Bush campaign to give Abramoff money to charity (Hahahahaha!)

[UpInArms]

http://today.reuters.com/investing/financeArticle.aspx?type=bondsNews&storyID=2006-01-04T143543Z_01_N04237414_RTRIDST_0_CRIME-ABRAMOFF-BUSH.XML

WASHINGTON, Jan 4 (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush's re-election campaign will give to charity several thousand dollars in contributions linked to lobbyist Jack Abramoff, the White House said on Wednesday.

Abramoff pleaded guilty to fraud charges on Tuesday and agreed to help U.S. prosecutors in a corruption probe that could involve several top Republican lawmakers, including former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay.

White House spokesman Scott McClellan said the money, for which he did not have a precise figure, came from either Abramoff, his wife or American Indian tribal interests that Abramoff represented.

The Bush-Cheney '04 campaign will give the money to the American Heart Association, said McClellan. He said giving the money to charity was consistent with past practice by the Bush-Cheney '04 campaign with campaign contributions from controversial individuals.

...more...



Oops! Sorry Georgie! That stink don't wash off!

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

1. Giving it to one of Abramoff's charities, no doubt. n/t

[rooboy]

2. It's all going to the "Free Tom without Delay" fund. n/t

[UpInArms]

3. Records show at least 200 contacts with *Co administration by Abramoff

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-01-04-abramoff-q-a_x.htm

excerpt:

A: Though many lawmakers and Bush administration officials deny knowing Abramoff, lobbying invoices for 2001 alone show more than 1,000 contacts between his lobbying team and members of Congress and at least 200 with the Bush administration in Bush's first 10 months in office. Campaign reports show hundreds of thousands of dollars flowing from Abramoff, his associates and clients to politicians' campaigns and political action committees, often around the time lawmakers took action on behalf of Abramoff's clients.

A former Bush administration official already has been charged in the case. David Safavian, the government's former chief procurement official, a former Abramoff lobbying colleague and a former aide to Utah Republican Rep. Chris Cannon, is accused of hiding from investigators the fact that Abramoff was trying to get government business when Safavian, then a General Services Administration official, went on a golf trip with him to Scotland in 2002.

Q: How many politicians are involved?

A: The corruption investigation is believed to be focusing on as many as 20 members of Congress and aides, including former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, and House Administration Committee Chairman Bob Ney, an Ohio Republican.

...more...

[flyarm]

11. AHHH YES CHRIS CANNON ..GOOD MORMON RIGHT???

AHHH YES THOSE GOOD CHRISTIANS..THE GOOD MORMON GUY...

[UpInArms]

23. Abramoff attended three Hanukkah receptions at the White House

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/print?id=1469408

excerpt:

Abramoff raised at least $100,000 for President Bush's 2004 re-election effort, earning the honorary title "pioneer" from the campaign. It was unclear how much exactly the campaign would be giving to charity since McClellan referred questions about the matter to the Republican National Committee, which did not immediately return phone calls about it.

McClellan said Bush does not know Abramoff personally, although it's possible that the two met at holiday receptions. Abramoff attended three Hanukkah receptions at the White House, the spokesman said.

<snip>

"The corruption scheme with Mr. Abramoff is very extensive and we will continue to follow it wherever it leads," said Assistant Attorney General Alice Fisher, head of the Justice Department's criminal division.

Court papers in Abramoff's case refer to an aide to then-House Majority Leader Tom DeLay who helped stop anti-gambling legislation regarding the Internet. Abramoff, the papers state, paid the staffer's wife $50,000 from clients that benefited from the actions of the staffer, identified by a person close to the investigation as Tony Rudy, DeLay's former deputy chief of staff.

...more...

[ClassWarrior]

4. We're sorry!! (Because we were caught.)

NGU.

[nookiemonster]

54. Yup. Always seems to work out that way, doesn't it?

Damn, I hate these bastards.

:puke:




Edited for spelling

[babylonsister]

5. Yes, I'd say Abramoff is 'controversial'. What took

these clowns so long?

[deminks]

6. Like Tweety himself said yesterday on his show, Softballs,

He doesn't trust anyone who gives back the money after the bagman has been caught. (He was referring to Hastert, who gave back some money yesterday). So how do we know what percentage of the funds Abramoff gave them are going back to charity, if they won't release how much total he gave them? Maybe they do not know. How much, too, was given by foreign "investors"?

