Reid and Abramoff
I saw this on Drudge. The link is to Breitbart and it is an AP report.
Read the entire report. Here’s the lede:
Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid wrote at least four letters helpful to Indian tribes represented by Jack Abramoff, and the senator’s staff regularly had contact with the disgraced lobbyist’s team about legislation affecting other clients.
The activities _ detailed in billing records and correspondence obtained by The Associated Press _ are far more extensive than previously disclosed. They occurred over three years as Reid collected nearly $68,000 in donations from Abramoff’s firm, lobbying partners and clients.
Reid’s office acknowledged Thursday having “routine contacts” with Abramoff’s lobbying partners and intervening on some government matters _ such as blocking some tribal casinos _ in ways Abramoff’s clients might have deemed helpful. But it said none of his actions were affected by donations or done for Abramoff.
Other key grafs:
While Abramoff never directly donated to Reid, the lobbyist did instruct one tribe, the Coushattas, to send $5,000 to Reid’s tax- exempt political group, the Searchlight Leadership Fund, in 2002. About the same time, Reid sent a letter to the Interior Department helpful to the tribe, records show.
Abramoff sent a list to the tribe entitled “Coushatta Requests” recommending donations to campaigns or groups for 50 lawmakers he claimed were helpful to the tribe. Alongside Reid’s name, Abramoff wrote, “5,000 (Searchlight Leadership Fund) Senate Majority Whip.”
Following a pattern seen with Abramoff and Republicans, Abramoff’s Democratic team members often delivered donations to Reid close to key events.
Reid himself, along his Senate counsel Jim Ryan, met with Abramoff deputy Ronald Platt on June 5, 2001, “to discuss timing on minimum wage bill” that affected the Marianas, according to a bill that Greenberg Traurig, Abramoff’s firm, sent the Marianas.
The Dems should be hanging the Repubs with Abramoff. It is the duty of the party out of power has to hammer the party in power on ethics issues. The Dems can’t get leverage with Abramoff because this is a DC scandal that taints them, too.
The Harry Reid-Jack Abramoff connection Is the loudest voice on alleged Republican corruption related to lobbying not practicing what he preaches? Via AP: Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid wrote at least four letters helpful to Indian tribes represented by Jack Abramoff, and the senator&…
Trackback by Sister Toldjah — 2/9/2006 @ 6:06 pm
In a February 9 article by staff writers John Solomon and Sharon Theimer, the Associated Press left out important details of two incidents that purportedly link Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff. The AP noted that Reid opposed legislation to approve a Michigan casino for a Native American tribe that would have rivaled a casino owned by a tribe represented by Abramoff. But the article omitted the fact that Reid said at the time that he opposed the legislation because it would create a “very dangerous precedent” for the spread of off-reservation gambling — something Reid had opposed for nearly a decade. The article also suggested that Reid coordinated with Abramoff to sabotage proposed legislation that would have raised the minimum wage in the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. territory represented by Abramoff, without noting that, in fact, Reid was a co-sponsor of that legislation and spoke on the Senate floor in favor of its passage. The AP noted that Reid “went to the Senate floor” to thwart legislation that would have harmed the Saginaw Chippewa, a tribe represented by Abramoff, because he deemed the bill “fundamentally flawed,” but neglected to mention why Reid said he reached that conclusion: Reid went to the Senate floor to oppose fellow Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow’s effort to win congressional approval for a Michigan casino for the Bay Mills Indians, which would have rivaled one already operating by the Saginaw Chippewa represented by Abramoff. “The legislation is fundamentally flawed,” Reid argued, successfully leading the opposition to Stabenow’s proposal. In fact, Reid said the legislation was flawed because it would allow the Bay Mills tribe to build an off-reservation casino “under the guise of settling a land claim.” From the November 19, 2002, Congressional Record: REID: [A]llowing a tribe to settle a land claim and receive trust land hundreds of miles from their reservation for the express purpose of establishing a gaming facility sets a very dangerous precedent. So there was no quid pro quo. Republicans are already seen as corrupt according to most of the polls, now they will be seen as trying to smear a Democrat in a game of blame shifting. ED NOTE: Your long assertion doesn’t prove there was no “quid pro quo.” (By the way, its’ okay to add one or two liunks to a comment– a link to your quote of Reid’s statement would be useful. More than three links gets blasted by the spam block software.) Let’s assume that your quote is correct and Reid voted as you tell us he voted– and my bet is he did. Given that assumption, your comment demonstrates how every legislator –Democrat or Republican– could have taken money from Abramoff’ and his clients and then voted on an individual bill as he saw fit. To determine “quid pro quo” and exculpate Reid takes a lot of investigating– including statements to aides, writing legislation, leaning on other legislators, influencing enforcement and regulatory agencies. You give Reid a very large benefit of the doubt –he benefits from the money, and he benefits from your very generous “read” (so to speak). Here’s the trouble the Democrats face: Reid connects. The connection is deeper than mere appearance, the connection is actual cash and policy discussions, not mere handshakes, photo ops, and conversation. The Abramoff sewer is a systemic scandal. like Senator McCain argues.
Comment by Coretta — 2/10/2006 @ 5:52 am
More Harry Reid Scandals On The Horizon There are more revelations about Harry Reid accepting Abramoff related money, $68,000 worth and possibly more. This from AP: Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid wrote at least four letters helpful to Indian tribes represented by Jack …
Trackback by Stuck On Stupid — 2/10/2006 @ 8:34 am
It looks like all the politicians are wallowing in the graft regardless of political party. Reid has always been dirty, but he hides among other dirty politicians and no one seems to notice his corrupt manners. Palestinians elected Hamas on the basis of eliminating corruption from politics. Fools. It can’t be done.
Comment by Loretta — 2/10/2006 @ 11:30 am
Online Drugstore Online Drugstore
Trackback by Online Drugstore — 6/28/2007 @ 3:41 pm
soma cube buy soma cube buy
Trackback by soma cube buy — 7/24/2007 @ 10:32 pm
buy valium no prescription buy valium no prescription
Trackback by buy valium no prescription — 7/27/2007 @ 5:14 pm
1 cost low meridia 1 cost low meridia
Trackback by 1 cost low meridia — 7/31/2007 @ 12:04 pm
cialis order online cialis order online
Trackback by cialis order online — 7/31/2007 @ 12:11 pm
ayame soma ayame soma
Trackback by ayame soma — 8/2/2007 @ 11:14 pm
tadalafil soft tabs tadalafil soft tabs
Trackback by tadalafil soft tabs — 8/18/2007 @ 4:56 am