Abramoff Met With Bush In May 2001
Abramoff Met With Bush In May 2001
The White House maintains that Bush does not “recall” meeting Abramoff and, if they ever did meet, it was only in passing at a large gathering:
MR. McCLELLAN: Yes, I said it’s possible that they would have met at a holiday reception or some other widely attended gathering. The President does not know him, nor does the President recall ever meeting him.
Q But he has the special designation as a Pioneer, as Terry was alluding to, raising more than $100,000. And he attended, as you told us, three events, holiday receptions at the White House. How likely is it that the President would not have met him —
MR. McCLELLAN: That’s why I said it’s possible. But I just told you what I know at this point, and the President doesn’t recall meeting him and he certainly doesn’t know him.
It’s not just possible, it happened.
The Texas Observer reports that Abramoff met with Bush on May 9, 2001, with his clients, the Coushatta tribe. (The chairman of the Coushatta tribe initially denied the meeting occured, but subsequently admitted that it did.) Abramoff charged his client 25,000 to arrange the meeting.
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Right. Guess who else Bush claims he didn't know. Ken Lay. These people are absolutely shameless.
January 7th, 2006 at 9:36 amWhy do people even ask Scottie questions?
He either says nothing or misleads.
How is old "Kenny Boy" these days?
January 7th, 2006 at 9:41 amOne thing about Chimpy's nickname fetish,
it makes it hard to claim you don't know people
well when you give them a nickname.
I know Chimpy gives everyone a nickname,
but in the real world, it is hard to
claim you don't people once they have a nickname.
More "progressive" non-news, eh, Amanda? Gosh, do you think President Bush might have been dealing with a few more important things during the last few years than a meeting he might have had with an indian tribe and a lobbyist back in May 2001?
BTW, Amanda, what did you do on May 9, 2001? Who did you meet with? What did you discuss? Was there any quid pro quo? Just wondering.
January 7th, 2006 at 9:42 amYeah,
I think the whole wingnuttery is
January 7th, 2006 at 9:46 amnervous about Abramoff.
I think it's way overdue for the WH press corp to BOYCOTT thoes lieing meetings. If NO ONE showed, it would be a great blow to ol bushies ego.
January 7th, 2006 at 9:56 amSo the prez was selling his meetings with groups and individuals for $25,000 per pop eh? Well four of those meetings a day and you have a pretty good thing going. Bush will leave the WH a very, very rich man.
January 7th, 2006 at 10:03 amGood point. I've often wondered why the WH press corps doesn't all gather and set some basic guidelines and standards among themselves.
Under such a system a Jeff Gannon couldn't occur, and questions would either be repeated and repeated and repeated until they got answered, or there would be an embargo on WH news conferences.
January 7th, 2006 at 10:04 amLOL, I said "WH news conference."
How funny.
January 7th, 2006 at 10:05 amI wonder if Clinton tried the "I don't reacal" bit with the monica case would it have worked?
nope.
McClellan: he doesn't know him know him. the president just kind of, SORT OF heard of him.
this administration will keep trying to tell us that there is no elephant in the room until theyre blue (or red, depending on your partisan) in the face.
I can almost see cheney's arm sticking out of scotty's back, making him talk.
and I use the term talk loosely. If we wanted to be lead around a carousel, we would have gone to the fair.
speaking of cheney, I also left a comment about his bit on the wiretaping...and subsequent tangent that sped off of that.
January 7th, 2006 at 10:10 amNot hard to imagine why Bush would mis-remember meeting with the GOP Bag Man.
Memories in DC are running short these days...
GOP Bag Man Page
January 7th, 2006 at 10:11 amHow many times did ol reagan use the "I don't recall" bull when in court?....answer..'all of the time'.
January 7th, 2006 at 10:33 amMR. McCLELLAN: That’s why I said it’s possible. But I just told you what I know at this point, and the President doesn’t recall meeting him and he certainly doesn’t know him.
Scott McClellan's parents must be extremely disappointed that their son has become the public mouthpiece for the Bushite misinformation machine. But how McClellan manages to look at himself in the mirror without throwing up is one for the science texts.
Bushiva, L'il Dick and company on the other hand are perfect textbook examples of pathological criminals, thieves, liars, mass murderers and miscreants.
Anyone who believes that Bushiva wasn't cozy with Abramoff (a'la Dumb DeLay) is of course an inbred with a serious sado-masochistic streak.
January 7th, 2006 at 10:40 amit's good to see that, in the new year, scotty has picked up right up where he left off, stonewalling, sidestepping, bullshitting and generally lying through his teeth...
And, yes, I DO take it personally
January 7th, 2006 at 10:41 amI think the whole wingnuttery is
nervous about Abramoff.
