Just Friends Helping Friends
Rep. John Doolittle (Republican, California) finds himself in the crosshairs of the latest phase of the Abramoff investigation. His response is somewhat laughable: Attorney General Alberto Gonzales is simply trying to establish his credibility with the Democratic-led Congress by going after a poor, innocent Republican.
Indeed.
Today's Sacramento Bee has an editorial which presents a somewhat different view of what is going on. The editorial details some of the evidence the Justice Department has uncovered in their investigation:
What is known about Doolittle's links to Abramoff, whom he calls a close friend? In 2000, Ring e-mailed Abramoff expressing Doolittle's interest in finding work for his wife. Abramoff's firm hired Julie Doolittle from September 2002 through January 2003 (paying her $27,000) and from July 2003 through February 2004 (paying her $40,000). During that period, Doolittle wrote letters on behalf of Abramoff's Indian clients and sought federal earmarks for the Northern Marianas Islands. Ring handled these accounts.
Buckham, another close friend of Doolittle and founder of the Alexander Strategy Group lobbying firm, hired Christine DeLay from 1998 to 2002 and Julie Doolittle from 2002 to 2005. Julie was paid about $30,000. During that period, Buckham introduced his defense contractor client, Wilkes, to John Doolittle. Wilkes held a $50,000 fundraiser for Doolittle. Wilkes and his associates also gave Doolittle's committees $118,000. Julie Doolittle received 15 percent fundraising commissions on most of these contributions. From 2002 to 2005, Doolittle sponsored $37 million in earmarks for Wilkes' firm for technology the Defense Department hadn't requested.
Mr. Doolittle is certainly entitled to the same presumption of innocence that any other American is entitled to (assuming, of course, he is not being held in Guantanamo Bay). Still, if the facts as set forth in the Sacramento Bee's editorial are accurate, things don't look too good for the man. Generally, if there is the odor of dead fish decaying in the sun around, somewhere there is a dead fish decaying in the sun.
Indeed.
Today's Sacramento Bee has an editorial which presents a somewhat different view of what is going on. The editorial details some of the evidence the Justice Department has uncovered in their investigation:
What is known about Doolittle's links to Abramoff, whom he calls a close friend? In 2000, Ring e-mailed Abramoff expressing Doolittle's interest in finding work for his wife. Abramoff's firm hired Julie Doolittle from September 2002 through January 2003 (paying her $27,000) and from July 2003 through February 2004 (paying her $40,000). During that period, Doolittle wrote letters on behalf of Abramoff's Indian clients and sought federal earmarks for the Northern Marianas Islands. Ring handled these accounts.
Buckham, another close friend of Doolittle and founder of the Alexander Strategy Group lobbying firm, hired Christine DeLay from 1998 to 2002 and Julie Doolittle from 2002 to 2005. Julie was paid about $30,000. During that period, Buckham introduced his defense contractor client, Wilkes, to John Doolittle. Wilkes held a $50,000 fundraiser for Doolittle. Wilkes and his associates also gave Doolittle's committees $118,000. Julie Doolittle received 15 percent fundraising commissions on most of these contributions. From 2002 to 2005, Doolittle sponsored $37 million in earmarks for Wilkes' firm for technology the Defense Department hadn't requested.
Mr. Doolittle is certainly entitled to the same presumption of innocence that any other American is entitled to (assuming, of course, he is not being held in Guantanamo Bay). Still, if the facts as set forth in the Sacramento Bee's editorial are accurate, things don't look too good for the man. Generally, if there is the odor of dead fish decaying in the sun around, somewhere there is a dead fish decaying in the sun.
Labels: California, Corruption, K Street
posted by Diane at 9:53 AM
1 Comments:
When it comes to holding his seat in Congress, Rep. Doolittle is not allowed to hide behind "innocent until proven guilty". I vote against candidates all the time who have committed no crime. I merely don't approve of their character or ideology.
I wanted President Clinton out of office not only because he committed perjury, but because he didn't have the character or public policy preferences I desired.
I want Rep. Doolittle out of office because he doesn't have the character or integrity to hold a position of public trust. I don't even have to pass judgement on criminality.
Get Rep. Doolittle out of office now! Don't give credence to his "innocent until proven guilty" defense. That is for the criminal justice system, not the political system.
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