The Abramoff Effect: Vegas No-Shows

[Robbien]

Chalk another one up to the Jack Abramoff effect. Even the myriad temptations of Las Vegas could not induce members of Congress to risk the faintest association with scandal-ridden lobbyists by attending last week’s National Association of Broadcasters convention in Sin City.

Historically, key members of the House and Senate Commerce Committees have been mainstays at the NAB show, often on the trade association’s dime at an average $3,700 or so per trip. But just as they were at last month’s National Cable and Telecommunications Association show in Atlanta, the senators and congressman were MIA. A policy breakfast usually lousy with pols (and the station executives who love to woo them) was a ghost town. Attendees munched on Special K while political consultant Stuart Rothenberg talked about the upcoming midterm elections.

According to an analysis of Congressional disclosure statements by the Web site Political Moneyline, frequent NAB junketeers who didn’t make it include Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) and Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.), both of whom are breaking a streak of five consecutive years in attendance.

The prize for the top hotel bill goes to Kentucky Republican Hal Rogers, who racked up $2,764 in charges on a no-doubt memorable trip to the 2001 convention.

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6329729.html?display=Breaking+News

[Erika]

1. Oh, Golly, no more free perks

And they might have to work for more than 93 days a year while collecting full pension and health benefits? Poor babies.

[aquart]

2. Just till after the election.

It's not like it's permanent or anything.

[Dr.Phool]

3. I'll bet my congressman is there.

Mike Bilirakis (FL-9) is a mainstay there. Seems to be the only junkets he takes. And the prick is retiring after this term.

[BiggJawn]

4. Well, that explains the extra elbow room on the floor...

I was there last week. The only things I saw was Britney-of-the-beer-gut and the attack dogs on the monorail to protect Dumbyass from all us broadcasters...