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Abramoff Ties
As more details of Harry's ties to lobbyist Jack Abramoff become visible, the Harry's hypocrisy on this scandal becomes even more evident.
No wonder the DNC says that Harry and his family are the symbol of what is wrong in Washington.
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Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) Claims The Abramoff Scandal Is Only "A Republican Scandal":
Reid: "[D]on't Lump Me In With Jack Abramoff. This Is A Republican Scandal. Don't Try To Give Any Of It To Me." (Fox News' "Fox News Sunday," 12/18/05)
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- 02.10.2006
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- 02.10.2006
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Reid: "[T]his Is A Republican Scandal. When The Justice Department Completes Its Investigation, This Will All Be Republicans Involved Criminally." (Judith Kohler, "Salazar, Reid Take Democratic Message To `Red States,'" The Associated Press, 1/10/06)
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- 01.10.2006
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In January 2006, Sen. Reid Went On "A Three-Day 'Red State' Tour To Lure Voters Back To The Democratic Party, And Said He Is Disillusioned At What He Called A 'Culture Of Corruption' Among Republicans In The Nation's Capital." ("In Idaho Appearance, Reid Bemoans Lack Of Morals In D.C.," The Associated Press, 1/13/06)
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- 01.13.2006
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Editorials From Around The Nation Blast "Hang Up Harry's" Shady Land Deal
The Oklahoman: "Will Congressional Democrats Call On U.S. Sen. Harry Reid To Resign?"
"Now That The Shoe's On The Other Foot, Will Congressional Democrats Call On U.S. Sen. Harry Reid To Resign?" "NOW THAT the shoe's on the other foot, will congressional Democrats call on U.S. Sen. Harry Reid to resign? . . . Reid, D-Nev., is accused of failing to account for a business transaction on which he made a $1.1 million windfall. The Associated Press reports that Reid never disclosed that he sold land to a friend's company in 2001 in exchange for an ownership stake in that company."
(Editorial, "Capitol Gains: The Trouble With Harry Is Ethics," The Oklahoman, October 13, 2006)
"House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi . . . . Should Hunt The Crocs In Her Own Party, Starting With Harry Reid." "Scandal: House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi wants to 'drain the swamp' after more than a decade of GOP rule. She should hunt the crocs in her own party, starting with Harry Reid."
(Editorial, "Harry Reid: Swamp Thing," Investors Business Daily, October 12, 2006)
The Philadelphia Inquirer: "Unless Reid Comes Up With A Better Explanation . . . Democrats Should Not Keep Him As Their Leader"
"So The Senate Democratic Leader Engaged In A Seven-Figure Handshake And Didn't Feel The Need To Disclose All The Details."
(Editorial, "Reid's Land Deal," Philadelphia Inquirer, October 13, 2006)
"Unless Reid Comes Up With A Better Explanation For This Lack Of Disclosure, Democrats Should Not Keep Him As Their Leader In The New Congress In 2007." "'Americans have been shocked and even disgusted by revelations of corruption in our current system by Republican lobbyists, senior Bush Administration officials, members of Congress, and former congressional staff,' Reid said in March. . . . That's how this case looks, too. Unless Reid comes up with a better explanation for this lack of disclosure, Democrats should not keep him as their leader in the new Congress in 2007."
(Editorial, "Reid's Land Deal," Philadelphia Inquirer, October 13, 2006)
The Washington Post: "Mr. Reid's Professions Of Transparency . . . Are Transparently Wrong"
Either Reid Was Just Sloppy In Reporting His Investment, Or "The Senator's Inaccurate Description Of The Investment Was An Effort To Disguise His Partnership With A Las Vegas Lawyer . . . Whose Name Has Surfaced In Federal Investigations Involving Organized Crime, Casinos And Political Bribery Since The 1980s."
(Editorial, "Mr. Reid's Nondisclosure," The Washington Post, October 13, 2006)
"[E]ither Way, An Associated Press Report About Mr. Reid's Dealings Doesn't Cast The Senator In An Attractive Light."
(Editorial, "Mr. Reid's Nondisclosure," The Washington Post, October 13, 2006)
"'Everything I Did Was Transparent,' Mr. Reid Said At A News Conference Wednesday, After The Story Broke. . . . Mr. Reid's Professions Of Transparency And Full Disclosure Are Transparently Wrong."
