AM Feed - August 14: Another Guilty Plea in Abramoff Investigation
Hot Topics
- The Jack Abramoff scandal has resulted in yet another guilty plea: A former Interior Department official has admitted to failing to report gifts given to him by the corrupt lobbyist. Abramoff provided hundreds of dollars worth of football and concert tickets to Roger Stillwell, who was handling issues related to the Northern Marianas Islands at the time. It is unclear whether Stillwell is cooperating in the ongoing investigation, although he is the fifth former government official to either plead or be found guilty in connection with the far-reaching lobbying scandal. [link]
- Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher’s ( R) administration has been pock-marked by corruption and scandal – he is currently facing three criminal charges that could lead to jail time. In a minor bright spot yesterday, a judge ruled yesterday that Fletcher was immune to the charges while in office, but that he could be tried when his term is up next year, or if he is impeached before then. Fletcher, who earlier issued a blanket pardon to other members of his administration (14 of whom were already facing indictments), says he plans to run for reelection. [link]
- The 2004 presidential election will be forever remembered for the vicious tactics of the so-called “Swift Boat Veterans for Truth” organization that existed for the sole purpose of smudging history and releasing negative ads. Now, two years later, the group is targeting Rep. John Murtha (D-PA), a Vietnam veteran who has led the call for US troops to leave Iraq. Retired Navy Captain (and resident of North Carolina, not Pennsylvania) Larry Bailey pledged to do his “best to ‘Swift boat’ John Murtha.” Murtha has been a longtime proponent of heavy defense spending, and was a backer of the first Persian Gulf War. [link]
Quote of the Day
“He’s probably a nice guy, but I don’t think he’s a great secretary of defense.” – Rep. Jo Ann Davis (R-VA), who has joined the ranks of those calling for Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to resign. Davis also later amended her remarks by backtracking from her “nice guy” characterization.
Morning Snark
- Imagine if the “Swift Boat” organization took all the money it spent on dirty, negative ads “supporting the troops,” and actually bought things like body armor that would, you know, support the troops.
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