CNN: Abramoff ‘E-mails Tell A Different Story’ From The White House
CNN: Abramoff ‘E-mails Tell A Different Story’ From The White House
CNN’s Situation Room last night covered ThinkProgress and the Abramoff e-mail, highlighting its importance in telling a different story from the Bush administration’s spin.
CANDY CROWLEY, SR. POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Well Wolf, that’s the easy question. If it’s, do these e-mails tell a different story? The answer is most definitely yes.
Crowley also mentioned possible implications in the Abramoff investigation for the White House: “The federal probe has instead been focused on the actions of some members of Congress and their staffs, but there have been what the source called ‘interchanges’ between Abramoff and investigators about members of the Bush administration.”
Full transcript below:
BLITZER: Welcome back. President Bush has said he doesn’t really know Jack Abramoff, the lobbyist who pleaded guilty last month to corruption charges. To Mr. Bush he was another guy at the end of a handshake, a smiling face in a grip and grin photo op. But do e-mail from Abramoff tell a different story? Let’s turn to our senior political correspondent, Candy Crowley. Candy?
CANDY CROWLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, that’s the easy question. If it is do these e-mails tell a different story? The answer is most definitely yes.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CROWLEY (voice-over): He’s off-camera these days but Jack Abramoff still knows his way around a computer keyboard. Portions of his e-mails to a Washington journalist are making the rounds, surfacing first on a liberal blog and confirmed by CNN, the snippets include this one, Abramoff describing his relationship with President Bush.
“The guy saw me in almost a dozen settings and joked with me a bunch of things including details about my kids. Perhaps he has forgotten everything, who knows?
BUSH: You know, I frankly don’t even remember my picture being taken with the guy. I don’t know him.
CROWLEY: A source close to Abramoff talks about six pictures of Abramoff and/or his family with the president in various settings.
MCCLELLAN: I think what the president said still stands. Mr. Abramoff is someone who was involved in wrongdoing. He acknowledged that himself. He is being brought to account. And there’s an investigation going on by the Justice Department.
CROWLEY: It’s not like they were friends, the source said, of the president and the lobbyist but Jack was at the White House on a number of occasions. In his e-mails, Abramoff also talks of being invited to but not attending a fund-raiser in Crawford. In a town where the grip and grin is the native waltz and the offices of politicians, lobbyists and journalists are plastered with power pictures, people who have spoken with Abramoff say he’s amused by the to-do over the photos.
And in fact the discrepancy of memory between the president and the lobbyist is a P.R. problem, not a legal one. A well-placed source says the ongoing Justice Department investigation is not looking at the president as anyone who did something wrong with Jack Abramoff.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CROWLEY (on camera): The federal probe has been instead focused on the actions of some members of Congress and their staffs. But there have been what source called interchanges between Abramoff and investigators about members of the Bush administration. Wolf?
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More weapons of mass distraction...
Let's NOT get hung up too long on whether or not Bushiva LIES...
i think we all know the answer to that one...
February 10th, 2006 at 11:45 amBush remembers even less than Reagan. How sad.
February 10th, 2006 at 11:45 amwhen the Dishonest Abe/Bush pics come out, I want two 8x10's and a dozen wallet-sized!
http://blogdebogs.blogspot.com/2006/02/picture-this-jack-abramoff-and-george.html
February 10th, 2006 at 11:45 amGo Think Progress!!!
February 10th, 2006 at 11:48 amNo evidence of wrongdoing on Bush's part (wow, did I just say that?). Just another snapshot of your GOP Culture of Corruption at work.
February 10th, 2006 at 11:49 amPresident Bush is just doing what comes naturally: playing dumb. And why not? It worked for him with Ken Lay and the Valerie Plame leak.
For the full story, see:
February 10th, 2006 at 11:53 am"Playing Dumb: Bush on Abramoff, Lay and Libby."
These guys are rotten to the core.
