Dean Still Lying About Democrat/Abramoff Ties
Good grief...
Dorgan didn't take money that originated with Abramoff?
Dorgan has admitted, in his own statements, to taking money from employees of Jack Abramoff's firm. And the Indian tribes themselves have admitted to making contributions to Dorgan (and other Democrats) at the behest of Abramoff.
Howard Dean is flat-out lying.
Update:
RNC party chairman Ken Mehlman points out a part of the Dorgan situation Wolf and Dean failed to mention:
Dorgan took money from Abramoff employees and Abramoff clients. This money was contributed to Dorgan at the behest of Abramoff. Dorgan, in this same time frame, took actions favorable to Abramoff clients. That, by itself, does not add up to guilt, but it sure as heck puts Dorgan into the scandal just as deep as every Republican involved.
howard dean, byron dorgan, ken mehlman, jack abramoff
Wolf Blitzer: “Should Democrats who took money from Jack Abramoff, who has now pleaded guilty to bribery charges among other charges [and is] a Republican lobbyist in Washington, should the Democrats who took money from him give that money to charity or give it back?”
Howard Dean: “There are no Democrats who took money from Jack Abramoff. Not one. Not one single Democrat. Every person named in this scandal is a Republican. Every person in [this] investigation is a Republican. Every person indicted is a Republican. This is a Republican finance scandal. There is no evidence that Jack Abramoff ever gave any Democrat any money and we’ve looked through all those FEC reports to make sure that’s true.”
:Long Pause:
Wolf Blitzer: “But there are, through various Abramoff related organizations and outfits, a bunch of Democrats did take money that presumably originated with Jack Abramoff.”
Howard Dean: “That’s not true either. There’s no evidence for that either. There’s no evidence…”(crosstalk)
Wolf Blitzer: “What about Senator Byron Dorgan?”
Howard Dean: “Senator Byron Dorgan and some others took money from Indian tribes, they’re not agents of Jack Abramoff. There’s no evidence, that I’ve seen, that Jack Abramoff directed any contributions to Democrats. I know the Republican National Committee would like to get the Democrats involved in this. They’re scared. They should be scared. They haven’t told the truth, they have misled the American people, and now it appears they’re stealing from Indian tribes. The Democrats are not involved in this.”
:Long uncomfortable pause:
Wolf Blitzer: “Sigh….Unfortunately Mr. Chairman we have to leave it right there. Howard Dean, the Chairman of the Democatic Party. Always speaking out bluntly, candidly, appreciate you joining us on Late Edition.”
Dorgan didn't take money that originated with Abramoff?
Dorgan has admitted, in his own statements, to taking money from employees of Jack Abramoff's firm. And the Indian tribes themselves have admitted to making contributions to Dorgan (and other Democrats) at the behest of Abramoff.
Howard Dean is flat-out lying.
Update:
RNC party chairman Ken Mehlman points out a part of the Dorgan situation Wolf and Dean failed to mention:
The Associated Press reports that Byron Dorgan is finally returning $67,000 in donations "in response to Associated Press reports that he collected tribal money around the time he took actions favorable to those Abramoff clients." Byron finally decided to return the money to "avoid any appearances that tribal money was directed to him by the controversial lobbyist."
Dorgan took money from Abramoff employees and Abramoff clients. This money was contributed to Dorgan at the behest of Abramoff. Dorgan, in this same time frame, took actions favorable to Abramoff clients. That, by itself, does not add up to guilt, but it sure as heck puts Dorgan into the scandal just as deep as every Republican involved.
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