't guilty, why don't they join in with the rest of the repukes that are giving back their ill gotten loot?

However, me thinks they stink to high heaven and are in this up to their collective armpits.

I see a slow death spiral for this admin for this year.

I see also the real news hitting the fan sometime around june or july.