At what point did Dick Nixon bow out? Will Bush go gracefully? Or will he try to hold on to power with both hands? The man is sinking this Republic, and Republicans don't care.
February 10th, 2006 at 11:54 amWestern and Eastern fundamentalists want to destroy Liberty...
http://www.welt.de/z/plog/blog.php/the_free_west/the_free_wests_weblog/2006/02/10/the_right_to_offend
February 10th, 2006 at 11:55 amHats off to you for getting coverage on the MSM on this most impressive scoop. Your blog is one of the best on the net and now you've managed to get traction! High-five!
February 10th, 2006 at 12:06 pmWe are discussing this issue at Rabbit Stew Lounge. I invite any of you to join us there. This is important, we should not sit around and be lied to!
The topic (login required)
February 10th, 2006 at 12:06 pmWell, I'll be dambed. Bush lies AGAIN. Next, you're gonna tell me that the sun comes up in the east and sets in the west.
February 10th, 2006 at 12:10 pmBeautiful. Thanks, ya make a political junkie proud.
February 10th, 2006 at 12:21 pmStrange how no media outlet is asking about the obvious links between Abramoff and Dirty Harry Reid.
February 10th, 2006 at 12:23 pmBecause there aren't any moron.
February 10th, 2006 at 12:27 pmI still love to bring this one up.
Why is it illegal for Jack Abramoff to give money to someone? He gave the legal limit, and he did it without strings.
Comment by Gary Ruppert — January 3, 2006 @ 12:58 pm
Yeah, you all are going to trust a convicted felon here?
February 10th, 2006 at 12:28 pmComment by Gary Ruppert — February 8, 2006 @ 4:02 pm
#13,
I find myself wondering how an American citizen can justify to themselves their continued support of an administration and president who has repeatedly and unabashedly lied to them, falsely led them in a violent and deadly invasion of another sovereign nation based upon lies and deception, ruined the economy, and demolished our nation's standing in the world body.
I want to hear your justification. Really, I want to know what possible reason you could have for forsaking your own country. Enlighten us.
February 10th, 2006 at 12:33 pm#15 i love it! ruppert's own words are the best medicine for him.
February 10th, 2006 at 12:33 pmBecause there aren’t any moron.
Comment by Spudge_Boy
Reid only worked with Abramoff's firm on issues, probably met Abramoff before too.
And Abramoff's firm held a fundraiser for Reid.
For Truth, I stand by that.
Abramoff is not in trouble because he gave people money.
You Liberals were smearing the contributions from American Indian tribes and all of Jack's friends, until you found out that your party was linked to the tribes and the friends of Jack.
When it comes to trusting Jack now, he's a convicted felon.
Split more hairs, you hack.
February 10th, 2006 at 12:35 pmGary,
You hacked yourself sir, that obvioulsy upset you.
February 10th, 2006 at 12:38 pmWrong,
You are mixing words. Harry Reids fundraiser was held by a frim that Abramoff worked for, not Abramoff's firm. Harry Reid received money from Abramoff's clients, not Abramoff.
It doesn't matter how many times you bring it up, it means nothing until the firm Jack Abramoff used to work for or his clients are indicted.
February 10th, 2006 at 12:40 pmSo when do we here REAL outcry? 30 more lies? 60? What's going on here? When did it become an almost daily event to lie to the 'merican public & the whole world and get away with it?
I don't know the numbers but if you take some of the recent polls and applied them to population wouldn't that be enough people to hold almost anyone responsible?
February 10th, 2006 at 12:41 pmCan we get to some new subjects, like the mess in N.O. and 350,000 still displaced citizens, 2,265+ service persons killed in this illegal war. Massive debt, huge givaways to big business, secret amendments tucked into bills at the last minute, on and on. Like O'lilie posts we are beating a dead horse here. Everyone knows the Bush lies about him and Jack--Off. Time to viset some other sites if all were doing is more of the same...Yawn
February 10th, 2006 at 12:41 pm#18 Mr. Ruppert,
Abramoff is in trouble because he defrauded his clients out of millions of dollars.
