Ralph Reed's visits to WH part of the DNC suit filed today.

WASHINGTON — The Democratic National Committee went to federal court Monday to obtain White House logs that show the comings and goings of prominent Republicans with ties to former lobbyist Jack Abramoff, including political strategist Ralph Reed.

DNC Chairman Howard Dean said the lawsuit was necessary because of what he called "stonewalling" by the Bush administration. Democrats are seeking Secret Service records that could shed light on the White House visits of those Dean characterized as "central figures" in the "Republican culture of corruption."

"This seems to be the only way to finally answer questions that remain regarding the ongoing contacts between the Bush White House and Abramoff cronies," Dean said in a prepared statement.

Abramoff pleaded guilty to corruption charges in January.

Democrats said they included Reed, who worked with Abramoff on a number of projects and is now a candidate for lieutenant governor in Georgia, on their list because of Reed's close friendship with presidential adviser Karl Rove. The relationship with Rove made Reed an important pathway into the White House for the favor-seeking Abramoff, Democrats alleged.

LAKELAND --"If, as Ralph Reed says, there are 73,000 volunteers working for the Republican Party in Florida, he clearly doesn't think that's enough. The Southeast regional chairman for President George W. Bush's campaign was the featured speaker at a Republican campaign rally in Lakeland on Friday night. He used the specter of the contested presidential election in 2000 to motivate an already-enthusiastic crowd of about 200 people.

"We're going to make sure this president has the election night he should have had four years ago," Reed said, to applause. "We came within 537 votes of having Al Gore in the Oval Office at 8:49 on Sept. 11 when that plane hit the north tower of the World Trade Center. It's going to be close, particularly in Florida. It will be one, two or three points, and what you do matters."

State Rep. John Stargel, R-Lakeland, offered a lengthy prayer near the beginning of the rally, in which he thanked God for political and religious freedom and prayed for elected officials, candidates and people affected by the hurricanes that have hit the state. He then introduced his younger brother, Daniel, who sang "God Bless the U.S.A."

U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam, R-Bartow, who spoke briefly before introducing Reed, compared the event to "an old-time revival" and urged those present to vote based on their convictions.