NationStates Jolt Archive

...while Scott McClellan denies Bush ever meeting him and Bush says he can't remember ever meeting him, before admitting he had pictures taken with Abramoff.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11261495/

WASHINGTON - Jack Abramoff said in correspondence made public Thursday that President Bush met him “almost a dozen” times, disputing White House claims Bush did not know the former lobbyist at the center of a corruption scandal.
...
Abramoff added that Bush also once invited him to his Texas ranch.
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Bush has said he never had a discussion with Abramoff and does not remember having his picture taken with him.

The White House has said Abramoff attended three Hanukkah receptions at the White House.
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Abramoff raised more than $100,000 for Bush’s 2004 re-election campaign, a feat that won him an invitation to Bush’s ranch in August 2003, the National Journal reported at the time.

“I was invited during the 2004 campaign,” Abramoff told Eisler.


Here's an interesting exchange between Bush and several reporters that took place on Jan. 26:

REPORTER 1: What do you hear or your staff hear about releasing of photographs of Jack Abramoff with you, Mr. President? If you say you don't fear anything, tell us why you won't release them?
DUBYA: She's asking about a person who admitted to wrongdoing and who needs to be prosecuted for that. There is a serious investigation going on, as there should be. The American people have got to have confidence in the -- in the ethics of all branches of government. You're asking about pictures -- I had my picture taken with him, evidently. I've had my picture taken with a lot of people. Having my picture taken with someone doesn't mean that I'm a friend with them or know them very well. I've had my picture taken with you -- at holiday parties. My point is, I mean, there's thousands of people that come through and get their pictures taken. I'm also mindful that we live in a world in which those pictures will be used for pure political purposes, and they're not relevant to the investigation.
REPORTER 1: Do you know how many?
DUBYA: I don't have any idea.
...
REPORTER 2: Mr. President, you talked about Jack Abramoff in the context of pictures, but it may not necessarily just be about pictures. He also had some meetings with some of your staff. So you remember, you ran on the idea of restoring honesty and integrity to the White House. So why are you letting your critics perhaps attack you and paint you with maybe a guilt by association? Why not just throw open your books and say, look, here is --
DUBYA: There is a serious investigation going on by federal prosecutors, and that's their job. And they will -- if they believe something was done inappropriately in the White House, they'll come and look, and they're welcome to do so. There's a serious investigation that's going on.
REPORTER 2: But, sir, don't you want to tell the American people look, as I promised, this White House isn't for sale and I'm not for sale?
DUBYA: It's hard for me to say I didn't have pictures with the guy when I did. But I have also had pictures with thousands and thousands of people. I mean, people -- it's part of the job of the President to shake hands and -- with people and smile. And I do. And the man contributed to my campaigns, but he contributed, either directly or through his clients, to a lot of people in Washington. And this needs to be cleared up so the people have confidence in the system.
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REPORTER 3: Can I ask you again, why won't you release the photos of yourself with Jack Abramoff?
DUBYA: I just answered the question.
-- Actually, there were two different questions being asked, and he only answered the other one, White House, Jan. 26, 2006

It doesn't appear that Bush's hands are exactly stain-free of Abramoff and his corruption.

Well, obviously this Abramoff character is teh evil liberal partisan. And besides, "Abramoff"? Sounds sorta Russian doesn't it?

God-damn Reds!!!

I'm waiting for Laura Bush to start talking about the "Vast Left-Wing Conspiracy" against her husband.

That would be a hoot and a half!

Well, obviously this Abramoff character is teh evil liberal partisan. And besides, "Abramoff"? Sounds sorta Russian doesn't it?

God-damn Reds!!!
that couldn't be farther from the truth, but since you're not living in America, I'll excuse you:p. A run down of the Abramoff scandle for our international folk: Abramoff represented three Native Am. tribes and promised them each the same piece of land in exchange for large sums of money (if I'm remembering correctly, it had the same effect, at any rate). He then went on to buy massive amounts of influence in Washington. He gave senators and representatives golf trips to the finest courses, and wined and dined many of them, until his corruption hit the surface. Now everyone is trying to distance themselves from him, and representatives and senators are returning the money Abramoff gave them, and now the President is caught in the mess, and he and his staff are trying to deny it.

I think this incident is going to reflect badly enough on the Republican congress without democrats feeling the need to go after Bush, especially given the fact the mid-terms are less than 9 months away and gains in the house ought be a lot more important right now than presidential ratings.

