Democrat Senator Keeps Abramoff Money Because It’s a “Republican Scandal”

While most lawmakers are frantically trying to distance themselves from the Jack Abramoff scandal by returning money linked to the disgraced lobbyist, some refuse to give it up with one well-known senator offering a most interesting reason.

“Abramoff was a Republican operative and this is a Republican scandal.” A top aide to Nevada Senator Harry Reid, the Democratic leader, actually said that when explaining why his boss would not return more than $60,000 donated by Abramoff clients.

Others are also refusing to part with some big Abramoff-connected bucks. For instance, Democrat Senator Patty Murray of Washington will keep $41,000, Democrat Representative Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island will keep $42,500, Democrat Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington will keep $10,000 and Republican Representative J.D. Hayworth of Arizona will not part with $150,000.

The Conservative Voice says this proves that, although many news reports of the Abramoff alleged briberies of Congressional officials suggest that this is a Republican scandal, there appear to be as many if not more Democrats involved.