Comment by afterthought #4
All you have to do to see the proof of that is read "Fool State Inbred" #3...
January 7th, 2006 at 10:43 am#3
January 7th, 2006 at 10:49 amYeah, busy cleaning brush in Crawford
Is Scottie gay?
January 7th, 2006 at 11:03 amSEE... Abramoff and Bush
... NEW PROTEST IMAGE
... KILLERS of DEMOCRACY
U can copy download FREE,
Put on your Refrig, E send, What-Ever at
http://www.RogerART.com
Thank U, & Enjoy the VIEW, RogerART.com
January 7th, 2006 at 11:07 amThe same article says that Abramoff was a member of the Bush Transition Team and that he was a friend of Karl Roves.
January 7th, 2006 at 11:28 amIs this how a liberal spends his weekend? Grasping for straws?
January 7th, 2006 at 11:31 amWhy is the press not crying LIAR with this criminal? Will no reporter stand up and ask the question,"Why are you not telling the truth about this?"
January 7th, 2006 at 11:32 amScottie is practicing for his a job with Microsoft. It is a common joke in the field that a Microsoft answer to any question is technically correct but contains no useful information. This is particularly true with Bush in the area of intelligence. They will gather as much intelligence as they can without passing any along because has such a paucity of intelligence (IQ less than his shoe size) he can't afford to let any get away. To answer #3 and illustrate my point above: I do not know where I was on May 9th 2001 but I do not reside in the White House and do not maintain a daily log of visitors, meetings, briefings, etc. It would be a simple matter to search the data base for the White House log for "Abramoff" and print out a copy for the reporters. However, it is the way of the powers that be to give the "Microsoft" answer. It may be true that DUHbya doesn't "recall" and doesn't "know" (depends on what your definition of "is" is) but that information is not what was requested nor does it pass on any useful information.
January 7th, 2006 at 11:36 amTexas Observer: The Pimping of the Presidency...
As the Abramoff scandal has boiled over this week, the White House is working overtime to distance itself from any association with “The Jack Plague.” On Wednesday, White House spokesman Scott McClellan told us that the president doesnR...
January 7th, 2006 at 11:50 am#20 - I believe Helen Thomas did just that at Scotty's last press conference - of course Scotty just ignored her.
#19 - Gordo, ask yourself the same question - you seem to be wasting quite a bit of our time here as of late. What's the matter, not enough room for you at the kennel this weekend?
January 7th, 2006 at 12:06 pmAs a Republican of long standing, it pains me to bear witness to the scalawags and ne'erdowells in this Administration. Dear Mr. Bush, why do you parade Scott McClellan out every day to provide reporters with what are in essence fairytales? For someone who visited you and raised over $100,000 for your political campaigns, I'd think you would remember Jack Abramoff. But since you deny such memory, and send Scottie out to defend your lack of memory, either you are lying, or you suffer from too much amnesia to be an effective leader of the free world. Either way, I believe you are unfit to be my President. Go, and take that evil man Cheney with you.
Only then can we law abiding, God loving, Americans begin to salvage our fledging democracy from the authoritarian Banana Republic you have worked to create over the past 5+ years.
Man, has this Pappy's boy gotten us in a fine mess, or what? -Kevo
January 7th, 2006 at 12:08 pmWASHINGTON - Dissatisfied with the nation’s direction, Americans are leaning toward wanting a change in which political party leads Congress — preferring that Democrats take control, an AP-Ipsos poll found. Democrats are favored over Republicans 49 percent to 36 percent.
January 7th, 2006 at 12:10 pm(from Yahoo)
Ah the Reagan defence once again....do I remember being told that we were selling arms to one of our enemies so we could send money and guns to a terrorist organisation? Hell no, I don't remember that at all...ask my vice President, or maybe that nice Mr Powell.
January 7th, 2006 at 12:20 pm#20....it's all about access. If you play along - you get all the "inside" information. From the start, this WH has classified more documents and slowed the release of documents more than ANY OTHER administration. It's all about control of information. News organizations have eveolved into profit centers rather than public good enterprises, so it's vital that they be the first with the topical news of the day. Unfortunately, too many Americans do not appreciate the finer aspects of our democracy and find TV news which agrees with their world view to be better than "bad news."
January 7th, 2006 at 12:39 pm#3
Well, If somebody raised $100,000 for me to get elected persident. I sure as hell would remember it. But then again, George Bush only has an IQ of 91. So, you're right, we can't expect too much from him.
January 7th, 2006 at 1:31 pmJack Abramoff gave at least $100,000 to President George W.Bush, and they were friends until Abramoff got indicted for conspiracy and stealing money from Indian Tribes! This is another item to put on Bush's articles of impeachment!