(Editorial, "Mr. Reid's Nondisclosure," The Washington Post, October 13, 2006)
Investor's Business Daily: "This Isn't The First Time"
"This Isn't The First Time The Honorable Harry Reid Has Been Caught With His Hands In The Cookie Jar." This isn't the first time the Honorable Harry Reid has been caught with his hands in the cookie jar. We've reported previously on other questionable land deals that have personally benefited him and his family, and where Reid used his political clout on behalf of contributors to benefit himself and his political activities."
(Editorial, "Harry Reid: Swamp Thing," Investors Business Daily, October 12, 2006)
"[W]hen It Comes To Questionable Ethics, Reid Is The Undisputed Heavyweight Champion."
(Editorial, "Harry Reid: Swamp Thing," Investors Business Daily, October 12, 2006)
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: "Reid Faces Too Many Questions About His Own Behavior To Crusade Against The Misdeeds Of Others"
"Reid Faces Too Many Questions About His Own Behavior To Crusade Against The Misdeeds Of Others." "Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid would be well advised to stop thundering about corruption in the Republican ranks or crying 'cover-up' over the GOP's failure to promptly and appropriately deal with former Rep. Mark Foley (R-Fla.) and his sexually explicit e-mails to congressional pages. Reid faces too many questions about his own behavior to crusade against the misdeeds of others."
(Editorial, "Sen. Reid Should Look In Mirror First," Atlanta Journal-Constitution, October 13, 2006)
"Unfortunately, Reid's Ethics Meter Only Seems To Work When It's Too Late."
(Editorial, "Sen. Reid Should Look In Mirror First," Atlanta Journal-Constitution, October 13, 2006)
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Various Newspapers - 10.13.2006
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New Reports Show Sen. Reid Received Contributions Recommended By Jack Abramoff:
"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.'" (John Solomon and Sharon Theimer, "Democratic Leader's Staff Routinely Met With Abramoff Team, Helped Clients," The Associated Press, 2/9/06)
"According To Documents And Tribal Officials Familiar With The Abramoff Team's Methods, The Lobbyists Devised Lengthy Lists Of Lawmakers To Whom The Tribes Should Donate And Then Delivered The Lists To The Tribes. The Tribes, In Turn, Wrote Checks To The Recommended Campaign Committees And In The Amounts The Lobbyists Prescribed." (Jeffrey H. Birnbaum and Derek Willis, "Democrats Also Got Tribal Donations," The Washington Post, 6/3/05)
"Among The Donations To Reid Was A $5,000 Contribution From The Coushatta Tribe Of Louisiana, An Abramoff Client That Was Trying To Block The Jena Band Of Choctaw Indians From Opening A Nearby Casino. The Donation Was Made To Reid's Political Action Committee, The Searchlight Leadership Fund ..." (Doug Abrahms, "Reid To Keep Donations From Abramoff Clients," Reno Gazette-Journal, 1/5/06)
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- 02.10.2006
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This story, broken over the weekend by a national Associated Press reporter, has infuriated Reid, who said Tuesday on "Face to Face" that he has been "hit with a few accusations, but this one is beyond the pale."
But it really isn't. Part of the problem is Reid's nonchalant and dismissive response. Reid told AP that he was simply trying to learn how federal regulation of boxing might affect Nevada's industry. "Anyone from Nevada would say I'm glad he is there taking care of the state's No. 1 businesses," he said.
Actually, I don't think there's one person in Nevada who would say that. Or believe that Reid needs to be close enough to the ring to catch an errant mouthpiece to see how federal regulation of boxing might affect Nevada's regulation of boxing.
