Political Crossfire Forums

[JLB]

Abramoff Reports to Prison; Officials Focus on Reid, Others (Reid implicated in Ambramoff scandal)
ABC News ^ | 11/15/2006 | ABC News Alert


As convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff reported to federal prison today, a source close to the investigation surrounding his activities told ABC News that Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) was one of the members of Congress Abramoff had allegedly implicated in his cooperation with federal prosecutors.

A spokesperson for Reid, elected yesterday as the Senate Majority Leader, said the senator had done nothing illegal or unethical.

"We have no idea what Abramoff is telling prosecutors to save his skin, but I do know that these kind of old allegations are completely ridiculous and untrue," Sen. Reid's spokesman Jim Manley told ABC News.

A source close to the investigation says Abramoff told prosecutors that more than $30,000 in campaign contributions to Reid from Abramoff's clients "were no accident and were in fact requested by Reid."

Abramoff has reportedly claimed the Nevada senator agreed to help him on matters related to Indian gambling.

The Associated Press reported earlier this year that Reid wrote at least four letters helpful to the tribes that had contributed money to his campaign.

Reid has denied there was any connection between the letters and the contributions and has said he is a longtime opponent of certain kinds of Indian reservation gambling.

The AP reported that Reid acknowledged "routine contacts" with Abramoff's lobbying partners and intervening to block rival tribal casinos.

The AP also reported that Abramoff's billing records showed extensive contact with Reid's office over a three-year period in which Reid collected more than $68,000 from Abramoff's firm, partners and clients.

Prosecutors have said that Abramoff's cooperation is essential to the corruption investigation, but, so far, they have brought only one prosecution against a member of Congress connected to Abramoff, Republican Bob Ney of Ohio, who resigned.

The source said prosecutors do not intend to rely solely on Abramoff's account of events, and his allegations against Reid and others will not necessarily result in criminal charges.

Sources close to the federal investigation say Abramoff has offered testimony about his contacts with "six to eight seriously corrupt Democratic senators" and an ever larger number of Republican members of Congress.

In addition to Reid, the sources say Abramoff has been most closely questioned about his contacts with Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.), who was defeated in last week's election.

"Being defeated may have been one of the best things that ever happened to Burns," said a source close to the investigation. "There is much more interest in members of Congress who are still in office," the source said.

Burns, who received more than $150,000 in Abramoff-connected campaign contributions, has strongly denied any wrongdoing and returned the money.

Sen. Reid has been an outspoken critic of the connections between Abramoff and Republican legislators. :lol:

In a speech earlier this year, Sen. Reid described it as "a program where the lobbyists paid and the Republican members of Congress played."

The Justice Department said it would have no comment on the ongoing Abramoff investigation.

http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2006/11/abramoff_report_1.html



OK, so there goes another blow to the "most ethical Congress in history". :lol:

It looks like Harry Reid will be going down, and dragging the Democrats with him.

All this before they even take office..

[Richard Owl Mirror]

Fine, if the guy is guilty he should not be a US Senator.

I'm waiting for the report on Karl Rove's association with Abrahmoff to come to light.
I bet FOXNEWS will break the news first !

How many times did he visit karl inside the Whitehouse again? 100's of times?

[Moracca]

Reid's spokesman wrote: "We have no idea what Abramoff is telling prosecutors to save his skin, but I do know that these kind of old allegations are completely ridiculous and untrue," Sen. Reid's spokesman Jim Manley told ABC News.

Whoppers That Fart? How is Abramoff "saving his own skin" when he's been sentenced already? Was Abramoff going to be tried once for links to neo-cons and once for ties to leftists or something? :lol: Typical liberal spin.

Anyway, down goes The Man even before his ascension.

Okay Dems, who's the majority leader going to be now? Robert Byrd? Ted Kennedy?

:rotf:

[Republicant]

OK, so there goes another blow to the "most ethical Congress in history"

How about almost ? or could have been ? :lol: :lol: :lol:


hmmm Ted Kennedy , Majority Leader ..........Could happen at least until Bill asks him to drive Hillary home from the 2008 DNC :wink: :wink:

[JoeBen81]

Moracca wrote: Reid's spokesman wrote: "We have no idea what Abramoff is telling prosecutors to save his skin, but I do know that these kind of old allegations are completely ridiculous and untrue," Sen. Reid's spokesman Jim Manley told ABC News.