Well, obviously this Abramoff character is teh evil liberal partisan. And besides, "Abramoff"? Sounds sorta Russian doesn't it?

God-damn Reds!!!

Actually, Abramhoff seems to have touched nearly everyone of significance on the Hill, directly or indirectly.

Note that he doesn't have to actually write the check. It's good enough if Abramhoff testifies that he told his aides or some Indian tribe to write the good President, Senator, or Congressman a check - and then he testifies that he talked about an arrangement, and then if there's a pattern of voting or speechmaking in concert with the payments...

For example, Senator Reid seems to think he's in the clear because Abramhoff did not directly write him a check. But Abramhoff says that he instructed specific Indian tribes to write checks to Reid - and while Reid never met Abramhoff directly, there was contact through intermediaries - and votes that coincide with the payments.

My guess is that if it's as big as I think it is, half the people up there, from the President on down, Republican and Democrat alike, may be up to their ankles head down in the crap.

It will be funny to hear them say (as they do now) that either they didn't take money directly, or they never met him, or it's the other party's problem.

And then, Abramhoff will sing...

It doesn't appear that Bush's hands are exactly stain-free of Abramoff and his corruption.
It would also appear that Bush's memory was conveniently neglected or insufficient, given how easy it was to find out Abramoff was a Pioneer AND Bush had decided almost right away to return about $6000. Not the kind of thing somebody does about someone they never had anything to do with.
Cute how certain disingenuous posters opted to attempt an attack on the party they always attack by starting a thread on their speculation/spin/talking points (so how's it feel to want?) ;)

Well, obviously this Abramoff character is teh evil liberal partisan. And besides, "Abramoff"? Sounds sorta Russian doesn't it?

God-damn Reds!!!
Um, he's a lobbyist who funneled alot of money to republican politicians and worked on behalf of a conservative christian group for a while. Hardly a liberal or a commie.

Actually, Abramhoff seems to have touched nearly everyone of significance on the Hill, directly or indirectly.
I sense a harrassment suit...if people can find that sort of dirt on him... :D

Notice how Shrub hangs around with big money until they become very inconvenient? Then all of a sudden he's never met them.

*coughcoughKennyBoycoughcough*

only a matter of time before Bush goes to trial for something

only a matter of time before Bush goes to trial for something

The sooner the better. They're attempting to parlay this off into the next admin, and with some manipulation, they'll get some pardons.

*ahem*
http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/02/16/bush.pardon.ap/index.html
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush pardoned a former mayor of Plano, Texas, who pleaded guilty to bank fraud in 1996, the Justice Department announced Monday.

David B. McCall Jr., who is battling cancer, served six months in prison for his role in fraudulent loans at the Plano Savings and Loan Association, which failed in the mid-1980s. (see Silverado!)
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http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/09/28/politics/main889049.shtml
(CBS/AP) President Bush granted pardons Wednesday to 14 people, including a member of the mineworkers union who was convicted for his role in bombings at a West Virginia coal mine, a counterfeiter and a bootlegger. (Tough on terror!)

Jesse Ray Harvey of Scarbro, W.Va., was given a 25-month sentence in 1990 after his conviction for using explosives to damage Milburn Colliery. The mine had been the target of a long strike by about 45 members of a United Mine Workers local.
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Some pardons, like the one Mr. Ford gave Nixon in 1974, protect recipients from going to jail or reduce their sentences. But Mr. Bush has granted clemency mainly to allow people who committed relatively minor offenses and served their sentences long ago to clear their names.

Others granted pardons Wednesday were:


Gene Armand Bridger, Elkhart, Ind., conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud, sentenced May 29, 1963, to five years probation.


Cathryn Iline Clasen-Gage, Rockwall, Texas, misprision of a felony, sentenced Aug. 21, 1992, to 18 months in prison and a year of supervised release.


Thomas Kimble Collinsworth, Buckner, Ark., receipt of a stolen motor vehicle that had been transported in interstate commerce, sentenced Aug. 22, 1989, to three years probation and a $5,000 fine.


Morris F. Cranmer Jr., Little Rock, Ark., making materially false statements to a federally insured institution, sentenced March 30, 1988 to nine months in jail.


Rusty Lawrence Elliott, Mount Pleasant, Tenn., making counterfeit money, sentenced April 26, 1991, to a year and a day in prison, two years supervised release and a $500 fine.