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Jon Ralston, Las Vegas Sun - 06.01.2006
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Reports Indicate Sen. Reid Had "Routine Contacts" With "Team Abramoff" Lobbyists, Acted On Their Behalf:
"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." (John Solomon and Sharon Theimer, "Democratic Leader's Staff Routinely Met With Abramoff Team, Helped Clients," The Associated Press, 2/9/06)
"Ethics Rules Require Senators To Avoid Even The Appearance Of A Conflict Of Interest In Collecting Contributions Around The Times They Take Official Acts Benefiting Donors." (John Solomon and Sharon Theimer, "Democratic Leader's Staff Routinely Met With Abramoff Team, Helped Clients," The Associated Press, 2/9/06)
"Reid's Office Acknowledged ... 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." (John Solomon and Sharon Theimer, "Democratic Leader's Staff Routinely Met With Abramoff Team, Helped Clients," The Associated Press, 2/9/06)
"But Abramoff's Records Show His Lobbying Partners Billed For Nearly Two Dozen Phone Contacts Or Meetings With Reid's Office In 2001 Alone." (John Solomon and Sharon Theimer, "Democratic Leader's Staff Routinely Met With Abramoff Team, Helped Clients," The Associated Press, 2/9/06)
"Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid Wrote At Least Four Letters Helpful To Indian Tribes Represented By Jack Abramoff ..." (John Solomon and Sharon Theimer, "Democratic Leader's Staff Routinely Met With Abramoff Team, Helped Clients," The Associated Press, 2/9/06)
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- 02.10.2006
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Sen. Reid Took Thousands Of Dollars From Abramoff Affiliates, Refuses To Return The Contributions:
Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) Has Received $68,941 From Abramoff Affiliated Lobbying Firms And Indian Tribes. (Political Money Line Website, www.tray.com, Accessed 1/4/06)
Reid Was The Third Highest Individual Democrat Recipient Of Abramoff Affiliated Money. ("How Abramoff Spread The Wealth," The Washington Post, 12/12/05)
"U.S. Sen. Harry Reid Has No Plans To Return ... Political Donations From Clients Of Jack Abramoff, The Super Lobbyist Who Has Pleaded Guilty To Fraud And Conspiracy Charges." (Doug Abrahms, "Reid To Keep Donations From Abramoff Clients," Reno Gazette-Journal, 1/5/06)
Tessa Hafen, Reid Spokesman: "He's Done Nothing Wrong And Sees No Reason Why He Would Need To Donate It." (Doug Abrahms, "Reid To Keep Donations From Abramoff Clients," Reno Gazette-Journal, 1/5/06)
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- 02.10.2006
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Former Reid Staffer, Eddie Ayoob, Was "Team Abramoff's" Top Democrat At Greenberg Traurig:
"One Of The Marianas Contacts, Listed For May 30, 2001, Was With Edward Ayoob, Reid's Legislative Counsel. Within A Year, Ayoob Had Left Reid's Office To Work For Abramoff's Firm, Registering Specifically To Lobby For The Islands As Well As Several Tribes. Manley Confirmed Ayoob Had Subsequent Lobbying Contacts With Reid's Office." (John Solomon and Sharon Theimer, "Democratic Leader's Staff Routinely Met With Abramoff Team, Helped Clients," The Associated Press, 2/9/06)
"[A]bramoff Assembled A Group Of Lobbyists That Some In The Media Have Dubbed 'Team Abramoff.' ... [T]hey Included [Eddie] Ayoob, A Former Aide To Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., Who Is Now The Senate Minority Leader." (Paul Barton, "Lincoln Aide, Others Say $2,000 Isn't Abramoff-Linked," Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 1/6/06)
Even DNC Chair Howard Dean Said If Any Dems Wrote Letters On Behalf Of Indian Tribes Jack Abramoff Represented "That's A Big Problem":
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- 02.10.2006
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Fox News' Chris Wallace: "[I]f We Find That There Were Some Democrats Who Wrote Letters On Behalf Of Some Of The Indian Tribes That Abramoff Represented, Then What Do You Say, Sir?" (Fox News' "Fox News Sunday," 1/29/06)
DNC Chair Howard Dean: "That's A Big Problem, And Those Democrats Are In Trouble, And They Should Be In Trouble." (Fox News' "Fox News Sunday," 1/29/06)
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- 02.10.2006
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Harry and 31 democrats asked the Attorney General to remove himself from the Abramoff investigation due to "conflicts."
28 of those who signed the letter received money from Abramoff
Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) - $2,000
Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) - $21,765
Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) - $12,950
Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) - $22,500
Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) - $20,250
Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) - $14,792
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) - $14,000
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) - $2,000
Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) - $1,250
Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) - $45,750
Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-HI) - $9,000
Sen. Jim Jeffords (I-VT) - $2,000
Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) - $3,300
Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) - $95,550
Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) - $28,000
Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI) - $6,000
Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) - $10,550
Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) - $78,991
Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) - $20,168
Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) - $7,500
Sen. Mark Pryor (D-AR) - $2,300
Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) - $3,500
Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) - $4,000
Sen. Ken Salazar (D-CO) - $4,500
Sen. Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) - $4,300
Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) - $29,550
Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) - $6,250
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NoAgenda.org - 02.16.2006
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