Whoppers That Fart? How is Abramoff "saving his own skin" when he's been sentenced already? Was Abramoff going to be tried once for links to neo-cons and once for ties to leftists or something? :lol: Typical liberal spin.

Anyway, down goes The Man even before his ascension.

Okay Dems, who's the majority leader going to be now? Robert Byrd? Ted Kennedy?

:rotf:
I'm still holding out for American Hero, Jane Fonda.

[JLB]

Richard Owl Mirror wrote: Fine, if the guy is guilty he should not be a US Senator.

I'm waiting for the report on Karl Rove's association with Abrahmoff to come to light.
I bet FOXNEWS will break the news first !

How many times did he visit karl inside the Whitehouse again? 100's of times?


The DEMOCRAT LEADER IS CORRUPT!!!!!

Say it with me. 8:)

[JLB]

Moracca wrote: Reid's spokesman wrote: "We have no idea what Abramoff is telling prosecutors to save his skin, but I do know that these kind of old allegations are completely ridiculous and untrue," Sen. Reid's spokesman Jim Manley told ABC News.

Whoppers That Fart? How is Abramoff "saving his own skin" when he's been sentenced already? Was Abramoff going to be tried once for links to neo-cons and once for ties to leftists or something? :lol: Typical liberal spin.

Anyway, down goes The Man even before his ascension.

Okay Dems, who's the majority leader going to be now? Robert Byrd? Ted Kennedy?

:rotf:

I think Biden, as he's only a plagarist. 8:)

[Kilo Tango]

Moracca wrote: Reid's spokesman wrote: "We have no idea what Abramoff is telling prosecutors to save his skin, but I do know that these kind of old allegations are completely ridiculous and untrue," Sen. Reid's spokesman Jim Manley told ABC News.

Whoppers That Fart? How is Abramoff "saving his own skin" when he's been sentenced already? Was Abramoff going to be tried once for links to neo-cons and once for ties to leftists or something? :lol: Typical liberal spin.

Anyway, down goes The Man even before his ascension.

Okay Dems, who's the majority leader going to be now? Robert Byrd? Ted Kennedy?

:rotf: Hmmm, that's a toughie...KKK or murderer. :think:

Maybe William Jefferson's fingers are dethawed enough to sign up for the job. :lol:

[JLB]

Kilo Tango wrote: Moracca wrote: Reid's spokesman wrote: "We have no idea what Abramoff is telling prosecutors to save his skin, but I do know that these kind of old allegations are completely ridiculous and untrue," Sen. Reid's spokesman Jim Manley told ABC News.

Whoppers That Fart? How is Abramoff "saving his own skin" when he's been sentenced already? Was Abramoff going to be tried once for links to neo-cons and once for ties to leftists or something? :lol: Typical liberal spin.

Anyway, down goes The Man even before his ascension.

Okay Dems, who's the majority leader going to be now? Robert Byrd? Ted Kennedy?

:rotf: Hmmm, that's a toughie...KKK or murderer. :think:

Maybe William Jefferson's fingers are dethawed enough to sign up for the job. :lol:

I think "Alcoholic Womanizing Russian Spying Manslaughterer" is a more appropriate term for Kennedy.

Oh yeah, and he's fat too. :lol:

[JLB]

OBAMA!




No wait.........



Quote: Obama Land Deal Clouds Senator's Image
NPR.ORG ^ | 11/16/2006 | David Schaper



Morning Edition, November 16, 2006 · Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) admits he made a mistake when he purchased land from an indicted political fundraiser. Obama made the purchase to enlarge the yard around his south-side Chicago mansion. The deal has cast a shadow across Obama's public image.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6495810

Quote: Mr. Obama's relationship with wheeler-dealer Tony Rezko has surfaced. Mr. Rezko was recently indicted for alleged kickback schemes involving another other inspirational Illinois Democrat, Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Obama says he regrets a land deal he made with Rezko, even though he insists there was no impropriety.

Maybe there's not, but he needs to work on his story.

The senator told the Chicago Sun-Times he's known Tony Rezko for years, having lunch with him probably once or twice a year. When Obama decided to buy a $1.65 million mansion in Chicago last year, he approached Rezko who "developed an interest" and purchased adjoining land.

The closing on the properties took place the same day. The Obamas paid $300,000 less than the asking price; the Rezkos paid the full price. A few months later, Obama, wanting to increase the size of his backyard, bought a strip of Rezko's property for $104,500.