[UpInArms]

8. A comparison:

If someone steals a watch from a jewelry store, is caught and forced to return the stolen watch, they are still charged with theft and still guilty of the crime.

[MADem]

20. But the person caught with the stolen watch is expected to give it back

to the JEWELRY STORE--NOT give it to their favorite charity!!!!! And this applies even if the charge is 'receiving stolen property' and not outright theft!!!

I fail to see how Hastert, Bush, et. al., can DO this shit with a straight face! They are using stolen cash to make CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS, and that is just WRONG.

That cash needs to go back from WHENCE IT CAME, even if it came from Abramoff, so the tribes can sue his ass for its' return.

[UpInArms]

25. you are quite right MADem - this is just another vehicle for them

to launder money.

[flyarm]

15. oh yes the rethugs steal their seats with abramoff $$ and then they want

a "re-do" when they are in those seats ..and they are caught with the genie in their pants..and their pants are on fire!

no re-do's....NO RE-DO'S!!!!!!!!!!!

LIKE MY HUBBY SAID LAST NIGHT..IT WOULD BE LIKE THE BANK ROBBER robbing the bank...and no one knows how much he stole..but then when caught he says..here i will give you $10.00 ...and he is let off the hook then!

no re-do;'s..period!!

as for * giving to the heart assoc...is that an oxymoron or what??

so what now he is trying to buy a heart????????

where is the wizard????...our tin man needs a heart....

fly

[merwin]

7. He has been controversial for a LONG time. Why wait until now?

Unless they're afraid of getting caught.

[izzie]

9. And Reed will help them find a good one.

:woohoo:

[NVMojo]

10. Did the Clintons advise them on whom to give to? American Heart???

Fucking bizarre.

[gratuitous]

12. Oh, we gave that money to charity

Based on the best-selling book, "Restoration and Repair of Your Virginity for Whores."

[CBHagman]

13. Abramoff was a Pioneer, which means...

...that he was a member of the group of people who have raised $100,000 or more for George W. Bush. SIX FIGURES, people.

So when George W. Bush did that little song and dance about how he thought Abramoff had given to both Democrats and Republicans, it's very much like "Kenny Boy" Lay getting transformed into a pariah. And it's further proof of what a mendacious little bleep George W. Bush is and has ever proven to be.

Six figures.

[stepnw1f]

17. Wow... No Kidding

The corruption goes right to the core of the GOP.

[CBHagman]

22. Check this link.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/11/AR2005081101752.html

It gives you ammunition for any ditto-heads who chirp the "He gave money to both Democrats and Republicans" line.

Excerpts:

"As a Bush 'Pioneer,' Abramoff also raised more than $100,000 for the president's reelection in 2004. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) was 'a very close friend,' according to Abramoff's description, as well as a participant in costly trips to Moscow and Scotland arranged and partly subsidized by Abramoff or his clients."

(SNIP)

"Abramoff got his start in politics as an organizer for Ronald Reagan while attending Brandeis University in 1980. Shortly afterward, he made his first connections to others who would command influence in Washington when he became the head of the College Republican National Committee in 1981. One of his predecessors was Karl Rove, and three of his colleagues in the group at the time -- Grover Norquist, Ralph Reed and Amy Ridenour -- would later play helpful roles in Abramoff's Washington work."

So don't let them off the hook on this one.

[stepnw1f]

29. I Need as Much Ammo as Possible

I daily beat up on the right at another forum. Been doing so for almost two years now. DU is the most valuable resource I know of, with some of the brightest folks.

Thanks!

[CBHagman]

31. You're welcome.

I suspect many in the media will parrot the Bush line about Abramoff giving money to Democrats and Republicans. I already heard it today from a co-worker, and I think the GOP will bend over backwards to taint Democrats by innuendo.

The Washington Post will probably dust off its Captain Renault impression ("I'm shocked, shocked!!") and also do the "pox on both their houses" shtick it saves for when it's not cooing about how wonderful Bushie is. Herblock and Mary McGrory must be rolling in their graves.

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

46. Check out my thread from earlier today...

...EarlG posted excerpts from several choice links that I would certainly classify as "ammo."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2348545&mesg_id=2348545

:patriot:

[DemoTex]

27. Ken Lay was a "Pioneer," too.

I wonder if there is a Lay-Abramoff conection ... hmmm.

