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Shame, shame Mr. Reid

Deegan

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Well, well, well, I thought it might be interesting to bash the Democrats for a change, I wonder how much coverage this story will get in the MSM?

Apparently Reid and his staff have had quite the relationship with Abramoff, this would contradict what he said on a certain news show I recall watching, we shall see.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060209/ap_on_go_co/abramoff_reid

"WASHINGTON - 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.

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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.

"All the actions that Senator Reid took were consistent with his long-held beliefs, such as not letting tribal casinos expand beyond reservations, and were taken to defend the interests of Nevada constituents," spokesman Jim Manley said.

Reid, D-Nev., has led the Democratic Party's attacks portraying Abramoff's lobbying and fundraising as a Republican scandal.

But Abramoff's records show his lobbying partners billed for nearly two dozen phone contacts or meetings with Reid's office in 2001 alone.

Most were to discuss Democratic legislation that would have applied the U.S. minimum wage to the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. territory and Abramoff client, but would have given the islands a temporary break on the wage rate, the billing records show.

Reid also intervened on government matters at least five times in ways helpful to Abramoff's tribal clients, once opposing legislation on the Senate floor and four times sending letters pressing the Bush administration on tribal issues. Reid collected donations around the time of each action."
 
There is an article about this in today's Washington Post. I am not sure what to make of this, but it sounded a little suspicious to me. The problem I have with it is Reid is there blasting those who had questionable relationships with Abramoff when he himself had one. Even if his relations with Abramoff are innocent, there is an appearance of impropriety, and how does he know that republicans's relations with Abramoff weren't just as innocent? I really hate that kind of crap.
 
aps said:
There is an article about this in today's Washington Post. I am not sure what to make of this, but it sounded a little suspicious to me. The problem I have with it is Reid is there blasting those who had questionable relationships with Abramoff when he himself had one. Even if his relations with Abramoff are innocent, there is an appearance of impropriety, and how does he know that republicans's relations with Abramoff weren't just as innocent? I really hate that kind of crap.

Exactly the way I feel about it, I couldn't have said it any better.
 
Deegan said:
Well, well, well, I thought it might be interesting to bash the Democrats for a change, I wonder how much coverage this story will get in the MSM?

Apparently Reid and his staff have had quite the relationship with Abramoff, this would contradict what he said on a certain news show I recall watching, we shall see.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060209/ap_on_go_co/abramoff_reid

"WASHINGTON - 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.

ADVERTISEMENT

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.

"All the actions that Senator Reid took were consistent with his long-held beliefs, such as not letting tribal casinos expand beyond reservations, and were taken to defend the interests of Nevada constituents," spokesman Jim Manley said.

Reid, D-Nev., has led the Democratic Party's attacks portraying Abramoff's lobbying and fundraising as a Republican scandal.

But Abramoff's records show his lobbying partners billed for nearly two dozen phone contacts or meetings with Reid's office in 2001 alone.

Most were to discuss Democratic legislation that would have applied the U.S. minimum wage to the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. territory and Abramoff client, but would have given the islands a temporary break on the wage rate, the billing records show.

Reid also intervened on government matters at least five times in ways helpful to Abramoff's tribal clients, once opposing legislation on the Senate floor and four times sending letters pressing the Bush administration on tribal issues. Reid collected donations around the time of each action."

The Democrats are claiming that the difference is that all of Reid's work was for Indian tribes in his own state, and that is acceptable.

However, if Reid took Abramoff money, as seems to be the case, then this is far more serious than the Democrats portray. Reid needs to go.
 
The Democrats are claiming that the difference is that all of Reid's work was for Indian tribes in his own state, and that is acceptable.

Really? Which of the following tribes are from Nevada??

Moderator's Warning:
Edited for fair use compliance
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Gill said:
Really? Which of the following tribes are from Nevada??

In that case, the Democrats have lied, and Reid should be in deep sh!t if buttheads involved in this are to be prosecuted equally.

Let me also note that I was the first to bring up Abramoff, many months ago, before the scandal finally broke, and has said that this was going to dwarf the Tom Delay scandal. I was right. Back then, I was called a Bush basher for bringing it up, and was told there was nothing to this. I have been vindicated. However, my reasons for bringing it up in the first place had nothing to do with bashing Bush, but everything to do with attacking what I see as a lack of integrity in Congress. I still feel strongly that way, and if Democrats are involved, as they seem to be, then their heads need to roll too.

The culture of corruption exists not only in the Republican party. It ALL has to be cleaned up, no matter which Democratic and Republican doors the scandal is hiding behind, or the concept of integrity means nothing at all. In short, I have nothing but contempt for ANYONE who took Abramoff money.
 
aps said:
There is an article about this in today's Washington Post. I am not sure what to make of this, but it sounded a little suspicious to me. The problem I have with it is Reid is there blasting those who had questionable relationships with Abramoff when he himself had one. Even if his relations with Abramoff are innocent, there is an appearance of impropriety, and how does he know that republicans's relations with Abramoff weren't just as innocent? I really hate that kind of crap.

Oh give him a break, he said that unlike Republicans donations don't effect their votes.........:doh
 
danarhea said:
The Democrats are claiming that the difference is that all of Reid's work was for Indian tribes in his own state, and that is acceptable.

As I noted in my previous thread about this

But the Las Vegas Review-Journal newspaper now reporting that Senator Reid only recieved donations from at least 4 different Indian Tribes AFTER Abramoff began to solicit him on their behalf.

Including but not limited to

• $19,500 from the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians of California.
• $5,000 from the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana.
• $7,000 from the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.
• $19,000 from the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan.

Seee
[FONT=verdana,arial] Tribes gave to Reid after hiring Abramoff [/FONT]
[FONT=verdana, arial]http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_ho...s/5696811.html[/FONT]

However, if Reid took Abramoff money, as seems to be the case, then this is far more serious than the Democrats portray. Reid needs to go.

And the "culture of corruption" campaign the Democrats are trying to run thier entire campaign on?
 
I trulyu believe Reid is one of the biggest hypocrites in the Senate.......Here is a man who is a Mormon who claims to be pro life who constantly votes pro abortion..........
 
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