Posted on 01/07/2006 7:25:29 AM PST by flattorney
Maria Cantwell Claims She’s Not Beholden To Special Interests, But Refuses To Return Tainted Special Interest Cash
“‘For Far Too Long, The Powerful Special Interests Have Controlled The Agenda In Our Nation’s Capital, Ignoring The People’s Interest,’ Cantwell Said.” (“Wealthy Washington Senate Candidate Refuses PAC Money,” National Journal’s CongressDaily, May 10, 2000)
Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) Refuses To Return Campaign Contributions Connected To Admitted Felon Lobbyist Jack Abramoff
Maria Cantwell Has No Intention Of Returning Abramoff Tainted Campaign Contributions. “Other Northwest lawmakers also received contributions from tribes connected to Abramoff, the report said, including Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash. ($10,000); and former Rep. George Nethercutt, R-Wash. ($7,000). A spokeswoman for Cantwell said the senator did not plan to return the money, but declined further comment. . . . Money received by Cantwell came from the Agua Caliente, Saginaw and Pueblo of Sandia tribe in New Mexico.” (Matthew Daly, “Murray Won’t Return Money From Tribes Connected To Abramoff,” Seattle Post – Intelligencer, January 5, 2006)
Since Running For Senate In 2000, Cantwell “Pledged” To Reject Being “A Tool Of Special Interests”
Cantwell Pledged To Reject Special Interest Money In Her 2000 Senate Campaign Saying “The Powerful Special Interests Have Controlled The Agenda” In Washington, D.C., “For Far Too Long.” “Former Rep. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., Thursday pledged to reject money from PACs in her race against GOP Sen. Slade Gorton--a move made much easier by the wealth she has amassed since losing her seat in Congress six years ago, the Seattle Times reported. ‘For far too long, the powerful special interests have controlled the agenda in our nation’s capital, ignoring the people’s interest,’ Cantwell said.” (“Wealthy Washington Senate Candidate Refuses PAC Money,” National Journal’s CongressDaily, May 10, 2000)
Cantwell Said She Would Not Accept PAC Money Because She Didn’t Want To Be “A Tool Of Special Interests.” “Cantwell, a former state representative and U.S. Congresswoman, officially kicked off her campaign Thursday in Mountlake Terrace, near her home in Edmonds. ‘I want to represent people in Washington state because I want to be their voice . . . and not a tool of special interests,’ said Cantwell, who said she will not accept donations from political action committees, or PACs. Cantwell has already dipped into her personal fortune to give $1 million to her campaign.” (Rebecca Cook, “High-Tech Millionaire Maria Cantwell Kicks Off Senate Campaign,” The Associated Press, May 5, 2000)
But While Cantwell Refuses Corporate PAC Money, She Still Accepts Donations From The Executives And Lobbyists Of Corporations
Cantwell Places No Restrictions On Individuals Giving To Her Campaign, No Matter “Where They Work.” “Cantwell said she has no self-imposed restriction on taking money from individuals, no matter which company they represent. ‘You have to draw the line somewhere, and I’m going to take money from individuals,’ she said. ‘I’m not discriminating against anybody who gives to me based on where they work.’” (Alex Fryer, “Cantwell Pledge Not To Take PAC Money Has Holes,” The Seattle Times, January 30, 2005)
Cantwell Faced Criticism Over Her No PAC Pledge While Accepting Funds From Individuals Associated With PAC’s Who Control The Special Interests
Critics Have Pointed Out That Cantwell Receives Campaign Donations From The Same “Lobbyists, Labor Leaders And Corporate Officers Who Control The Special-Interest Groups” She Tries To Distance Herself From. “Cantwell stuck to her no-PACs pledge, but was forced to begin aggressive fund-raising to retire her debt. Critics noted that many of the individuals writing $1,000 checks to her campaign were the same lobbyists, labor leaders and corporate officers who control the special-interest groups she had distanced herself from.” (Kevin Galvin, “A Will And A Way,” The Seattle Times, December 2, 2001)
A Former Washington State Representative And Cantwell Supporter, Al Swift, Believes Cantwell’s No PAC Pledge Inhibits The Public From Knowing Where The Money Is Actually Coming From, Insisting PAC Money Is The Cleanest Because It Is “So Traceable.” “Former Washington Rep. Al Swift, a Cantwell supporter, has urged her to break her PAC ban. Not because she could raise more money, he said. But because it is more ethical to take money from PACs directly than to accept money from the lobbyists and lawyers who work for them. ‘I’ve always argued that the cleanest money you get is PAC money because it’s so traceable,’ said Swift, now a lobbyist in D.C. ‘Anyone can go online and see which PAC is giving money to a candidate. If sunshine is a good way to get rid of corruption, show me a better way.’” (Alex Fryer, “Cantwell Pledge Not To Take PAC Money Has Holes,” The Seattle Times, January 30, 2005)
