must read on Abramoff and Dem donations! Last Hurrah blogger

[NVMojo]

http://thenexthurrah.typepad.com/the_next_hurrah/2006/01/abramoff_direct.html

[Village Idiot]

1. A good find. Some specious reasoning here, however.

A great many here will be disinclined to take it too seriously, however, in light of the extreme disparity between the amounts donated to Democrats and RePIGlicans. One also has to look at the fact that while the tribes DID donate to Democrats during the Abramoff influence peddling/money laundering period, they did so to a much lesser extent than they had done previously. The money sent to RePIGlican politicians and organizations, on the other hand, increased SIGNIFICANTLY during the same period...

RePIGlicans are ignoring these facts, however.

The author takes some license with "selected tidbits" of testimony, as well. In order to get the entire picture, one must look at the ENTIRE transcripts. I have only read one - that of the Tiguas case - and it took me damn near ALL MORNING.

[Jim__]

2. Even if Abramoff directed the tribes to donate to certain democrats

that is not the relevant question. First, did the Democrats have any idea that the tribes were donating to them because they were directed to do so by Abramoff? Second, did any of these democrats agree to a quid pro quo?

Abramoff appeared ot be more powerful the more congressional reps he pretended to control.