January 7th, 2006 at 1:35 pmJay,
The President and Abramoff were friends after he was indicted. Bush "stopped knowing" Abramoff when he turned states evidence.
Which leads me to:
There are records that show where Jack's money went. Jack knows where his money went. The I don't remember clause ain't gonna work. So, these criminals can try the Reagan defense. They can try the Chewabbaca defense if they'd like, but I doubt it will work.
January 7th, 2006 at 1:51 pmHello America, how are ya? Good posts all. #23 M.Dechamp, like your note to Gordo about the kennel. It make me think of the quote " if you aren't the lead dog your view never changes." That's the trouble with most of the radical right, their noses are so far up the butts of their leaders even their hearing is impared.....Blessings.
January 7th, 2006 at 2:19 pmYou have to love the audacity of Bush, who has to go down in history as the president with the poorest memory ever.
Abramoff, Rove and Bush go back a number of years. Abramoff is a MILLION dollar baby of Bushlandia, not a mere 100,000.
Abramoff was on the Bush transition team in 2001 and is on a first name basis with everyone in the WH, including Cheney.
Dont let the smoke get in your eyes trolls.
January 7th, 2006 at 3:10 pmAmanda, what did you do on May 9, 2001? Who did you meet with? What did you discuss? Was there any quid pro quo? Just wondering.
Comment by Blue State Red — January 7, 2006 @ 9:42 am
I guess you missed the topic of the thread: This is not about Bush recalling what he did on a specific date, but the fact that he claims not to recall ever meeting a specific person -Jack Abramoff.
Also, in case you haven't been following the news, Abramoff is not just any run-of-the-mill lobbyist. He earned the title of "Pioneer" during Pres Bush's 2004 re-election campaign for raising at least $100,000.
That wasn't the first time Abramoff became a "Bush Pioneer": He was also a Pioneer for the 2000 campaign, again, for raising at least $100,000.
But that's not all: Abramoff's ties to the current administration date back from at leat 1997, when he got then-Texas Gov. George Bush to write a letter expressing support for the Mariana Islands school choice proposal.
But that's still not all. In the FoxNews article I linked above you will find this other tid-bit: "Abramoff and his wife each gave $5,000 to Bush's 2000 recount fund and the maximum $1,000 to his 2000 campaign."
Abramoff has had close ties to the Bush entourage since at least 1997, and helped Pres Bush in two separate presidential campaigns with substantial amounts of money. Not to mention Pres Bush's recount fund.
I would say Pres. Bush is at least disingenuous when he claims not to "recall ever meeting" Jack Abramoff.
The Washington Post published in 2004 a great article regarding the sorry state of affairs when it comes to lobbyist, campaign contributions, and cronyism:
January 7th, 2006 at 3:10 pmPioneers Fill War Chest, Then Capitalize
Is this how a liberal spends his weekend? Grasping for straws?
Comment by Gordon the Magnificent — January 7, 2006 @ 11:31 am
"Grasping for straws"? I am not sure what you are talking about, but Abramoff has already pled guilty to three counts of fraud, tax evasion and conspiracy to bribe public officials. Bribing public officials, i.e., members of Congress and the Senate. No need to "grasp at straws" at all.
The fact that Abramoff has such close ties to George Bush since 1997, makes it the more interesting that Pres. Bush should now claim not to "recall ever meeting" Abramoff.
As for how we spend our weekends, this is a liberal/progressive (however you choose to label it, I don't care) blog. We all share similar political leanings. This is our hobby. What's your excuse?
January 7th, 2006 at 3:30 pmWell guys what do you expect Bush to say?
January 7th, 2006 at 7:06 pmJack A's doing a heck of a job!
I beleive Jack is innocent until proven guilty.
or maybe...
On the ranch I've learned that it's best to tell Laura that I don't recall stepping in any manure.
Gordo is spending his weekend try to get over the Motezuma's revenge that he got from his 'expensive mexican dinner.'
January 7th, 2006 at 8:13 pmHas anyone alerted Scotty?
January 7th, 2006 at 9:19 pmBig Poppa.
January 8th, 2006 at 12:20 amScotty's Mother is as bad as he is, she's thinking of running for Gov. of Texas! His brother Mark was appointed by Bush to the Sect. of FDA, Health something on a national level. And the Father has written a left wing book. ( Divorced you know)
R U Cognizant
Reply to post 30 Spudgeboy: Yes I agree with you! Bush just hopes we will believe his LIE that he never met Abramoff!
January 8th, 2006 at 12:24 amThey have been friends for years! And there is a record of contributions to Bush, unless he had the lists altered or destroyed by the CIA! So ends up that Bush has gotten over $200,000 from Abramoff > $100,000 for 2000 & $100,000 for 2004! Plus a few extra thousand > lol.
