DC Sleaze Explosion

http://washdateline.mgnetwork.com/index.cfm?SiteID=wsh&PackageID=46&fuseaction=article.main&ArticleID=7753&GroupID=215

WASHINGTON -- The House of Representatives is the People’s House. The Republicans have had the keys to the place for more than a decade and have been so solidly entrenched that it seemed no one would oust them for another 50 years.

Now, the stench of corruption may become too pungent even for the most potent fundraising machine ever invented. The indictment of super-lobbyist Jack A. Abramoff has shaken this party from the top down. Last week, the scandal literally had Republicans, led by President Bush, turning money Abramoff gave them over to charity, as if casting away their sins.

A couple of Democrats also got Abramoff’s campaign contributions. But Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid said this was a Republican scandal and he would resist dragging Democrats into it by giving back money he got. Ah, the friendly bonds of principle.

At the root of this mess is a culture of corruption built on professional campaign financing, lobbying, pork barrel spending and influence-peddling that has been practiced over the years by both parties. But it has reached a hot boil under the Republican-controlled House of the new century.

Abramoff and former House Republican Leader Tom DeLay built one of the most formidable lobbying and fundraising machines in congressional history, and it is being pulled apart by federal prosecutors one well-lubricated cog at a time.

<snip>

The Republicans are so afraid of this impending storm that they are acting like they never heard of Abramoff. As Bush gave $6,000 to the American Heart Association that Abramoff donated to his 2004 campaign, White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan said the president did not recall ever meeting Abramoff, who had been to the White House three times and had reached coveted “pioneer” status among top re-election fundraisers for Bush.

...more...

professional campaign financing, lobbying, pork barrel spending and influence-peddling that has been practiced over the years by both parties. But it has reached a hot boil under the Republican-controlled House of the new century.''

admittedly republicans are afraid of this coming storm -- but this is a constructed storm of the republicans making.

there is very little in this current situation that resembles the corruption of the past -- republicans built this scandal over years and years.
lovingly laying each outrage one atop the other.

even going so far as to make look like THEY{teh republicans} pushed corporations to misbehave and support them at greater levels than democrats.

utter horse shit -- IF the prosecuters care to hang out long enough -- they will find corporations gleefully participating in the corruption.

this is a great article -- and i hope it's the beginning of an avalanche.