He was a Republican and he gave money from his personal account only to Republicans, not even a single Democratic.
He directed his clients to donate more to Republicans than to Democratics, including Senator Reid.
He was able to sell access to the president for a $25,000 donation. This would not have been possible unless he had some influence with the president.
Contary to the president's denials of knowing Abramoff all that well, he apparently knew him well enough to talk with him about what raising twin daughters is like, something they've both done.
And Abramoff is heavily tied to Tom Delay. That is a fact.
Now, whatever involvement Senator Harry Reid had with Abramoff that was illegal, he should be prosecuted for, but the fact remains that Abramoff did have a lot of dirty dealings with the Republicans in charge of our Congress.
Why don't you admit all of that is true? If Senator Reid is dirty (IF), then we want him gone after as well. You will get no argument from anyone here about that. We don't want ANY dirty politicians in Washington, especially those from our side of the political spectrum. (I'm an independent liberal.)
February 10th, 2006 at 12:43 pmYeah Gary, if Reid is diry too, then he should be slapped also. Then we can get back to slapping all the rest of the Repubs involved.
February 10th, 2006 at 12:45 pmCan we get to some new subjects, like the mess in N.O. and 350,000 still displaced citizens, 2,265+ service persons killed in this illegal war. Massive debt, huge givaways to big business, secret amendments tucked into bills at the last minute, on and on.
Comment by Sharon Cox #22
Sharon,
I'm with you love...
...that Reverend Lowery was right on point about those weapons of mass distraction...
I guess that's how they manage to keep their hold on power....
...put so much bullsh*t out in the MSM that the people don't know whether to sh*t or go blind...
February 10th, 2006 at 12:55 pmAbramoff is not in trouble because he gave people money.
Comment by Gary Ruppert — February 10, 2006 @ 12:35 pm
Jack Abramoff pled guilty to, among other things, conspiracy to bribe public officials.
If you read the article you will find this gem:
Among the allegations in the court documents is that Abramoff arranged for payments totaling $50,000 for the wife of an unnamed congressional staffer in return for the staffer's help in killing an Internet gambling measure.
I don't know how much longer you will be able to cling on to your fantasies and deny reality.
February 10th, 2006 at 1:04 pm#1
February 10th, 2006 at 1:17 pmAbsolutely correct, just another mass distraction. Does anyone really think that Bush didn't know Jack Abramoff? Does anyone think the President is not a pathological liar? Time to move on and do something rather than just whine and point fingers.
I am very comforted by ThinkProgress' obsession with Jack A. Rather than put forth a positive, forward looking agenda, the radical left is hell bent on "getting Bush." Of course, most Americans will soon understand that Jackie A was in bed with everyone, including the Senate's Democratic Leader, Harry Reid.
What I find more comforting is the lack of focus. The GOP has all the talking points it needs to destroy the left come November - you've given them to us. But please understand, we could never have had the success we've had in elections without complete stupidity and hate based agenda. Thank you so much. You are making the country conservative!!
February 10th, 2006 at 1:32 pm#16 - I have a few very well meaning Republican friends that - to this day - can still shake in anger at Clinton's lies. When I - on a daily basis - now provide evidence of the constant lies of the Bush administration their reaction is not quite the same. I think they are disappointed and put-off at the dishonesty but their bottom line is "democrats are a bunch of whiney pussies who are incapable of being strong" (whatever that means). There is also a pretty strong racist element which is never openly expressed but simmers just under the surface. (Hence, the NO screw-up just looks bad on the behavior of those blacks seen shouting and screaming on TV). Yes, Bush has lied but its in the name of national security and a stronger, cleaner US and that makes it forgivable and forgettable as far as they are concerned. I think that's total crap but it might help explain the non-reaction from many of those who very loudly screamed "rule of law" back in the 90's.