[stepnw1f]

41. Thanks! (nt)

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

28. And one more nasty little detail...

Abramoff raised at least $100,000 for President Bush’s 2004 re-election effort, earning the honorary title “pioneer” from the campaign. Abramoff also gave $5,000 to Bush’s Florida recount effort in 2000.



http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10706220/

[stepnw1f]

30. How can Bush not Get Impeached?

The corruption is amazingly widespread.

[wordpix]

57. Answer: Because Congress has a firm Repuke majority

[salin]

40. Link to a WaPo article per Abramoff as a Pioneer:

As a Bush "Pioneer," Abramoff also raised more than $100,000 for the president's reelection in 2004.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/11/AR2005081101752.html

[banana republican]

14. How about returning my country!!!!!! n/t

[stop the bleeding]

16. Hear that "flushing sound?"??? that *'s ass leaking

:hurts::hurts::hurts::hurts::hurts::hurts::hurts::hurts:

[HuffleClaw]

18. "mr. policeman, that money from the bank robbery?

i just gave it to charity. so, you won't arrest me now, right?"

[reality based]

19. One of the under-emphasized aspects of this story

is how the Republican corruption machine has mastered the use of charitable organizations for their purposes.

[MADem]

21. Just looking at the names of some of these halfassed "charities"

...is enough to make you puke, to say nothing of the slime associated with them (DeLay, et. al.). You are entirely right about this aspect of the story--the GOP has been doing this forever, and Hot Tub Tom is a Past Master of the technique.

[wordpix]

58. right-guys like Abramoff START non-profits to reap the personal benefits

[Gidney N Cloyd]

24. Question: Why would the charity accept the money?

Wouldn't they be risking money laundering charges? Why wouldn't the Bush admin, et al, who are "returning" the money just put it all in a sort of escrow account until the legalities are settled?

[dapper]

26. Where will he get the money?

Why... he'll charge us taxpayers for that $6,000 and it will go into the "Abramoff Vacation Fund".

Shame on the mess.

Dap

[NoAmericanTaliban]

32. Bush to Give Up $6,000 Linked to Abramoff

Jan 4, 11:06 AM (ET)

By PETE YOST

(AP) Jack Abramoff leaves Federal Court in Washington Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2006. The once-powerful

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush's re-election campaign is giving up $6,000 in campaign contributions connected to lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who faced more guilty pleas as part of a broad-ranging political corruption investigation.

The once-powerful lobbyist was due in federal court in Miami later Wednesday to plead guilty to fraud charges stemming from his purchases of a Florida gambling boat fleet called SunCruz. The plea is part of an agreement with prosecutors requiring him to cooperate in a broad corruption investigation into members of Congress.

In a plea agreement with government prosecutors Tuesday, Abramoff agreed to tell the FBI about alleged bribes to lawmakers and their aides on issues ranging from Internet gambling to wireless phone service in the House.

The full extent of the investigation is not yet known, but Justice Department......<SNIP>

http://apnews1.iwon.com//article/20060104/D8ETV51G2.html?PG=home&SEC=news

[DoYouEverWonder]

33. Well that will cover what he gave them for the recount

Now how about the other $100,000's?

[salin]

34. wasn't Abramoff a ranger or some other bush term for helping raise

100,000 or more? If so (and perhaps my memory is wrong on that point), wouldn't more than $6,000 be tainted?

[Divernan]

36. Right. Abramoff was "Pioneer" for Bush - raised over $100,000.

nt

[havocmom]

35. bush gonna give back Florida 2000 too?

THEN we might believe his intentions are good.

Edited to add:
http://www.democrats.org/a/2005/07/bush_jusitce_no.php

Talk about a fox guarding the hen house. Timothy E. Flanigan, Bush's pick to be Deputy Attorney General, admitted to a Senate committee that he worked with Washington superlobbyist Jack Abramoff, who is currently under investigation by the Senate. Before being nominated, Flannigan was a chief counsel at Tyco International (a story in itself) where he supervised Abramoff's work for the firm as a lobbyist.

In typical Bush stonewall fashion, Flanigan refused to answer questions about his work at Tyco. Here's what we know thanks to the Los Angeles Times:

In 1997 Tyco moved its headquarters to Bermuda, which according to Tyco estimates, saved the company $400 million a year in United States taxes. In 2002 Democratic Representatives Richard E. Neal (D-MA) and James H. Maloney (D-CT) introduced bills that would have rightfully slammed these Benedict Arnold companies with tax penalties. Standing to lose hundreds of millions, Tyco called in the big guns. In 2003 and 2004 the company paid Abramoff and his firm $1.7 million to lobby the House, Senate and the President on "government contracts legislation" and "tax and trade legislation." Tyco's investment paid off when the bill was blocked from a vote in the House by the Republican leadership in 2003.

