Congressman Kind linked in Abramoff Scandal
Well let's start off with the big news of the day. WKBT-TV 8 in La Crosse reported the other day that the name of Congressman Ron Kind (D-La Crosse) was linked to the convicted felon Jack Abramoff corruption scandal. I'll bet most of you have not heard that story yet. I have not seen it in any state newspaper except the Milwaukee paper.
The Center for Responsive Politics listed Kind as accepting at least $9,000 from tribes represented by Abramoff. I have been questioning Kind's appetite for raising campaign cash for years. According to FEC reports he takes in nearly 50% of his cash through special interest money every year. In the 2004 election that amounted to $473,875.00!
I've watched eagerly to see what Kind would do or say about questionable funds showing up in his campaign pockets. Some elected officials named have given the money back. Others gave that amount to charity. Guess what Ron Kind did? A spokesperson for Kind tells WKBT the "finding is misleading" because "Kind has never met or spoken to Abramoff." Yea right, and I bet Nixon never spoke directly to the Watergate burglars either! What did they call it back then... plausible deniability! The public didn't buy it then either!!
She also is quoted as saying Kind got the money "well before Abramoff represented them as a lobbyist." Okay, but looking at the report from the Center for Responsible Politics I see two contributions in the 2000 campaign, one in 2002, one in 2004, and one for the 2006 campaign season. So exactly how does this work that all the donations are spread out evenly over 4 elections and somehow they were "well before" Abramoff??? I don't see it.
But even if she is right, and I am not saying he is definitely involved in THIS scandal, the question is what did Kind know or should have known? Why didn't he say anything until the media asks him about it? What is he going to do, keep the money? What are these tribes from outside of Wisconsin doing contributing to a candidate in our congressional district? What do they expect in return for their cash? Congressman Kind is a member of the House Committee on Resources. That committee drafts legislation affecting gaming and other Native American issues. They were clearly attempting to buy influence!
Ron Kind has a lot of questions to answer to the voters in his district. I hope the press forces him to address these questions this time. But with their reaction thus far, I'm not holding my breath! It made me sick back in May 2004 when the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and WIZM radio in La Crosse were questioning Kind, his family and aids receiving over $15,000 in luxury trips from private interests in 2003, and the press let him get away with a "trust me" answer. It's time for the public to demand answers!
See also:
January 5, 2006: Jack Abramoff Lobbying and Political Contributions, 1999 - 2006
January 4, 2006: Any connections to Capitol Corruption Case?
May 17, 2004: 3rd District GOP Questions Extravagant Trips and Contributions Accepted by Kind
The Center for Responsive Politics listed Kind as accepting at least $9,000 from tribes represented by Abramoff. I have been questioning Kind's appetite for raising campaign cash for years. According to FEC reports he takes in nearly 50% of his cash through special interest money every year. In the 2004 election that amounted to $473,875.00!
I've watched eagerly to see what Kind would do or say about questionable funds showing up in his campaign pockets. Some elected officials named have given the money back. Others gave that amount to charity. Guess what Ron Kind did? A spokesperson for Kind tells WKBT the "finding is misleading" because "Kind has never met or spoken to Abramoff." Yea right, and I bet Nixon never spoke directly to the Watergate burglars either! What did they call it back then... plausible deniability! The public didn't buy it then either!!
She also is quoted as saying Kind got the money "well before Abramoff represented them as a lobbyist." Okay, but looking at the report from the Center for Responsible Politics I see two contributions in the 2000 campaign, one in 2002, one in 2004, and one for the 2006 campaign season. So exactly how does this work that all the donations are spread out evenly over 4 elections and somehow they were "well before" Abramoff??? I don't see it.
But even if she is right, and I am not saying he is definitely involved in THIS scandal, the question is what did Kind know or should have known? Why didn't he say anything until the media asks him about it? What is he going to do, keep the money? What are these tribes from outside of Wisconsin doing contributing to a candidate in our congressional district? What do they expect in return for their cash? Congressman Kind is a member of the House Committee on Resources. That committee drafts legislation affecting gaming and other Native American issues. They were clearly attempting to buy influence!
Ron Kind has a lot of questions to answer to the voters in his district. I hope the press forces him to address these questions this time. But with their reaction thus far, I'm not holding my breath! It made me sick back in May 2004 when the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and WIZM radio in La Crosse were questioning Kind, his family and aids receiving over $15,000 in luxury trips from private interests in 2003, and the press let him get away with a "trust me" answer. It's time for the public to demand answers!
See also:
January 5, 2006: Jack Abramoff Lobbying and Political Contributions, 1999 - 2006
January 4, 2006: Any connections to Capitol Corruption Case?
May 17, 2004: 3rd District GOP Questions Extravagant Trips and Contributions Accepted by Kind
posted by Lisa & Dennis at 4:50 AM
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