Posted on 01/29/2006 8:14:03 AM PST by Carl/NewsMax
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean said Sunday that Democrats who took money from Indian tribes represented by Jack Abramoff and who did something on behalf of those tribes have "a big problem."
Dean made the statement apparently unaware that Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid has reportedly done exactly that.
Under questioning by "Fox News Sunday's" Chris Wallace, Dean claimed that Democrats did no favors for Abramoff's Indian tribe clients:
"Nobody got anything out of the Democrats from Jack Abramoff," the top Democrat insisted. "No Democrat delivered anything and there's no accusation and no investigation that any Democrat ever delivered anything to Jack Abramoff. And that's not true of the Republicans."
But Wallace countered: "So if we find that there were some Democrats who wrote letters on behalf of some of the Indian tribes that Abramoff represented, then what do you say, sir?"
Dean's response: "That's a big problem. And those Democrats are in trouble. And they should be in trouble."
In November 2005 the Associated Press reported that Senate Minority Leader Reid had accepted tens of thousands of dollars from an Abramoff client, the Coushatta Indian tribe, after interceding with Secretary of the Interior Gail Norton over a casino dispute with a rival tribe.
Reid "sent a letter to Norton on March 5, 2002," the AP said. "The next day, the Coushattas issued a $5,000 check to Reid's tax-exempt political group, the Searchlight Leadership Fund. A second tribe represented by Abramoff sent an additional $5,000 to Reid's group. Reid ultimately received more than $66,000 in Abramoff-related donations between 2001 and 2004."
Questioned about the donations in December by "Fox News Sunday's" Wallace, Reid immediately turned testy.
"Don't try to say I received money from Abramoff. I've never met the man, don't know anything," he claimed.
The full exchange between Dean and Wallace went like this:
DEAN: It is possible that some of Jack Abramoff's clients may have decided on their own to give Democrats some money. The key is . . .
WALLACE: I'm sorry. Did you say that you're sure that Abramoff didn't direct them to give that money?
DEAN: No, what I said was that it is possible that some Democrats got money from someone he [represented]. What I'm saying is that Abramoff may not have directed some of this money to Democrats.
WALLACE: In fact, he did. We have evidence of that.
DEAN: But the point is not one Democrat either knew it or acted on it. Nobody got anything out of the Democrats from Jack Abramoff. No Democrat delivered anything and there's no accusation and no investigation that any Democrat ever delivered anything to Jack Abramoff. And that's not true of the Republicans.
WALLACE: So if we find - and we have to wrap this up - so if we find that there were some Democrats who wrote letters on behalf of some of the Indian tribes that Abramoff represented, then what do you say, sir?
DEAN: That's a big problem. And those Democrats are in trouble. And they should be in trouble. [END EXCERPT]
Kudos to Chris Wallace. He's been getting some good sound bites.
Remember, Sen. Jay "I warned Syria we are going to attack" Rockefeller?
As a bonus of his show, it's nice to see Brit Hume make Juan Williams cry. LoL.
Good one. Thanks for the belly laugh.
I have to throw in here that Murtha was one of the lead players in getting Dean the job.
The dems obviously thought that committing suicide would win them sympathy votes.
Considering what happened to a Washington comPost reporter for remarking online that both dems and repubs took Abrahamoff money...........I wonder if Dr. Demento will make it thru the day.
"YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEARRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH!!!"
I know Vermont has the only admitted Socialist in the Senate, but do they practice socialized medicine in Vermont? Man, I would hate to know I had to have Dean as my doctor.
When he was running for DNC chair, Dean promised to bump up financial support for the states, full time staff, funds, etc. It appears however that he hasn't been the Uber fundraiser he was touted to be, so I wonder just how the organizational base views him now. He seems to be disconnected from the politicians who actually have to run for something.
Always remember the abiding truth: Q: "What do you call the dumbest ninny ever to limp through to a last place finish in his medical school class?"
A: "Doctor."
"The dimwit got "not one thin dime" and "not one red cent" crossed up."
lol..hadn't noticed that one.
"Very good to point this out. You might want to send the RNC a note pointing it out."
I am sure Rush will next week....he loves to talk about the PC Indian word crowd....lol
The Democrat 'unconsious projection' at work....lol
"Good one. Thanks for the belly laugh."
At your service....(wink)
ping
but they took the money before they didnt take the money...this will be enough to please the lefty crowd. No questions asked.
Of course, any reps that took money from tribes were doing so at the behest of Abramoff. The ole double standard will ride once again.
"The ole double standard will ride once again"
Well...their ride just gets bumpier and bumpier thanks to the NEW MEDIA! Pat yourself on the back..(wink)
Pajamahadeen UNITE!!!!!
Every time I think of how the memo story could've derailed Bush's campaign I want to hug my computer....That they might have gotten away with it but for the internet soldiers of truth and freedom is a sickening thought.
I wonder how Howie the Howler is going to weasel out of this. But then, he may not have to as long as Big Media (BM) keeps silent about it.
Oh this is just too rich.
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