After all these years writing about him here at The BRAD BLOG, it was fascinating, to say the least, to finally try and get some direct answers from the nation’s most notorious former GOP lobbyist, Jack Abramoff.
Now that he’s completed three and half years in the federal penitentiary; after pleading guilty in 2006 to charges of conspiracy, fraud and tax evasion; cooperating with federal prosecutors to help net some 20 other convictions or guilty pleas from former Bush Administration officials, one member of Congress and a number of other lobbyists and congressional aides; becoming an anti-corruption blogger; and writing a book (Capitol Punishment: The Hard Truth About Washington Corruption From America’s Most Notorious Lobbyist
Topics in the live, 30 minute interview include:
- Abramoff’s take on the lack of morality at the heart of his crimes (he agrees to the failing, but seemingly only in part.)
- His belief that details of his story have been misreported (such as his attempt to take out life insurance policies on the lives of tribal elders to help cover the lobbying debts of tribes he represented and/or mis-represented.)
- His response to allegations of forced abortions and sex slavery in the sweatshops of his clients, the Northern Marianas Island (he denies knowledge of it having happened, and believes the claims were politically motivated.)
- What disgraced former and alleged election fraudster Rep. Tom Feeney (R-FL) was doing on Abramoff’s lobbyist junket to play golf in St. Andrews, Scotland (“He was not supposed to be on that trip…he may have done something for us, but I can’t remember what it was,” claims Jack.)
- Whether he has done enough to tell the public the criminal truth about his former friends, colleagues, and highly placed elected officials who were the recipient of his bribes in the Bush Administration and the U.S. Congress, and whether he needs to do so before the lobbying reforms he claims to seek can ever come to pass.
I am only sorry we didn’t have more time, as I had so much more to ask about, and there were several topics I would have liked to have drilled down into much more detail in hopes of holding feet to fire. But he had another interview commitment at the bottom of the hour, I had promised in advance to get him off air in time to make it, and he committed (yes, it’s all on tape, Jack!) to come back and continue the discussion in the future. I’ll look forward to holding him to that.
After he left, for the second part of the hour, we continued with listener phone calls, and their take on whether Abramoff’s purported conversion from infamous criminal to hopeful reformer can or should be trusted, or whether this is just the latest “con” by “Casino Jack“. The caller responses were very interesting, and I’ll welcome yours as well, in comments below…
How about you ask him about Mohammad Atta visiting his Casino ship just before 911 ?
You’re a little late, Mick. The interview is already in the can, and posted above.
Sure … who gives a fuck about the one million plus dead ? Silly me .How could Atta not be the top of the list ?
“Voting systems purchased pursuant to HAVA, co-authored by former Rep. Bob Ney (R-OH), met with lobbyist Abramoff during drafting, both serving prison terms for convictions related to bribery and corruption of public officials, respectively.” http://“‹ohioelectionjustice.blogspo”‹t.com/2007/11/”‹lobbyists-hack-your-electio”‹ns-oejc.html
If you interview him again have Tom Rodgers of the Blackfoot Nation come on also and see if Abramoff will stay online. He took off when Peter B Collins had Tom on. (You seriously don’t think he has money! His book is published by WorldNetDailym that says it all in my view)
http://www.peterbcollins.com/20...erican-leader/
Also Abramoff said this on another interview.
‘Abramoff discussed his crimes, but admitted that if he had not been caught, he would still likely be a criminal making bank in the nation’s capital.’
http://www.salon.com/topic/jack_abramoff/
and your comment “Yes, I’d interview George W. Bush or Dick Cheney or even Adolf Hitler if any of them would grant me one.” is where measly little me and you differ. They in my opinion should not be given a platform to try to become rich(er)after taking your country, mine and really the world, to their knees. Fuck them into oblivation!
1. Unique position for reform? I know you need to be polite and give your guests the benefit of the doubt.
This first comment is not an attack. Surely, there are prosecutors, law-enforcement people, and others that have studied these issues that are in a better position to promote reform. Perhaps that is why you just used the term “unique”.
Eating droppings around the farm would be “unique” too, but it would still be eatin’ crap and in-no way make me an expert on healthier eating habits!
I will listen to the rest, if this man actually believed what he says, he would realize that his role now would have to be supporting someone else with more credibility and not make this about himself.
This man is a crook and is trying to make big bucks off his crime — I don’t see how there is any sincere effort to change anything if he sees himself as the man to do it (as opposed to someone that would support another advocate with more credibility).
“I don’t understand insurance products!”
HE IS FLAT OUT LYING
Good probing questions, Brad, and you did a good job controlling the interview so that it did not become a farce — but you are interviewing a SKUNK that feels no need to tell the truth.
FWIW — he can’t “mean it” if he doesn’t understand the problem nor hasn’t given up the wingnut partisanship.
Lee, who identified herself as having direct insight into how abramoff ripped off Native Americans, has what I believe is the correct perspective.
The “sunshine” that you refer to is an illusion — to him, its a marketing opportunity and despite your attempts to “shine light”, he hides in shadows.
If it is redemption that Jack seeks, this interview reveals that he has, as yet, not come close to it.
I am as much or more of a journalist than you are. I don’t choose to give credibility to the same talking points and lies that are in the mainstream media.
It serves no legitimate purpose other than to get attention to yourself.
If I want to hear lies and talking points from faux nooooze, I don’t come to sites like this.
You do not enhance your “journalist” credentials by pretending anything that was on faux or alex jones is noooooze.
And your credibility goes in the toilet when you proclaim to the world that this is what makes you a journalist.
You are no more a journalist than faux hacks and jones if you actually are propping up their stories.
Excuse me, Madison Voices @8–
That was way out of line. The only person’s credibility who’s hurt with that kind of attack is your own.
It’s always distressing to see what appears for all the world to be extreme close-mindedness coming from the progressive side. I expect more from us.
The only thing of value Jack can give us would be the complete disappearance of his corrupt person from the face of the earth.
Yo folks, I pray that we all maintain our humanity in the face of killing distress. Continue to use all interactions to dissect fact from fiction, and I understand that in this case it is very difficult. I tend to think #6 is pointing out what we need to remain vigilant against. We are all together here for a beautiful reason, which mercy is part of, but not to be confused with stupidity or passivity born of fear. Remain true and committed to being for justice humanely, , not like scared rabbits or super-charged teenagers on steroids (my varying extreme temperatures of our country.)