February 10th, 2006 at 1:34 pmThis is gossipy.
February 10th, 2006 at 1:41 pmBrown is turning on Bush under oath and TP is stuck on this.
You have the wrong part of the site dumbass. This this the blog portion of the site, called Think Progress. If you are looking for ideas, go over to the Ceanter for American Progress part o fthe site.
And yes, I am hell bent on getting Bush, just as you are hell bent on licking his boots.
February 10th, 2006 at 1:47 pmI am very comforted by ThinkProgress’ obsession with Jack A.
Comment by Rightly So... — February 10, 2006 @ 1:32 pm
Why, it is only been called the "biggest congressional corruption scandal in generations." It's also been said it has the "potential to become the biggest congressional scandal in over a century".
From your dismissal of this scandal as "obsession", I can see corruption & prostitution of the democratic process does not worry you.
Rather than put forth a positive, forward looking agenda, the radical left is hell bent on "getting Bush."
From the Center for American Progress' web site:
"The pages that follow lay out 15 new ideas from Center for American Progress experts for tackling America’s challenges head-on. "
15 New Ideas
"Radical"? "Hell Bent"? Me thinks thou dost protest too much.
Of course, most Americans will soon understand that Jackie A was in bed with everyone, including the Senate’s Democratic Leader, Harry Reid.
You didn't get your memo from the National Review:
[T]his is, in its essence, a Republican scandal, and any attempt to portray it otherwise is a misdirection.
The Abramoff Scandal - It’s the Republicans, stupid.
What I find more comforting is the lack of focus.
What? You were just whining about the "obsesion" with the Abramoff scandal... make up your mind, would you?
The GOP has all the talking points it needs to destroy the left come November - you’ve given them to us. But please understand, we could never have had the success we’ve had in elections without complete stupidity and hate based agenda. Thank you so much. You are making the country conservative!!
"we"? Are you running for office? And it's funny how you wrap up your post with a passive-agressive name-calling blather.
February 10th, 2006 at 1:58 pm#29-Eural,
First and foremost, I am an independent and have no political party affiliation. I too remember the feeding frenzy that surrounded the clinton "staingate" fiasco. I specifically remember the fire and brimstone speeches about how tragic it was that clinton had tarnished the US's reputation and moral standing. Yes, a philanderer in the whitehouse was so horrific in that our national REPUTATION would surely be tarnished.
Yet today, the very same folks who were besides themselves in moral and ethical trauma over clinton's indiscretions and dishonest denials sit silent, placating themselves with "support our troops" bumper stickers and delusional claims of patriotism. All of this while tragedy after tragedy, lie after lie, deception after deception, and corruption on a scale never before seen are all exposed and reported DAILY.
Nary a peep comes from the sanctimonious. Once could talk all day about the hypocrisy and the monumental divide between the issues of wide-scale death (murder), national disgrace, and governmental abuse of the current administration versus the singular marital infidelity of the previous administration, but is such even relevant?
As a nation we are failing ourselves, the world, and our children. Murder, torture, abuse, criminal activity, corruption, and incompetence dominate our actions. We, as a nation, have become everything that we supposedly despise and abhor. Yet it continues with the implied consent of the people in that nothing of substance is being done and, even worse, there is a base of support that continues even with the knowledge of monumental travesties mentioned above.
The question that perplexes me so is this: If what is already known is not enough to cause a revolt, what is it going to take to reach that bar? And, will it be too late.
February 10th, 2006 at 2:06 pmSpudge - your hell on killing liberalism forever. AND you're doing a great job with it.
February 10th, 2006 at 2:23 pmWrongly So,
You are apparently hell-bent on killing the Constitution and freedom. Fortunately you will fail, but such does not excuse your cowardly behavior.
February 10th, 2006 at 2:28 pmRightly So...