Swift Notes That Corporate “Money Still Gets Into The System” But Coming From Individuals It Is “A Hell Of A Lot Harder To Trace.” “Swift remembers going to fund-raisers for members of Congress who accepted PAC money and attending functions for those who didn’t, and seeing the same donors at each event. If a corporation wants to give to a candidate, the executives can give personally. So can their spouses and children, who may not have the same name or address. ‘It still comes from the interests but it’s a hell of a lot harder to trace,’ Swift said. ‘The money still gets into the system.’” (Alex Fryer, “Cantwell Pledge Not To Take PAC Money Has Holes,” The Seattle Times, January 30, 2005)
Thanks for exposing this hypocrit. Has anyone called her office to get an explanation. Don't you just love it when these idiots are exposed before God and the world? I do.
I read in another article that she was going to give the $s back (I'll have to see if I can find it). Maybe she changed her mind or this is incorrect. I read Patty Osama Mamma Murray was not giving hers back. I assumed that Patty wasn't because she was re-elected last year and Maria would because she's up for re-election this year.
Democrats Don't Know Jack???
“It’s very odd that Democrats at the national and state levels have sought to exploit the Abramoff matter for political gain, while in the process throwing countless congressional Democrats under the bus,’ said Brian Nick, spokesman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC).” (Charles Hurt, “Dorgan Returns Abramoff Money,” The Washington Times, December 14, 2005)
An NRSC Report Shows That Nearly 90 Percent Of Senate “Democrats Have Taken Abramoff-Related Money.” “The NRSC has begun circulating among fellow Republicans new reports showing that all but five of the chamber’s 44 Democrats have taken Abramoff-related money. In addition, the Democratic National Committee, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee have taken more than $1.2 million, according to records provided to The Washington Times.” (Charles Hurt, “Dorgan Returns Abramoff Money,” The Washington Times, December 14, 2005)
“The NRSC Report Is Part Of A New Counteroffensive By Republicans To Neutralize An Issue That Democrats See As Central To Electoral Gains In 2006.” (Charles Hurt, “Dorgan Returns Abramoff Money,” The Washington Times, December 14, 2005)
“If The Democrats Are Alleging That Republicans Are Guilty Of Any Wrongdoing, They’re Sitting In The Same Boat.” “Democrats have run two television advertisements in Montana, castigating Burns for his activities on behalf of Abramoff, but as the lobbyist’s taint spreads, its political impact may dissipate, said Brian Nick, spokesman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee. ‘If the Democrats are alleging that Republicans are guilty of any wrongdoing, they’re sitting in the same boat,’ he said. ‘It just becomes a nonstarter.’” (Jonathan Weisman and Derek Willis “Democrat On Panel Probing Abramoff To Return Tribal Donations,” The Washington Post, December 14, 2005)
Tribal Clients And Associates Of Jack Abramoff Have Contributed Over $3.1 Million To Democrat Party Interests Between 1997 And 2004. (Campaign Finance Analysis Project Website, www.campaignfinanceanalysisproject.com, Accessed December 2005; Political Money Line Website, www.tray.com, Accessed December 2005)
National Democrat Party Affiliated Committees Received Over $1.2 Million From Indian Tribe Clients And Lobbying Associates Of Jack Abramoff. (Campaign Finance Analysis Project Website, www.campaignfinanceanalysisproject.com, Accessed December 7, 2005; Political Money Line Website, www.tray.com, Accessed December 7, 2005; Internal Revenue Service Website, www.irs.gov, Accessed April 21, 2005)
The Democrat Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) Received Over – $430,000
The Democrat Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) Received Over – $629,000
The Democrat National Committee (DNC) Received Over – $177,000
Incumbent Senate Democrat-Affiliated Campaign And Leadership Committees Received Over $729,000 From Indian Tribe Clients And Lobbying Associates Of Jack Abramoff*. (Campaign Finance Analysis Project Website, www.campaignfinanceanalysisproject.com, Accessed December 7, 2005; Political Money Line Website, www.tray.com, Accessed December 7, 2005; Internal Revenue Service Website, www.irs.gov, Accessed April 21, 2005)
40 Of The 45 Members Of The Senate Democrat Caucus:
Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) Received At Least – $22,500
Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN) Received At Least – $6,500
Senator Joseph Biden (D-DE) Received At Least – $1,250
Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) Received At Least – $2,000
Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) Received At Least – $20,250
Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) Received At Least – $21,765
Senator Tom Carper (D-DE) Received At Least – $7,500
Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) Received At Least – $12,950
Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND) Received At Least – $8,000
Senator Jon Corzine (D-NJ) Received At Least – $7,500
Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) Received At Least – $14,792
Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) Received At Least – $79,300
Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) Received At Least – $14,000
Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) Received At Least – $2,000
Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) Received At Least – $1,250
Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) Received At Least – $45,750
Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI) Received At Least – $9,000
Senator Jim Jeffords (I-VT) Received At Least – $2,000
Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) Received At Least – $14,250
Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) Received At Least – $3,300
Senator John Kerry (D-MA) Received At Least – $98,550
Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) Received At Least – $28,000
Senator Pat Leahy (D-VT) Received At Least – $4,000
Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) Received At Least – $6,000
Senator Joe Lieberman (D-CT) Received At Least – $29,830
Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) Received At Least – $14,891
Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) Received At Least – $10,550
Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) Received At Least – $78,991
Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) Received At Least – $20,168
Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) Received At Least – $5,200
Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) Received At Least – $7,500
Senator Mark Pryor (D-AR) Received At Least – $2,300
Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) Received At Least – $3,500
Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) Received At Least – $68,941
Senator John Rockefeller (D-WV) Received At Least – $4,000
Senator Ken Salazar (D-CO) Received At Least – $4,500
Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) Received At Least – $4,300
Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) Received At Least – $29,550
Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) Received At Least – $6,250
Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) Received At Least – $6,250
Abramoff was a professional slut--not of the conservatives--but of the Islamo-fascists. He was a lobbyist for terror-state Sudan, for Malaysia (at the time its then-Prime Minister Mahathir Muhammad encouraged homicide bombings against Casino Jack's fellow Jews), for a Saudi Islamic banking organization tied to funding the Al-Qaeda bombings of the two U.S. embassies in Africa, Pakistan's army--tightly woven with the brutal, pro-Bin Laden I.S.I., etc.
Found 1 article in Seattle Times:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002725782_cantwell07.html
Cantwell to donate funds tied to Abramoff
By MATTHEW DALY
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., responded to the growing scandal involving lobbyist Jack Abramoff by announcing Friday that she will donate more than $17,000 in campaign contributions to an American Indian charity.
Cantwell, who is seeking re-election this year, had said Wednesday she would not return contributions from out-of-state Indian tribes represented by Abramoff, who pleaded guilty this week to fraud, conspiracy and tax evasion in a wide-ranging political corruption investigation.
But Cantwell's campaign said Friday she had decided to give money to the National Congress of American Indians Education Fund to clear up any confusion caused by media reports about donations related to Abramoff.
Cantwell wanted "to err on the side of caution, so there would not even be a whiff of a connection between his illegal, confessed activities and our campaign," spokesman Michael Meehan said Friday.
The amount being returned, $17,865, includes any funds from organizations or individuals that have ever been connected to Abramoff based on media reports, Meehan said.