Adam Wade Graham, Salt Lake City, Utah, conspiracy to deliver 10 or more grams of LSD, sentenced Nov. 23, 1992 to 30 months in prison and five years of supervised release, including 250 hours of community service.


Rufus Edward Harris, Canon, Ga., possession of tax-unpaid whiskey, sentenced June 17, 1963, to two years in prison, possession and sale of tax-unpaid whiskey. He also was on May 28, 1970 to five years in prison, later reduced to two years probation.


Larry Paul Lenius, Moorhead, Minn., conspiracy to distribute cocaine, sentenced Sept. 29, 1989, to 36 months probation and payment of $2,500 in restitution.


Larry Lee Lopez, Bokeelia, Fla., conspiracy to import marijuana, sentenced July 19, 1985 to three years probation.


Bobbie Archie Maxwell, Lansing, Mich., mailing a threatening letter, sentenced Sept. 6, 1962, to 12 months probation.


Denise Bitters Mendelkow, Salt Lake City, Utah, embezzlement by a bank employee, sentenced May 21, 1981, to two years probation.


Michael John Pozorski, Schofield, Wis., unlawful possession of an unregistered firearm, sentenced Sept. 14, 1988, to four years probation and payment of a $750 fine.


Mark Lewis Weber, Sherwood, Ark., selling Quaalude tablets, selling, using and possessing marijuana, sentenced Aug. 20, 1981, following Air Force court-martial to 30 months confinement at hard labor, forfeiture of 30 months pay at $334 a month and a dishonorable discharge.

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http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/december2005/221205bushpardons.htm
Bush Pardons Convicted Coke Dealer

Tillie Fong and Hector Gutierrez, Rocky Mountain News | December 22 2005

FLASHBACK: Jenna Bush's ID In Possession of Coke Dealer

A Denver lawyer was pardoned Tuesday by President Bush for drug-related crimes she committed more than two decades ago.
Wendy St. Charles, now 49, was among 11 people who received presidential pardons.

In 1984, she was sentenced to four years in prison in Illinois for conspiracy to conduct a narcotics enterprise and distribution of cocaine, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
--
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_pardoned_by_George_W._Bush
As of December 2005, US President George W. Bush had issued 69 presidential pardons. The following is a partial list.

Alan Dale Austin (1987 misapplication of mortgage funds)
Bruce Louis Bartos (1987 transportation of a machine gun in foreign commerce)
David Thomas Billmyer (1978 military conviction for making a false claim)
Carl E. Cantrell (1966 moonshining)
Charles Winston Carter (1964 conspiracy to steal government property)
Meredith Elizabeth Casares (1989 embezzlement of US Postal Service funds)
Charles Russell Cooper (1959 bootlegging)
William Charles Davis (1983 income tax evasion)
Paul Jude Donnici (1993 transmission of wagering information)
Gerald Douglas Ficke (1992 money laundering)
Harper James Finucan (1980 marijuana possession with intent to distribute)
Joseph Daniel Gavin (1979 military insubordination, drunkenness, threats, and other offenses)
Samuel Wattie Guerry (1984 food stamp fraud)
Charles E. Hamilton (1989 mail fraud)
Brianna Lea Haney (1991 failure to report monetary instruments)
David Custer Heaston (1988 false statement)
Bobby Frank Kay Sr. (1959 moonshining)
Richard Ardell Krueger (1979 mail fraud and 1980 false statement on a loan application)
Raul Marin (1982 failure to appear in court)
Melvin L. McKee (1982 conspiracy to make false statements on a loan application)
Charles McKinley, (1950 moonshining)
Michael Mark McLaughlin (1983 mail fraud and conspiracy)
Michael Robert Moelter (1988 illegal gambling business)
Billie Curtis Moore (1977 income tax evasion)
Richard Arthur Morse (1963 transportation of a stolen vehicle)
Kenneth Lynn Norris (1993 unlawful disposal of hazardous waste)
Donald Lee Pendergrass (1964 armed bank robbery)
Fred Dale Pitzer (1976 transportation of falsely made securities)
Charles Blurford Power (1948 transportation of a stolen vehicle)
James Edward Reed (1975 marijuana possession with intent to distribute)
Cecil John Rhodes (1981 false statement on a loan application)
Ernest Rudnet (1992 conspiracy to file false tax returns)
Gary L. Saltzburg (1995 theft of government property)
John Gregory Schillace (1988 conspiracy to possess cocaine for distribution)
Russell Don Sell (1995 aiding and abetting a false statement on a loan application)
Scott LaVerne Sparks (1989 theft of government property)
Wendy St. Charles (1984 conspiracy to trade narcotics and cocaine distribution)
David Lloyd St. Croix (1989 disposal of stolen explosives)
Johnson Heyward Tisdale (1994 food stamp fraud)
Joseph William Warner (1995 arson on an Indian reservation)
--
Now i'm somewhat inclined to review a few of these folk, on hunch ... but i doubt i have the time, really. A maybe as of yet.

