Burns (R-Mont.) says Democrats behind Abramoff scandal

[Newsjock]

http://missoulian.com/articles/2006/01/10/news/top/news01.txt

By JENNIFER McKEE
Missoulian State Bureau

HELENA - Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., said Monday his political enemies are behind newspaper reports linking him to confessed felon and former lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

Burns, who is on a media tour of Montana this week, also said he has no intentions of dropping out of the 2006 U.S. Senate race, quashing a rumor that has floated around both Helena and Washington, D.C.

“Write it down, real quick: I've never had more enthusiasm or higher energy for a campaign in my life than I got right now, OK? End of story,” Burns told the Lee Newspapers State Bureau reporters in an interview. “I never had this much enthusiasm in 1988. Take it to the bank. Make book on it.”

... Burns faulted Montana reporters for consistently repeating the Journal and Post reports, which are based on anonymous sources. Burns said the stories were based on “half-truths and innuendos.” He said it is impossible for him to prove that he's not under investigation, thus making it impossible for him to clear his name.

... Burns has taken just under $150,000 in donations from Abramoff, his clients and associates, more than any other lawmaker, according to a Washington Post tally. Burns has since said he will refund the money or give it to charity.

more

[karlrschneider]

1. Burns is crazier than a shithouse rat. Unfortunately many Montanans

are too. Not to bash Montana, my own state has an even higher percentage of insane fuckwits. :grr:

[Occulus]

2. .

:rofl:

[Erika]

3. This is a Republican Scandal

Their problem. The crybabies need to accept responsibility and quit trying to blame others.

[Journeyman]

5. Let's hope the public begins to see it that way. . .

right now, the perception leans towards it being a bipartisan scandal.


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2031920


WP/ABC Poll: In Abramoff Case, Most See Evidence of Wider Problem


Although Abramoff has been most closely identified with GOP candidates and interests, neither party is seen as being particularly virtuous, even by its own partisans. Nearly three in four -- including majorities in both parties -- say there "isn't much difference" between the level of ethics and honesty of Republicans and Democrats.

Let's hope the development of this scandal fosters a more partisan perception of the problem. . .

[Erika]

9. No Democrats received $ directly from Abramoff

But the GOP did. Burns is running scared.

[Journeyman]

14. Irrelevant if the public doesn't recognize it. . .

the truth doesn't matter at all to those who refuse to hear. . .

All lies and jests still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest.

[Lasher]

12. This is the typical lazy person's response to scandal

Instead of actually having to think about an issue, many people just say, "They're all crooked." Then they go back to watching their sitcoms and Nascar races.

[Journeyman]

15. Yes. And unfortunately the American public is far more interested. . .

in easy answers (no matter the facts) than they are the hard work needed to understand complex concepts (which this scandal will ultimately require). . .

[Lasher]

28. For me, it's hard work already.

Who begat who? It seems almost every day there's another angle revealed in the tangled web that's been woven by this culture of corruption. My little hillbilly head is a-spinnin'! Thank God for DU!

Her's a link to a graphic to which I refer occasionally. I use it as my personal DeLay/House of Representatives 'Scandals for Dummies'. It's actually called Tom DeLay's House of Scandal:

http://www.dccc.org/houseofscandal/main.html

If you left click on an individual you will get a summary. They seem to keep it updated pretty well. Abramoff is included, but I wish I had a similar graphic that has him at the center. But for now, this is a pretty good resource:

http://www.alternet.org/story/29827

I think I'll check out the DU Research Forum to see what is there.

[Tight_rope]

44. Thanks for the link. It really helps to keep these crooks straight!

or should I say connected.

http://www.dccc.org/houseofscandal/main.html

[Why Syzygy]

47. that just means

the 'public' finally took a reality pill. The Dems don't need to portray a more virtuous look.
We're tree huggers, you know. What is more compasionate than that.

We need another venue. Call it Freedom.

[Elwood P Dowd]

4. Burns also said

Democrats caused global warming. Millions of Democrats went to the North Pole with blow torches, kerosene lamps, cherry bombs, and firecrackers. They created global warming just to embarrass the republicans and take back control of Congress. It's a massive conspiracy on a global scale never before witnessed by mankind.

;-)

[anitar1]

20. Elwood, thanks for the laugh. n/t

[EFerrari]

22. Oh, no!

:rofl:

[liberalitch]

52. Those cherry bombs will heat things up for sure!

[wookie294]

6. Hey Conrad, IT'S OVER !!

The jig is up, senator! You're HISTORY!

Life is BEAUTIFUL!

[InsultComicDog]

7. When the going gets tough...

Blame the other guy.

[Hardrada]

8. Democrats were also behind the Hindenburg disaster,

the Wreck of the Hesperus and the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and consort thus precipitating WWI!!

[punpirate]

10. Nothing like the bravado of...

... the truly stupid. The state's newspapers are crucifying him (at least with headlines):

http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2005/04/17/build/opinion/30-gazette-opinion.inc

http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/articles/2005/10/01/news/01burns.txt

http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/articles/2005/03/29/news/02money.txt

http://www.missoulanews.com/News/News.asp?no=1165

http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2005/12/14/news/mtregional/znews03.txt

Maybe this is the Traficant ploy--even after the cuffs go on him, he'll still be saying, "I'm gonna run again." :)

[aquart]

11. Burnsie, the issue isn't getting the money, it's what you did for it.

And that, dear boy, you can't give back.

[LiviaOlivia]

13. There's no fool like an old fool.

Unless it's a corrupt jackass like Burns.

[thecrow]

16. Isn't there a law against "making book" ???

[truthisfreedom]

17. doesn't stop 'thugs. seems they know the terminology for all sorts of bad

stuff.