Because Abramoff confessed to such a massive fraud, Cantwell decided to cast a wide net in deciding whether to donate a contribution to charity, Meehan said, "so any connection to this Republican criminal would not touch our campaign. We want to hold the bar a little bit higher."
Fellow Democratic Sen. Patty Murray said this week she is keeping nearly $41,000 in tribal donations related to Abramoff. Murray could not be reached for comment Friday.
Copyright © 2006 The Seattle Times Company
Not just a GOP problem....(posted by mystery-ak http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1551333/posts?page=13#13)
* Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) Received At Least – $22,500
* Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN) Received At Least – $6,500
* Senator Joseph Biden (D-DE) Received At Least – $1,250
* Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) Received At Least – $2,000
* Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) Received At Least – $20,250
* Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) Received At Least – $21,765
* Senator Tom Carper (D-DE) Received At Least – $7,500
* Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) Received At Least – $12,950
* Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND) Received At Least – $8,000
* Senator Jon Corzine (D-NJ) Received At Least – $7,500
* Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) Received At Least – $14,792
* Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) Received At Least – $79,300
* Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) Received At Least – $14,000
* Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) Received At Least – $2,000
* Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) Received At Least – $1,250
* Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) Received At Least – $45,750
* Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI) Received At Least – $9,000
* Senator Jim Jeffords (I-VT) Received At Least – $2,000
* Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) Received At Least – $14,250
* Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) Received At Least – $3,300
* Senator John Kerry (D-MA) Received At Least – $98,550
* Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) Received At Least – $28,000
* Senator Pat Leahy (D-VT) Received At Least – $4,000
* Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) Received At Least – $6,000
* Senator Joe Lieberman (D-CT) Received At Least – $29,830
* Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) Received At Least – $14,891
* Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) Received At Least – $10,550
* Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) Received At Least – $78,991
* Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) Received At Least – $20,168
* Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) Received At Least – $5,200
* Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) Received At Least – $7,500
* Senator Mark Pryor (D-AR) Received At Least – $2,300
* Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) Received At Least – $3,500
* Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) Received At Least – $68,941
* Senator John Rockefeller (D-WV) Received At Least – $4,000
* Senator Ken Salazar (D-CO) Received At Least – $4,500
* Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) Received At Least – $4,300
* Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) Received At Least – $29,550
* Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) Received At Least – $6,250
* Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) Received At Least – $6,250
Abramoff Lobbying & Political Contributions to Democrats,
per FEC Records
# # # # #
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Cmte $423,480
Democratic Congressional Campaign Cmte $354,700
Democratic National Cmte $65,720
Patrick J. Kennedy (D-RI) $42,500
Patty Murray (D-Wash) $40,980
Charles B. Rangel (D-NY) $36,000
Harry Reid (D-Nev) $30,500
Byron L. Dorgan (D-ND) $28,000
Tom Daschle (D-SD) $26,500
Democratic Party of Michigan $23,000
Brad R. Carson (D-Okla) $20,600
Dale E. Kildee (D-Mich) $19,000
Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md) $17,500
Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) $15,500
