McCain, Ariz. lawmakers to return Abramoff money

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0106abramoff-arizona06.html

WASHINGTON - Arizona Sen. John McCain, who has led a Senate investigation of lobbyist Jack Abramoff's relationship with Indian tribes, was among numerous lawmakers Wednesday scrambling to answer questions about donations received from Abramoff and Indian tribes that he represented.

But on Wednesday, McCain's chief of staff, Mark Salter, said he hadn't realized the campaign had received at least two donations from the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians while Abramoff was their lobbyist. One was received just before McCain decided in 2004 not to take any more donations from tribes, Salter said.

"We're just finding out," Salter said. McCain was out of the country, but Salter said he was confident McCain would agree to return the money.

But Salter said McCain likely would not return an additional $5,000 from three other Indian tribes in the 2000 campaign cycle because Abramoff was not yet their lobbyist when they sent the donations.

[AlCzervik]

1. ok the gop shit talked Dorgan, i fully expect them to do the same here.

[Greybnk48]

2. You can return a contribution, but not a bribe

as a DU'er pointed out a couple of days ago (can't remember who). The damage is done when it comes to the money payed for favors (past votes, etc.).