Sens. Reid, Schumer, Durbin Demand Answers from Bush regarding Abramoff

[RedEarth]

Dem senators ask the president to stop stonewalling on the details of meetings and favors to Jack Abramoff. Today they sent the following letter to cabinet officials and other high-level administration officials ...

On Tuesday, we sent a letter to President Bush asking that he and officials within his Administration detail whatever contact they might have had with Jack Abramoff. Scott McClellan announced that the White House would not provide this information, despite earlier assurances. Therefore, we have no choice but to ask you these questions directly.
As we are sure you are aware, the Justice Department is currently investigating the web of corruption surrounding lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Even at this early stage of the investigation, concerns have been raised that Mr. Abramoff may have had undue and improper influence within the highest levels of the Bush Administration and even the White House itself. Such accusations serve to undermine the credibility of this Administration and our government at large -- even before any indictments or convictions. As a result, it is crucial that the American people know what role, if any, Mr. Abramoff played in the highest levels of our government.

As more and more Republican officials in and out of Congress are implicated in this scandal, it has become increasingly important that the record be cleared and that any contact you or others in the Administration have had with Mr. Abramoff be fully explained to the American people. For this reason, we urge you to publicly and immediately detail all of your personal contacts with Mr. Abramoff during your time with the Bush Administration. If you know of others in the Administration who have had such contacts, please disclose those contacts as well. Please also detail any official acts that have been undertaken on behalf of or at the request of Mr. Abramoff. Perhaps there are no contacts to reveal, no favors that have been given. We hope that is the case. But it is important to set the record straight, one way or the other.

Additionally, we believe is it imperative that you reveal any involvement in the “K Street Project,” the initiative launched in recent years by Republicans close to this Administration who have worked hard to increase the ties between lobbyists like Jack Abramoff and Republican elected officials.

We urge you to respond to this letter and help shed some light on what has happened between Mr. Abramoff and this Administration. We look forward to your response.


The letter is signed by Sens. Reid, Schumer, Durbin and Stabenow.

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/007482.php

[madokie]

1. Thanks, something tells me that he, bush, will only dig in his heel's

At this point in time I wouldn't be able to believe him no matter what

[rodeodance]

6. we see the exmple of stalling already--I am referring to Scoot M. in

his press conference.

[Imagevision]

2. Can't fix the problem without cooperation from the WH.

Scott McClellan announced that the White House would not provide this information? This could only happen with a Bush administration trying to remain above the law...!

[JNelson6563]

3. Ok, who's got the pic of these three from when they shut the Senate?

Time to post that for a while. That's a perfect pic for this.

Julie

[samhsarah]

4. I think this is it

[JNelson6563]

5. Oh yeah. That's the one

They look pretty bad-ass there. I love that pic. :toast:

Thanks for posting it!