As the Sun-Times story noted: "The transaction occurred at a time when it was widely known Tony Rezko was under investigation by U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald and as other Illinois politicians befriended by Rezko distanced themselves from him."
The senator estimates that Mr. Rezko raised between $50,000 to $60,000 for Obama's campaign. Moreover, he personally gave the candidate $11,500, which the senator has since donated to charity.

Let me get this straight. You have lunch with a guy once or twice a year. When you decide to buy a mansion, he's the first person you contact so that he can "develop an interest." And he's under Federal investigation. Yeah, that sounds like someone you'd want to cozy up to.

Could it be – gasp! – that Oprah's designated president isn't quite ready for prime time?
http://www.enterstageright.com/archive/articles/1106/1106obamaspeedbump.htm




:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Free Thinkr]

But... but... the Dems are going to clean house!


Hmmm... maybe they meant they're going to steal the furniture or something.

[Prof_2k7]

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Dookiestix]

Quote: As convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff reported to federal prison today, a source close to the investigation surrounding his activities told ABC News that Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) was one of the members of Congress Abramoff had allegedly implicated in his cooperation with federal prosecutors.

A spokesperson for Reid, elected yesterday as the Senate Majority Leader, said the senator had done nothing illegal or unethical.

"We have no idea what Abramoff is telling prosecutors to save his skin, but I do know that these kind of old allegations are completely ridiculous and untrue," Sen. Reid's spokesman Jim Manley told ABC News.

A source close to the investigation says Abramoff told prosecutors that more than $30,000 in campaign contributions to Reid from Abramoff's clients "were no accident and were in fact requested by Reid."

Abramoff has reportedly claimed the Nevada senator agreed to help him on matters related to Indian gambling.

The Associated Press reported earlier this year that Reid wrote at least four letters helpful to the tribes that had contributed money to his campaign.

Reid has denied there was any connection between the letters and the contributions and has said he is a longtime opponent of certain kinds of Indian reservation gambling.

The AP reported that Reid acknowledged "routine contacts" with Abramoff's lobbying partners and intervening to block rival tribal casinos.

The AP also reported that Abramoff's billing records showed extensive contact with Reid's office over a three-year period in which Reid collected more than $68,000 from Abramoff's firm, partners and clients.

Prosecutors have said that Abramoff's cooperation is essential to the corruption investigation, but, so far, they have brought only one prosecution against a member of Congress connected to Abramoff, Republican Bob Ney of Ohio, who resigned.

The source said prosecutors do not intend to rely solely on Abramoff's account of events, and his allegations against Reid and others will not necessarily result in criminal charges.

Sources close to the federal investigation say Abramoff has offered testimony about his contacts with "six to eight seriously corrupt Democratic senators" and an ever larger number of Republican members of Congress.

In addition to Reid, the sources say Abramoff has been most closely questioned about his contacts with Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.), who was defeated in last week's election.

"Being defeated may have been one of the best things that ever happened to Burns," said a source close to the investigation. "There is much more interest in members of Congress who are still in office," the source said.

Burns, who received more than $150,000 in Abramoff-connected campaign contributions, has strongly denied any wrongdoing and returned the money.

Sen. Reid has been an outspoken critic of the connections between Abramoff and Republican legislators.

In a speech earlier this year, Sen. Reid described it as "a program where the lobbyists paid and the Republican members of Congress played."

The Justice Department said it would have no comment on the ongoing Abramoff investigation.
It's all in the font size, I guess...

Where is Congress going to draw the line on corruption? That is the biggest quesetion here. Obviously, there are alot more Republicans than Dems who are being implicated here. If the standard applies to Reid, then it should apply to all.

The Dems may still clean house, but not before they deal with some of their own as well.

[homerjay_s]

I'm curious as to why the focus is on Democrats when the majority of people named by Abramoff are Republicans.

You neocon appologists are f***ing digusting. As if Harry Reid being corrupt makes it okay for your whole party to have run under one big tent of back scratching quid pro quo legislation fire sale.

It's quite sad how you all want to make a big joke of the fact that our government is corrupt.

Let the investigations proceed.

[Heinz]

Quote: You neocon appologists are f***ing digusting. As if Harry Reid being corrupt makes it okay for your whole party to have run under one big tent of back scratching quid pro quo legislation fire sale.

You could be disgusting for incorrectly assuming that this was merely a Republican issue....

But I agree that people of certain parties shouldn't try and claim fame for being less corrupt over the other...Quite stupid really.

:lol:

[JLB]

Free Thinkr wrote: But... but... the Dems are going to clean house!