Big Poppa.
Scotty’s Mother is as bad as he is, she’s thinking of running for Gov.
Comment by Pat Sharp #38
Knew about his mother, had no idea or interest in the others. McClellan's done (same as his gods Bushiva and L'il Dick), after all what's a WH press secretary, president, and vice capo without credibility?
January 8th, 2006 at 1:31 pmDidn't Bush acton Abramoff's behalf when bush was governor? Didn't he write a letter on behalf of Abramoff's clients (Marianas (sp?) Island and education?). fishy...
January 8th, 2006 at 3:41 pmJanuary 8th, 2006 at 5:24 pm
Bush is a LIAR!
January 8th, 2006 at 5:32 pm
Gee, Amanda.....That story you reported on Bush meeting Abramoff was ALMOST as interesting as the story about Harry Reid meeting Abramoff. Slow news day?????
January 8th, 2006 at 9:29 pm#44 Nothing to contribute? Useless and angry, how redundant you are. I couldn't imagine being less important than yourself. Sad creature.
January 9th, 2006 at 10:47 amLIES ..............LIES AND MORE LIES....AMERICA WAKE UP
January 18th, 2006 at 12:21 pmJackoff is another slease fag,just as Jeff Gannon.
Scottie is another stooge,just like Flechter-a con man.Once the public catch on,that they are brick walls to protect the President--next is in Line--a black this time--Jesse Jackson?
GOT TO READ THE FOLLOWING AND SAVE IT!
http://www.texasobserver.org/showForPrint_new.asp?ArticleID=13
http://www.thelawparty.com/FranklinCoverup/franklin.htm
January 18th, 2006 at 11:42 pmThat's peeenuts compared to another big dick Whitehouse vermin!
January 19th, 2006 at 12:31 amJeff Gannon a known Military Web site-prostitute advertises weekend stay overs with gang bangs at $5700.Compare this to Jackoff's $25,000 is peanuts. Do the math. Jeff Jew Gagnon has been recorded as staying at the WH--27 weekends--times that by 27 equals=$153900. And the Christians are supporting Bush's gay habits! Where's the IRS?
I like what 'Eric the Bass Player' had to say, comment 7. An excellent point. Here's an excerpt, "a system [where] a Jeff Gannon couldn’t occur, and questions would either be repeated and repeated and repeated until they [were either]answered, or there would be an embargo [against the] Whitehouse news conferences". What an excellent concept, an embargo, a media coup against McClellan's'truthiness'. The Press Corp had better huddle up on this one because another war is on the horizon. Only this time it's against Iran. Read for yourself "Project for a New American Century" PNAC (G. Bush's Mein Kampf).
January 19th, 2006 at 5:06 am[...] I like what ‘Eric the Bass Player’ had to say, comment 7. An excellent point. Here’s an excerpt, “a system [where] a Jeff Gannon couldn’t occur, and questions would either be repeated and repeated and repeated until they [were either]answered, or there would be an embargo [against the] Whitehouse news conferencesâ€. What an excellent concept, an embargo, a media coup against McClellan’s’truthiness’. The Press Corp had better huddle up on this one because another war is on the horizon. Only this time it’s against Iran. Read for yourself “Project for a New American Century†PNAC (G. Bush’s Mein Kampf). [...]
January 19th, 2006 at 5:15 am[...] Here is a specific question for an enterprising White House reporter: Did President Bush meet with Jack Abramoff in May 2001? [...]
January 19th, 2006 at 1:18 pmDid I miss something in the Texas Observer story linked here? I didn't see anything about Abramoff actually meeting with Bush, just some Indian tribe reps in a brief presidential audience. Is there something else that shows that Bush and Abramoff were the best of buds?
January 21st, 2006 at 5:37 pm[...] Once again, the White House is caught in a lie. The White House keeps records of all meetings with the President. In the face of overwhelming evidence, the administration needs to give the public facts about the meetings Abramoff attended at the White House. [...]
January 23rd, 2006 at 10:46 amWhy are lobbyists, felons, criminals and other meddling influences allowed to contribute obscene amounts of money to politial campaigns?
The elections belong to voters and NO ONE should be allowed to influence and corrupt them. Only voters should be allowed to contribute to the campaigns of their elections.
We don't allow the Chinese to contribute to campaigns.
Why then is it legal for some ex-patriot corporation to set up lobbyists in Washington that raise millions for the campaigns of corrupt politicians?
We need the will and excitement to stop the traditional corruption.
January 26th, 2006 at 12:15 pmBush ur gay cause u say and promise us lots of stuff and u never do shit.
February 9th, 2006 at 9:45 pm