[salin]

24. and isn't that a foolish phrase to use, given this particular scandal

sorta invokes images of... casinos. idiot.

[wordpix]

39. LOL, he,he

[radfringe]

18. rolling my eyes....

yeah, the Dems held a gun to his head and MADE his take the money so they could connect him in the scandal

"NOT MY FAULT - The DEMONcrats made me do it!"

[WernhamHogg]

19. Correct me if I'm wrong

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the whole Abramoff thing all Bill Clinton's fault? You just know he had SOMETHING to do with it! :sarcasm: ;-)

[WCGreen]

23. It's pure example of ....

Penis Envy

[Tight_rope]

48. LMBAO...You are so Right!

[Canuckistanian]

53. It's McCain/Feingold, according to Rush

See, the McCain/Feingold Campaign Law made everything so confusing that nobody knows what's legal and what's criminal.

Isn't there anybody who knows how to interpret laws and give legal advice in this country?

[Judi Lynn]

21. Burns declares pride in record

January 10, 2006

Last modified January 10, 2006 - 1:14 am

Burns declares pride in record
By CHARLES S. JOHNSON
Gazette State Bureau

HELENA - U.S. Sen. Conrad Burns said Monday he's running for re-election this year on his record, and it's one that he's proud of.
(snip)

Burns, seeking a fourth six-year term, began ticking off some of the federal money he has secured for Montana as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. His list included funds for the improved National Guard facilities and veterans' hospital at Fort Harrison near Helena, conservation projects that have increased wildlife habitat, construction of a warm water fishery and the dinosaur museum at Fort Peck, and improved technology and updated computer systems for the Montana judiciary.

He criticized the Montana Democratic Party for not wanting to talk about issues important to Montana, as he is doing.

"The Democratic Party made up their mind they wanted to run a smear campaign, and they've put it in your paper and they said that we were going to do it and they're true to their word," Burns said. "That's what they're doing. We don't want a campaign like that. I think our record is pretty plain in Montana."
(snip/...)

http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2006/01/10/build/state/55-burns-record.inc

[depakid]

25. Pride before the fall

Curious as to whether he'll have a primary challenge.

[0007]

26. 0h hum, yawn....didn't the "Duke" Puke Cunningham and

the bug-man Tom DeLay come with the same defense?

Said Burns: “The Democrats said they were going to run a smear campaign and they're doing it.”

He said it is impossible for him to prove that he's not under investigation, thus making it impossible for him to clear his name.

Two Burns staffers quit his staff to take jobs with Abramoff. One of those aides, former chief of staff Will Brooke, also attended the 2001 Super Bowl at Abramoff's invitation. That trip was cited in Abramoff's recent plea deal as the kind of favor the lobbyist would pay for lawmakers in exchange for legislative favors.

“Abramoff was one bad apple in a bushel,” Burns said.

Jack Abramoff works for Bill Clinton too! LOL! Take it to the bank. Make book on it.

[spun_in_montana]

27. Lets not forget

one of his staffers took a conviction for poaching recently, Shawn Vassel...the same staffer who later went to work for Abramoff.


spun and spinning

[0007]

29. What did he poach? What was the outcome?

I'm anxious to hear........

[spun_in_montana]

37. This is from

the IR out of Helena but the subject was tossed around at Left in the West and other sites here in Montana...
story

[0007]

50. Thanks a million!

Welcome home spun_in_montana, I hope you enjoy all your many friends here.

[Karmakaze]

30. The Abramoff scandal is definately Republican, but...

Can anyone honestly say they know that no such thing ever occured with Democrats and lobbyists?

In my opinion the whole idea of "lobbying" is legalised bribery and should be banned.

[Roland99]

31. AH HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!

Paranoia may destroy ya!

[KittyWampus]

32. "Make Book On It". Poor choice of words all things considered.

[JerseygirlCT]

33. He's so toast. nt

[AlCzervik]

34. "Hi my name is Conrad and i'm insane"

[Strawman]

35. Keep bitching, idiot

It just leads to another story that will provide background about the Abramoff scandal.

[underpants]

36. "on a media tour of Montana this week"

No offense but that takes a week?

:bounce:

Burns!!! you idiot!!!!

[meganmonkey]

38. The funny thing is

(and I don't mean funny ha-ha) is that the Repubs so-called 'political enemies' have given them a pass on so many things in the last few years (granted their power is limited but COME ON!). This scandal is SO illegal and SO widespread that they are just plain busted, regardless of 'political enemies'...

:shrug:

[wordpix]

40. if Burns is ousted, we need an environmentalist to protect Montana next

time around

[warrens]

41. This is SO not going to play in Montana

That guy just lost the election.

[gunsaximbo]

42. yes we are

we are behind the breaking of the story, we are behind the investigation and we will be behind the prosecution of the case, but the republicans have fronted this criminal enterprise and they will pay the price.

[Mz Pip]

43. RIght

The Dems who have no power made all this happen. Made Abramoff bribe the Repugs. Sure. :eyes:

Mz Pip
:dem:

[Initech]

45. Ah, once again, rethugs willing to do anything to avoid a scandal!

Really makes you want to :puke: , doesnt it?

[Why Syzygy]

46. does this guy need a trank?

That made my blood pressure rise just reading it.
Conrad! Meditation. Check it out.

[HuffleClaw]

49. "Burns has taken just under $150,000 in donations from Abramoff"

and he's protesting his innocence? good. its guys like this that make it soooo clear that this is a republican scandal only.

[eppur_se_muova]

51. He's just trying to make Pat Robertson look reasonable in contrast. nt

[raysr]

54. That's great he feels that

way, the more of these dirty bastards that have the arrogance to run again will make it easier to defeat.