I want Bush's political carrier destroyed. I want the ranks of the neo cons and the religious righ infilitrated and destroyed politicaly of course. I do not want to see those idiots in power again.

I want Bush's political carrier destroyed. I want the ranks of the neo cons and the religious righ infilitrated and destroyed politicaly of course. I do not want to see those idiots in power again.
Seconded. It is an unfortunate conclusion of mine as well, as i don't like to be so absolutist.
As i'd said before, it is being reinforced more and more every day.

Gotta *bump* this.
Still topical.

You can't spell Jack Abramoff without 'Jackoff' :D

I'm waiting for Laura Bush to start talking about the "Vast Left-Wing Conspiracy" against her husband.

That would be a hoot and a half!

Na. It would be more in keeping with her style to say, "we don't know for sure if he's guilty, so why even investigate?"

It would also appear that Bush's memory was conveniently neglected or insufficient, given how easy it was to find out Abramoff was a Pioneer AND Bush had decided almost right away to return about $6000. Not the kind of thing somebody does about someone they never had anything to do with.
Cute how certain disingenuous posters opted to attempt an attack on the party they always attack by starting a thread on their speculation/spin/talking points (so how's it feel to want?) ;)
For those who don't know, a "Pioneer" is the title given to individuals who raised a minimum of $100,000.00US for the Bush/Cheney campaign. You don't forget people who give you that much money. Especially when they are personally, professionally, and financially connected to every other member of your political clique.

Um, he's a lobbyist who funneled alot of money to republican politicians and worked on behalf of a conservative christian group for a while. Hardly a liberal or a commie.
He was college buddies with the eerily ageless Ralph Reed (aka Dorian Gray?) who later declared himself religious and founded a movement -- was it the Moral Majority? One of those. At the time they were hanging out, Abramoff was a good, traditional Jew -- wore a yarmulke and the appropriate beard and everything. But when he started making money, all those outward signs of sincere belief went out the window to be replaced with "Godfather" references. This was about the same time Reed decided to be a big-shot Christian. Cynicism, anyone?

PS: My favorite Abramoff ancedote -- heard it on MSNBC -- was that when he was a student, Abramoff ran for student council president but was disqualified from the race for violating the school's rules about campaign financing. The principal apparently thought his expenditures so exceeded the allowed maximum and the money was spent so improperly that it amounted to corruption. When was this? When Abramoff was in the SIXTH GRADE. :D :D :D

So President Bush is involved with someone who we could say is extremely dubious both morally and financially.

Following in the grand tradition of the Presidency then...

So President Bush is involved with someone who we could say is extremely dubious both morally and financially.

Following in the grand tradition of the Presidency then...
Lke my granny used to say: Birds of a feather flock together.

I think this incident is going to reflect badly enough on the Republican congress without democrats feeling the need to go after Bush, especially given the fact the mid-terms are less than 9 months away and gains in the house ought be a lot more important right now than presidential ratings.

Well, you cannot neatly separate the two. Voters' evaluation of the sitting President often has more of an effect on their midterm votes than news about what's going on in Congress.

For those who don't know, a "Pioneer" is the title given to individuals who raised a minimum of $100,000.00US for the Bush/Cheney campaign. You don't forget people who give you that much money. Especially when they are personally, professionally, and financially connected to every other member of your political clique.
That and there are some very obvious posts online that qualify the status. The kind of thing a wiretapping, invasive president would probably come across pretty easily.

Well, you cannot neatly separate the two. Voters' evaluation of the sitting President often has more of an effect on their midterm votes than news about what's going on in Congress.
But if Bush is involved with Abramoff's dirty money, then that's not good for Bush's approval rating and the Republicans up for election/reelection.

You can't spell Jack Abramoff without 'Jackoff' :D
Of course, The Daily Show made a pretty clear case of that ... :D