The Blotter

Posted: Friday, September 29, 2006 9:08 AM by Huma Zaidi
Filed Under: White House, Republicans

Along with his committee's report, House Government Reform chair Tom Davis (R) released a statement last night "portraying Abramoff’s efforts to lobby the Bush administration as largely ineffective," Roll Call says. "Davis also pointed out that Abramoff’s billing records and e-mail exchanges do not mean that events unfolded as he claimed to either his firm or his clients." Meanwhile, a "summary prepared for Democratic leaders by staffers for" ranking member Rep. Henry Waxman "stated that the information provided by the Abramoff documents may show wrongdoing on the part of top White House officials." Top Bush officials "have denied having any close relationship with Abramoff."

The Washington Post visits ethically challenged Democratic Rep. Alan Mollohan's district in West Virginia, where there's "only one way for Republicans to win...: convince voters that Mollohan is a crook... Mollohan, a member of the Appropriations Committee, set up several nonprofit groups over the past decade or so to administer millions of dollars he was steering to his rural district." Then his own net worth "ballooned," largely because of "real estate investments with one of those friends who benefited from his work in Congress. Mollohan has denied any wrongdoing."

And GOP Rep. Mark Foley "who was expected to cruise to reelection faced questions Thursday about the propriety of e-mails he sent to a teenage page on Capitol Hill, potentially adding to the GOP's political struggles as it attempts to maintain its congressional majority." Foley's e-mails to the page included a request for a photo. A Foley spokesman said the e-mails "reflected nothing more than an innocent interest in helping young people."

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Comments

Acess to the White house by influence peddlers and powerborkers w/ big bucks has been common place since the inception of the Executive Branch. But, here in 2006 america, many folks seem so surprised of the Abramoff mess, that this is the first time it ever occured. The White house and Executive Branch get deluged, just like Congress, on a regular basis by special interests groups, all seeking some deal or advantage. This is the norm in any type of government in the world. Even dictators have those trying to gain influence! The problem is that Congress writes the laws that give the moneypeddlers the access and they are not willing to cut of the free perks, etc, plus the cash that somehow ends up in their election coffers. Quit focusing on influence peddling and start looking at economic issues, enviromental issues, how to reoslve the mess in the Middle East, how to stop the CARNAGE at our public shools....., etc, etc, etc. For the sake of the future of this nation!

tired of the hype; Salem, MA (Sent Friday, September 29, 2006 1:04 PM)

Regarding Rep. Foley....where's Ken Starr when we need him?

Olivia Elizabeth Burdon, Peoria, Ill. (Sent Saturday, September 30, 2006 2:49 PM)

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