Howard Dean challenges Bush to come clean

We've had a great time celebrating blog family birthdays in the past couple days, but I'm definitely of the opinion that right now this blog could use more Howard! (Sort of like needing more cowbell except, well, different.) I was really jazzed that he was going to be on Anderson Cooper last night, and then bummed that he apparently was bumped (for what, the dog whisperer?) And here I was, all ready with my voice recorder so that I could transcribe it for you all. If anyone finds out when he *is* scheduled to be on, either that program or another one, please let us know.

This is from the DNC web site:

Gov Dean: President Bush Needs to Come Clean

Because President Bush has yet to return the more than $100,000 in money Jack Abramoff personally raised for him, and given reports of his extensive dealings with senior White House officials, the Administration has a responsibility to disclose their contacts and detail their relationship with this admitted felon.

As a Bush Pioneer, Abramoff bragged about the influence he held at the White House, as did his former lobbying partner who claimed that Abramoff had direct access to the President. Abramoff also arranged meetings with the President and members of the Bush Administration for his clients, who later received favorable treatment.

Until he was charged with committing three federal crimes, Abramoff used his Republican contacts, including his ties to the White House, to create an extensive pay-to-play system where political money was exchanged for policy outcomes. To begin to clear the growing ethical cloud over the White House, President Bush must disclose his Administration's contacts and detail their relationship with this admitted felon. The American people deserve the truth.

Also, 160,000 Americans, along with Howard Dean, recently signed a Freedom of Information Request regarding George Bush's domestic spying without a warrant. Those signatures were delivered yesterday to the Department of Justice. Here, Democratic party chair Howard Dean can be seen signing the request.



Tags: Howard Dean, Abramoff, FOIA


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