*:"the Abramoff scandal has sent a terrible signal to the American people"

[sabra]

http://today.reuters.com/news/NewsArticle.aspx?type=newsOne&storyID=uri:2006-02-02T175140Z_01_BAU260538_RTRUKOT_0_TEXT0.xml&pageNumber=2&summit=&related=True&src=cms

<snip>

Q So you think the lobbyists have gone too far in Washington?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think clearly the Abramoff scandal has sent a terrible signal to the American people, and we've got to examine what laws are necessary to prevent people from taking advantage of the system. Duke Cunningham pled guilty. He was a -- it was just outrageous behavior.

In terms of political consequences, I think a close scrutiny will show that people in both parties have been involved in lobbying, being lobbied. And therefore, people in both parties must come up with a solution. And that's why last night, I praised people in both parties for working on a solution.

Thanks, buddy.

Sorry buddy, this is a Republican scandal...

[bigscott]

1. being lobbied is not a crime

accepting bribes from abramoff, a convicted felon, is a crime