Democratic Party of Oklahoma $15,000
Chris John (D-La) $15,000
John Breaux (D-La) $13,750
Frank Pallone, Jr (D-NJ) $13,600
Richard A. Gephardt (D-Mo) $12,000
Mary L. Landrieu (D-La) $11,500
Barney Frank (D-Mass) $11,100
Max Baucus (D-Mont) $11,000
Maria Cantwell (D-Wash) $10,000
Democratic Party of North Dakota $10,000
Nick Rahall (D-WVa) $10,000
Democratic Party of South Dakota $9,500
Democratic Party of Minnesota $9,000
Ron Kind (D-Wis) $9,000
Peter Deutsch (D-Fla) $8,500
Joe Baca (D-Calif) $8,000
Dick Durbin (D-Ill) $8,000
Xavier Becerra (D-Calif) $7,523
Tim Johnson (D-SD) $7,250
Democratic Party of New Mexico $6,250
Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) $6,000
David E. Bonior (D-Mich) $5,000
Jon S. Corzine (D-NJ) $5,000
Democratic Party of Montana $5,000
Fritz Hollings (D-SC) $5,000
Jay Inslee (D-Wash) $5,000
Thomas P. Keefe Jr. (D-Wash) $5,000
Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md) $5,000
Deborah Ann Stabenow (D-Mich) $5,000
Earl Pomeroy (D-ND) $4,500
Tom Carper (D-Del) $4,000
Kent Conrad (D-ND) $4,000
Jerry Kleczka (D-Wis) $4,000
Sander Levin (D-Mich) $4,000
Robert T. Matsui (D-Calif) $4,000
George Miller (D-Calif) $4,000
Kalyn Cherie Free (D-Okla) $3,500
James L. Oberstar (D-Minn) $3,500
Charles J. Melancon (D-La) $3,100
Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) $3,000
Cal Dooley (D-Calif) $3,000
John B. Larson (D-Conn) $3,000
David R. Obey (D-Wis) $3,000
Ed Pastor (D-Ariz) $3,000
Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif) $3,000
Richard M. Romero (D-NM) $3,000
Brad Sherman (D-Calif) $3,000
Bennie G. Thompson (D-Miss) $3,000
Max Cleland (D-Ga) $2,500
Grace Napolitano (D-Calif) $2,500
Henry A. Waxman (D-Calif) $2,500
Bill Luther (D-Minn) $2,250
Gene Taylor (D-Miss) $2,250
Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii) $2,000
Ken Bentsen (D-Texas) $2,000
Dan Boren (D-Okla) $2,000
Rosa L. DeLauro (D-Conn) $2,000
John D. Dingell (D-Mich) $2,000
Doug Dodd (D-Okla) $2,000
Ned Doucet (D-La) $2,000
Lane Evans (D-Ill) $2,000
Sam Farr (D-Calif) $2,000
John Neely Kennedy (D-La) $2,000
Carl Levin (D-Mich) $2,000
Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark) $2,000
Nita M. Lowey (D-NY) $2,000
Robert Menendez (D-NJ) $2,000
Adam Schiff (D-Calif) $2,000
Ronnie Shows (D-Miss) $2,000
Adam Smith (D-Wash) $2,000
Ellen O. Tauscher (D-Calif) $2,000
Mike Thompson (D-Calif) $2,000
Maxine Waters (D-Calif) $2,000
Peter DeFazio (D-Ore) $1,500
Norm Dicks (D-Wash) $1,500
John Kerry (D-Mass) $1,400
Barbara Boxer (D-Calif) $1,000
Dennis Cardoza (D-Calif) $1,000
Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) $1,000
Jim Costa (D-Calif) $1,000
Susan A. Davis (D-Calif) $1,000
Eliot L. Engel (D-NY) $1,000
Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif) $1,000
Tim Holden (D-Pa) $1,000
Patrick Leahy (D-Vt) $1,000
Joe Lieberman (D-Conn) $1,000
Jim Maloney (D-Conn) $1,000
David Phelps (D-Ill) $1,000
Charles S. Robb (D-Va) $1,000
Brian David Schweitzer (D-Mont) $1,000
Pete Stark (D-Calif) $1,000
Gloria Tristani (D-NM) $1,000
Derrick B. Watchman (D-Ariz) $1,000
Rick Weiland (D-SD) $1,000
Paul Wellstone (D-Minn) $1,000
Ron Wyden (D-Ore) $1,000
Bob Borski (D-Pa) $720
Shelley Berkley (D-Nev) $500
Howard L. Berman (D-Calif) $500
Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) $500
Democratic Party of Washington $500
Barbara Lee (D-Calif) $500
Loretta Sanchez (D-Calif) $500
Grand Total $1,541,673
Posted by TAB
I would like to see a Campaign Finance Law that states that after an election is all paid for any monies left over from that campaign be given back ,or donated to charity ,or be paid in taxes to the IRS.
Leaving this money in the coffers of incumbents places a strain on anyone running against them. These people take this money and do what they like with it, Things like helping other politicians get elected that think the same way they do. Its bribe money plain and simple when they are allowed to keep it after they retire.
?????
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1545902/posts
AND
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1545902/posts#9
On C-Span at this moment questioning people on their involvement. The real joke is that Traitor McStain seems to be running this committee. How did he get left off of this list?
ditto
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