Both Political Parties Benefit From Abramoff

Ed Morrissey of Captain’s Quarters finally understands why Democrats stopped referencing Jack Abramoff and started using the more generic charge of “culture of corruption” against Republicans. Just today it was reported that both Republicans and Democrats benefited greatly by supporting Abramoff’s lobbying goal of preventing a rival Indian tribe from opening a competing casino in Louisiana (AP article).

Nearly three dozen members of Congress, including leaders from both parties, pressed the government to block a Louisiana Indian tribe from opening a casino while the lawmakers collected large donations from rival tribes and their lobbyist, Jack Abramoff.

Many intervened with letters to Interior Secretary Gale Norton within days of receiving money from tribes represented by Abramoff or using the lobbyist’s restaurant for fundraising, an Associated Press review of campaign records, IRS records and congressional correspondence found.

Some of the lawmakers that appear to have benefited from supporting the issue are House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Tex.), Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), Senator Mary Landrieu (D-La.), and Senator Trent Lott (R-Miss.). All received donations or contributions in some fashion.

At least 33 politicians received over $800,000 in Abramoff-related donations after urging the Interior Secretary to block the opening of the new casino. The article continues to say that this amount is far greater than the sum involved in the Keatings 5 savings-and-loan scandal of the 80s.

Captain Ed ends his take on the Democratic demagoguery by writing, “The culture [of corruption] unfortunately pervades DC politics without regard to the R or D after the name; it relies on human nature and greed, one of our least partisan and most unfortunate impulses.”