Sen. Reid dismisses link to Abramoff

[NVMojo]

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Sen. Harry Reid dismissed a television news organization's report Wednesday that disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff had implicated the Nevada lawmaker in an ongoing corruption investigation.

The report came as Abramoff, who pleaded guilty to fraud and conspiracy to bribe public officials, reported to federal prison Wednesday in Cumberland, Md., for a separate fraud case. Abramoff is awaiting sentencing for soliciting favors from members of Congress.

In his first wide-ranging interview with Nevada reporters since he was elected Senate majority leader, Reid scoffed at the latest news story linking him to Abramoff. Reid said ABCNews.com relied on one anonymous source and that the former lobbyist could not be trusted.

"This is an old story," he said.

more...

http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061116/NEWS07/611160332/1002/NEWS

[BrainRants]

1. If they've got the goods on him, where's the evidence?

Bring it on.

Otherwise ABCNews.com should STFU!

[WillParkinson]

2. If he did it...

He needs to be treated the same as anyone else who has/had connections with Abramoff.

If he didn't do it they need to back off.

[rocktivity]

3. How can you bring it on when there's no "it"?

Reid scoffed at the latest news story linking him to Abramoff. Reid said ABCNews.com relied on one anonymous source and that the former lobbyist could not be trusted...

Previous news reports have noted that Reid wrote four letters helpful to Indian tribes that had given him campaign contributions and were represented by Abramoff...

That's IT? Unless there's proof that Reid's money came directly from Abramoff, where's the beef?

:shrug:
rocknation

[NOLADEM]

5. IF those letters were written, he's got some explaining to do

He is from a state which is OWNED by gambling interests, and they would lobby HEAVILY against any new gambling opportunities outside their state.

Those letters didn't write themselves. And ask yourself WHY would a Senator from Nevada write four letters supporting the creation of even more competition for Nevada, without some kind of quid pro quo being the motivation.

Now, I am not saying he is guilty. Abramoff didn't give a single campaign contribution to a Dem according to the record, and he was a key part of Delay's K Street Project, meant to shut Dems out of lobbying cash entirely.

I have to say though that if he wrote those letters, I will want to know more from a member of our party leadership.

[w4rma]

6. Scary letters. No money. (nt)

[bpj1962]

4. Abramoff

Can we get this straight once and for all. Not a single democrat received money directly from Jack Abramoff. He sent money to various Indian tribes who then donated to the various democratic campaigns. I am getting tired of this misinformation be spread by the media. This issue has been dissected in many prior posts. Harry Reid does not have an ethics problem.

[buddysmellgood]

7. I think the "Rathergate" standard should be applied to this reporting.

[BklnDem75]

8. Smells like desperation...

ABC hoping Reid will step down and resign so Nevada's con governor could select a new senator. Result = 50-50 senate.

[Judi Lynn]

9. They already tried to run this past us months ago, and it didn't go anywhere.

Can't imagine why they thought it would be more successful this time, or why people would pay more attention to it.

Maybe it's part of a swarming pattern they plan to use to smear as many Democrats as possible all at once!

They undoubtedly want to throw some mud around, after being both descredited because they became the "party of corruption," and having lost the midterm elections.

Revenge, no doubt. Screw 'em.

Isn't it about time for them to run the story again of John Conyers's wife slapping a drunk in a bar again?
What about the one about Max Baucus's wife getting into a loud squabble with another woman at a garden center? I can tell you, that one had me fit to be tied! Maybe not.

[Bullshot]

10. If there is anything, why didn't it come out with all of the other names,

like DeLay, Ney, et al?

The timing of this is suspicious. Right after Reid is voted Senate Majority Leader, this comes out, rehashed apparently.

Yep, that damn librul media.

ABC is more Mickey Mouse than its Disney connections.