Why Didn’t McCain Call Ralph Reed To Testify During Abramoff Investigation?

[kpete]

Why Didn’t McCain Call Ralph Reed To Testify During Abramoff Investigation?

On the campaign trail, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) often touts his work fighting corruption, highlighting the Senate Indian Affairs Committee investigation he led into the Jack Abramoff scandal. In May, he bragged:

I led the Abramoff investigation. I saved the American people — excuse me, not only American people, but native Americans, millions — hundreds of millions — millions and millions of dollars.

In particular, the committee put out a 357-page report on its findings. Mentioned on at least 38 pages is former Christian Coalition director Ralph Reed, who assisted Abramoff in overbilling Indian tribal clients out of millions of dollars.

Yet on Monday, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) will be attending a fundraiser in Atlanta, which Reed is helping to organize. Reed “touted himself as a member of McCain’s ‘Victory 2008 Team’ in an e-mail that solicited donations on McCain’s behalf.” McCain has refused calls by ethics watchdog organizations to denounce Reed and cancel the fundraiser.

In a conference call today, House Oversight Committee chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) questioned why McCain would want to associate himself with someone who was “tied up in a gambling scandal.” He noted, however, that McCain has never been particularly tough on Reed — he never even called him to testify before the Senate Indian Affairs Committee during its investigation:

I give John McCain credit for having exposed Jack Abramoff, when he held hearings in the Senate Committee on Native Americans. But he never called Ralph Reed. And our committee did a further investigation of the Abramoff contacts with the White House, and we found Ralph Reed an active participant in trying to influence the White House for Abramoff’s clients.

Video & More at:
http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/15/mccain-abramoff-reed/

[Bob Dobbs]

1. gramps is more corrupt even than busholini inc.

There is no lie he will not tell, no dollar he will not take, no ally he will not sell out in his sociopathic megalomania.

[DCKit]

3. "...sociopathic megalomania." Is there a treatment for that form of cancer? n/t

[Bob Dobbs]

4. Brainectomy.

With a soul transplant.

[Supersedeas]

2. Kelly O'Donnell and the rest of the Free Ride Media on the McRove Bus/Plane will get to the bottom

of it -- after the election...maybe.

[L. Coyote]

5. I DO NOT "give John McCain credit for having exposed Jack Abramoff"

August 2002: Abramoff, Rep. Ney and Ralph Reed fly to Scotland for golf on the St. Andrews course.
November 2002: U.S. attorney in Florida begins criminal inquiry of Abramoff, et.al re SunCruz finances.
Feb. 2004: Washington Post reports Abramoff and Scanlon received at least $45 million from Indian tribes that operate casinos.
Aug. 2004: Abramoff confirmed as a target of criminal inquiry.

I DO give credit to John McCain for working as "Fallback Guy," covering up for Bush's criminal friends Abramoff and Reed, and saving Bush in the 2004 election!

[L. Coyote]

6. Con Men, Liars and Thieves - Abramoff Timeline

http://thesoutherndem.blogspot.com/2006/03/con-men-liars-and-thieves-abramoff.html

............

Aug. 11, 2005 - Jack Abramoff, a powerful Republican lobbyist, and his partner at Suncruzwas Adam Kidan were indicted on August 11, on bank fraud charges related to his purchase of the cruise line.

Aug. 12, 2005 - Abramoff released on bail of $2.25 million. He had to give up his passport and his travel was restricted to California, Florida and Maryland. He also has to continue mental health treatments.

Sept., 2005 - Three men arrested in the murder of Konstantinos Boulis. He owned Suncruz before it was purchased by Abramoff and Kidan. Anthony Moscatiello, Anthony Ferrari and James Fiorillo were arrested on murder and conspiracy charges. Moscatiello has been linked to the Gambino crime family.

Sept. 19, 2005 - David Safavian, head of federal procurement policy at the Office of management and the Budget, was arrested and charged with lying to investigators and obstructing the federal investigation into Abramoff.

Dec. 1, 2005 - Three Texas public interest groups filed a complaint with Travis County Attorney David Escamilla alleging that Reed failed to register as a lobbyist in 2001 or 2002 when he was working for Abramoff.

............