Hmmm... maybe they meant they're going to steal the furniture or something.


There won't be any Democrats left! :lol:

[JLB]

[quote="Dookiestix"] Quote: As convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff reported to federal prison today, a source close to the investigation surrounding his activities told ABC News that Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) was one of the members of Congress Abramoff had allegedly implicated in his cooperation with federal prosecutors.

A spokesperson for Reid, elected yesterday as the Senate Majority Leader, said the senator had done nothing illegal or unethical.

"We have no idea what Abramoff is telling prosecutors to save his skin, but I do know that these kind of old allegations are completely ridiculous and untrue," Sen. Reid's spokesman Jim Manley told ABC News.

A source close to the investigation says Abramoff told prosecutors that more than $30,000 in campaign contributions to Reid from Abramoff's clients "were no accident and were in fact requested by Reid."

Abramoff has reportedly claimed the Nevada senator agreed to help him on matters related to Indian gambling.

The Associated Press reported earlier this year that Reid wrote at least four letters helpful to the tribes that had contributed money to his campaign.

Reid has denied there was any connection between the letters and the contributions and has said he is a longtime opponent of certain kinds of Indian reservation gambling.

The AP reported that Reid acknowledged "routine contacts" with Abramoff's lobbying partners and intervening to block rival tribal casinos.

The AP also reported that Abramoff's billing records showed extensive contact with Reid's office over a three-year period in which Reid collected more than $68,000 from Abramoff's firm, partners and clients.

Prosecutors have said that Abramoff's cooperation is essential to the corruption investigation, but, so far, they have brought only one prosecution against a member of Congress connected to Abramoff, Republican Bob Ney of Ohio, who resigned.

The source said prosecutors do not intend to rely solely on Abramoff's account of events, and his allegations against Reid and others will not necessarily result in criminal charges.

Sources close to the federal investigation say Abramoff has offered testimony about his contacts with "six to eight seriously corrupt Democratic senators" and an ever larger number of Republican members of Congress.

In addition to Reid, the sources say Abramoff has been most closely questioned about his contacts with Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.), who was defeated in last week's election.

"Being defeated may have been one of the best things that ever happened to Burns," said a source close to the investigation. "There is much more interest in members of Congress who are still in office," the source said.

Burns, who received more than $150,000 in Abramoff-connected campaign contributions, has strongly denied any wrongdoing and returned the money.

Sen. Reid has been an outspoken critic of the connections between Abramoff and Republican legislators.

In a speech earlier this year, Sen. Reid described it as "a program where the lobbyists paid and the Republican members of Congress played."

The Justice Department said it would have no comment on the ongoing Abramoff investigation.
It's all in the font size, I guess...

Quote: Where is Congress going to draw the line on corruption? That is the biggest quesetion here.

Certainly it doesn't matter to you, who backed Murtha. 8:)


Quote: Obviously, there are alot more Republicans than Dems who are being implicated here. If the standard applies to Reid, then it should apply to all.

I see all sorts of Republicans who have been implicated resigning, and yet the Democrats won't.....

Has Jeffords resigned yet?


Quote: The Dems may still clean house, but not before they deal with some of their own as well.

They won't be in the majority if they do. 8:)

[Quell]

Prof_2k7 wrote:

And I love hypocrites...Plenty to love to go around on this thread.

[homerjay_s]

Heinz wrote: Quote: You neocon appologists are f***ing digusting. As if Harry Reid being corrupt makes it okay for your whole party to have run under one big tent of back scratching quid pro quo legislation fire sale.

You could be disgusting for incorrectly assuming that this was merely a Republican issue....

But I agree that people of certain parties shouldn't try and claim fame for being less corrupt over the other...Quite stupid really.

:lol:

When did I make that assumption?

[Free Thinkr]

homerjay_s wrote: I'm curious as to why the focus is on Democrats when the majority of people named by Abramoff are Republicans.
Because, this was supposedly a Republican problem, and the Dems ran largely on corruption, yet, here is a Dem top-dog being implicated.

Quote: You neocon appologists are f***ing digusting. As if Harry Reid being corrupt makes it okay for your whole party to have run under one big tent of back scratching quid pro quo legislation fire sale.
Who said it made anything ok? It just shows that the Dems running on a house-cleaning platform is a joke.

Quote: It's quite sad how you all want to make a big joke of the fact that our government is corrupt.

Let the investigations proceed.
Gotta laugh to keep from crying.