The Truth In Arkansas Politics

“[D]on’t lump me in with Jack Abramoff. This is a Republican scandal. Don’t try to give any of it to me.” – Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) (Fox News’ “Fox News Sunday,” 12/18/05)

Is this really just a Republican scandal, Harry?



AP Details Reid’s Ties To Abramoff…
The Washington Post reports that Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid wrote “at least four letters helpful to Indian tribes represented” by Abramoff, and Reid’s staff “had frequent contact with the disgraced lobbyist’s team about legislation.” The activities, “detailed in previously unreported billing records and correspondence,” took place “over three years as Reid…collected nearly $68,000 in political donations from Abramoff’s firm, lobbying partners and clients.” Reid’s office “acknowledged having ‘routine contacts’ with Abramoff’s lobbying partners,” intervening “on government matters in ways that Abramoff's tribal clients might have deemed helpful…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. Abramoff's firm also hired one of Reid's top legislative aides as a lobbyist. The aide later helped throw a fundraiser for Reid at Abramoff's firm that raised money from several of Abramoff's lobbying partners.”