Dean: White House Must Tell the Truth About Abramoff Ties

[UpInArms]

WASHINGTON, Jan. 6 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The Democratic National Committee released the following today, regarding Jack Abramoff:

One day after former Republican mega-lobbyist and major Bush fundraiser Jack Abramoff pleaded guilty to three federal crimes, the White House gave back merely $6,000 in donations made by Abramoff to the President's re-election campaign, but kept the more than $100,000 that Abramoff personally and directly raised for Bush-Cheney '04. Given what we now know, Abramoff's shady business practices and influence peddling calls into question what meetings he set up or organized for his clients with Administration officials.

Based on news reports alone, it's clear Abramoff's network reached deep into the White House and was used to reap significant fees from his clients. Specifically, Abramoff charged multi-million dollar fees to arrange meetings with Bush as well as access to senior White House officials for his clients.

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean called on the Bush White House to come clean regarding the extent of the contact between Abramoff and senior White House officials:

"Because President Bush has yet to return the more than $100,000 in money Jack Abramoff personally raised for him, and given reports of his extensive dealings with senior White House officials, the Administration has a responsibility to disclose their contacts and detail their relationship with this admitted felon.

"As a Bush Pioneer, Abramoff bragged about the influence he held at the White House, as did his former lobbying partner who claimed that Abramoff had direct access to the President. Abramoff also arranged meetings with the President and members of the Bush Administration for his clients, who later received favorable treatment.

...much more...

Hey Howard! :yourock:

[blm]

1. Corruption - do not tire of using that word, Dems.

It tells the story of the GOP for the last 40 years.

[UpInArms]

2. their relationship with this admitted felon

I really like that line - especially in light of Snotty Scotty saying "alleged" after Dirty Jack pleaded guilty.

[Yoda Yada]

4. And "Culture of Cronyism" should not be far behind. n/t

[blm]

5. Absolutely..

.

[Bake]

3. Like they're really going to start now ...

sigh.

Bake

[lavenderdiva]

6. You go Dr. Dean!

:applause:

[shanti]

7. now doctor....

the wh wouldn't know the truth if it bit them in the arse!

[Dr Fate]

8. He needs to go on TV and say it, or write an Op-Ed. n/t

n/t

[sandnsea]

9. I gotta give it up for Dean on this one

I noticed that paltry $6,000 amount and wondered if they were going to get away with it. Good for Dean. Dump this right into Bush's lap.

[realFedUp]

10. keep talking Doc....nt

[joeunderdog]

11. Let's hear it:

How far does a hundred grand go nowadays?

Bush is already so filthy I don't think anyone is really noticing.

[stop the bleeding]

12. We're gonna demand the truth all the way to the White House

Kkkkeeerrrrraaaaawwahhhhh!

[DemonFighterLives]

13. Keep up the pressure Howard!

"Jack has a relationship with the President," Abramoff's former spokesman and fellow lobbyist Michael Scanlon once said. "He doesn't have a bat phone or anything, but if he wanted an appointment, he would have one."

It wasn't called a batphone, but could be called the "Corruption Phone"
or something in the equivalent. This says a lot about the damn dirty president.
Graft Line - Is this the party to whom I am speaking?
:kick:

[WhiteTara]

14. Go Howard! n/t

[goforit]

15. Do what it takes Dean....stop at nothing!

[ninkasi]

16. Go, Howard!

Although, truth be told, it would be the first thing Bush has ever told the American people the truth about. Well, no, there is one thing...his comment about the job being easier if it was a dictatorship, as long as he is the dictator. He WAS telling the truth then.

[NoodleyAppendage]

17. Dean focuses on Shrub. Kerry focuses on Robertson.

$100,000 of tainted money from a confessed felon to aid in WH election vs. dementing religious nut not in WH. Now, which Dem leader chose the right fight? Dean or Kerry?

I think the answer is obvious. And, yet another example of Dean showing that he's not afraid to stick his neck out and go for the big guys.

JB