Sweetie, if you want to learn about ideas and strategy, that's what the sister site american progress is for. This is a blog discussion site, and frankly your responses are so filled with judgement, anger, hatred and vile - I'm not sure why you believe you're leaving such a good impression of republicanism sweetie? I mean even the least smart of the progressives figured out that americanprogress has this stuff - heck a couple of threads back there was a link to one of the recent reports.
But I forgive you pumpkin. The partisan brain such as yours can only attack, judge and ignore facts that you disagree with. It's OK pumpkin - I'm sure you're a sweetheart of a guy when you aren't launching those silly partisan attacks of yours.
February 10th, 2006 at 2:34 pmWho said I was a liberal. You? Then how do you explain the fact that I support the death penalty. I thouhgt liberals were against the death penalty. I am also pro-military, that is why I joined to go fight in Desert Storm. And the other two; gay marriage and abortion, I do not have an opinion on, because I am neither gay nor a woman.
You can't pigeon hole people you don't know. I am registered Independent. I don't agree with the extreme left, just as I don't agree with the extreme right.
So, try again Bush boot licker.
February 10th, 2006 at 2:38 pmSpudge,
In the world of the radical republican partisans like Rightly So, everything is black and white. They can't think for themselves, or see the grey in life. It's the whole foundation of their partisan brain. Poor thing, pity and forgive him - he's clearly 'not right' when it comes to political thinking - or lack of it anyway.
February 10th, 2006 at 2:46 pmI HEAR BIG WHITE HOUSE DONORS GET TO DO THE TWINS.
IS THAT TRUE?
February 10th, 2006 at 2:56 pmWe, as a nation, have become everything that we supposedly despise and abhor.
Comment by Optimist
Coming from you then I'd have to say we're on the right track.
February 10th, 2006 at 3:10 pmIRI is a simpleton biggot, who is suffering from low self esteem and insecurity, go get some more hairplugs and refill that Viagra prescription.
February 10th, 2006 at 3:13 pm#35 - saving the Constitution from people like you.
Spudge - I am not a Bush boot licker. I just don't he's a lying war criminal like most people in this blog.
February 10th, 2006 at 3:24 pm"Spudge - I am not a Bush boot licker. I just don’t he’s a lying war criminal like most people in this blog.
Comment by Rightly So... — February 10, 2006 @ 3:24 pm "
I've read your posts sweetie, you're about as partisan as they come. And I'm not sure he's a war criminal either, but the evidence definitely points in that direction. I'd like to see a formal investigation however to prove his innocence or guilt - considering how many people including the former CIA chief who came out today and said Bush did 'sex up the intelligence'.
A reasonable and non-partisan person would think this is worthy of investigation. But a partisan like yourself will keep sipping the koolaid. I forgive you pumpkin, a partisan doesn't have a fully functioning brain to operate with. I'm sure you're doing your best sweetie.
February 10th, 2006 at 3:29 pmThat is too bad. Back in the old days, they would have hung Bush by now for treason.
He would say " Give me library......I mean liberty....you see.....shame on me twice...shame....you can't get fooled again."
February 10th, 2006 at 3:38 pm#33 optimist, good post, I agree 100%..Blessings
February 10th, 2006 at 7:15 pmThe Bush lovers, or Bushites as I call them, will spew anything to try to protect their dumb Dubya, and it is pathetic! George is crazy so he must be impeached!
February 11th, 2006 at 2:05 amWelcome back Ryan Neat > sorry you got banned for awhile.
I do NOT understand WHY I-Right-I can post any crap he wants on here?
February 11th, 2006 at 3:28 amI live in Canada. We used to regard you as our friendly neighbourghs to the South. Not so any more.
February 11th, 2006 at 3:41 amWe (the people) now consider you just another terrorist nation. You have tortured, renditioned people, and hidden people away without any choice or recourse to a Court of Law.
I HEAR BIG WHITE HOUSE DONORS GET TO DO THE TWINS.
IS THAT TRUE?
Comment by Bush Bites #39
...yeah Bush Bites,
...but ONLY if you can get through doing Barbara first...