Now Flannigan wants to help run the Department of Justice, which is currently investigating Abramoff and his cronies for corruption. What would posses Bush to choose this controversial nominee? Maybe it's the fact that he volunteered his legal expertise for the Bush campaign during the 2000 Florida recount. Payback anyone?

[alfredo]

37. He'll give it to DeLay's "charity" or some faux religious charity.

[rustydog]

38. Bush is donating it to the GWBush personal enrichment charity

[Moochy]

39. Whew scandal over

that was a close one. :eyes:

[dennisnyc]

49. little scotty talked about this at the WH press conference today

it is such *shit. only the 2000 from each: Jack 'Off, his wife, and one "charity" they ran

so bogus!

[Cronus Protagonist]

50. Yeah, that's chump change for the losers to believe the wrong was righted

Of course, nothing could be further from the truth.

Educate a Freeper Today!
Buttons, Stickers and Fridge Magnets made in America for brainy people
http://brainbuttons.com/home.asp?stashid=13

[rainbow4321]

42. "The president does not know him and does not recall meeting him"

And once again the lapdog MSM just accepts the bones thrown by chimp...no questions asked.

From OP's article:

"The president does not know him and does not recall meeting him"
McClellan said Abramoff attended three Hannukah receptions at the White House over the past several years.

---------------------------
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=42541&mesg_id=42541

http://www.texasobserver.org/showArticle_new.asp?ArticleID=13

Chairman Poncho recently “revisited that issue” of his visit to the White House.<snip>
That meeting lasted for about 15 minutes and was not a one-on-one meeting. At the meeting, Bush made some general comments about Indian policy but did not discuss Indian gaming. Abramoff was at the meeting—for which he charged the Coushatta Tribe $25,000.

[UpInArms]

43. Abramoff and Bush go back to at least 1997 - Bush wrote ltr for Abramoff

Posted 5/6/2005 8:35 AM Updated 5/7/2005 8:19 AM

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-05-06-abramoff-bush_x.htm

excerpt:

Abramoff, a $100,000-plus fundraiser for Bush, is now under criminal investigation for some of his lobbying work. His firm boasted its lobbying team helped revise a section of the Republican Party's 2000 platform to make it favorable to its island client.

<snip>

The records from Abramoff's firm, obtained by The Associated Press from the Marianas under an open records request, chronicle Abramoff's careful cultivation of relations with Bush's political team as far back as 1997.

In that year, Abramoff charged the Marianas for getting then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush to write a letter expressing support for the Pacific territory's school choice proposal, his billing records show.

"I hope you will keep my office informed on the progress of this initiative," Bush wrote in a July 18, 1997, letter praising the islands' school plan and copying in an Abramoff deputy.

White House spokeswoman Erin Healy said Thursday that Bush didn't consider Abramoff a friend. "They may have met on occasion, but the president does not know him," she said.

...more...

[wordpix]

59. first WH says * doesn't know Abramoff, now they've "met on occasion"

snip:

White House spokeswoman Erin Healy said Thursday that Bush didn't consider Abramoff a friend. "They may have met on occasion, but the president does not know him," she said.

[madmom]

44. So by giving this money to charity, do they get to write it off on taxes?

[GoddessOfGuinness]

45. Excellent question

I wouldn't be surprised if they could.

[SoCalDem]

47. The Jenna Bush Beer Fund??

or the Babs Bush Home for Nasty Old Women :)

[Auntie Bush]

62. Is that the home they put Barbara in?

[Greeby]

48. It's to the American Heart Association, don't y'all get it?

It's payoff for bringing Uncle Dick back from the undead so many times :evilgrin:

[auburngrad82]

51. So if we give it away we're not guilty of accepting bribes, right?

It only counts if you do favors for him AND keep the money.

Unless you get caught...



http://www.cafepress.com/opposingforces

[NashVegas]

52. Chairman Dean Checks In

I like this:

Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean on Tuesday called on Bush to return to donors what he said was more than $100,000 in campaign contributions raised by Abramoff, whom he described as a major fund-raiser for the president's 2004 re-election bid.

[wordpix]

60. Significant Dean says to give $ back to donors, not give to charities?

[Name removed]

53. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

56. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[DeadManInc]

55. First National Bank Of Bush

[wordpix]

61. "Helping money launderers throughout the world"