...only one guy I know has been able to complete the dastardly deed though...
...IRI's mother...
February 11th, 2006 at 12:00 pmUk has 151 MPs signatures to impeach Blair. we need 200 since january weve had another 42 MP signatures ....MP's will suddenly jump , as MPs will do this to get him nailed at the post http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=29437&SESSION=875
http://www.impeachblair.org/ and click Early Day Motions
we will have this in the BAG by the time bush starts war By March Blair is the loose link in the chain
February 11th, 2006 at 4:45 pm#49 - "I live in Canada. We used to regard you as our friendly neighbourghs to the South. Not so any more.
February 11th, 2006 at 6:12 pmWe (the people) now consider you just another terrorist nation..." - Bess
*****I live in the USA. We used to regard you as our friendly neighbours to the North. Not so anymore. We (the majority of the people who love our country and used to respect Canadians) regard you as another politically correct "nation" friendly to Islamofascists.(Have you considered on tightening up on the type of folks you allow to seek "asylum"?) Oh, and the AWOL deserters who have sought "refuge" in your neck of the woods - keep 'em - they contribute nothing and suck up resources. But don't worry, we've been your "firewall" before and most likely we'll be called upon to act as a buffer for you.
I have a little story to tell, a true to life and relevent in that it will show how the Bush empire is guilty and should be held accountable, impeached, jailed and locked up for good.
While living in Montana I met an old rancher, last name Godfrey. He was pretty well to do and raised lot's of good racing horses. Mr. Godfrey was in his 80's still going strong and told me many old time true event's he and his comrads and fellow ranchers had gone through. He told me he was in on the last hanging (along with neighbors) of a horse thief. Think he told me it was up on the Mussel Shell area somewhere. Well any way he's telling me about the hanging and that they caught up with this fella and I said with no judge, jury or trial how could you be sure he was guilty and just hang him. Mr Godfrey was silent for a moment, smiled and said to me " girl, he was riding the stolen horse."
When the fox is caught with the chicken in it's mouth, it doesn't matter how it wags it's tail, it's guilty. We have seen and heard enough of the law breakers and constitution wreckers, time's a wasting, now we have to do what ever it takes to get these bums out.......Blessings
February 11th, 2006 at 7:54 pmWe (the majority of the people who love our country and used to respect Canadians) regard you as another politically correct “nation†friendly to Islamofascists.
Comment by mighty aphrodite #52
Puny Hermaphrodite,
You lying, treasonous, propagandizing inbred Bushite streetwalking "hostess"...
...since when is btwn 15-25% of the American public at large (or #35 to 44% of the "voting" public) a "majority"...
The REAL majority (56-65% of "eligible" voters) agree whole-heartedly w/Canadian disappointment in this CRIMINAL BUSHITE junta...
...and realize that the animosity of the Canadian people- as with people all over the world- is directed towards the CRIMINAL BUSHITE junta and their inbred supporters (that'd be you Puny)...
...NOT the Progressive American majority...
...the one you (Puny) will bear witness to in November...
February 12th, 2006 at 1:59 pmBess#49, not all of us are like MA. We have been good neighbors to each other with minor infractions on both sides for a long time. Please understand our country has been stolen by a mob worse than the mafia. With stolen media and voting machines and an extreme radical relegious right we are in a hell of a mess. We have been sold out and lied to, we have a huge debt incured by a personal vendetta of the Bush regime and a devastating war against Iraq and the poor and working class here in America. To say our leaders are crazy would be an understatment. Mighty and a few paid trolls here always try to derail the subject. Bottom line we are close to a civil war right here because we are trying to keep our constitution and stop a total dictatorship. Keep reading and posting and you will see we are not the bad guy's like Bush want's to potray, we are the good guys for the most part.....Blessings
February 13th, 2006 at 2:05 amMaybe Big Papa would be more happy in Canada
February 17th, 2006 at 12:18 am